And Then He Kissed Me

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”

View the full gallery here

Photography: David Perlman

Videography: Milestone Video Productions

Catering:Marcy Brownstein

Cake: Nine Cakes

Florist: Mimosa

Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals

Ceremony Music: Eric Umble

Band: 45 Riots

Lighting: Universal Light and Sound

Invitations: Minted

Stationery: Type and Love Paperie

Favors: The Donut Pub 

Photo Booth: Happy Box

First Dance Choreography: Josh Green
Grooms Styling: Ta Ming Chen
Watches and Cuff Links: Cartier 
Grooms Shoes Louboutinworld & Ferragamo 
Tuxedos P Johnson
Transportation: Film Cars 
Ladies Hair Nemanja Jovic
Ladies Make-Up Jonny Polizzi

"Things Keep Getting Better"

I debated naming this blog The Circle of Life.  Although that song does depict beautiful creatures from all walks of life gathering together at Pride Rock, it doesn’t feel exactly right to describe one of my favorite gay weddings.  Indeed, the grooms who were the reason for this celebration are quite fierce.  (I mean, check out the “lips photo” and you’ll see!)  The inspiration for today’s title came from their love story, which we shared throughout this event.  It’s a very full circle one, especially given the circumstances of how they met, and these gentlemen wear it with pride.  Despite being self-described “very design-inept lawyers,” these two have a sense of humor as big as their hearts.  After sharing heartfelt vows, they recessed to a song made popular by the Netflix remake of Queer Eye. This was just one of the many ways that their personalities shined through on their wedding day.

After our initial meeting, Peter and Tom borrowed my own words to hire me by stating “Let’s Have a Wedding Kiki.” Not only did this flatter me, but I knew this was going to be a fun one to plan.  After searching for venues to fit the list of requirements, we landed at doing a full take-over of the restaurant Lafayette.  We loved the existing design aesthetic, the two story versatility and the divine food by Noho Hospitality Group.

On this picturesque Labor Day Eve, guests were greeted with champagne before heading downstairs to the Cave Du Vin.  The space, already filled with wine bottles and barrels, was enhanced by our collaboration with Mimosa Floral Design. Talented friends performed the music for the entrance of the grooms.  The ceremony was officiated by the Honorable Deborah Batts, our nation's first openly LGBT, African-American federal judge.  During Peter & Tom’s vows,  guests learned that the exchange of love letters was an integral part of their courtship.

Cocktail hour offerings included the grooms’ bespoke beverage choice of a Paper Plane, as well as passed canapés and a raw bar.  Joelle Lurie and the Pinehurst Trio performed a combination of jazz standards and jazzy cover versions of modern songs.  Guests learned where they would sit for dinner by finding their name on an envelope.  Inside was a blank card addressed to Peter & Tom.  In lieu of a guest book, everyone could write their own love letter to the grooms.

Throughout the family-style meal, guests were also asked to visit the “Lips” table, which offered an array of lipstick shades. Guests would select one and then put their pucker on an individual sheet of paper.  After the event, this would be made into a custom piece of art by Jeff Rudell.

After the final toast and first dance of La Vie En Rose, everyone was invited to head back to a transformed downstairs. Trays of Planters Punch were offered as an homage to tea dances in Fire Island and Ptown, while DJ Louis XIV cranked out the hits.  Instead of a cake, the grooms opted for a Croquembouche, which Lafayette delivered as a towering statement piece.  Upon exiting the event, guests could help themselves  to boxes of in-house macarons or an assortment of from Peter & Tom’s favorite source for late night munchies: Taco Bell.

To me the combination of the French confection delicacy and their favorite fast food was signature Peter & Tom. The yin and yang not only exists in their taste, but also in the story of how they met and what their marriage represents.  Not every gay romance begins with two lawyers meeting on a case dealing with conversion therapy, especially when one had been put through it when he was younger. It was full circle indeed. I think Betty Who captures best what Peter & Tom share together and celebrate with all.

