Real Wedding : Danielle + Kyle's Montauk Wedding at Sole East

Danielle and Kyle wanted a fun, weekend long, wedding celebration in Montauk. They envisioned a design where the chic elements of Manhattan effortlessly fused with Montauk's famous seaside -shabby flair.  Throughout the next year, and with the greatest of care, our bride and groom hand picked every detail for their wedding!  And 396 days after our first meeting, by way of a team, assembled of NYC's top wedding professionals, this exact experience and vision was brought to life!

For me, one of the most beautiful parts of the day was the ceremony.  It's design was whimsically-stylish and set the romantic tone for 275 of the couple's closest family and friends who were invited to sit around a large bowed tree, laced with lavish garlands, strung from its branches, and witness Danielle and Kyle exchange vows. They stood below a magnificent, hand crafted birch altar, covered with greens and florals.  Everyone also listened to one amazing celebrant, who offered many wise and touching words of wisdom throughout his entire address.

From start to finish, his sermon was filled with his sentimental thoughts and advice on the couple, love and marriage.  And for the past two months, one part of his address in particular has stayed in my mind: when the celebrant guided the groom Kyle to, "always remember the reasons why you proposed," and then guided Danielle to, "never forget the reasons why she said yes." I LOVED THIS!!!

I am one proud mama of this fabulous Montauk wedding - I might almost be able to utilize the phrase, to say that "I'm swooning over this wedding," but I'm simply not prepared to enter swooning terms into my wedding arsenal. What I am prepared to do is gush over a most talented group of wedding professionals, who seamlessly collaborated to make our couple's wedding dreams come true!

As we eagerly await the wedding images, please enjoy the trailer created by cinematographer Edward Zilberman for Orange Films.  And also, a very special thank you to the celebrant, who worked tirelessly to create a custom ceremony for his dear friends.   I'll share one more passage from his address; for me, it was the most poignant: 

"Sooner or later, we begin to understand, 

that love is more than just verses on Valentines and romance in movies. 

We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true; 

the most important thing in our lives." 

As we near the end of 2015, these words sum up exactly what I wish for everyone: for you all to have real, true love in your lives!

Be sure and check back for the reveal of Heather Waraksa's stunning wedding pictures of our Sole East wedding extravaganza!  And of course, always check in to see the shenanigans and happenings at LDE, as we continue to plan from Palm Beach to New York, Florence and all that lies in between!

The stellar team who created Danielle + Kyle's Platinum Montauk Wedding:

• Event Planner: Lauren Daversa Events 
• Photographer: Heather Waraksa 
• Cinematographer : Orange Films 
• Venue: Sole East
• Cocktail Hour Entertainment: David Higgins Band 
• Reception Entertainment: Lost in Paris & DJ Gizzmo 
• Dessert Bar: Sweet D'Cor 
• Rentals: Party Rental LTD 
• Lighting: Matt Murphy Event Lighting 
• Flowers: Flowers by Beth 
• Wedding Cake: Nine Cakes 
• Wedding Day Beauty: Face Time 
• Bride's Wedding Gown: Hayley Paige 
• Maid of Honor Dress: Reformation 
• Photobooth: Sweet Booths 
• Custom Stationery Design and Branding: Sean Dimmer
• Custom Wedding Welcome Totes: Sean Dimmer
• Celebrant: Close family friend

| photo credits - Heather Waraksa |

Real Event : Lisa + Cole's Gender Reveal Baby Shower

It is mind blowing to me that it was February of 2011 when I first introduced Lisa and Cole!  This was over five years ago when I shared just a few images of their engagement session, shot onsite at their family farm.  Shortly after that, I then shared the excited news that their, which featured Lisa's lily-pop bouquet, was selected to be published! SIDE NOTE - Lisa's bouquet remains the largest, most amazing bouquet LDE has seen to date! And today, I could not be any more thrilled to share a few images from their baby shower!

That it correct!  Last October,  Lisa phoned with some very exciting news : a Berger Baby was on the way!  Yes, it is totally normal for me to keep in touch with all my couples, along with their family members and even some of their friends! 

Lisa went on to share how their wedding day (which, LDE planned) was the best day of her and Cole's life.  Okay, now I am gushing! My former bride shared that they could think of no one other than LDE to create another celebration for a special moment in their lives - the Berger Baby Shower! Seriously, receiving this type of love from our LDE Family is truly one of the best parts of this job.  I consider it to be an honor! 

But Lisa was not done with the surprises, and she threw out a curve ball.  This was not going to be a typical baby shower.  The Berger Baby Shower was going to be a gender reveal!  Holy - oh - em - gee, I am excited!

AND the expecting parents were entrusting me, and only me, with the one document containing their baby's gender.  VERY IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: by far the biggest secret I have ever been asked to keep, and not easy!

We got to work right away, and in true Berger style, they want over the top.  And so LDE delivered an over the top, outta control, gender reveal - baby shower fit for royalty.

The event took place at The Polo Club, where Team LDE worked tirelessly to transform the patio of The Mallet Grille into a pink and blue wonderland where 150 of the expecting parents friends and family oooh-ed and ahhhh-ed for the entire afternoon.

Guests walked through a billowy tunnel, into a custom made, replica of the Berger family barn.  The same barn which served as the backdrop for their engagement pictures, now has a mini-me version built to showcased a five tier cake.  The cake, of course, was complete with a carousel.  But before the cake, everyone enjoyed a three course lunch, and then danced away to their favorite songs under a chandelier strung with baby rattles and bottles.

