After eleven months of bliss Marc and I decided to go on vacation to my favorite vacation spot growing up – Hawaii. On the second day of our trip Marc told me he had booked a photographer to take professional photos to satisfy my mom who was always complaining that she didn’t have any (I hate taking pictures!). We went down to the beach to meet with the photographer and had a blast being silly and posing for forty five minutes. When we were done the photographer said goodbye and Marc escorted me to a private hut on the beach. There were yellow rose petals on the sand leading to the dinner table set for two. There were menus with our names on them with all of my favorite foods listed. As soon as we were fully in the hut Marc got down on one knee and tried to recite something he had written earlier but ended up getting out the words “will you marry me.” We both were crying with joy and embraced for what felt like a few hours but in reality was only a few minutes. The photographer returned to our watery faces for some shots after the monumental moment. We then enjoyed a delicious private feast on the beach in Kauai! At the end of the evening we returned to our hotel room covered in roses and on the bed roses in the shape of a huge heart.

Marc and I immediately bonded over our love of food. Marc graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and owns and runs his own catering company. Marc spends his time planning and executing other people’s parties. He was so excited to finally be able to plan his own!

We had a vision of getting married by the water – we find the water to have a very calming and romantic presence. I have lived on the upper west side of Manhattan for the last five years and loved sunny days eating and drinking at the boat basin on 79th Street. After ruling out a few places due to number constraints and overall feel I walked Marc over to the Boat Basin thinking it could be a great venue for us if his company would be allowed to cater there. As luck would have it they allowed him to cater and the date they had available was perfect for us!

In five months we were able to put it all together and our reality wedding was better than all of my dreams. It was an amazingly sunny, 62 degree day in the midst of fall in NYC. Marc and I didn’t do the big wedding party – as it was too much of a hassle and we didn’t want to tell our most loved ones what they could and couldn’t wear. His brother was his best man and my best friend was by my side all day and night. Our attire on the invitations read “Cocktail wear with a nautical flare” Our vision was since this was a boat basin it should have a nautical feel. My maid of honor wore red, while my mother wore navy. We had a life ring made with our names and the date for people to pose with as they entered the ceremony to give it a feel of a forced cruise entrance photo.

The food was really at the heart of the party. We were very focused on having fun delicious food that everyone could enjoy. Our cocktail hour included a raw bar as well as passed micro lobster rolls, kobe beef sliders, mini fish tacos, tuna ceviche, pecking duck crepes, Panko chicken frites, and Vietnamese summer rolls. We had two signature drinks passed which were the drinks we enjoyed on our first date – dark and stormy and mojitos. Our meal at dinner was served family style since we really wanted everyone to be able to try everything and experience an interactive dining experience. Each table was served two different salads as an appetizer. For the main course we chose braised beef short ribs with macaroni and cheese and glazed heirloom carrots as well as seared ahi tuna with Himalayan red rice over a roasted wild mushrooms and endamame.

Dessert was very important to me – as my sweet tooth is very well known by everyone who has ever met me! My favorite cookies were layered rainbow cookies. I asked Marc if we could make a cake out of these cookies and before I knew it we had ordered two sheet trays of the cake, then cut them into cookie bites, layered them to resemble a cake and vwhala! Our cake cutting was so fun! Marc took a cookie off the pile and we shared our first one. Immediately following was a free for all of everyone just taking a cookie off the pile that resembled a cake. They were so moist and delicious – the best rainbow cookies I have ever tasted! We had a dessert table filled with all of my other favorites: micro ice cream sandwiches, banana pudding, lemon glazed cake doughnuts, peanut butter mouse pretzel cups, pistachio, chocolate orange, and almond biscotti’s, and assorted fruit.

The ceremony took place under a Chuppah that has been in Marc’s family for over 100 years. It was from Marc’s Great, Great Grandmother who started her own temple in Montreal. Music was very important to us as well. The song we exited the ceremony to was hakuna matata from the lion king. Our first dance was to our favorite song “give into me” sung as a duet.