“You came into my life

And the world never looked so bright

It's true, you bring the best in me

When you are around

Oh yeah

Things keep getting better”

View the full gallery here

Venue: Lafayette

Photographer: Photo Pink 

Florist: Mimosa 

Live Music: Joelle Lurie and the Pinehurst Trio

DJ: Louis XIV

Photo Booth: Outsnapped

Stationary: Minted

Art Activation: Jeff Rudell

Tuxedos: P Johnson

Late Night Food: Taco Bell

I'm Gonna Dream About The Time When I'm With You

When Peter approached me about planning his wedding with Nathan, I didn’t even blink before saying yes.  I’ve known Peter for over a decade. We met working together in hospitality, became good friends and even once shared a Hell’s Kitchen apartment.  I have always admired many things about Peter, including how he marches to the beat of his own colorful drum.  So it wasn’t a huge surprise in our initial conversation that Peter said:

 “We’d really like to get married on unicorns.  Since that might be a logistical challenge, we’ve picked Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo.”

 Even without the real unicorns, this event faced some logistical challenges, but collaborating with these grooms to solve them was part of the fun.  Peter and Nathan have tremendous experience in throwing parties in Fire Island, so they had no issue comprehending how it might all come together. Our main concern was that Jane’s Carousel is open to the public until 7pm, and set up for a private event cannot start any sooner.  Peter and Nathan had wisely chosen the evening of the summer solstice, providing the latest sunset possible.  But to pull off the Carousel Wedding and have their ceremony in sunlight, we would have to have the entire event packed in one truck set to arrive exactly at 7pm.  All contents needed to be unpacked and set up within one hour.  This included lighting & sound equipment with dance floor lighting, a DJ station & additional bistro lighting to help separate the event space from the public park, the dining tables and benches, the entire bar and all of its supplies, and all décor items, including the handcrafted paper flower installation for the ceremony.   It was a jam-packed hour to manage for set-up, but the guests did not know.

 We had asked them to meet in the nearby Max Family Garden, where they were greeted by our festive hostesses with sparkling rosé cider and sunglasses.  The live musicians who had been playing prelude music then led the group to the space.  The grooms entered from either side of the Carousel and met in the middle to complete the walk down the aisle.  Their ceremony, led by officiant Bob Howard, celebrated so many themes of love, acceptance, community, history and pride.  Almost like clockwork, Mother Nature decided to add a real rainbow to the skyline.

 During the reception, guests dined on Luke’s Lobster Rolls and the works from the Takumi Taco Truck.  They alternated between taking rides on the Carousel and dancing to the beats led by DJ Erol.  Individual containers of Eton Mess were devoured as a refreshing summer dessert.  In addition to the open bar, there was a unicorn liquor ice luge offering guests shots of tequila all night. 

 It was a picturesque summer night in New York situated in a spot with the most amazing views.  The food, drinks and dancing flowed as smoothly as a trip around a carousel.  But nothing created a bigger rainbow than the ostensible love and connection shared between these two grooms.  Their song choice for their processional really said it all:

“And when I'm dreaming, well I know I'm gonna dream

I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you

When I go out (when I go out) well I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you

And when I come home (when I come home) yes I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the man who comes back home with you

I'm gonna be the man who's coming home with you”

View the full gallery here

Photographer: Liz Devine

Ceremony Musicians: Cody Geil

DJ: Erol Sabadosh

Lighting: Mike Megliola

Sound: Matty Glitterati

Staffing: Radikel Events

Rentals: Party Rental LTD

Catering: Luke’s Lobster & Takumi Taco

Ice Sculpture: Okamoto Studio

"What Are You Looking At?"

Working with Douglas and Jason on their wedding at the Roundhouse in Beacon was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. This was due largely to this couple’s innate sense of humor, and their desire to bring that to their wedding.

