Becca & Brad’s Industrial Romantic Wedding at the Four Seasons

December 5, 2012
My initial consultation for Rebecca Bronfein and Brad Raphael’s wedding was not with Becca and Brad since they were living in L.A., but rather Rebecca’s mother, Jessica (who I immediately fell in love with.)  While it’s tempting for some mothers to take over and make their daughter’s wedding everything they wish they had done for their own, I was truly amazed at how hard Jessica worked to keep Rebecca (and Brad’s) vision at the focus.  She wanted this to be the most spectacular day of their lives, the day Rebecca had dreamt of.   It’s extremely hard for someone who is used to doing events themselves (Jessica serves on the board of the Jewish Women’s Federation of Baltimore) to completely hand the reins over to someone else.  Jessica did this flawlessly and gracefully.  She remained involved in the planning process and worked by my side on a lot of elements, but really allowed me to do my job.  Having that kind of trust/confidence/connection with your planner is very important!

 After spending some time with Jessica in the beginning of the planning process, I was really looking forward to meeting the bride and groom…I heard lots of interesting things about them – Brad is a surgeon and Rebecca worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art in LA. When I finally met Becca and Brad, I was truly delighted.  Like mom, they are great people and make an amazing couple – refined, intelligent and elegant, but also super funny and down to earth.  (They have matching black framed glasses AND they high-fived at the alter – how awesome is that?
I love a design challenge – and Becca certainly provided that at our florist meeting where she informed me that she really didn’t want a lot of flowers.  At least not large, defying gravity, Preston Bailey-esque arrangements.  She wanted more unique objects and eclectic design elements than a room filled with tons of flowers.  Then Brad, the groom, informed us he did not like centerpieces that resembled trees or branches.  For a very large room that is a blank space and needed a transformation, it certainly got us thinking outside the box!
Since Becca did not like the idea of a floral chuppah, Becca and Brad compromised here – it was made of branches, yes, but with some strategically placed orchids.   And Brad did in fact, think it was gorgeous 🙂

Cocktail Hour: a bit of a rustic/industrial vibe complete with custom bar made out of old mahogany doors, we wrote their signature drinks (such as the Moscow Mule) on the chalkboard top of the bar.  Herbs and flower buds were hung in lightbulb vases above the bar from a ladder arbor.

   

The Reception featured a lot of custom-designed decor.  A custom grey and cream striped dance floor, custom natural linen drum shades with chandeliers, burlap and string light band backdrop and a custom reclaimed wood plank hard stage skirt for the band were just a few of the focal points we created.  We had four different centerpiece styles, half the room was made up of mirrored square tables and half round tables with grey and cream linens.  The four corner tables were banquette seating and the three VIP tables around the dance floor were made of reclaimed wood with cast iron bases with floral chandeliers overhead.                      

Thank you so much to Mr. and Mrs. Bronfein, as well as Rebecca and Brad for allowing us to be a part of your very special day.  We had so much fun working with you all – and are happy to now call you friends.  I love before and after shots – here’s the ballroom before everyone worked their magic: 

A HUGE thank you to our Vendor Team: Photographer: Eli TurnerVideographer: Blue Sky FilmsVenue:  The Four Seasons, Baltimore (Contact: Katie Shannon)Band: EBE talentSwank Lighting: pinspottingChicka Chicka Boom Boom: furniture/decor, uplighting, draping, ghost chairsMakeup: BlendHair: Studio 921Floral Design: Edge FlowersMajestic PhotoboothDC Rental: placesettings + ghost chairsLa Tavola: dinner table linensOfficiant: Rabbi ShermanDress: Monique Lhuillier/Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Day of Paper: Little Bit HeartPlanning/Design: Strawberry Milk Events (that’s us!)

One centerpiece style featured apothecary and bell jars with moss, succulents and artichokes.
To tie in the bride’s career and love of art, the backdrop to the head table was a living modern art wall complete with boxwood frame – moss, succulents and rose heads created a graphic pattern.
Boxwood hedge bars on each end of the ballroom with custom Edison light bulb backdrop.
We LOVE a bride that knows how to have a good time and enjoy her own party.
EBE’s 18 pc. band rocked the house!
I love this picture, for the obvious reasons.  You know you’ve thrown a good party when people are shaking a leg…and a cane.

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Cover of Washingtonian Bride & Groom

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