1. Real Weddings

Gina & James: A Cultural Wedding in Princeton, NJ

Two weeks after James' perfectly quirky proposal, the couple was thrown for a loop when James was transferred to his company's London office. But this

Two weeks after James' perfectly quirky proposal, the couple was thrown for a loop when James was transferred to his company's London office. But this didn't stop them from planning a superelegant affair -- it just made it a tad more difficult. Once Gina conceived her ideal wedding (formal, romantic, old-world), all the decisions came easily. THE BRIDE Gina Ferrante THE GROOM James Mitchell THE DATE November 6 Gina was practically part of James' family before she even met him. The 28-year-old had gone to boarding school with James' younger brother, Alex, and she worked as an equity derivatives sales trader with his older brother, Andrew, in New York. But it wasn't until she went to a bar with Andrew after a work holiday party that she met the middle Mitchell, James. I hadn't even taken my coat off because I had no intention of staying, Gina says. Then James started talking to me and before I knew it, we had been talking for close to three hours straight! After they had dated for two years, 29-year-old James turned to Gina and said that he had something he wanted her to wear. He pulled out a box, said he wanted her to be his wife, and put the ring on her finger. I asked if he was actually going to ask me, but he said 'Why ask? You might say no! This way, I don't give you the chance to say no,' Gina recalls. She laughed, and he formally asked.

Gina chose black separates from Jim Hjelm for her 10 bridesmaids, not only because it would complement the bright plaids of the guys' kilts, but because it's a universally flattering color.
The Couple
Gina's dress, a strapless white ball gown by Reem Acra with silver embroidery and Swarovski crystals on the bodice, established the wedding's white and silver palette. My favorite color is pink, but James would not have been happy with a pink wedding, the bride says.
The Ceremony
After Gina and James exchanged traditional Episcopal vows, it was off to the Chopin-filled cocktail hour at Jasna Polana.
In honor of his Scottish heritage, James and his groomsmen wore formal Prince Charlie outfit (kilts, chains, and more).
Gina carried a bouquet of pink roses (her favorite flower) accented with marabou feathers for her walk down the long and dramatic aisle (in silver stiletto boots, natch) of the Princeton University Chapel.
The Reception Decor
The main room at Jasna Polana abounded with lush, dense floral arrangements in tall silver candelabras. In addition to a medley of all-white roses, hydrangeas, lilies, and orchids, tall ostrich plumes (reminiscent of the bouquets) gave the centerpieces some of Gina and James' signature pizzazz.
Gina and James first dance was to When You Say Nothing At All by Alison Krauss.
The Accessories