As Beacon is a town in Hudson Valley known for it’s museums, we used that as inspiration for the overall design of the wedding. The entry space was treated like a gallery opening. The images were a collection of their engagement shots, memories with family & friends, and a wall of divas including the likes of Michelle Obama, Mary Berry and Jason’s Mother. All were accompanied by captions that ranged from earnest to ridiculous setting the tone of the night ahead.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house during the ceremony officiated by Douglas’s brother. The grooms entered together to a version of Andra Day’s Rise Up that was intercut with clips from President Obama’s speech on same-sex marriage.

During Cocktail Hour guests were offered specialty cocktails named “The Veronica Betty” or “The Carol & Janice'“ while being served passed canapés or being able to graze at either the Mediterrranean or BBQ station. They could also revisit the galley while enjoying learning where they would sit for the reception. The long dining tables had names such as Spicy Stiletto, Lettuce Dog and Pineapple Owl.

Guests re-entered the transformed main space adorned with tall branch installations by Heart and Soil Flowers and additional lighting designed by LNJ Tech Services. The grooms then made a grand entrance that literally rained sequins. Terrace DJ Nate had worked to create a custom mash-up that included: Rose’s Turn, Oops I Did It Again, Stronger, Oops I Did It Again, Vogue, Man I Feel Like A Woman, Power of Love, It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, My Heart Will Go On and Defying Gravity amongst a few others. It culminated to their first dance to Nothing’s Gonna Stop us Now.

In between courses guests were able to fill out their piece of the deconstructed guest book that was at each setting, or also write a an old-fashioned letter to someone not at the wedding with stamped envelopes provided for this. Visiting the photo-booth guests read instructions to “Smize”, while when washing their hands in the bathroom signage read “Shantay You Stay.”

The venue provided inspiration and a beautiful backdrop for an event that captured everything that is these two gentlemen: a lot of heart with a deliciously campy sense of humor.

“All you need is your own imagination

So use it that's what it's for (that's what it's for)

Go inside, for your finest inspiration

Your dreams will open the door “

Visit the full gallery here

Venue: The Roundhouse

Photography: David Perlman

Floral Design: Heart and Soil Flowers

DJ: Terrace DJ

Lighting and AV: LNJ Events

Stationery: Minted

"I'm Getting Sentimental Over You"

Weddings are most successful when every option to personalize is seized creating an event that represents a couple in their individual lives before uniting and the joint one they are entering into. This was achieved in spades by Mark and Larry, who had a ceremony with Jewish themes in a Church while wearing traditional Filipino Barongs. Their first glance of each other was at the altar, after being escorted by their mothers while the organ at All Saints in Pasadena executed the wedding processional from The Sound of Music. The ceremony brought together the elements from their cultures that were important to them, while keeping a sense of humor and inclusivity that this LGBTQ friendly church is known for.

Following the ceremony, Mark and Larry changed into white tuxedo jackets before being driven in a vintage red convertible to the Carondelet House. This venue has multiple rooms, and we created an experience in all of them. As guests arrived for cocktail hour, they enjoyed passed canapés and cocktails while having the option for a caricature to be drawn by Rosefur Portraits. The indoor/outdoor dining room then opened revealing the combination of round and long tables adorned by BudsNBloomsLA. Each setting had an individual Baby Bell gouda cheese wheel as this an inside joke of the couple. There was also a Vanity Fair inspired photo room to get a perfectly composed shot by Jake Ross.

After dinner guests took to the dance floor where DJ Eddie presided over a giant boombox and got the entire crowd moving. After they cut their cake from Porto’s, Larry surprised Mark by serenading him with a Frank Sinatra classic. This was followed by a surprise performance from Mark’s high school dance troupe that eventually pulled him up to join in the routine. There were also late night snacks of popcorn, churros and popsicles. And on the way out, each guest received a candy-filled coffee mug displaying the custom caricature drawing of the couple by theatrical illustrator Squigs Robertson. It was an absolute blast to work with these two gentlemen who wanted to infuse the entire event with their personalities. Guests got to enjoy all of the details, and also witness the union of two people who thrill each other through and through..

“Never thought I'd fall, but when I hear you call
I'm getting sentimental over you.”

