This New York City wedding is one of the most unique events I have ever seen. No wonder with Hatch Creative Studio at the design helm. The innovative and personal touches they created with Daughter of Design are going to cause some extreme jaw-dropping reactions. This cutting-edge team was rounded out with artists Belathée Photography and Studio Z Films. Enjoy even more traditional meets urban chic inspiration in the full gallery!
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The party is far from over! Take a looksie at the trendy highlights from Studio Z Films…
There are 2 sides of NYC. There’s the downtown, chic urban vibe and then there’s the uptown, traditional NYC. Monica and David’s personal style embody both and really reflected them in their wedding. Guastavino’s was the perfect venue since it embodied both classic NY architecture with vaulted ceilings and also the hip, industrial side of NY with it’s exposed pipes and location under the belly of the Queensboro Bridge.
The invitations played on the traditional set with a monogram and elegant frame but with graffiti fonts and dripping and splattered spray paint effects. I think my favorite part of the invitation was the background wallpaper that repeated, “You are the work of my life and I am the work of yours.” That was David’s poeticim. The escort card, the menus and the favor card all followed suit with the invitation design. In addition we took the monogram design and also created a large cling that went around one of the exposed pipes to make it as if we “tagged” the venue. The monogram was also splashed across a brick wall printed fabric that acted as the photobooth background. We supplied the photobooth with spray can props and other fun costumes and let people’s creativity take care of the rest!
For the ceremony a custom tree was built inside the venue’s large cave-like dome. Hanging exposed bulbs added a modern element to the tree as did the contemporary ghost chairs that the guests sat in. I’m always concerned about “how will the pictures look” and dislike when people hold folders or papers during the ceremony since it clashes with the soft decor. For Monica and David the officiant used a large piece of bark as his folder and for the couple’s personalized vows were also on smaller pieces of bark that were actually adhered to the tree trunk so that the officiant peeled it off the tree and handed each their vows during the ceremony. Later in the night the tree remained and became the backdrop for the bar. It created this outdoor-indoor feel that was perfect for this warm summer night.
The cocktail arrangements were comprised of mostly succulents, rocks, moss and tropical greens. There was a very minimalist, contemporary feel that went well with the loft look of the cocktail hour space. Extra large succulents acted as the escort card holders so that the cards fanned out and were stuck between their petals for a unique presentation. In line with unique presentations we weaved the menu cards between the dinner forks so that they stood up vertically. 6’ tall laurel branches which looked as if they are growing out of the center of the table were accented with a lush garden at the base of the branches. An assortment of unique succulents, kale and whimsical lavender flowers like allium and lavender added to the fun. The laurel branches were decorated with purple orchids and mercury hanging candle holders. The room was finished off with a purple glow that engulfed and saturated every corner of the reception.
Monica and David incorporated their individual cultures throughout the evening. Before the ceremony a traditional Chinese tea ceremony was held in honor of David’s background as were the Chinese drum and dragon dancers that surprised guests at the end of the cocktail hour and led the way up to the reception. After dinner the Halo Halo station which is a traditional Filipino dessert was set out next to the bar and as guests left they were each given a cracked pearl box favor that Monica’s mother had sent from the Philippines.
Monica and David are incredibly stylish and brilliantly creative, fun-loving people. I think their wedding was a true reflection of them and one that my staff still calls a favorite!
Venue: Guastavino’s / Coordination + Planning: Annie Lee of Daughter of Design / Photography: Belathee Photography / Videography: Studio Z Films / Event and Floral Designs: Barb Salzman of Hatch Creative Studio / Hair: Jeff Chastain Parlor / Halo Halo: Bistro Filipino / Lighting: BML – Blackbird / Band: Hank Lane’s Arthur Stuart / Invitations: Paper Monkey Press + Design / Photobooth: The StudioBooth