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It was a crisp autumn afternoon last October, and the friends and relatives that filled the pews of East Hampton's Most Holy Trinity Church awaited the arrival of the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Andy Richardson. As they waited the soothing sounds of Handel's "Water Music" washed over the church, a perfect prelude to an afternoon and evening that would be as elegant as it was romantic.
The anxious groom waited at the alter, his best man Vince Fandozzi at his side, when the back doors of the church swung open, and the bride entered. Radiant in a floor length gown, a bouqet of red roses in her hand Erin was led down the aisle by her father Richard Jennings. Their adorable niece Payton Ferris carefully prepared their path, laying pink rose petals before them.
The service was traditional, with Rev. Desmond leading the assemblage in a Catholic service. For his homily he took Genesis 2:24 - "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh", and finished with a personal message that would in fact be the theme of the evening. In his slight Irish brogue he told Erin and Andy that "marriage is a beautiful thing, a joy that will last forever. And no matter how beautiful this day would be, there would ones far more so in the weeks, months and years to come".
As Erin and Andy exchanged rings and vows of love, honor and fidelity, even the most cynical would admit that this seemed a perfect match that could surely stand the test of time.
THE BUILD-UP
The art of staging a wedding can best be compared to building a house. Both are complex endeavors that require the work of dozens of specialists, technicians and artisans who must all follow a master plan to achieve a common goal. True as that may be, there is one crucial difference.
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The perfect wedding comes and goes in a single day, when every element must work together like a well oiled machine, or risk aesthetic as well as emotional disappointment. There are no second chances. Get it right the first time, and enjoy a day to cherish the rest of your life, or remember a day when the emotions of the day ran more to frustration and disappointment.
Given the complexity and scope of planning a wedding, many prospective couples turn to a seasoned professional to handle the affair. In this case, Erin and Andy sought out one of the area's most respected wedding planning firms, Hampton Wedding. Founded by Corinne Timor, they have staged over 150 weddings in the past 17 years, ranging from intimate afternoons for 50 like Andy and Erin's or grand scale events to 250 and more.
At either end there are literally hundreds of details to attend to, from the selection of vendors, scheduling of appointments, menu planning, permit applications, music selection, transportation options, rentals to secure, locations to prepare, practical as well as overriding aesthetic concerns that must be woven through the entire affair as seamlessly as a fine tailor.
Together with her aide-de-camp, Clare Schoenheimer, Corinne very accurately, if not humorously describes their role. "One of our clients once said we were like human valium for our clients". It's funny but true, professionals like Corinne and Clare quite literally work for months to ensure that your one special day goes off flawlessly.
THE PREPERATION
Like so many of corinne's clients, Erin and Andy were referred, in this case by the broker who had sold them their house, and knew Corinne's work from a recently attended affair. In March Corinne met Andy for breakfast in Manhattan, and discussed his ideas for the day. Unlike some who have yet to crystallize their vision, Corinne was pleased to see that he and Erin had a clear idea of what they wanted - an elegant early-evening dinner with 50 of their closest friends and relatives. Just as importantly, they wanted this to be a fun evening, one every guest and relative would enjoy.
One of the first choices was where to hold the reception. At first the couple felt it should be at East Hampton Point, one of their favorite local spots. But the more Corinne heard of their overall concept of a private, intimate evening, the more she felt a reception at their new home in Amagansett would be perfect. Although cost was not the driving force behind any of Andy and Erin's choices, using their own home also saved them a substantial location rental fee. A fee that can easily run into the tens of thousands dollars per day!
In their case the overall cost of the wedding would be driven by the choices that were most important to them. Heading their list were food, music and setting. Their tastes in all three were sophisticated, and they wanted to combine the best of those three options as the foundation for their day.
Well, nothing pleases a planner more than a client who knows what's important to them. That made Corinne's core vendor choices that much easier. Working from her master list, she began to assemble likely candidates in those three categories. Since food was at the top of the list, she spoke with a number of caterers, before recommending the highly regarded Brent Newsom Catering.
Since it's not Corinne's role to choose the vendor, but simply suggest, she briefed Brent on Andy and Erin's preferences before arranging meetings. "The more the vendor knows about my client's need before they meet, the more likely it is they will meet or exceed their expectations."
You see, planners recommend vendors, and certainly help guide choices, but in the final analysis it's the clients who not only choose the vendors, but actually hire them. What the planner brings to the table is the experience to guide clients towards the best vendor for their specific needs, and the knowledge to help them shape the priorities of each element to suit their needs.
"Here's a great example of how the small details can drive your choices and budget. Every wedding done in a private home needs to bring in rental items - from chairs and tables to silver, plates, glasses, etc. More than once I've suggested to clients that the difference saved between the best china and good, is enough to elevate the food choices from simply good to great!"
