The Romantic Wedding

In consultation with Bronson Van Wyck of Van Wyck & Van Wyck.

• By Jada Yuan
• Published Summer 2006

MEDIUM BUDGET

GALAPAGOS ART SPACE
70 N. 6th St., nr. Kent Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-4577; galapagosartspace.com

Location

Looking at Manhattan from the roof of the Galapagos Art Space in Williamsburg is like standing on the edge of civilization. You're at the frontier of industrial Brooklyn, with nothing except three bridges shooting across the East River and millions of distant windows before you. Have your ceremony on a platform stretched across the magnificent reflecting pool downstairs. Cocktails can take place downstairs in the bar-or try to negotiate a makeshift lounge on the roof, at sunset. The dinner is set in the back room, normally used as a performance space. Cordon off a dance floor with tables-brave souls can get down on the club's stages.

Catering

Call on Chef Rossi from The Raging Skillet, the Hungarian-Yiddish "anti-caterer" (212-463-0872). She grew up traveling the states in a camper and has a penchant for spicy food and hot waiters dressed in costumes (though Van Wyck suggests keeping uniforms as neutral as possible). Start off with passed mini-BLT-and-avocado sandwiches, then move on to a dinner of black-pepper-crusted tuna steak with wasabi mashed potatoes. Ask Tompkins Square Bakery (212-460-9878) to make a white cake drizzled with red berry sauce and reminiscent of the Manhattan skyline as viewed from Williamsburg.

Music

For the ceremony, hire a violinist or guitar trio (Juilliard students may be the most affordable; 212-799-5000). The space, normally a performance venue, has a terrific sound system as well as tons of accoutrements. The tech guy is required to be on hand, which means another (flexible) fee-and professional troubleshooting you'll be glad to have. Use your laptop to project a photo slide show or a loop of your favorite films on the wall behind the pool. Friends can have free rein in the D.J. booth, although you could also pick from the club's extensive list of affordable local talent-all decidedly non-wedding-D.J. D.J.'s-or just go the iPod route.

Flowers & Décor

The reflecting pool needs little more than floating candles and fragrant gardenias in pink and burgundy. Williamsburg floral designer Jeanne Costello (917-685-0547) suggests sprucing up the roof with urns of flowering branches and scattered hydrangea bushes. Then set up some ottomans for cocktails and smoking breaks. Brighten up the brick walls downstairs by draping layers of white cotton and sheer red organdy over them. Place burgundy peonies in silver revere bowls as centerpieces. Stand tall, clear vases with submerged spring parrot tulips in rich jeweled tones of red, orange, and green on the bar.