View the full gallery here

Ceremony Venue: All Saints Pasadena

Reception Venue: Carondelet House

Photographer: Ja Tecson

Videographer: Jonathan Chung

Florist: Buds N Blooms LA

DJ:Eddie Garcia

Photo Booth: Jake Ross

Portrait Artist: Jen Rose

Late Night Food:Let’s Have a Cart Party

Hair: Casey Crawley

Make-Up: Kate Quinlan

Wed and Proud

As WorldPride NYC Weekend kicks off, there is so much to reflect on and celebrate as a community.  Fifty years ago there was an uprising that began a lifelong movement. But we also have two other important anniversaries to celebrate this weekend.  It was eight years ago that gay marriage became legal here in the great state of New York, and four years ago it passed on the national level.  Each time I couldn’t believe the news was breaking over pride weekend.  And looking back, I am so incredibly grateful of how this movement informed my career path.  Eight years ago I was a budding wedding planner, and when the news broke in New York, I had an idea to begin a book that would just be for our community.  Four years ago I was working for two grooms here in New York and when the national ruling came out, we added pride flags for them to march with after they said “I Do” to celebrate that everyone in this country now had the Freedom to Marry.  We intercut the beautiful words from President Obama’s historic speech with their first dance.  It has been incredibly meaningful to work with so many same-sex couples on planning their nuptials.  It’s also been endlessly fascinating as weddings look different on each couple, and their reasons to enter into marriage are diverse.  So in honor of these important anniversaries this weekend, I decided to check back in with some of these incredible couples to see where they’re at as we all celebrate Pride.

 RORY AND GEROLD

Drew Newman

Looking back, it’s amazing to think that we had to get married in NYC because it wasn’t yet legal in our home states of Ohio and Indiana. In just five short years so much has changed in the country and in our personal lives now that we have a baby boy! We are so grateful that we were able to celebrate our union surrounded by family. Their support on the journey to become parents started that day when they witnessed us make a lifelong commitment. A wedding is a powerful statement to a couple’s community that they are ready to support each other and sparks their community to begin supporting them too!

 RYAN AND ALEK

Laura Marie Duncan

Gay pride is a rainbow of celebrations, but it’s also a moment of solace and contemplation for those who have traveled the steps before us and honoring their journeys. As well as looking forward to the battles still to be won. Being married for two years, Pride for us is about journeying together on this day, holding hands tightly and celebrating together with our friends the power of love and equality while acknowledging that though we are fortunate to live in a time and place where we have the right to be married, there is still so much work to be done to obtain full equal rights for our community here and around the world.

 BRIAN AND JOHN

Justin McCallum

As we approach Pride and the 4th year anniversary of same-sex marriage becoming legal in the U.S., it feels amazing to be married to the man that I love. Marriage is a privilege and a right that should be equal amongst all citizens of our country. It is something that we fought for, should not be taken for granted, and should always cherish.  I feel I have my “happily ever after” and should be free to love whom I love. Happy Pride!

 DI AND RISA

Maria Baranova

In a precarious world, our love is a great comfort. To have been able to celebrate that love without persecution and to have it recognized by the state is an inspiration to advocate for the freedom of all people. If we can’t use our relative safety and privileges to do that, if the comfort of our love doesn’t provide us with a stable base from which to fight for everyone, then what’s the point?

 JUSTIN AND BRAD

We were a couple living in NYC who had been together for many years and we knew we wanted to get married.  We were lucky enough to win the "lottery" to be married on the first day it became legal in NY - Sunday, July 24, 2011.  We had received a call by Christine Quinn herself notifying us only 48 hours prior.  We knew we wanted to put together a fabulous party but obviously didn't have a lot of time to prepare.  We knew we wanted to have our wedding at our club, Soho House New York, and they put us in touch with Jason Mitchell who was running events there at the time and was about to embark on his same-sex wedding planning career.  It was a match made in heaven.  I think because he was really passionate about what was happening for gay rights at the time, his mind went into overdrive and he dropped everything to help us plan the most fabulous evening.  We will be forever grateful to him and he has really become a lifelong friend.  Everyone who helped us including the florist, cake baker, and band went really above and beyond to make us feel special, accepted, and loved.  Jason really pulled it off and we had a night we will never forget.  It's been 8 years now and we still love telling this story.  It feels special to be a very small part of the history of gay rights.  I am really thankful to have met Jason during the early part of his career and to have had the opportunity to watch him help all of the gay couple's who's lives he has touched through the years.

