Decor
Jose's D.O.C. Gig at The Foundry
08-10-11
Event: Wedding at The Foundry
Bride & Groom: Priyanka Batra and Chris Leary
When: August 6, 2011
Article by: Jose
After being at The Foundry for nine months, I've learned a lot and have been able to accomplish a few things: from rebuilding the website to giving tours to hosting weddings on the weekends; from serving as Julie's right-hand gal in the office to managing this blog. But at the end of the day I did get certified as an event planner, and it was time to step it up a notch. After Allison gave me her blessing, it was time to jump in and offer a couple our very own in-house Day-Of Coordinator service.
I met with Priyanka and Chris a few months back to go over the various ways I would serve as their D.O.C: everything from recommending the right vendors to having access to my cell 24 hours/day two weeks prior to their event. If you're waiting for any juicy "Bridezilla" details, I'll tell you right away that Priyanka could not have been a better bride, and Chris could not have been a better groom.
After a few more meetings, creating a timeline as tight as a mason jar, and a couple of changes to their floor plan - August 6th had arrived! I got my first phone call that went a little something like this:
Priyanka: "Hey Jose. Morning. I've got a problem and hope you can help. Somehow we've misplaced the veil. We were hoping maybe my mom put it in one of the bags we gave you last night.”
Me (sweat already dripping down my forehead in my air-conditioned living room): Giving a relaxed sound to my voice, I said, "Let me call Julie at The Foundry to double-check, but I only remember there being favors, fans, and a guest book. Let me see what I can find out.”
I arrive at the Bridal Suite with a veil in one hand and my wedding emergency kit in the other (more on the kit later). Priyanka and Chris were just finishing a delicious breakfast when I arrived. They were extremely grateful, and they both seemed newly relaxed. All I needed now was to make sure everything went according to the timeline we set up. But for the moment, my job was to keep our couple calm.
I enjoyed a nice chat with Chris' mom about a book she was reading, laughed with Priyanka about her late night, and helped Chris with his cufflink. Gave some friendly advice about the rest of the day, answered the hotel door, and ordered a fruit and cheese platter for lunch. Before I knew it...
12:00: Hair - Meg from The Parlour Brooklyn - on time!
1:00: Boutonnière and Bouquet Ashley from Saipua - on time!
1:15: Makeup Jessa from Blades Natural Beauty - on time!
2:00: Photographers and Videographer - Jesse and Whit Chamberlain from
Our Labor of Love and Geoff Boothy - on time!
SWEET! That was great! Now time for me to Zip my way across the 59th Street Bridge...
I have to admit I was nervous about what I would walk into. With Diner NYC catering at The Foundry for the first time, this could've gone one of two ways, but when I walked in, everything seemed under control. Veteran florist Sarah Ryhansen from Saipua and her crew were working their magic, A cool futuristic Smile Booth nicknamed HAL was being set up, Ovenly showed up with the cake, and Sarah Gaskins from Diner was running a tight ship.
Now if only the rain can hold out! My Weather Bug app kept telling me that it was about to begin at 5:00...
Every 15 minutes I was asked, "Jose, what should we do? I think it's going to rain." I've always been a bit of a risk taker, so I chose to hold out. I overheard a staff member who was placing favors on the chairs outside, "This is crazy, it's totally going to rain.” I had an opportunity then to tell Ms. Debbie Downer that she was the only one that was raining on this parade, but instead, I thought it would be more productive to hand her more favors...
4:00: Jackie arrives (My kick-ass Hostess with the Mostess for the night)
4:30: Guests arrive (a bit early, but manageable)
4:45: Bride and groom arrive (a bit late, but expected)
5:15: Wind picks up and catches hold of floral arrangements, which tumble over for a third time...
Before Sarah R. decides to sadly nix the gorgeous altar arrangements for safety reasons, she comes up with the brilliant idea to have a brother from each party take their position along side the urns, placing their foot discreetly, assuring nothing tips during the ceremony.
5:35: Ceremony begins (Clouds picking up)
5:50: Priyanka and Chris are pronounced Husband and Wife!
5:55: Trumpet player comes out New Orleans-style leading guests into The Greenhouse for cocktails.
6:00: Rain begins and no one gets wet!! TAKE THAT, DEBBIE DOWNER!!
