Planning a wedding in 48 hours
Planning a wedding in 48 hours is no small feat even when the bride is a wedding planner!
Isn’t it ironic that the wedding planner’s wedding was cancelled due to Omicron. Or should I say, I decided to cancel our original wedding. The wedding was scheduled for Thursday, December 23, 2021. The venue was meant to be Shun Lee. It was an over the top event – black tie disco, an “Erev Christmas Eve Party” we were calling it – at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Shun Lee. RSVPs were done, day of stationary was packed in the car, as was all of the bathroom baskets, soaps, party favors, etc.
The weekend before the wedding can only be described as reminiscent of March 2020. Suddenly it was next to impossible to get a covid test (and we were requiring them for guests), the lines were out of control, and the covid rates in NYC were at an all time high. We had been receiving guest cancellation after cancellation…
All weekend I had no sleep. I kept calling both sides of parents with the question, “what do we do…”. I’m a wedding planner, so the fact is, whatever I decide weighs on me that much more. I have to show clients that the show must go on, but how can I do that with such a large risk that our event could be a super spreader…that our great uncle and immunocompromised guests are coming. It felt like a lot of pressure. It didn’t feel right.
Finally, on Monday – the week of the wedding, I spoke to the manager at Shun Lee who offered a full refund and that’s when I called it. I decided to (hopefully) postpone the Shun Lee event and go on with the wedding on December 23, this time cutting the guest list to an intimate size, and moving the party to my parent’s house in Westchester.
When you’re a wedding planner, you’re just really good at acting under pressure, regardless of emotions and stress. I was stressed, beyond stressed…but I had to plan a wedding and at this point, its Monday night and the wedding is Thursday. My husband described these next two days like I was Rocky and he was my trainer feeding me water from the corner. It was go time, full hustle mode, and he was supporting me every step of the way.
I decided to come up with the list, which included immediate family, some cousins and best friends – a group of 35. We then emailed the guests to invite them, cancelled on the original guests and I’d say the best decision we made was deciding to keep the wedding Black Tie Disco. I was wearing a Naeem Khan beaded jumpsuit – you better believe, I was not going to let it go to waste so the theme prevailed.
We hired a caterer, picked out rentals, came up with a floorplan and a way to make the house work with chuppah, ceremony, cocktails and reception, and tried to keep the vendors in the know as plans evolved. We printed new menus and reworked the florals, and somehow – it all came together.
When you have a good team and you work with the right vendors, magic happens. The best part of the wedding industry is the friend-vendors (friendors) you make along the way. And while there was one vendor who made us miserably stressed over the finances and I’m not quite over that one, all other vendors bent over backwards to accommodate the last minute plans.
After the most fun morning of doing hair and makeup with my sisters and girlfriends, all while in my parent’s bedroom/bathroom, thirty-five guests arrived. There was no magical entrance of the bride – we did our first look and family portraits as guests were greeted with champagne. Then we signed the ketubah in my parent’s dining room. We got married in my parent’s living room, the chuppah in front of the fireplace, with a mish mosh of rental chairs and existing furniture. Cocktail hour was in the foyer and dining room and then we moved into the solarium for dinner. We had all the original speeches as planned and then we cut our cake (which was prepared for 200 people) and had an impromptu dance party in the living room…all while dressed to the nines, in our sequins and shimmer. It had a Gatsby feel to it – drinks were flowing, service from the caterer was impeccable, and the house was just the perfect venue.
Everyone who was there brought so much love and high energy. Omicron had depleted the city that week, but you would never have known it on December 23, 2021. The love that surrounded me and my new husband is something I’ll never forget.
We might plan a party at Shun Lee in the future – we might not. We’re feeling really fulfilled and we’re keeping all options open. Covid taught us the importance of family, and that we have to work with what we’ve got. The week of December 23, NYC shut down, and we had to lean into that and make lemonade from lemons.
Sometimes, being a planner is realizing that your plans just aren’t going to work out. From day one, my husband and I said we’re getting married on December 23, regardless of what happens with covid. And that we did.