 CARL AND JOHN

Katie Osgood

Don't know what to say except how quickly time has flown by and how lucky we are to live in the time that we do and to have found one another.

 DREW AND DANE

Drew Newman

Our marriage is the most important relationship for both of us, and this fact was evident at our wedding celebration four years ago, surrounded by so many of our closest friends and family and curated by Jason.  We are so grateful that our marriage and our lives are fully recognized under the law and even more grateful for those who fought for our rights past, present and future.  We never want to take our blessings for granted.

 BEN AND WENDELL

As a kid I never dreamed I’d be able to get married to the man I loved someday. I now often think about gay kids and I’m so glad that they’ll never have to feel like their dream of being married isn’t a possibility. We still have so much to fight for, but the legal rights of marriage isn’t one of them. Equality is so important.

 EVAN AND DAVID

Drew Newman

We were at Stonewall the night DOMA was struck down because we and all of our friends wanted to celebrate this historical moment. So much has improved for our community since then but there’s so much more work to be done, especially with the rise of this oppressive Administration and their assault on our rights. We’re more committed than ever to stand up and fight for the rights of all minorities.

 MARNI AND CASEY

Drew Newman

As I look back, I consider being a lesbian, married to another woman with kids... I feel visible and relatively accepted in most social spaces. I am honored to have married before the law passed because of the extra steps we needed to take in order to show the validity of our relationship. We are stronger for it. Love wins!

 DOUGLAS AND JASON

David Perlman

I don't think we fully realized how much marriage actually meant to us until we stood in front of our friends and family, balling our eyes out, feeling lucky to have found each other and grateful to stand on the shoulders of those that fought for our right to love 50 years ago. On our first pride as a married couple, we are so happy to be together, and feel compelled to continue the fight and, of course, demonstrate that we are just as boring as straight married couples.

JOEL AND MIKE

Ali Rosa

It’s interesting going into World Pride and the 50th anniversary of Stonewall having been married for 5 years now.  It gives you a fresh sense of perspective.  We openly live our lives as married gay men among our entire families, friends, coworkers, and community; and, at 5 years in, as the newness of our marriage wears off and comfort sets in, it’s easy to take it all for granted.  The normalcy is both comforting and disconcerting.  The things we enjoy are the things that people have fought for decades to achieve, and also far from achieved elsewhere in the world.  We’re proud of our marriage, our love, the progress the country and society have made in the past few years.  Yet, we are likewise aware that there is still much to do, and that it’s our responsibility now to pay it forward.

 DOUG AND JOEL

Da Ping Luo

We just feel so incredibly fortunate to be able to celebrate the 50 Anniversary of Stonewall as a married couple in a time and place where it’s both celebrated and matter of fact to everyone around us. So many people- before and since Stonewall- never had this opportunity. So many fought for it and some still are fighting for it. We’re happy and grateful to celebrate and wish everyone a Happy World Pride and collective Happy Anniversary!

 MARC AND DANIEL

Justin McCallum

On this 50th anniversary of Stonewall , I am so very proud: of an America where it’s much safer and freer to be LGBTQ (even though we have a wicked president who is doing all he can to turn the clock backward!), of a marriage where I’m so very happy and in love, and of a budding family on the way! Happy Pride, America!

