For my money, New York Weddings (New York Magazine’s bi-annual wedding book) is the single best guide for anyone getting married in the New York area. We’ve been proud to be included in their featured vendors section for several years and are excited this month to have a favorite wedding featured in their pages.
Linda and James had been together for 11 years and wanted to create a sacred ceremony
celebrating their relationship and including their grown children. When Linda first called me, she had booked Gurneys as a location for their weekend celebration and was looking for help creating an environment and menu that reflected her vision. The goal was to create a beach wedding and outdoor reception that felt festive and elegant, yet casual. She loved an organic look but also wanted to incorporate punches of color, specifically orange, pinks, yellow and greens.
The ceremony was an important moment to welcome their guests, 120 close family and friends. Because the day was hot and guests were invited to a mid-day beach ceremony, we welcomed them with chilled water bottles (via Hamptons Water Company) and flip flops as well as bags for their street shoes. When guests arrived at the ceremony benches, they found hand fans and parasols in beachy earth tones, greens and lavenders to match the tulle fabric ribbons strung from the driftwood altar structure.
Hand sewn ceremony programs featuring the couple’s insignia Sneha symbol were anchored by a river stone at each seat. As part of their ceremony, the couple and their children performed a sand ceremony, each helping fill a keepsake bottle with sand they had collected from the Montauk beach. The bride looked stunning her blush-colored Vera Wang “Farrah” dress.
For cocktails, Gurneys passed hors d’oeuvre and created abundant food stations featuring raw bar items, sushi, antipasto, cheese, crudite and fruit as well as a colorful punch station to augment the bar. We designed the decks with seating vignettes of outdoor furniture and airport tables utilizing big punches of bright orange and celery-green. Lots of market umbrellas were placed around the decks to keep guests cool and comfortable.
As guests entered the dinner tent, they were seated at long tables covered in ivory cotton with a taupe runner. The centerpieces were custom-made wood boxes running the entire length of the table filled with wheat grass and local summer zinnias in punchy bright colors. Square rattan chargers and square white plates were found at each place setting along with either a lime faille or lavender linen napkin and menu card featuring each guest’s name.
Gurneys chef was ultra-accommodating and created the exact custom menu we requested: Chilled Montauk Lobsters with Lemon Tarragon Aioli; Sliced Grilled Sirloin Steak with Chimichurri Sauce; Farro Salad with Fresh Corn. Tomato, Cucumber, Feta and Parsley; Grilled Asparagus dressed with Olive Oil and Lemon. The bride supplied a recipe for a Pink Champagne wedding cake filled with Raspberry Mousse and Fresh Raspberries, which was delicious!
Age-old friends toasted the couple with beautiful, heartfelt memories and wishes for their future. As the heat of the day dissolved into thunderous rain, guests danced and partied until the bitter end, most leaving with heaping boxes of gummy candies, M&M’s and assorted goodies from the candy display.
James and Linda, you’re a gorgeous, loving couple with amazing family and friends. We were so honored to be part of your day.
Photos: www.joshuazuckerman.com