Top 10 NYC Wedding Venues with Outdoor Space
Top Ten NYC Wedding Venues with Outdoor Space
Right now when it comes to wedding planning, flexibility is the name of the game. We’re finding most of our clients are searching for venues with indoor and outdoor options, the potential for cross-breeze ventilation, and of course, space to social distance. We don’t know where the world will be next year or tomorrow, so we’ve been working with our clients in securing venues that have all options for indoor and outdoor experiences. Outdoor space is so coveted in New York City, we put together a list of our current favorite top 10 spots.
Photo Credit: Susan Shek Photography
The Cooper Hewitt garden is one of the most special places in Manhattan. For a few minutes, you might even forget you're in NYC until you look up and see the picturesque street signs and views of Central Park ahead. The backdrop of the famous ivy-covered Smithsonian Design Museum (which, may we add) was Andrew Carnegie's once vacation home, makes for incredible photos. The best part of the garden - it is new in the wedding scene, and is gorgeous whether you're hosting 50 people or 250 people.
Photo Credit: Vicki Grafton Photography
A gorgeous manicured garden overlooking St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center...620’s views are so amazing that both NYers and visitors will fall in love with this venue. The loft inside is a great rain plan option (with windows to increase cross ventilation). Plus, there’s a tent in the courtyard that your microweddings can fit in. 620 Loft & Garden is a romantic garden meets NYC rooftop meets modern loft...need we say more?!
Photo Credit: The William Vale
The William Vale in Williamsburg, Brooklyn offers one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. There’s tons of additional outdoor options here too - including the Terrace and Vale Park. The William Vale is the ultimate Williamsburg hotel - modern, chic and really cool. Plus, catering by Noho Hospitality Group (one of NYC’s best restaurant groups) is a major plus. Who doesn’t love the idea of a quintessential NYC chef-made meal with epic views - its the NYC dream!
4. Glasshouses
Photo Credit: Glasshouses
For one of the best sunsets in NYC, Glasshouse Chelsea’s outdoor terrace is the place to be. Named accordingly, this is a glass loft space in the heart of West Chelsea’s art gallery district, where you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. It's raw space, but finished; so chic your instagram will love you. Our favorite fun fact: the views in the bathroom are some of the best bathroom views in the city. An elopement or micro wedding ceremony on the terrace during sunset is jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Photo Credit: Tribeca Rooftop
Tribeca Rooftop is one of the largest rooftop spaces in the city - also with some of the best views. Overlooking downtown Manhattan’s Freedom Tower and famous Jenga building, this roof is so big you can have a ceremony on one side and cocktails on the other, and still have room to social-distance! You’re also allowed to tent the roof which is a huge bonus in Manhattan. Tribeca rooftop has a connected loft space that is not only really large, but completely windowed to allow for cross ventilation. This is the perfect outdoor venue for 50 - 300 guests.
6. Wythe Hotel
Photo Credit: Wythe Hotel
The Wythe Hotel is so perfect because it is so well designed. The exposed brick mixed with the romantic string lighting and greenery is so lovely you don’t need to bring too much decor in. The open air courtyard has its own entrance and Williamsburg has so many hotels - guests can come from wherever! They’ve also put together wonderful micro wedding packages (especially if you book in the next few months). We love it here - it's like a romantic courtyard in the middle of Brooklyn.
7. Celestine
Photo Credit: Florencia Saav
Celestine is a modern restaurant overlooking the Manhattan skyline, right under the Brooklyn Bridge. The views are amazing, the restaurant is chic, and the menu is incredible Middle Eastern family style. Think grilled halloumi, salads and mezzes, whole branzino...did we mention they have several natural wines on their wine list? It's perfect for a smaller wedding, and also for a rehearsal dinner. We’re all suckers for NYC views, and Celestine has that and more!
Photo Credit: 74Wythe
74Wythe is a unique (and new) venue located in the heart of Williamsburg. Opening in March 2021, 74Wythe is so new on the scene your wedding won’t be compared to anyone else’s on Instagram. 5,000 square feet of pure rooftop bliss, it also has a retractable glass roof cover if needed. The views of the Manhattan skyline are amazing and the best part is the amount of cool hotels nearby (Wythe Hotel, William Vale, The Williamsburg Hotel, etc). Complete your Williamsburg wedding weekend with this gorgeous and brand new rooftop for either your ceremony, reception or both!
