1. The Chandeliers
Event designer David Stark created the twenty circular chandeliers. Each was cast in iron in his welding studio. It took six hours to hang the fixtures from rigging points in the ceiling, and over 2,000 red votive candles were used. According to the bride’s estimate, the Stark production totaled $100,000.
2. The Lighting Design
Stark worked with the lighting team at Lincoln Center to create a warm, rosy glow, says planner Nicky Reinhard of David Reinhard Events. White pillar candles were repurposed from the ceremony to establish focal points of light throughout the room.
3. The Setup
Renting the Allen Room and the adjoining Rose Theater cost $25,000, plus a hefty donation of $50,000. The staging team set up from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. That was $55,000, says the bride (including overtime fees, as the J.A.L.C. staff is unionized and the event took place on a Sunday night). Great Performances, the in-house caterer, arranged the round tables in tiers above the dance floor (catering costs hovered around $50,000).
4. The “Tablescape”
The color scheme matched the ruby-red-and-orange heels the bride wore. A sentimental gift from the groom on their first date, she brought them to every flower meeting for inspiration. Tables were named for jazz musicians (Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald). Stemless Riedel wine and water glasses were placed on the table without any Champagne flutes to keep tables as clutter-free as possible, says Reinhard.
5. The Centerpieces
Stark combined poppies, tulips, ranunculus, garden roses, and calla lilies for each of the seventeen arrangements. Each vase was wrapped in orange Dupioni satin.
The Cake
Its dynamic design is a deliberate allusion to jazz—somewhat improvisational but with a neat execution, Ron Ben-Israel explains. The textured icing bands around each tier symbolize wedding rings. Ben-Israel filled thecake with dulce de leche and iced it with chocolate frosting.
The Dance Floor
Intelligent lighting allowed the in-house lighting director to adjust the freckled pattern projected onto the floor according to the music. Plush red velvet ottomans with orange and red pillows alongside low tables created a loungey feel on the edges.
The Favors
Each guest received a jazz CD as a favor. The tags tied to the discs featured calligraphy by Gail Brill.