The wedding day as a whole was point blank the best day of our lives. A very vivid memory is Marc and I getting ready. We both got ready in our apartment with Dori, the maid of honor. Dori had the job of keeping us separated so that we would not see each other before the grand reveal for the cameras. While Dori was helping Marc with his bowtie in the other room I was standing nervously alone in the dining room. All of a sudden Marc screamed “Erica” to which I replied “Yes?” – then he said “I love you.” In that moment my anxiety and fear disappeared and I became overwhelmed with joy with the reminder of what this day was about; committing to spend the rest of our lives as best friends together forever.

Photographer: Jonathan Hanson, ReadyLuck / Videographer: Bruce Cullen / Floral Designer: Banchet Jaigla of Banchet Flowers / Event Design & Planning: On The Marc Events & The Spark Group / Makeup: Jackie Gomez / Caterer: On The Marc Events / Cake & Desserts: On The Marc Events / Wedding Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier / Band: Marianne Bennett / Venue: The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café

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Post tags: Banchet Flowers, Bowties, Bruce Cullen, Calla Lilies, Chuppah, Fall Weddings, Food, Jackie Gomez, Jewish Weddings, Manhattan, Marianne Bennett, Monique Lhuillier, Nautical, New York, New York Weddings, On The Marc Events, Outdoor Ceremony, Readyluck, The Spark Group, The West 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe, Traditional Elegance, tulips, Water, Waterside, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

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Isn’t that fabulous? The modern grey & pink palette is the perfect compliment the fantastic New York City skyline. We are totally jealous of all the guests who were lucky enough to be included in this couple’s big day. It was incredible!

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography / Cinematography: Krishna Yalla / Flowers: Hilary Bernam of LDF Floral Design / Music: Pop Shop, Colleen Crumbcake / Ceremony & Reception Location: Tribeca Rooftop / Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal / Officiant: Bettina Yiannakourou / Makeup: Belinda Moss Makeup & Hair / Hair: Rudy Ruffo

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Post tags: Belinda Moss Makeup & Hair, Bettina Yiannakourou, Carla Ten Eyck Photography, City Weddings, Colleen Crumbcake, Color Palette Pink, Color Palette Pink Gray, contemporary, Kleinfeld Bridal, Krishna Yalla, LDF Floral Design, Manhattan, Modern, New York, New York City, Pop Shop, Rooftop Weddings, Rufy Ruffo, Skyline, sushi, Taxis, Tribeca Rooftop, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Contemporary, Little Black Book Blog

Who is Barraud Caterers Limited?

Simply – Barraud is a full-service, “menu-based” catering company. The menu is the core around which my clients explore and build their wedding. All the other elements are hinged to this central element: the venue, the design, the music or entertainment, the structure and flow.

As a small, boutique caterer I am not only able to make flexibility and open-mindedness a part of my business practice – it is the very matrix upon which all else is structured and fashioned. I take great pride in the fact that in my over 30 years of being in business – I have yet to repeat a menu – ever. This is a direct result of the fact that I require my clients to express their ‘I thinks’ to me. The important part of this is to initially present them with possibilities they may not have considered.

Listening and questioning and listening and prompting, I am able to pull a skein from their words and images of how they ‘see’ their wedding, checking with them all the way to ensure I have it right. Together we weave, mesh, develop sometimes inchoate images into an occasion that truly belongs to them. It is their idealization that I work to discover and uncover and then interpret with a ‘toolbox’ of professional skills and organization.

That is what I see my job to be: to deliver – to my wedding clients especially, their dream into the embodied reality of place, design, furniture, entertainment, waiters, refreshment and all the other possible accoutrements of this particular and specific occasion.

When a couple comes to you, what have they come to expect?

