When Covid Cancels Your Wedding, Plan an Anniversary Party.
Sometimes life happens in a way that's completely unexpected and out of your control. As a planner, I have a hard time reckoning with these experiences but looking back, I always say it was meant to be. That’s how I feel about my wedding. I had an incredible wedding - split into two events, a year apart - and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Sometimes life happens in a way that's completely unexpected and out of your control. As a planner, I have a hard time reckoning with these experiences but looking back, I always say it was meant to be. That’s how I feel about my wedding. I had an incredible wedding - split into two events, a year apart - and I wouldn’t change a thing.
If you don’t remember, read this blog post to best understand what happened to us in December 2021. Long story short, we were planning an “Erev Christmas Eve Party” at Shun Lee West - an epic black tie disco to celebrate the Jewish tradition of eating Chinese Food on Christmas. I wanted to plan something different and unique - that didn’t feel like work (remember, I’m a wedding planner)! But, Omicron had other plans and we canceled the wedding with 48 hours notice and replanned an intimate at-home affair.
We were happily married at my parents house, and proceeded to have a VERY busy 2022. So busy that I barely saw my new husband. Between his midweek travels and my weekend work, it was quite a year. May through November was a whirlwind; I worked almost every weekend, I was incredibly stressed, and honestly didn’t make enough time for my husband. I finished my last wedding on November 6th and it wasn’t until then that I decided we needed to celebrate.
We needed to close our wedding chapter. We needed to refocus our energy on each other and we deserved to have the Shun Lee celebration we had dreamed of for so long. So, we sent out invites mid November for a December 10 celebration, and planned a party.
It was just that - a party! We hired Fabrico to install a red dance floor and hot pink LED lighting (I had this funny red/pink tonal vision happening), chose a menu with Shun Lee (all buffet - didn’t want to distract people from dancing), hired a DJ, and figured out how to use our paper goods and accessories from Suite Paperie from the canceled 2021 wedding.
December 10 came around and it was not a wedding. I insisted it was a party to celebrate us, our coming birthdays, and the end of a very busy year. I wore my original wedding jumpsuit for the first hour and Eric wore a modified version of his tux. I then changed into my party outfit.
We danced all night with our friends and family. We had an epic horah, followed by a mix of motown and 90s/2000s club ragers. Energy was high - people were clearly ready to party with us. It was 5 hours of the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life. And Eric and I have an incredible memory that we will share forever that also allowed us the freedom to break the cycle of busy-ness and stress that defined our 2022.
Our anniversary party was the party I always wanted. It was a dream come true. One year ago, we had an incredible wedding - an intimate ceremony and dinner at my parents house in Rye. One year later, we had the party of a lifetime at Shun Lee. I couldn’t have dreamed it up better myself. Sometimes - life has a way of working and you just have to roll with the punches. You can only plan or predict so much…says the planner!
Vendors:
planning: @emlan_events
jumpsuit: @naeemkhanbride @bergdorfgoodmanbridal
2nd outfit: @borgodenor @matchesfashion
suit: acustom
venue: @shunleenyc
lighting: @fabricoproductions
music: @robzilla212
photographer: @loreto_caceres_photography
photo booth: @fluxphotoboothco
dessert: @daveysicecream
stationery: @suitepaperie
Valley Rock Weddings
Valley Rock Weddings with Emlan Events
Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club is one of our coveted venue partners. It is a beautiful Hudson Valley escape only 50 minutes from New York City. It is a restaurant, boutique hotel with amazing amenities, and an incredible venue for weddings. Oh, and the cocktails are (insert chef's kiss).
My favorite part of Valley Rock is that you pull into a parking lot, you enter this cute, little hut, and you're immediately transformed into this alternate world. Its a total surprise and shock for first time guests - its like Palm Springs meets French Garden meets the Hudson Valley.
There are so many great spaces at Valley Rock that we love using for weddings.
For ceremony - you can opt to have your ceremony on the lawn or in the shade garden. We can tent the lawn (amazing rain plan) and relax in the comfort of the trees in the shade garden.
For cocktail hour - you can utilize the rose garden or the lodge. The lodge is filled with antiques and art - very little additional decor is needed. Plus, the bar is built into the space and really stunning.
For reception, we almost always tent it. We can fit a pretty large tent to comfortable sit 200+ guests with dinner and dancing.
