Evan and Marc met on the 2016 Cycle for the Cause Fundraiser benefiting New York's LGBT Center. That day, Evan pushed himself to keep up with Marc, and Marc acknowledged Evan's effort by slowing down. Evan decided that day that he didn't want to let Marc out of his sight again, and Marc agreed.

Two years later, they were in Lake Como where they cycled over 5,600 feet to reach the top of a mountain at the Agueglio Pass. It was there that Marc proposed with a bicycle chain ring in his hand.

I was told this very story the first time I met these grooms. The love they have for each other was clear, as was their desire to have a wedding that would reflect their love of cycling and being in nature. I contemplated naming this blog from the classic song On a Bicycle Built for Two. However, while the artwork they had commissioned sure did show them “looking sweet upon a seat,” the song also states “it won’t be a stylish marriage.” That couldn’t be any further from what we created on September 9 of 2019.

After touring many options for venues, they settled on The Foundry as their top choice. Not only does it allow flexibility with catering and event flow, but its massive courtyard draped in ivy brought the nature vibe they wanted. Our collaboration with Mimosa Floral Design enhanced the vision for the event, including a bicycle wheel inspired chandelier that hung over the dining area. The spokes of a bike were also displayed in accents like the menus, cocktail signs and the cake. Individual brass bikes held each guest’s escort card.

Food and drink were extremely important to Evan and Marc, and Marcey Brownstein exceeded their expectations. Cocktail hour included a Katz’s deli station, passed canapés, a raw bar with lobster rolls and three signature bespoke cocktails. For dinner, all guests were served a Watermelon and Feta salad followed by their choice of herb crusted rack of lamb or lemon glazed branzino.

Entertainment was also highly prioritized. To enhance the unplugged ceremony performed by the openly LGBT Rabbi Marc Stadtmauer, clarinetist Eric Umble assembled a team to join him including a vocalist, violin, viola and cello. The band 45 Riots enhanced the ambience for dinner and got the entire crowd on its feet when it was time to dance. They honored all of the grooms’ special requests, including their entrance to And Then He Kissed Me, an epic Hora and their first dance to I’ve Had The Time of My Life. Of course, this dance was made extra special with choreography by Josh Green. For extra fun, guests could also visit the photo booth by Happy Box. On their way out, they were gifted black & white cookies and splits of champagne with the image of the grooms on their tandem bike.

This wedding was chock full of details, including the grooms arriving in a vintage New York taxi after they got into their custom P Johnson tuxes at the Baccarat. Being asked to execute all of this was great fun as their wedding planner, but witnessing their love was a great honor. From our first meeting together, I was able to see what they discovered on their first cycle together.

“I knew that he was mine so I gave him all the love that I had”