Lauren & Brian’s Wedding that took place on December 2nd, 2012 was the perfect way to finish up a very busy and exciting year of Social Events for CPS Events.
When Lauren and Brian first came to The Plaza in January of 2010, Lauren already knew that she wanted to be married at The Plaza and she knew the perfect date. She didn’t mind that it was almost 2 years away and that she wasn’t even engaged yet. Her boyfriend at the time Brian didn’t mind locking in The Plaza before proposing to Lauren if it meant he had a little more time to get the perfect ring and plan the perfect proposal.
When Brian came to me to ask if I could lend a hand in executing a surprise proposal right here in The Plaza Grand Ballroom, I gladly accepted. This was a rare and unique experience to be a part of considering the majority of couples have already been engaged before coming to seek out hosting their wedding celebration here. Brian’s master plan included having me ask Lauren to come over for a meeting and when Lauren arrived her handsome beau was waiting for her right here in the middle of Grand Ballroom, all to her surprise. While I ran off to orchestrate a champagne toast for two, Brian got down on one knee and asked Lauren to spend the rest of her life with him. She gladly accepted and now the rest of the wedding planning could begin!
Over the next two years Lauren, Brian and I were able to spend a lot of time together meeting and talking about creating a truly traditional, yet current Plaza Wedding. They wanted to give their guests an experience that showcased what a traditional Plaza Wedding meant, but still have their guests know whose wedding they were most definitely attending.
The celebration began at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola where Lauren’s guests witness her walk down the aisle in a very dramatic off the runway Oscar De La Renta gown. Brian, who was dressed in a dapper Oxford Clothes tuxedo, watched in awe from the front of the cathedral.
When guests arrived at The Plaza guests invited to indulge in bountiful cocktail stations that included an elegant raw bar and Southern Comfort Station with Chicken and Waffles--they took Brian’s family who reside in St. Louis right back to their roots! Brian and his friends, who are all Bourbon aficionados, were pleased when greeted by waiters with “Kentucky Bramble” cocktails, which were created on the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky where Brian had celebrated his Bachelor Party.
When the doors opened to The Grand Ballroom, guests were treated to a feast for the eyes when the saw David Beahm’s glorious all white magnificent centerpieces. There were 3 different styles ranging in height with the tallest centerpieces reaching 10 feet tall. The design was so perfectly Plaza with must-have white roses and hydrangeas and twist of modern elegance with Amaryllis, Dendrobium Orchids, Lisianthus all whimsically tied together in a hap-hazard unexpected way.
As an ode to the Bride, a stunning Champagne Bar made of Ice was open all night that included 4 varieties of bubbly including mini splits of Pommery POP. Of course the bride’s favorite was the adorable pink bottles of Rose Champagne that she was able to enjoy during the course of the evening.
And for those Bourbon aficionados an entire bar was dedicated to Brian’s private collection of exquisite Bourbon that he had been saving for just the right moment to enjoy. The groom and his buddies sipped on Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey & Vintage Bourbon 17 Year Old Straight Kentucky Bourbon.
In the same way that Lauren and Brian were so meticulous about the details in fashion, food and flowers, they were also not willing to just book any band to keep their guests dancing the night away. Steve Dellisi of Hank Lane Productions put together an 18 piece band that played everything from Frank Sinatra standards to Rihanna’s “The Only Girl in the World”.
For Lauren and Brian, their wedding may have been the best way possible to end 2011 but it is just the beginning of their marriage and their continuing story here at The Plaza Hotel. They are both involved in many charitable organizations and recently attended The American Ballet Theater’s Fall Gala right here back at The Plaza. I look forward to welcoming this wonderful couple back to The Plaza in years to come!