After Jessy Carolina and The Hot Mess rocked it out live in The Greenhouse, it was time for dinner! Diner NYC pulled it off brilliantly - from their timing to the guest's last delicious bite! For dessert, I thought it would be symbolic to end where it all began by going back out into The Courtyard, but it was too wet, too muggy, and just not pretty. I made a last-minute decision to have the cake-cutting and dessert buffet back in The Greenhouse, which worked out much better than expected!
First: Priyanka somehow cut her arm - first aid with all supplies - done!
Second: Chris saw I had men's deodorant - raise up your arms, mister!
Third: Priyanka's mom forgot to get some tissues - take some extras and cry away!
Fourth: Priyanka's spaghetti strap snapped! Sewing kit with ivory thread? BAM - got that too! Now go out there and bust a move!
Last hour was spent with EVERY guest shakin' what their mama gave them! Not one guest stopped until the last song. Well done, DJ Crumbcake!
1:30 am: Jackie and I lock up The Foundry
2:30 am: Arrived back home, where my day started.
So what do I think of my first DOC gig at The Foundry? It was work, but I loved the adrenaline and loved solving whatever issues came up. All vendors I worked with were fantastic! Priyanka and Chris exited The Foundry to live happily ever after. The only question i had at the end of the night was, Who's next?
Thanks to: Allison for letting me go for it and Julie for having my back the day of!
Special Thanks: Sarah G, Sarah R, Deana, Asheley, Jesse and Whit, Meg, Jessa, Erin and Agatha, Jay Sanford, Geoff, and DJ Colleen Crumbcake for making this day rock!
Extra BIG Thanks to: Yen from Real Food for guiding me through a cohesive floor plan, Christine Viola from Exquisite Affairs for helping me tighten up that timeline!
Decor
04-03-11
Decor
03-07-11
Florist: Poppies and Posies
Where to find them: poppiesandposiesevents.com
Photography by: angelicaglass.com
Poppies and Posies: For Erica & Alan's wedding we were really inspired by the bride's vision to have every table be different from the next. She was an amazing client because she really let us run with our imaginations and creativity. Each table was designed to be a secret garden of vintage and antique finds. It made it fun for the guests to walk around and look at each display as if it were an art installation. My favorite part were the rich flowers that appeared to be growing out of the tables, antiques, and vessels on each dinner table. It felt like an old, overgrown garden when the space was finished.
Where to find them: poppiesandposiesevents.com
Photography by: angelicaglass.com
Poppies and Posies: For Erica & Alan's wedding we were really inspired by the bride's vision to have every table be different from the next. She was an amazing client because she really let us run with our imaginations and creativity. Each table was designed to be a secret garden of vintage and antique finds. It made it fun for the guests to walk around and look at each display as if it were an art installation. My favorite part were the rich flowers that appeared to be growing out of the tables, antiques, and vessels on each dinner table. It felt like an old, overgrown garden when the space was finished.
Decor
02-07-11
Florist: Fleurs New Yorkydrangeas
Where to find them: fleursnyc.com/
Photography by: karenwise.com
Why we love Fleurs NY: Always a pleasure to have at The Foundry. Fleurs decided to make three giant focal pieces (two for the ceremony, and one in front of the entry) and hang lots and lots of warm candle-lit lanterns around the perimiter of the balcony to make the most of the space and really wow their guests. Loved their color scheme- vintage silver, eggplant and green!
Where to find them: fleursnyc.com/
Photography by: karenwise.com
Why we love Fleurs NY: Always a pleasure to have at The Foundry. Fleurs decided to make three giant focal pieces (two for the ceremony, and one in front of the entry) and hang lots and lots of warm candle-lit lanterns around the perimiter of the balcony to make the most of the space and really wow their guests. Loved their color scheme- vintage silver, eggplant and green!
Decor
01-17-11
Florist: Verde Flowers
Arrangement: Nerines, Roses, Lisianthus and Hydrangeas
Where to find them: verdeflowers.com
Why we love Verde Flowers: Inspired by their travels to Europe, Asia and
South America, partners Vanessa Polanco and Michael Gonzalez always put together beautiful arrangements with a unique feel. They also have a great eye for making use of The Foundry with their floating votives which we love.
Arrangement: Nerines, Roses, Lisianthus and Hydrangeas
Where to find them: verdeflowers.com
Why we love Verde Flowers: Inspired by their travels to Europe, Asia and
South America, partners Vanessa Polanco and Michael Gonzalez always put together beautiful arrangements with a unique feel. They also have a great eye for making use of The Foundry with their floating votives which we love.