I send my potential clients my press kit including current menus to consider, before we meet to discuss their celebration, to give them some idea of the scope and variety of what we offer. This opens them to possibilities that they had perhaps not considered and gives them a feeling of freedom and confidence to explore wider choices and to make the experience an adventure. This is important. This liberation is the signature that makes each and every event not only unique but totally hand designed by them, using the materials I offer them.

I request clients come to the first meeting with clear basic outlines of their celebration: date, rough time line, estimated guest numbers, guest demographics, purpose and proposed budget.

Once a menu and structure is sketched, all the other elements are considered and introduced to enhance the essential ambiance of the occasion. I do not refer here to the background music or social temperature or anything physical, but the incipient quality of the emotional value they want to create for their guests. Good interior designers do it all the time when they are helping clients design and decorate their homes. It’s not just about creating an image or sending a message about the money spent or copycat references to recognizable styles. It is about recognizing and using my professional skills to channel their personal gift to their guests. Only when this is established can I begin to do the structural work of recommending the right florist or designer, band or DJ for instance. But I keep checking back to make sure that all reflects the ‘dream’ they told me about in the beginning.

Has cooking always been a strong passion in your life?

I attended a very ‘proper’ boarding school where I was exposed to a rather martial Domestic Science teacher who insisted we learned the technique of scrubbing a white wood table to within an inch of its life even before we began peeling and dicing apples for apple crumble. Understandably, cooking classes were rather stinting on the joys of food.

Rationing in Britain until 1953 also did not inspire a developing child or palate. My Grandmother cooked good, plain, nutritious fare with my small fingers learning how to peel potatoes, stir soup and wash the dishes afterwards. But it was learning the labour of the scullery rather than the colour of the carrots, the freshness of the lettuce, the sweetness of the squash or the glory of a beautiful pie crust. Even though Grand-mama was definitely “upstairs” she believed in young girls being acquainted with “downstairs” too. It has stood me in good stead!

No, I learned how to cook because I shared a flat in London with four other young ladies who wanted to impress young gentlemen. Having little to no expendable income, we entertained at home, so we all learned how to cook from doing it: consulting cookery books, trial and lots of error! After I gained some skills I discovered I was not too bad at it, had an inherently good palate and enjoyed the whole process: the dreaming, the cooking, the table, the dining process and conversation with interesting, well-informed, educated and witty guests. And of course the food!

I was fortunate to live on the corner of one of the last private squares in London. I would arrange and prepare summer eve dinner picnics in the delightful garden of the square with guests who would play the guitar or recite poetry. The Cordon Bleu School was around the corner, down a little cobbled lane a three minute walk from my flat. It was a given that I’d end up there.

So what led you to catering?

Once upon a time… as I said – there was a young woman who went to the Cordon Bleu in London and then to the Caribbean and became a private chef and then to New York to start working as a corporate dining room chef in a prestigious NYC law firm and then she started her own catering company.

This was a long time and many people ago with whom she has worked, who taught her all she knows including patience, persistence, the daily pursuit of perfection even when rare and illusive; the joy of mentoring, the skills of cooking and satisfaction of sharing in the kitchen…

What is your favorite kind of menu to plan?

Of course it is the degustation dinner with wine pairing! Devising a menu is not the task of a craftsman. It is the work of the artist before even lifting the brush.

Though we certainly offer regular four course meals, the degustation meal defines the ultimate in the cerebral understanding of emotions that food and wine evince from the discriminating diner. It requires a refined and knowledgeable guide to construct a menu that will provide a progression of tastes that will open, amaze and instruct the senses and then inform the intellect to a level of culinary and gustatory appreciation.

A tasting dinner is for people graced with heart, palate and intellect. The heart requires your sense of the joy of food be uppermost: The palate requires happy acceptance of all flavours, textures and cuisines. The intellect demands cerebral acuity in the journey through curiosity, to satisfaction and on to bliss to reach comprehension of the delicious art of their menu. It is the gift my clients give to themselves and their guests.

When we design a menu I am certainly the guide but we develop it together. This is vital, as then it belongs to them. It is an investment that they can call totally their own. It is very important to the emotional structure of the wedding.

