The Maverick Wedding

In consultation with Marcy Blum.

• By Stacia Thiel
• Published Summer 2006

HIGH BUDGET

BOYLAN STUDIOS
601 W. 26th St.; 212-924-7550

PETER WHITE STUDIOS
601 W. 26th St.; 212-414-0629

Location

For maximum creative leeway, secure both loft spaces on the fourteenth floor of the Starret-Lehigh Building. Washed in white and located down the hall from each other, these two studios feature wraparound windows that open onto spectacular views of the Hudson River, Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty. For the ceremony, Blum likes Boylan Studios A, with its more than 5,000 square feet (from $4,500). She then suggests having guests walk down the hall to Peter White Studio's rooms A, B, and C for the reception. Use A and B for dinner and dancing, and C for the catering and staging area (from $9,200).

Catering

This high-energy party is all about movement, so heavy foods are out. Immediately following the ceremony, pass hors d'oeuvre like Parmesan pudding on herbed focaccia from Creative Edge Parties (212-741-3000). For dinner, adorn long banquet tables with lemons, olive oil, and fresh herbs. Start a light two-course meal with a colorful salad, which roving chefs dress on-the-spot with the condiments on the table. A simple main course of seafood sausage with either pasta or risotto completes the sit-down meal. Serve dessert while guests dance: consider an elaborate cake by Sylvia Weinstock, arranged horizontally rather than in tiers.

Music

For the ceremony, have a small choral group and pianist perform unexpected songs, like Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" and Bob Dylan's "If Not for You." Bring in a white baby-grand piano-ideally lit by a vibrant red spotlight. Line the walkway to the reception with two dozen classical guitarists in toreador pants and white shirts, providing a lovely juxtaposition to the Cajun string band playing in the dinner space. Finally, make room C all about dancing. Get everyone moving with the sixteen-to-twenty-piece soul band Soul Street from Total Entertainment (212-684-0060). Then, cap the evening with a performance by D.J. Rekha (rekha@sangament.com).

Flowers & Décor

Floor-to-ceiling white walls mean one thing: over-the-top décor. Use color changes to create unique moods for each room. Cover the ceremony space in fiery reds with orchid garlands hung from the ceiling and red satin poppies planted in Lucite urns. Segue from room to room via a walkway filled with floral arches. Cleanse your guests' color palettes with an all-white dining atmosphere: lilies, hydrangea, and roses surrounded by crystal lanterns; and white table linens in an array of textures like silk dupioni, linen, and velvet. Turn Room C into the ultimate party space with an oversized disco ball and dance floor, onto which your monogram can be projected.