1. Real Weddings

Lori & Olie: A Formal Wedding in New York, NY

Lori and Olie both grew up on the East Coast, and they both went to college there as well. But it wasn’t until both of them moved across the country t

Lori and Olie both grew up on the East Coast, and they both went to college there as well. But it wasn’t until both of them moved across the country that they found their soul mates -- each other. The Bride Lori Gaines, 29 The Groom Eric (Olie) Freund, 36 The Date October 22 While Lori was attending law school in San Diego, she left the books behind one sunny Friday afternoon to join friends at a local beach bar. As everyone gathered around to watch the sunset, a mutual friend introduced her to Olie (a director of new business for a travel company). The two clicked instantly, and on their first date Olie took Lori out for a seafood dinner followed by a romantic walk along beach. Two and a half years later, Olie was ready to propose, so he swept his lady off to Palm Springs for a sunny getaway. Lori had a feeling about his intentions, but she kept quiet. “When it didn’t happen Friday night, I convinced myself it would happen Saturday night,” she remembers. “Well, it didn’t.” In fact, Olie surprised her on Saturday afternoon—by the pool. “Needless to say, I didn’t look my best,” says Lori, “but it was perfect.”

The Accessories
Alternating round- and hexagon-shape tiers were covered in pink and chocolate brown icing. The stylish confection was filled with lemon, strawberry, hazelnut, and apricot flavors.
The Reception Decor
Lori and Olie married at Cipriani 42nd Street, in the historic former Bowery Savings Bank, now converted into a reception hall, complete with lofty ceilings and marble columns. Since much of the space has been preserved, the couple was able to exchange vows in the original teller booths.
A confident Lori made her entrance in a most untraditional wedding gown: “It was a soft shade of pink!” she explains. The two-piece, Monique Lhuillier ensemble had a strapless bodice adorned with fabric flowers that was paired with a custom-made ball gown skirt and accessorized with a soft gold sash.
The Bridal Bouquet
Pale pink flowers brought the reception room to life in the form of enormous arrangements in the center of the place card table and tall and short centerpieces on the dining tables.
Lori’s 10 attendants wore chocolate brown dresses in three different styles. “The color was a nice contrast to my pink dress,” says Lori. “This helped pull together the whole pink and brown theme that ran through the wedding.”
The city itself provided the backdrop for Lori and Olie’s pre-ceremony photo shoot. Along with their entire bridal party -- 25 in all -- the couple was photographed in Grand Central Station, under the 42nd Street Bridge, and walking along various streets of Manhattan.
The Cocktail Hour