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Post tags: Allan Zepeda, Barraud Caterers Limited, Catering, Jason Walz, Lisa Koenig, Manhattan, New York, New York City, New York Weddings, Vendor Spotlights, Wedding Catering, Wedding Food
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the bride… James and I both loved the movie, “Up” — the deep love between the characters Carl and Ellie, the quiet joy they found in each other, and their simple yet beautiful life together embodies the kind of marriage that James and I (and our beloved puppy, Henry) hope to share. So when it came time for our engagement photos, we wanted to capture some of the whimsical elements of the film as well as the playful and humorous side of our personalities and of our relationship. Our photographer, Lauren, was amazing and braved the cold in Fort Tryon Park in New York for our shoot. We would not have achieved the look we were going for without her and we will forever treasure these images that she captured for us.

P.S. James wants me to add that we do not in fact transport ourselves by balloon or live in a handheld house.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle / Location: Fort Tryon Park

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Post tags: Engagement Photos, engagement session, Fort Tryon Park, Lauren Gabrielle, Manhattan, New York, New York City
Post categories: New York City Weddings, New York Weddings

Click here for the full photo session!

From the bride… I was looking for a dress with vintage and bohemian elements and silhouette that was different than most wedding dresses I came across. As a fashion stylist, I try to find designs that are unique and something that has a “wow factor.” This dress did exactly that. It was the first dress I tried on—I knew right away—at Adrienne’s boutique on Orchard St in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It was designed by the owner’s daughter, Gina DeSilva, and I love that it was not only an indie designer, but she also used vintage lace! The sample fit right off the rack and I had a few things tailored to what I wanted. The best part was that everyone thought I looked beautiful when I walked down the aisle, but then the surprise of the cut out on the back made it even more show stopping. I don’t think Josh noticed the back until after the ceremony, and he said, Wow! I’m glad I married you.

I relate my photoshoot at 5 Beekman to be like my real life Sex & The City moment, complete with the dramatic head piece! It was magical and I imagine it to be something Carrie Bradshaw would have wanted to do if she were more of a downtown girl. The rustic palace was the perfect setting for pictures with my vintage-inspired wedding!

It was serendipitous that Uma suggested to go take pictures in Brooklyn Bridge Park! Josh and I talked about getting elements of Brooklyn into our wedding day, but sadly it was too much of a hassle to trek everyone over to that park or any other landscape that read specifically “Brooklyn.” I get the chills when I see the images of us together with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. It’s so romantic! So us! I still can’t believe that was all captured so perfectly and it looks like it was a scene from a film!

Photography: Studio Uma / Locations: The Palace at 5 Beekman Street + Brooklyn Bridge Park / Dress: Custom from vintage lace by Gina Desilva for Adrienne’s Bridal / Headpiece 1 (5 Beekman Street):  Leah C. Couture Millinery /  Headpiece 2 (Brooklyn Bridge Park): Rachel Sax for Nona E. Rose /  Custom Bracelet: etc… Modern-Vintage Jewelry / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Groom’s Suit, Socks + Shoes: Paul Smith / Groom’s Shirt: Armani / Groom’s Boutonniere: Leah C. Couture Millinery / Groom’s tie: Dior / Hair and makeup: Emily Rodrigues

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Post tags: Adrienne's Bridal, Armani, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dior, Emily Rodrigues, etc... Modern-Vintage Jewelry, Gina Desilva, Leah C. Couture Millinery, Manhattan, Manolo Blahnik, New York, New York City, Newlywed, Nona E. Rose, Paul Smith, Photo Session, Rachel Sax, Studio Uma, The Palace at 5 Beekman Street
Post categories: New York City Weddings, New York Weddings