As expected Corinne's suggestion to use Brent was right on the mark. "I didn't even need to have a tasting, the minute we began going over menus with Brent I knew he was the perfect choice for us,' remembers Erin.
SETTING THE STAGE
Since the reception would take place in early October, outdoors in the new couple's garden, precautions for inclement weather were a given. A tent would be set, large enough for the guests, a dance floor, orchestra and serving area. Over the years Corinne has worked with a number of excellent vendors, none more so than P.J. McBride. Not only are they one of the largest vendors on the East End, they've worked with Corinne on dozens of other weddings without a hitch.
However, a tent is merely a blank canvas upon which the event's theme and ambiance is cast. The flourishes that make the setting shine are provided by lighting and design, in this case by Matt Murphy Event Lighting. Matt remembers, "Erin and Andy wanted their reception to have a magical atmosphere where guests would feel really special as they enjoyed the celebration. Since it was fall, they asked me to draw from colors of the fall foliage. This served as the starting point for the lighting design."
First the tent was softly up-lit in washes of gold and amber that spilled gently up the canopy and in and out of the exquisite fabric liner. Each table was then lit with a pin spot, throwing diffused white light that accentuated the tabletop design, making the lush floral arrangements "pop". Throughout the tent the tabletop glimmered with bursts of soft ambient light.
"One of the focal points of the evening was the band, and so we lit them with a flattering warm amber spotlight. Then to ensure that the dance floor would stand out and not fade into the shadows, they projected a moving pattern of converging circles in sunset colors. This was a subtle effect that made for an inviting dance floor."
For drama oversized paper lanterns were strung from the tent top, and lit from within using multiple colored gels in deep reds, golds and ambers, mimicking the colors found in the changing fall leaves. As a result each lantern glowed with a different color from each angle you looked at it.
When it came to music, Erin and Andy knew exactly what they wanted and were more than willing to devote a good portion of their budget to it. An amateur musician himself, with a grand piano in the living room, Andy researched Corinne's suggested choices throughly. "We wanted the best possible sound we could get, one that could handle Motown to Ellington with ease" They found it with the Cal James Orchestra. More than simply an events band, this ten-piece group has played A-list receptions from coast to coast.
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"Their web site told me a lot about them, but when I met them in their Manhattan offices and saw the kinds of parties they had played, I was bowled over", said Andy.
After going over their play list, with an emphasis on what not to play - "no Macarena, please" - as much as what to perform, Andy and Erin were convinced they had found the perfect sound for their evening. It didn't come cheaply, but it would prove to be worth every dollar.
THE PREP
Now that the basic elements were in place, Corinne and Clare needed to assess Andy and Erin's home for all the practical details that needed to be in place to pull-off this spectacular day. First and foremost they applied to the Town of East Hampton for a mass gathering permit, needed for any large gathering. Since it takes an average of a month or more to process it should be applied for well in advance.
With permit in hand they then brought their standard check list to their home. It's amazing the number of small details that need to be cleared well in advance to spot and correct any potential trouble spots. As examples, did they have enough power to run the lighting, sound systems and cooking areas, or should a generator be installed? Given 50 guests and only three bathrooms, should any portable sanitary systems be brought on board? How about parking, could it be handled on-site, or would valets be needed?
Since most of the guests would be staying in East Hampton village at the Maidstone Arms and Mill House, should they come by private car, or should shuttle buses be hired. That addressed safety issues as well as comfort. After all, no host wants to worry that their guests may endanger themselves or any others by driving back to their room after a few cocktails. Better to make sure they enjoy their evening in peace, secure in the knowledge that a ride is always at hand.
As Corinne and Clare went through each area they proposed improvements, solutions and back-up plans. To the inexperienced much of this would have seemed an overwhelming task. For pros like them, it was simply the ground work you needed to put in place to be sure this special day could come off without a hitch.
THE WEEKEND
Like many weddings this was actually a weekend of events, beginning with the rehearsal dinner Friday night. Generally speaking planners recommended that be held at a restaurant, with a different take on food than the wedding reception. Since Erin and Andy had originally thought of having the reception itself there, East Hampton Point was a perfect choice. Overlooking Three Mile Harbor, this elegant spot can host dinners for 10 to 200, with menus that vary from East End casual to Manhattan black-tie.
For their rehearsal dinner Erin and Andy choose a good old-fashioned, East End clam bake. Giant lobsters, steamed or broiled to a brilliant red, plates of clams, mussels and steamers were passed round, with enough fresh salad, corn on the cob and baked potatoes to feed an army.
As the sunset faded over the harbor, the restaurant glowed with candle lit tables, reflecting the faces of fifty good friends who were only a few hours away from seeing Andy and Erin tie the knot. With toasts made, jokes told and not less than a few tears shed, the party adjourned for a night's rest that would lead to the joyous day.