9. Wave Hill
Photo Credit: Wave Hill
Yes, its technically in NYC! Even though Wave Hill is in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, it’s a quick 20 minute train ride from Manhattan and accessible from all of your friends and family in the suburbs. Wave Hill is the definition of garden wedding. The grounds are so gorgeous you’ll forget you’re in the five boroughs. With indoor and outdoor options, there’s so much flexibility here for whatever the pandemic brings our way next. Plus, Great Performances provides catering and with their farm upstate, everything is sourced locally and within 100 miles. Talk about farm to table!
Photo Credit: Pier 60
Really, the best part about hosting your wedding in Chelsea Piers is those Hudson River sunsets! These three Chelsea Piers venues can accommodate anything from a microwedding for 50 guests to a large wedding for 500 guests. Plus, proximity to all of the Chelsea and Meatpacking hotels is a huge bonus, (think the Standard, Dream Hotel, Highline Hotel). Chelsea Piers is run by Abigail Kirsch, one of NYC’s most prominent caterers. So, you get the views, the food, and the location. Sounds like a great deal to me!
Planning a wedding during covid-19 brings its own set of challenges and that’s why we recommend hiring a planner. We now need to consider social distancing, covid testing, indoor and outdoor options, indoor spaces with cross breeze ventilation, and also, cancellation and non-refundable contract clauses. We believe that love is not cancelled, and we’re here to help you get to your big day with as little headache as possible. But unfortunately, living during this pandemic brings a whole new set of challenges and we want to help you plan safely.
Our commitment-free planning services offer you assistance, without being bogged down by a large deposit or time commitment...from venue consulting to month-of planning, and everything in between! Contact emlan events today for a free consultation - we’ll find the right package for you - whether its month-to-month planning, hourly consulting, or partial planning leading up to your wedding, we’re here to help you plan your wedding, safely!
WTF do I do now? Planning in a never-ending pandemic.
WTF do I do now? Wedding planning in a never ending pandemic.
So you rescheduled your wedding once. Now twice. Now we’re about to get to 2021 and we have no idea where the world will be. I’ve been speaking to tons of couples who ask questions like, “what do I do”, “will I be able to have a March or April wedding...” etc. The truth is, no one knows where the world will be tomorrow, in 6 months, or next year. We all thought we’d be done with all of this nonsense by now.
When thinking about what to do (cancel, postpone again, microwedding, elope, etc)…a few things come into play. First is obvious: your life. Do you and your fiance have life plans (ie: kids, house, financial obligations, you get the idea…) that are contingent on your being married? If you want to get married, do it. Elope. Plan a microwedding. Make it happen.
But, if you don’t “need” or “want” to be married without the reception and the hooplah then don’t. Wait it out. All of you that can’t imagine a wedding without the horah, without father-daughter dances, without a dance floor, I’m talking to you. If you are not willing to budge on guest count and wedding style, you’re going to have to postpone until the time is right.
That being said, I have to get something off my chest. Microweddings are AMAZING. Beautiful. Meaningful. Imagine having all of your BEST people in one room. Not one person was on your B list, or the annoying cousin your mom forced you to invite.
With microweddings, you get to spend your budget more uniquely and thoughtfully - do a chef’s tasting menu for dinner, or do an elaborate floral entrance, splurge on the photographer of your dreams, etc.
Then, you can STILL do the big hooplah reception for your five year anniversary. Everyone will still want to do the horah, and the dancing and party. Believe me. We all love a good excuse to hit the dance floor and party. And we’ll be making up for lost time.
So, to summarize: figure out what your non negotiables are - what you’re NOT willing to budge on. Perhaps its the date, perhaps its the guest count, perhaps its the venue, or anything else. And you’ll plan around that. Or, contact us for a one hour planning session and we’ll talk through it together (like what we did there)? Sorry, it was such an easy pitch.
xx,
Elizabeth