 YUVAL AND MARK

Photo Pro

2.5 years ago, my husband and I got married.  3.5 years ago we got engaged. And, 1 year before that, we first met.  During the beginning of our relationship, Marriage Equality was granted across the nation. We were gifted with the opportunity to be us, openly, lovingly, and celebrate our union with marriage — our LGBTQ+ community was not granted that opportunity before.  We do not take that for granted. We proudly celebrate our love, and continue the battles for full equality, rights, and protection under the law for the LGBTQ+ community.  We have come far, but we have so much further to go.  As we say, love is love.  Every act of love develops the next act of love.

 KATIE AND LILLA

Tonhya Kae

Pride has always been one of our favorite weekends of the year to spend together - the sense of joy and belonging can be so hard to find in the world as a queer human and while there’s still so much work to do we are so lucky to be able to celebrate this Pride as a married couple with the community that has always made us feel safe and loved

 JASON AND CHRISTOPHER

David Perlman

Growing up, the idea of being married was never a reality for me, but thanks to the strength, fortitude, and pride that is so entrenched in our community, it is now, and I get to look at my husband every day and witness how love always wins. Being able to have the man that I love by my side and the fight the community has fought for me to be able to do so is something I will never take for granted.

 ERIC AND CHASE

Laura Goldenberger

On my birthday 4 years ago, the US Supreme Court recognized same-sex marriage as a fundamental human right. This past February I got to marry my best friend - and just 2 days ago I realized that 2015 decision is going to be one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given and one that I get to celebrate meaningfully each and every year, thanks to all who fought proudly then, before and still today.

MARK AND LARRY

Ja Tecson

Having not just a variation or notion of a marriage but actually having a recognized and blessed marriage validates that our love is not just a notion and that our relationship is not just a unimportant variation of what one should be. Our marriage has been/is a daily testament to our family, friends, and the world that our love is an equally, if not more, authentic, beautiful, and indispensable union than any other - and we are so proud to see it change the hearts of those around us for the better.

JEFFERY AND AUGIE

David Perlman

I really really love being married. It turns love into family in the best (and sometimes worst but mostly best) of ways.

Say You Won't Let Go

Weddings are often described as the coming together of two people, their families and communities.  This was certainly the case for Jason and Christopher, but it was more than that.  I know this first hand as not only was Jason a client, but he’s been one of my best friends for almost fifteen years.  As with many industries, working with friends can either be recipe for disaster or an opportunity to bond and become even closer.  This experience was certainly the latter, and I had a feeling it would be knowing the story we were telling.  This wedding was about two men who once never dreamed they would marry celebrating the undeniably perfect fit they are for one another. It was their chosen families who have witnessed their individual evolutions getting to see their personalities that came through in each detail from the vows that were exchanged to the desert choices.  And it was a celebration of time.  The wedding was a special moment in time, but also a reflection of how with time, previously conceived notions can soften leading to families accepting, bonding and loving more deeply.

 All of their friends attending knew this would be a party filled with laughter, dancing and the feeling you could take your shoes off, because that is how these two men are socially.  Selecting the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood as the venue made this easily achievable.  Incredible views of Los Angeles combined with quirky design give it the relaxed glamour suitable for this couple.  After champagne upon arrival, guests could either stand, sit or lounge on the multitude of throw pillows we brought in to enhance the atypical ceremony space.  Cocktail hour was on the rooftop lounge to best enjoy the views of sunset while dining on passed canapes and sipping signature cocktails.

 For the reception, we created a space with a combination of lounge seating and dining tables; food stations and bars; and a photo booth with a custom step-and-repeat background composed of various shows the guys have worked on.  DJ Aaron Elvis kept the dance floor packed, only slowing for sentimental moments like the grooms dancing with their mothers or the heartfelt toasts given by family.  The guys changed out of their suits into jeans and matching “Groom” t-shirts just as the candy and donut bar came out along with tray-passed wigs and glow jewelry to up the fun. 

 Of all the many details Jason and Christopher selected, I think it was their first dance that summed it up.