WEDDING DAY
"I couldn't believe we were only a few hours away, and it looked as though nothing was ready!" Erin can laugh now at the scene that greeted her on her wedding morning, but she admits now it was a bit unnerving to see what appeared to be complete chaos on their back lawn, where a wedding reception was to be held. "All there was were piles of tables, chairs, and a tent. I honestly couldn't see how Corinne was going to pull it all off", remembers Andy.
"That's just the way it seems to every bride and groom", said Corinne with a knowing smile. "But not so miraculously, it all comes together in a few hours." Clare adds, "it's always wonderful to see the look of mild panic during the apprarently chaotic set-up stage replaced by one of total awe as the bride and groom enter their own reception."
While LIsa Kapler put the final touches on Erin's make-up, and Andy slipped into his tux, the crew assembled. By the time the bride and groom were on their way to the church, a small army of workers were busy arranging tables and chairs, decorating table tops with beautiful floral arrangements by Betsy Perrier, laying china, silver and crystal at every seating. Meanwhile a dance floor was laid down, as the lighting technicians prepared the tent.
While the vows were exchanged in the church, the catering staff was already past the basic prep, arranging salads and hors d'oeuvres plates, and putting the finishing touches on the bar. Meanwhile the orchestra had arrived and began setting-up their instruments, and doing sound checks.
As the newlyweds and the wedding party posed for pictures on the beach, recorded with her usual flair and artistry by Christine Newman of Persona Grata Photography and her able assistant Denis Carr, and video by Bill Ridder of Ocean Video, back at the reception the final touches were put in place. Like twin mother hens patrolling their flock, Corinne and Clare gave the final inspection, pleased to see that with the first guests expected within minutes, the transformation was complete.
THE RECEPTION
When the guests arrived they were greeted by 12 uniformed servers, drifting through the crowd with hors d'oeuvres any epicurean would appreciate. They choose from shrimp and vegetable shumei, mini-crab cakes with sauce remoudale, bacon wrapped roasted garlic stuffed dates, smoked chicken quesadillas or seared tuna on cucumber.
In the background the band laid the sonic foundation for the evening with a smooth rendition of "The Very Thought of You", as Andy and Erin's signature drinks for the evening - pomagranate martinis - were passed round. With the afternoon light just beginning to fade Eric, Andy and the wedding party entered to applause.
From the smiles on their faces it was clear that all the time and effort that Corinne, Clare and the dozens of vendors who came together to make this special evening, had exceeded Eric and Andy's expectations.
"It was so beautiful, exactly what we had had in mind!"
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The rest of the night was a wonderous round of refined food, great music and fine wine. From the delicate arrugula, cress and endive salad with sliced pear, candied walnuts and Gorgonzola with a champagne vinaigrette through the roast pepper crusted tenderloin of beef with horseradish cream, potatoes au gratin with sautéed leeks and Gruyere or herb crusted halibut on a pancake of wild mushroom risotto and Tuscan style grilled vegetable Napoleon, Brent's work was met with unqualified praise.
Waiting at the center of the tent, rightfully displayed as a focal point of the meal was an exquisite wedding cake. Designed by Kathy Burton, this caloric creation was the perfect topping for a perfect day. "It was almost to beautiful to cut", Erin remembers.
Desert and toasts blended together, with one after another heart felt wish for a happy life together seconded by one and all. As the band played on, young and old swayed under a harvest moon to the sound of a baritone sax solo on "My Girl". "I knew we'd picked the right band when we couldn't get my 88 year-old grandmother off the dance floor!"
All the while a separate but equal party was going on for the children of the guests. Presided over by Clare's 17 year-old son Sam (a Pied Piper if ever there was one) he and his friend Nichole set up games and food especially for the pre-teen set. More than simply a nice touch for the kids, it allowed the grownups to enjoy their time without worry that their children were either bored or bothersome.
By the time the midnight bell had rung, the wedding party and guests were all ready for a well deserved rest. As Andy and Erin said good bye to the last guest, and watched the car pull into the night, the only sounds at the house were the last chair folded away, the last dish packed, the final tent stake pulled from the garden. As quickly as it had gone up, the remains of this wonderful day were ready to be taken away.
THE AFTER GLOW
Some six months after the last dish was cleared, the tent taken down and folded away, and the music faded into the early morning, Erin and Andy remember their wedding day as one of almost pure perfection. Both smile softly as they remember the joy they not only enjoyed, but were able to bring to their dearest friends and closest relatives. "It was such a perfect day", remembers Erin. "I honestly wouldn't have changed a single thing".
Would ever a wedding go so well, or be remembered so sweetly. They can when a couple knows what's important to them, and they find the right team to execute that plan.
Copyright © June 2005 Hampton Life Magazine