1. Real Weddings

Allison and Mark: A Summer Wedding in Brooklyn, NY

Since Allison Micarelli had worked at The Knot for nearly five years when she became engaged to her boyfriend, Mark Sokoloff, it's safe to say she had

Since Allison Micarelli had worked at The Knot for nearly five years when she became engaged to her boyfriend, Mark Sokoloff, it's safe to say she had already given some thought to her dream wedding. I had a binder of ideas ready the day after he proposed, admits Allison. The Bride Allison Micarelli, 28, managing editor The Groom Mark Sokoloff, 28, web designer The Date July 9 A few other things the couple was certain of: The 70-person celebration would take place at a cozy restaurant near their Brooklyn, New York, home, have a sophisticated, urban feel, and be fueled by lots of wine, champagne, and jazz music.

The Ceremony Decor
A candy bar filled with white M&Ms, vanilla jelly beans, white rock candy sticks, chocolate covered almonds, and chocolate covered pretzels.
The guests were given embroidered silk pockets in the chosen palette. They contained the welcome card, program, and menu.
The four-tier square cake was vanilla with vanilla buttercream filling and dark chocolate fondant frosting with a white Swiss dot motif.
Polka dots were a clever twist on the notion that a circle, just like true love, has no beginning and no end.
Allison and Mark personalized the interior of the restaurant by hanging up white wood letters spelling out their new married monogram.
The Couple
Allison's all-white bouquet was made up of peonies, dahlias, and roses.
Allison wore a custom-designed silk satin tea-length dress with ruching at the bustline and a V back with covered buttons. I love shoes, so a short dress was a must to show them off, Allison says. The fabulous footwear: gold peep-toe sling backs with an enamel and pearl flower at the toe. Allison and Mark also rented a vintage city cab to shuttle them to the ceremony. This same cab was used in another urban love story (and one of Allison's favorite movies), When Harry Met Sally.
The Centerpieces