It's pretty amazing how close Valley Rock is to the city and to the suburbs. We've had clients with families in Westport, Westchester, New Jersey and New York City - all within an hour drive. Its not in the middle of nowhere like some other upstate NY venues. Plus, you can invite your friends and family to a post wedding pool party and make use of the hikes / trails and BEAUTIFUL gym. The options for rehearsal dinner and welcome drinks make for a really well rounded weekend.
My favorite combination for a wedding weekend is listed here:
Rehearsal dinner in the Rose Garden
Welcome Drinks in the Lodge
Ceremony in the Shade Garden
Cocktail Hour in the Rose Garden
Reception in the Tent
After Party in the Cantina
Sunday Brunch by the Pool
Valley Rock has four guest houses onsite which can accommodate 34 guests. Its so fun for your wedding party to wake up and watch wedding production happening. Its one of my favorite things about working at Valley Rock - experiencing the day with my clients.
The remainder of guests can stay less than 10 minutes away at the Crowne Plaza Suffern-Mahwah or Sheraton Mahwah. We've also shuttled guests in from the city!
Valley Rock is best if you're looking for a Hudson Valley wedding weekend venue - a three day affair. I'd recommend it for groups of around 150 - 250 guests.
Send us a message if you have more questions or are curious about their availability for 2023.
Photography by: Roey Yohai Studios //Kate Edwards Weddings // Unique Lapin Photgraphy
Post Pandemic Wedding Planning…Thinking Outside the Box
Thinking Through Wedding Planning Like We’ve Never Thought Before…Non Traditional Planning in a Post Pandemic World!
This year is unprecedented in terms of the wedding industry. According to the NYTimes, 2022 is likely to have some 2.5 million weddings – a number that has not been so high since 1984. And honestly, it does feel that way. The inquiries are through the roof, and while you’d think we have no shortage of talent in NYC, florists, hair/makeup artists, my own freelancers – are all booked up…let alone the issue with venues and availability.
This is why we need to think outside the box…
Which brings me here. Weekday weddings. I got married on a Thursday, my sister got married on a Thursday and my brother in law is getting married on a Thursday. There’s a lot of reasons why I like the idea of a weekday wedding
You can get married in a year or so and avoid the dreaded 2++ year engagement by only looking at Saturdays
You can have all weekend to celebrate with your out of town family/friends before jetting off on your honeymoon
You have so many more options with finding venues and with hiring the vendors of your choice
Its nontraditional – its fun – its cool – its different!
Another outside the box idea. I have one client doing this and I’m kind of obsessed with the idea. Traditional ballrooms and venues are booked – there’s no doubting it. I have a client doing a family-only wedding ceremony on a Thursday night followed by a reception (party mainly) at a dance club in Brooklyn on Friday night. By splitting up the events, we can look at smaller or alternative venues that traditionally wouldn’t have the real estate to host both the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Plus, the ceremony carries the weight and formality it should have, while the party has a fun, dance club vibe. It’s a cool combination.
Get married at home. I’ll never be over this. I’ve watched countless couples over the last two years (myself included) get married at home and its pure gold. There’s something really meaningful about it – whether you do a daytime bbq that’s casual and relaxed or a tented formal affair – having your wedding at home is really special and you get to choose a date of your choice – you’re not subject to the availability of said wedding venue.
We love nothing more than working in the non-traditional space. Whether it’s a weekday wedding, splitting up your wedding events, or getting married at home – we love working with out clients to make their wedding days HAPPEN without waiting over a year-year and a half. We love shorter planning periods and we believe in making your weddings happen! So let’s make your weddings happen…let’s just think a little outside the box!
Top 10 First Look Spots on Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard is an amazing destination wedding location because of how beautiful it is. Here I’m listing my favorite Martha’s Vineyard first look spots.
One of the best parts of hosting your wedding on the vineyard is the countless spots for photos. Whether your wedding is at a venue, your backyard, or a hotel, here’s a list of spots covering the span of each town, with vastly very different vibes.
We all know that the island is so photogenic, it’s hard to choose just ten, so here’s my current favorites.
PS: Most of the photos below are taken from my iPhone! No editing - just real time nature’s beauty. Some are thanks to Michael Blanchard, someone who really knows how to capture Martha’s Vineyard in its prime beauty.
1. Menemsha Harbor
An old fishing harbor up island, Menemsha is one of the most beautiful spots for a first look. There’s so many photo-friendly nooks here - small docks with views of antiquated fishing boats, old school ice cream parlors and lobster roll stands, rock walkways out into the ocean. You can even take photos with your classic vineyard jeep wrangler parked at the beach, or barefoot on the beach. Options are endless here!