Anticipation filled the afternoon, and in the final moments : the reveal!

Everyone gathered on the polo field to watch as Lisa and Cole lifted a blanket off an antique baby carriage, containing balloons in the color that represented the Berger Baby's gender!

Sincerely, this was an amazing afternoon.  And it took a powerhouse team of my fave industry colleagues to build such a magical world: Bambini Soiree, The Sugar Monkey, Tom Jackson Band, 1313 Photography, and of course, Black Label Wedding Films.  A huge thank you to everyone for all their efforts!!

Pink or blue?  You'll have to watch and see...

Enjoy the cinematic work of Black Label Wedding Films, and be sure to check back soon for the full event recap!

Real Wedding : Amanda + Christopher's Palm Beach Trump Wedding

As time flies by, the entire team at LDE continues to work around the clock, helping me bring to life all the ideas I've dreamed up for my clients on their special day! And somehow, blogging the fabulous, daily behind the scenes posts of my crazy life as a wedding planner, has become the equivalent of me climbing Mount Everest. However, I will gladly force-pause when I get emails containing links like the ones I'm sharing today!

Over a year ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Amanda and her mother, Linda! Not only did we click with planning, but we all became fast friends! Many meetings, phone calls, maybe even a few bottles of prosecco, and we arrived to April in the blink of an eye. They wanted a Palm Beach wedding that no one would forget, and Team LDE brought it, executing one of the best weddings in our eight years!

Story book - fairy tale all the way, starting at St. Edward in Palm Beach with the "I Do", and ending at Trump International Golf Club with the party of the season.

Seriously, what a special wedding this was! Yes, because the couple and their family are all amazing people. And because of the added bonus that I was fortunate enough to bring on board ALL of my favorite colleagues to produce this most incredible celebration.

So ab-so-lut-ly, I will pause and allow myself to be transported right back to one of my absolute, all time favorite weddings by way of loving the imagery of Chris Joriann and cinematic magic of Senderey Video.

Some serious thanks you are in order - because unless you are illiterate, we all know there is no "I" in Team!

Thank you to Chris Joriann for shooting the you know what out of this wedding. And TY to the boys from Senderey Video, who not only capture all the very special moments, but knock out a trailer two days after the wedding!

Xquisite Events. I can never just say enough about my Nancy and her team at Xquisite. Despite working with them weekend after weekend after weekend, their work is always a fresh and beautiful!

Rock With U, enough said. Love you DJ Dean Michaels and love all my boys of Fusion!

Ivette, the lead stylist and owner of Pretty Suite, who made Amanda glow all day and into the night! My bride smiled and twirled in the most beautiful blush, custom fit, Casablanca gown from J del Olmo Bridal. Vivian, you are a true professional!

Thank you so my favey-fave-fave cake designer, Jennifer, who is The Sugar Monkey. She created a stunning tower of confection for everyone to enjoy, including myself!

And last, but certainly not least, Ms. Sue Carboy and her staff at Trump International Golf Club. There is never enough praise I can shower Sue with. Sue, you are simply the best!

Enjoy the cinematic work of Senderey Video, and be sure to check back soon for even more LDE shenanigans + happenings, as we continue to plan from Palm Beach to Florence and everywhere in between!

Amanda and Chris April 18, 2015

Real Wedding : Courtney + Tyler's Breakers Wedding in Palm Beach

2014 has been a complete whirlwind for LDE. We have been blessed with working with the most incredible clients on their beautiful weddings, creating over the top styled shoots in exotic locales, and a major expansion into the European market with our soon to launch Jet Set Fête! However, no matter what interesting stones we turn over here at LDE, it's always so much fun to relive the day our clients said, "I Do."

This past weekend, we shared in the joy of the union of Courtney and Tyler. This story book wedding was held at The Breakers, the iconic Palm Beach destination for a fairy tale wedding.  It featured every element a princess bride dreams of and it was a joy to plan.

The event was produced with an incredible team of my fave industry colleagues : Ambrosio Photography, Senderey Video, Vox Blu, Pretty Suite, Jorge Penn, Solutions Bridal and The Sugar Monkey. Enjoy the cinematic work of Senderey, and be sure to check back soon for the full wedding recap!

Courtney and Tyler ||The Breakers || August 31, 2014
from Senderey Video Productions on Vimeo.

Real Wedding : Kristen + Greg's Flagler Museum Wedding in Palm Beach

In the last few moments of Mother's Day 2014, I find myself defeated by a cold and sick in bed. However, I can think of nothing else that would lift my spirits more than sharing the trailer from Kristen + Greg's perfect Palm Beach wedding, held at the iconic Royal Poinciana Chapel and Henry Morrison Flagler Museum. 

Kristen, Greg + their families bring a level of love and warmth everywhere they go. It was an honor to plan this wedding and now a treasure to have the Coleman-Doyle crew as friends. 

As it should, this wedding will feature an incredible photographic recap from Ambrosio Photography. For tonight, please enjoy the cinematic work of LDE faves, Senderey Video Production and be sure to check back soon for the full wedding recap!

Kristen and Gregory ||Royal Ponciana || Flagler Museum || March 29, 2014 from Senderey Video Productions on Vimeo.