After dating for eight years, a proposal was expected in the near future, especially when we decided to take a trip out of town on the Fourth of July holiday.  However, Gordon always has awful luck in planning any event (a “Charlie Brown” factor), and he was true to form for the proposal.  We had taken a trip to Hershey Park, where we would be making customized chocolates.  It could have been very romantic, except for the fact that we were sandwiched in between screaming kids and large tourist groups.  I learned later on that Gordon thankfully passed on this window to propose.  We then set out for the park at night to catch the fireworks…only our timing was off, and the fireworks show was more like a dud.  We skulked back to the hotel, where Gordon ordered room service.  I thought this must be it!  I lifted up the metal tray eagerly, only to find chicken fingers.  I could feel myself getting woozy.  We settled in for bed, and I shut my eyes tight, ready to call it a day.  At the last possible moment, when I thought it was never going to happen, Gordon woke me up with an open ring box in my face.  He had pulled through after all!

We wanted to eschew the traditional wedding trappings: no draped chairs, hotel banquet halls, or over-styled floral arrangements.  When we saw the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, it just felt right – a modern setting situated on the New York City coastline.  This was something that spoke to all of the Staten Island ferry rides we had taken as a couple.

We wanted the wedding to look really clean and simple, hence gray and yellow seemed like a natural choice.  In terms of style, we wanted a touch of kitsch to personalize the event.  Vintage robots played off our color schemes and our personalities as a couple.  At the end of the day, we find ways to make each other laugh, remind ourselves to seek the playful side of life and have fun together, simply put.

We both come from different cultural backgrounds, and we wanted to incorporate those elements into our wedding.  As part of our ceremony, we included the Filipino tradition of a cord and veil, as a symbol of the union of marriage and sign of mutual support of each other, binding us in a lifelong commitment to be one in mind and heart.  To bring in Gordon’s Chinese background, we held a small tea ceremony during the reception, as a way to show respect and appreciation to our family.

Our most vivid memories from the wedding day were seeing all the people we love in one room, enjoying themselves and letting loose, getting really creative with props at the photobooth or wilding out to music on the dance floor.  We also enjoyed a quiet moment together while heading to the reception in a vintage cab, which took our breath away.

Our photographer, Joe Lin, videographer, Michael Porco, and our wonderful planner, Christine Viola and Exquisite Affairs Production, made every minute memorable, truly amazing, and unforgettable.  We were never a couple that visualized our exact wedding from detail to detail but all of our vendors painted our story exactly as we would never imagine it could have been portrayed.

Photographer: Joseph Lin Wedding Photography / Event Design & Planning: Exquisite Affairs Productions / Ceremony: Our Lady of the Rosary / Reception Venue: Abigail Kirsch, The Lighthouse / Makeup: Sally Duvall / Hair: Styles on B, Stacy Pitt / Cinematography: Michael Justin Films / DJ: High Voltage Sounds DJ / Floral Design: Flowers by Emil / Stationery: Exquisite Affairs Productions / Vintage Checkered Cab: Film Cars

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Post tags: Checkered Cabs, Chelsea, Chelsea Piers, Color Palette Gray Yellow, Exquisite Affairs Productions, Film Cars, Flowers by Emil, Fusion Wedding, Heart Shaped Diamond, High Voltage Sounds DJ, Joseph Lin Wedding Photography, Manhattan, Michael Justin Films, New York, New York City, Our Lady of the Rosary, Robots, Sally Ducall, Stacy Pitt, Styles on B, The Lighthouse, Vintage Cabs, Water, Wedding Planners & Designers, Whimsy, Yellow Cabs
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Whimsical

Click here for more in the full image gallery!

Jonathan and I chose to have some of our engagement photographs done in Central Park, as it is a tranquil spot but you still see the sweeping skylines of New York City in the background. It is romantic and features some of the most amazing scenery in New York City with its natural woods, lakes and walking tracks. It is one of our favorite spots to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Times Square is a quintessential New York City location. We also chose this site as Times Square represents the energetic lifestyle we live on a day to day basis. Bright lights, tall buildings and tons of people encompass the world we live in.