2. Black Dog Dock
If the Black Dog Dock in Vineyard Haven doesn’t scream MV Wedding, I don’t know what does. This is the quintessential spot on the island - I always go when I am waiting for the ferry for one last breath of ocean air. It is a wharf dating back to 1964, where you can watch the ferry come in and the boats dock. It feels like classic Martha’s Vineyard, and the dock is long enough to create photos from all different angles - allowing for a private first look, while still having your photographer just down the dock.
Photo Credit: Michael Blanchard
It’s places like the Katama Air Field that make Martha’s Vineyard so cool. The airport dates back to 1924 and its still got much of the original infrastructure - biplanes, grass runways and an original (and very cute) diner. Its just on the other side of South Beach, so you can do your first look in front of the airport next to the vintage biplanes and then head towards the beach for portraits. Plus, couples never eat enough, so you can grab a quick bite at the diner (try the grilled cheese) before heading onto your next destination.
Lambert’s Cove is irrefutably one of the prettiest spots on the island. When you walk up the wooded trail from the parking lot, there is a little hill before you get to the beach. When you get to the top of the hill, which is pretty high for such a flat island, there’s this moment where I always do a 360 and look all around - because there’s a pond behind you, a beach in front of you, and cascading cliffs in the distance. Its always my first spot when I get to the island from NYC because I get to the top off the hill, and it feels like I can breath. This spot is so stunning and magical - you’ll have all the feelings.
There’s something about wedding photos and farm animals. I’m not sure what it is, but we love it. Island alpaca is one of my favorite spots on the vineyard, mainly because alpacas are hilarious, kind and sensitive animals. A little fun fact: island alpaca does sell alpacas, but only in sets of two because companionship is so important to this breed. I just love this, symbolically, for your first look.
Right off of Lambert’s Cove Road, Blackwater Pond offers tons of trails, and parts of it are so majestic, just like a Monet painting. If you walk for a few minutes, you’ll get to the pond, which is covered in lily pads, and there’s these gorgeous wooden pathways - it feels like it was made for wedding photography. In the dead of summer, the trees are so thick they almost create a canopy over the wooded path. In the fall, the colorful trees add so much drama to the backdrop.
Photo Credit: Vineyard Trust
There’s nothing quite like Alley’s. It is the island’s oldest retail business and they sort of have it all. It is actually quite comical how they have everything - from games to candy / snacks, to toiletries, hardwares, etc. The store is so stocked - it feels like you’ve walked into a time machine with offerings covering every table and surface possible. The front porch brings you back in time - with their rocking chairs - it feels like a meeting place before cell phones ever existed. Take photos on the front porch, or almost ironically inside the store in between beach games and candy. It’ll make for wonderful photos.
I find when people ask me for recommendations on Martha’s Vineyard, 95% are food focused. Morning Glory is always top of the list. In summer, they have this incredible display of sunflowers and wildflowers out front. Plus they have cute photo props - farm stands, benches, tin cans filled with freshly picked flowers, making it perfectly romantic for a first look setting, and even better for keepsake photos.
9. Inkwell Beach
Photo Credit: Michael Blanchard
There is so much history here. One of the first beaches to openly welcome the Black community with open arms, it is now seen as a place welcoming everyone and anyone. Unlike other beaches on the island which are restricted to their own town’s residents, there are no restrictions here. Plus the history is so powerful - a place where African Americans from all over the east coast would vacation because they were not welcome elsewhere. From the beach, you can see the ferry coming in, and there’s an authentically vintage-feeling lifeguard chair I love to use as a backdrop to the first look. Plus, in the crowded summer months, the background of colorful beach umbrellas make for pretty great photos.
10. Mytoi Japanese Garden
Photo Credit: Michael Blanchard
Mytoi is not only absolutely stunning, but you get to take the oh-so-cute Chappy ferry. You get your first look in the gardens among the exotic plants, ponds and wood bridges, then get to take portraits all around the garden and back on the ferry back to the mainland. So you get the traditional and gorgeous gardens and the fun photos on the ferry. Its sort of the best of both worlds - and you still get those classic vineyard photo moments.
Whether you’re planning your first look or you’re looking for fun portrait locations, there’s no shortage of options on Martha’s Vineyard. There’s so many great wedding venues on island, and even more locations for photos! Just remember that there is a high season on the vineyard and places can be super crowded June - August. Plan accordingly, or contact emlan events to plan with our expert Martha’s Vineyard wedding planners!
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