1. Real Weddings

Twyla & Andrew: A Modern Wedding in New York, NY

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to plan for something, you can still be surprised. Such was the case for Twyla Huang. Twyla and boyfriend Andrew

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to plan for something, you can still be surprised. Such was the case for Twyla Huang. Twyla and boyfriend Andrew DiSimone had planned a “day of surprises” to celebrate their five-year anniversary. The idea was for each of them to surprise one another with fun things to do in the city that neither of them had ever done before, things like “Go to the Oyster Bar in Grand Central” and “Walk around Central Park.” The Bride Twyla Huang, 29, creative services manager The Groom Andrew DiSimone, 30, web manager The Date September 3 But once Twyla and Andrew realized what a logistical nightmare the day could turn into, they decided to make a plan. Each of them wrote down their ideas and took turns picking the day’s activities out of a hat. As Twyla opened her final pick, she was immediately floored: “It said ‘Get Engaged,’” she remembers. With that, Andrew pulled out a ring and proposed, and Twyla -- realizing that you can’t plan everything -- happily said yes.

Andrew accessorized his Prada suit with a chocolate-brown tie flecked with turquoise and white circles.
The Bridal Bouquet
Leah C. Couture Millinery created Twyla's veil and feather flower adornment.
After dinner, rather than cutting into a traditional wedding cake, the contemporary couple served their guests an assortment of cupcakes, with pistachio, pumpkin, lemon, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.
The Boutonniere
As everyone settled in for a sit-down meal, guests sipped blue James Bond-inspired “Q” martinis and toasted the happy couple with blue champagne.
To sweeten the deal, guests left with turquoise and kelly green sugar sticks wrapped in clear cellophane and tied with a white ribbon that held a square thank-you card from the bride and groom.
Reception tables were draped in crisp white linens and set with turquoise chargers topped with white square plates.
Low centerpieces of white and green dahlias with green berries and fiddleheads rested inside clear cylinder vases, which were positioned next to framed photos of iconic ’60s celebs the likes of Twiggy, Sean Connery as James Bond, Audrey Hepburn, and Andy Warhol.
After the ceremony, guests were transported even further back to the ’60s as they made their way out onto the venue’s terrace. Round white paper lanterns inside and candles placed in long cylindrical vases outside provided a warm glow. Circular shell curtains separated the terrace from the ceremony space, which was turned into a minimalist lounge decorated with round cylinders and long rectangular vases filled with wheatgrass.
The Escort Cards
The bride’s wedding gown was a strapless style with an A-line skirt embellished with ruffles and concentric circles. Twyla also donned short fishnet gloves from the ’60s, something borrowed from her mom, and a short fishnet veil that she wore a little askew, making for a chic style statement.