1. Real Weddings

A Formal Glam Wedding at the New York Public Library in New York City, New York

For their wedding at the iconic New York Public Library, Emily and Lauren used a simple color palette of white, cream and jewel tones accented with su

For their wedding at the iconic New York Public Library, Emily and Lauren used a simple color palette of white, cream and jewel tones accented with subtle metallics and art deco details to bring their old New York vision to life. The result was a sophisticated affair with a glamorous vibe, the perfect fit for the historic venue.

We wanted pieces that evoked an elegant, art deco aesthetic, with a modern twist. To get that effect, we built off a fan motif, borrowed from the original cover art of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, and used a three-color palette: black, white, and a tawny matte foil, says Emily and Lauren.
I've always loved the elegance of the 1920's. Even my prom dress was a slinky, beaded number! says Lauren. The Jenny Packham gown I wore was actually the first dress that I tried on, and I knew immediately that it was the gown to beat. I loved the classic lines and the intricate white-on-white beadwork that revealed itself subtly depending on the light. It was also amazingly comfortable; while other beaded gowns were stiff and heavy, this felt like a nightgown.
We wanted the ceremony flowers to be seasonal and to draw from the rich mosaic work in the Chapel, explains Lauren and Emily. They carried bouquets filled with tulips, calla lilies, anemones and roses in shades of ivory, cream and winter white with pops of rich aubergine in the form of fern shoots and dahlias.
Temple Emanu-El Ceremony
Astor Hall Cocktail Hour
Passed Hors d'Oeuvres
Art Deco Escort Cards
Unique Purple Centerpieces
Jewel Toned Floral Huppah
A single long table,large enough to accommodate the newlyweds' 220 guests, was set under the arched promenade of Astor Hall, providing an intimate atmosphere for the evening meal.
Emily and Lauren kicked off the night's festivities with a traditional hora.
Emily is a sucker for popcorn and makes it for us on the stove almost every night at home, says Lauren. So, as a departing treat on the wedding night, we gave guests bags of popcorn in three indulgent flavors – truffle, caramel, and cheese.
Art Deco Menu Cards
Since we had a formal sit-down dinner, we wanted dessert to be something that guests could nibble on the dance floor, says Lauren and Emily. The team at Olivier Cheng helped us create the most stunning dessert bar, filled with delicacies like bite-sized sticky toffee puddings and chocolate caramel fleur de sel tartlets. They also designed a small two-tiered cake that we could use just for cutting.
We were married under a chuppah, a Jewish wedding canopy, and circled each other seven times before the ceremony commenced, as is tradition, explains the couple. However, we took a more personal approach to the seven blessings, having our immediate family members write their own blessings for us that were read after the traditional Hebrew ones. At the end of the ceremony we broke a single glass, together.
Emily and Lauren exchanged vows under a beautifully decorated huppah. Cascades of lush greenery and richly hued flowers played off the Temeple's mosaic tiles.
The cocktail hour took place in Astor Hall, the soaring marble gallery that welcomes guests when they enter the Library. The focal point of the cocktail hour was the bar, centered on the middle archway, clothed in tailored linens, and decorated on the ends with groupings of hurricane vases encasing thick cream pillar candles. A series of low cocktail tables, decorated with white hyacinths and votives provided seating space.
During cocktail hour, Emily and Lauren served their guests an array of seasonal and locally sourced hors d'oeuvres including charcuterie and cheeses from the Hudson Valley, crispy oxtail ravioli with pickled vegetables, braised radishes with black truffle parmesan butter, and mille-feuille of smoked salmon and fromage blanc with lemon and dill on a pumpernickel crisp.
The hand-calligraphed escort cards had the same art deco fan motif as the couple's invitation suite.
The centerpieces incorporated seasonal flowers including anemones, calla lilies, ranunculuses, tulips, roses, hyacinths, cyclamen, passion vine and begonia foliage in varying shades of purple. Vegetation such as artichokes, kale and plums added a unique touch.
Elegant art deco-inspired menu cards outlined the evening's meal: a mixed mushroom and Italian chestnut bisque, followed by braised short ribs of beef with celery root puree and shredded brussels sprouts.