My first look was a white silk Diane von Furstenberg dress. I wore a black Balenciaga dress in her second look with Christian Louboutin shoes. Jonathan wore a Charles Tyrwhitt button down with a charcoal Theory blazer and jeans.

The session was extremely fun! We really connected with Jenny, our photographer.  As the shoot progressed, we just became more and more comfortable with her. It was great to be able to relax and just have fun.

Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Bride’s Dresses: Diane von Furstenberg (white) & Balenciaga (black) / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin

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Post tags: Balenciaga, Captured Photography by Jenny, Central Park, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Emerald Cut Diamond, Engagement Sessions, Engagement Shoots, Manhattan, New York, New York City, Time Square, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

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From the Bride…Matthew and I are both somewhat old souls, so we wanted a wedding that would be timeless, classic, and elegant. We had met and played out our love story in New York, and thus it was the natural place to be married.  In planning our wedding, we wanted to bring a New York City feel without going overboard with it. We were thinking a sophisticated black and white color scheme, black tie, lots of Sinatra. Our letterpressed invitations featured an illustration of the New York City skyline that had been drawn for us by Matthew’s sister. We wanted to keep the main invitation simple so we chose black script on white paper and incorporated the skyline drawing by printing it faintly on a vellum overlay.  We used the same skyline illustration on our out-of-town bags, which were filled with some of our favorite NYC things (like black and white cookies), as well as some classics (I “heart” NY T-shirts).

Our wedding day transportation was an antique Checker Cab, which was fitting since a taxi had played an important part in the story of how we first met. We were introduced by a mutual friend at a New Year’s Eve party in 2006 and hit it off instantly. Our goodbyes were cut short though when I spied a taxi across the street, which I ran to catch since finding an empty taxi in New York City on New Year’s Eve is a bit like winning the lottery.  Luckily, our friend gave Matthew my phone number and he called the next day. The rest was history.

We feel very fortunate to have been married at the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Chelsea, which holds a special place in our hearts since it is where we attended mass together weekly.  It is a wonderfully welcoming church with an impressive community service portfolio.  It also happens to be gorgeous, which was a big bonus!

Both Matthew and I love eating, so food played a big part in our wedding day. We took pictures at the Shake Shack, which is a NYC institution in Madison Square Park famous for its fantastic hamburgers and notorious for its long lines. Showing up in a wedding dress was a blast –everyone let us cut the line, and the employees gave us free food and a small bottle of Prosecco!  At the reception we went more upscale, with a sit down multi-course dinner and intermezzos butlered to guests on the dance floor. We lightened things up a bit at the end of the night with a gourmet chocolate bar with goodies for our guests to take home (the chocolate covered bacon was the biggest crowd pleaser!)

There were so many little details that went into the wedding – my grandmother’s rosary that I carried with my bouquet, the handkerchief wrapped around my bouquet that had been Matthew’s Christening bonnet as an infant, the DIY signs for our card table, the votive candles hung over the dance floor that twinkled over our heads all night.  We had a lot of fun with all of the planning and could not have asked for a more perfect day.

Wedding Photography: CLY Creation / Floral Design: Kiriba of Atlas Floral Decorators / Ceremony Location: The Church of St. Francis Xavier / Reception Location: The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers / Invitations: William Arthur + Lion in the Sun / Vintage Taxi: FilmCars / Bride’s Shoes: Calvin Klein / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Jewelry: Firenze Jewels / Hair: Daleesa Weary / Make-up: Ellen B. of Ellen B. Beauty / Bridesmaid Dresses: White House Black Market

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Post tags: Amsale, Atlas Floral Decorators, Calvin Klein, CLY Creation, Daleesa Weary, Ellen B. Beauty, FilmCars, Firenze Jewels, Lion in the Sun, Manhattan, New York Weddings, The Church of St. Francis, The Lightouse at Chelsea Piers, White House Black Market, William Arthur
Post categories: Traditional Elegance