 When you looked over your shoulder
For a minute, I forget that I'm older
I wanna dance with you right now
Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever
And I swear that everyday'll get better
You make me feel this way somehow

I'm so in love with you
And I hope you know
Darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold
We've come so far my dear
Look how we've grown
And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go

 View the full gallery here

Venue: The Jeremy Hotel
Photographer: David Perlman Photography
DJ: Aaron Elvis
Rentals: Town & Country
Photo Booth: Jake Ross and Step and Repeat
Stationery: Minted

"All My Wildest Dreams Multiplied by Two. They Were You."

Jordan and Robert first reached out to me at the end of February to plan their New York wedding for an expected guest count of two hundred. The one catch was it needed to be on a specific Saturday in June.  Some life events had occurred that made their desired date significant.  Even though the task included finding a suitable venue on short notice during one of the most popular months for weddings and pulling this off in under four months, I felt up to the challenge.  This was due to my immediate fondness of the grooms; the story of why they wanted to wed on this date; and quickly realizing they had different wish-list of wedding priorities.

 We landed at Second, giving us just enough of a blank canvas for Jordan’s décor dreams.  Mimosa created long rows of hydrangeas alternating with mirrored candles that reflected everywhere in the dining room.  The look was complete with the cloud-inspired installation above the head table, specialty chairs in smoke, and stationery by Nancy/Reed Cohen Paper & Events.

 Fulfilling Robert’s wish to decorate the night with music, The Best Wedding Band kept the dance floor busy all night and worked with a wide array of talented friends in attendance who made sections of the ceremony and moments like the first dance all the more personal.  This also included a performance by the Robert’s college acapella group the Tigertones. 

 The night had many other personal touches, such as the fireworks and photos that went off after the ceremony, their Bar Mitzvah inspired sign-in board and photo cookies as a take-home favor.  Seeing Jordan and Robert be so present with one another at the wedding and enjoying the pay-off of our accelerated planning really made the lyrics of one of their ceremony songs resonate.

 “When the dance was done,
When I went my way,
When I tried to find rainbows far away,
All the lovely lights
Seemed to fade from view:
They were you.”

View the full gallery here

Venue: Second

Photographer: Tonhya Kae

Videographer: GT Modern Creations

Band: The Best Wedding Band

Floral: Mimosa

Stationery: Nancy/Reed Cohen Paper & Events

Lighting: Universal Light & Sound

Cake: Empire Cake

Chairs: ABC Fabulous Events

Rentals: Party Rental LTD

Favors: Eleni’s

Make-Up: Creating Faces NY

Cocktail Hour Video Display: Big Screen Plaza

"Play the Music Low and Sway to the Rhythm of Love"

Weston and Edward’s wedding was an official celebration of a love so deep it was tangible in every moment.  It wasn’t just the love they share with each other, but between their community of friends and family who were there to bear witness to their marriage.  While they were in a beautiful setting on a picturesque day, it was their gratitude towards one another and their guests that took center stage.

The grooms come from different backgrounds, and some family members would not attend due to their beliefs on same-sex marriage.  This didn’t stop Weston and Edward from creating a custom event that suited them, honored those who were present, and reimagined some old traditions.  Their processional alone included a flower-boy, ring-bearer in drag, and both grooms being walked down the aisle by Edward’s mom. The ceremony was officiated by their fabulous friend Harold, who reminded all how far we’ve come as being able to live out and proud.

The venue for this intimate wedding was the backyard of a private residence in Woodland Hills, with magnolia trees and fountains serving as the backdrop.  With Weston having an affinity for cosplay, we created an enormous interactive photo-guest book station with props, hats and wigs galore.  The station was outlined with clothes-pinned photos of them and previous memories with their beloved guests.

The laid-back food service included a grazing table of imported cheeses and cured meats, followed by a Thai buffet of all their favorite dishes.  Desert consisted of a Cake and Art masterpiece featuring a drawing of the grooms plus an additional station of cookies and brownies.  At the bar, you could pick your poison for either specialty cocktail that incorporated their two last names.  As guests departed, they took home a garden-in-a-can to continue to grow the love.  Their first dance was to “Stand by Me,” and those familiar lyrics served as a reiteration of the vows they shared earlier.

