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Table of Contents


April 15, 2008 Issue

Cover Story

New York Weddings

You said “yes.” Congratulations! Now comes the planning—which can be, contrary to popular opinion, fun. We’ve already found the most stunning gowns, gathered the loveliest bouquets, canvassed the best spots, tested the cocktails, interviewed the experts, picked out the playlist, and even asked 100 already-marrieds to reveal the ways they would have done it differently. Wherever you are in the process, the ensuing pages will get you closer to saying, “I do.”

Features

Gown Town

The greatest city in the world is the best backdrop for a bevy of gorgeous dresses.

From the Runway

The spring collections included revamped classics, perennials, and wonderfully unusual choices in between.

Graphic Material

Wedding stationery that’ll jump out of the mailbox.

Quite A Handful

Bouquets so beautiful you won’t want to toss them.

Top These

Cakes, cookies, and confections to end the night with a wow.

Dressing Up

Pretty, sexy frocks that’ll live beyond the last toast.

From the Archives

It Makes the World Go Round

From our vantage point, weddings seemed so . . . counter to the counterculture in the late sixties.

Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts:
The Gown Designer

“The dress should fit like a glove. So, no bra! If you must, sew a bustier into it.”

Ask the Experts: The Stationers

“Unless you’re going particularly over-the-top and need more type exuberance, three typefaces is pushing it.”

Ask the Experts: The Planner

“Be wary of planners who work on a commission basis with vendors. In essence, they get paid twice.”

Ask the Experts: The Caterer

“A raw bar with an ice sculpture of a giant clamshell is appropriate, but stay away from dolphins.”

Ask the Experts: The Beauticians

“Hair extensions are great, but lash extensions? No. They bend, clump, and wear down the natural lash.”

Ask the Experts: The Photographer

“Any place that’s small and dark is hard to shoot in. And venues with too many mirrors are a nightmare, frankly.”

Ask the Experts: The Etiquette Expert

“Marriage is a public gesture toward society. Now is not the time to let it all hang out.”

The Registry

Shiny Newlywed Things

Wedding presents (most registerable), arranged by couples’ aesthetic and guests’ gift budgets.

Thoughts That Count

Not everyone has infinitely deep pockets, and not every guest should have to pony up for sterling.

The Album

Vintage Reception on the East River

Ben proposed to Julie at Top of the Rock: The two have a penchant for all things classic-New York.

Lakeside Shindig in the Mountains

The pair, who met at boarding school, wanted a casual, summer wedding on her family’s private camp.

Wintry Fête Uptown

Arden and Walter were set up. Her first impression was, “That guy is what all the fuss is about?”

Big Jazzy Bash in Tribeca

James proposed on the Seine in Paris, with the help of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116.

Over-the-Top Beachfront Bender

Ondine knew that when it came time to design her wedding reception, she would do it herself.

Groovy Dinner Party in Chelsea

Trent and Jeremy went from being a four-day-a-week couple to a seven-day-a-week couple.

Surprise Multi-Venue Soirée

In New York City, it is a considerable feat to book your first-choice venue on your first-choice date.

Recessional

“We planned our wedding in a weekend, and it all took place on one block."

The Reception

15 Standout Reception Ideas

How to have an unforgettable wedding, from ceremony’s end to the wee hours of the after-party.

I Love It, I Love It Not

A quick cost-benefit analysis of four wedding venue types to help you narrow down your quest.

Pray For Good Weather

A nuts-and-bolts mini-guide to pulling off a wedding reception outdoors.

Outward Bound

Great spots for a wedding en pleine air beyond central Manhattan.

Top Tents

Area vendors for tent rentals.

Etiquette Quandaries Solved

How to troubleshoot the guest list; arrange the floor plan; and accommodate everyone at the reception.

Remedies for Hazardous Guests

From the freeloading crasher to the drunk friend, tips for handling the clique of trouble.

Straight From the Source

Behind-the-scenes with a New York bride and her five bridesmaids.

A Drink for All Seasons

Seasonal concoctions, created by Brian Miller and Philip Ward of Death & Co.

Chicken or Beef? Neither, Thank You

Seasonal dream menus to inspire you to think beyond the usual wedding-food suspects.

The Standing Dinner Reception

How to pull off a moveable feast? Jean Christophe Le Picart of Feast & Fêtes explains.

Wedding Sound Machines

Jazz trio or string quartet? Here, options arranged by cost and musical proclivity.

My Big Fat ___Wedding

Musical nods to heritage, whichever yours may be.

Fancy Footwork

A selection of uncommon first dance songs.

Keep This Page and Save a Fortune

Cost-cutting guidelines to plan by.

Decisions, Decisions

One hundred married couples on the wedding choices they made.

The Honeymoon

Saving the Best for Last

The cake’s been eaten, the Champagne’s been drunk. Now it’s escape time.

Write a Letter to the Editor

Letters may be edited for space and clarity. Please include a daytime phone number.

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