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won't be afraid
No I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

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Photographer: The Dream Choice | Siouxzen Kang Photography

DJ: Joey Rahmati

Catering: Anantra Thai

Cake: Cake and Art

Rentals: Town and Country

Favors: Back to the Roots

"Let's Have a Wedding. Dive, Turn, Work!"

This wedding was a party

For two guys Self and Prew

Where Witchcraft, Thai and tacos, were what some guests did chew…

And though the crowd did work

While the grooms rocked Mr. Turk

The cake was cut,  

And games played but,

Adieu to my Parody.

As a wedding planner, I am often asked what my signature style is.  The truth of the matter is, other than showing up for work in one of my sassy suits, I don’t have one.  My goal is always to create an event that definitively reflects the couple.  This task is most fun when the wedding is for a couple like Jeffery and Augie. 

They selected SmogShoppe, an indoor/outdoor venue of the Marvimon group not far from where they live in Culver City.  With a living plant wall, bookcases of props and an assortment of mix-matched furniture, this spot captured the playful vibe of these grooms.  Augie’s brother Somerset created a caricature drawing of their faces for the save-the-date, and we used that image throughout the entire branding of the wedding.

As guests arrived they were greeted with either of the signature cocktails: The Self Standard or Pomegranate Prew.  Augie and Jeffery got impeccably groomed by Jonathan Van Ness, and then descended the stairs in their signature Mr. Turk suits.  Each groom was escorted by their parents down the aisle to “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry.” Their officiant was the one and only Eric Gilliland. This is the second wedding we’ve done together, and I can attest again that his ability to capture the tone of a couple through wit and sentiment is incredible.  The ceremony included heartfelt vows, jokes about Mike Pence, and even a bit of witchcraft by Miguel Pinzon.

The entirety of the space opened up during cocktail hour, which was enhanced with flower arrangements by Georgiana Louella Johnson & Alexis Krause Di Salvo and additional lighting from Town and Country. Guests began visiting the photo guestbook station with an impressive collection of wigs and props styled by Jim Hansen and Orlando Soria.  Jeffery and Augie knew from the beginning they did not want to fuss with seating arrangements or a plated meal. After guests enjoyed the grazing table of crudité, imported cheese and cured meats, the two food stations opened.  The grooms wanted to serve their two favorite foods, so we offered Mexican by Border Grill and Thai from Night Market. 

After dinner began the little bit of programming that was scheduled.  Wanting to avoid a slew of speeches, Jeffery and Augie asked the four guys closest to them, who were billed in the program as best supporting actresses.  To say that Cole Escola and Jordan Firstman’s rendition of “If Jeffery Gets Married” brought down the house is an understatement.

Jeffery and Augie toasted their guests and cut into the masterpiece creation by Cake and Art.  DJ Micah then got the entire crowd dancing as a video backdrop of camp classics curated by Jake Wilson lit the dance floor.  Some guests took a break from dancing to Brittany while a clip of Rosie accepting her honorary Tony played.  There was a candy closet to visit with traditional fare and some of California’s best legal treats.  There were giant games to play including Cornhole, Jenga and Connect Four. It was the “choose your own adventure” mentality the grooms wanted, and luckily David Perlman was on hand to capture it all.   On the way out, guests were each given a hangover kit for the next day consisting of a cocktail shaker, vodka, Bloody Mary mix and an Advil.

Oh, What a Wonderful Wedding

This Wedding was Marvelous

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Venue: Smog Shoppe
Photographer: David Perlman Photography
Suits: Mr Turk
Grooming:  Jonathan Van Ness
Officiant: Eric Gilliland
Flowers: Georgiana Louella Johnson & Alexis Krause Di Salvo
Catering: Border Grill & Night Market Thai                                                                                 Rentals: Town and Country
Cake: Cake & Art
Artwork: Somerset Sidney Prew
DJ: Micah James
Witchcraft: Miguel Pinzon
Video: Jake Wilson