When wedding planner Danielle of The Stylish Detail set out to design her own big day, she knew it had to be special. “As a planner, you sit back and watch so many beautiful love stories come to life and all of this time I have waited for my turn! It was finally here…I knew this would be my chance to create my fairytale wedding.” The result? A completely classic ballroom affair with so many meaningful details, including a video tribute to her late father during the traditional daddy-daughter dance. Dyanna LaMora captured and we’re welcoming every moment into The Vault.
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From the couple…
What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?
As an event/wedding planner it’s so very hard to envision all of the magical details you will one day pull together as your own. Working in some of the most iconic venues in New York City, I have seen it all! From the grandeur of The Plaza Hotel to the iconic Waldorf Astoria, my dreams of a bride have always been grand! As a planner you sit back and watch so many beautiful love stories come to life and all of this time I have waited for my turn! It was finally here after almost 12 years of being together with my best friend and knew this would be my chance to create my fairytale wedding.
Scott proposed at our favorite spot in NYC, The Central Park Zoo with over 50 family and friends that secretly watched from afar around the sea lion tank. As soon as he got down on one knee and I said yes to the ring, everyone ran out to celebrate! It was the most magical moment of my life and knew the celebration to follow had to be as over the top as the proposal!
As we started to search for the perfect backdrop to our special day, I knew we needed to find a modern, yet timeless setting…all of course in NJ! I have always envisioned a black tie wedding set in a beautiful ballroom filled with candlelight. The quintessential venue would be draped in chandeliers, have a white dance floor and touches of ornate decor to create a classic affair. I knew if I took the lead in finding a venue, we would probably still be looking! Therefore, I let Scott lead the search and the minute we both stepped into his first choice, The Grove- I knew we would not have to look any further!
It was everything I had ever envisioned as a little girl, including the cascading staircase leading into the room. Over 12 chandeliers hung from the ballroom ceiling and one of the largest dance floors I have ever seen! It was elegance and charm all in one and we knew we had found our venue!
If you asked any of our friends or family, they would describe us as “over the top”! We love life and all it has to offer and would were ready to celebrate in style.
What was your color palette and style vision?
I went with a classic romance theme. Our wedding was designed on a palette of soft pastels, creams, champagnes, greys, pale pinks and a mix of gold, silver and lace. Touches of crystal detail followed on my dress and hair piece and were also carried into the bridesmaid dresses for the added glitz of the night.
I wanted to highlight the room with the custom white dance floor and added grey custom monogram for a personal touch. I also softened the room with an added chiffon drape on the far wall and projected specialty lighting to add a special ambiance to the ballroom. Together it created a backdrop that was the perfect touch to our overall décor. Warm-intimate-elegant!
Our vision was to create a timeless yet regal wedding that would not look dated 50 years from now. Beautiful bunches of tall calla lilies draped over the guests surrounded by floating flowers in mercury glass. I am also a hopeless romantic, so the touches of candlelight throughout the reception and the lace detail on my dress completed our overall vision of the night.
What unique elements or DIY details did you include?
The most unique element to me would be the white dance floor as well as the gobos projected onto the wall. In a matter of minutes, it transformed the space into something that literally took our breath away.
Another unique element was our head table. We decided, we wanted to bring our families and generations together for the first time and created a head table for 12. We have our entire lives to spend together but would never have the chance to share this moment with the ones we love most.
As I am an event designer as well, I knew I would consume myself with so many DIY and lose sight of the day. Therefore, for the first time ever I left the details and décor to the professionals and I LOVED it!
What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail?
The tribute to my father who had lost his battle with cancer was such a meaningful moment to me. I had struggled for years on how I would handle this difficult day without him and knew I would honor my dad in the best possible way. Months before the wedding, I had compiled home videos of him and I dancing and worked closely with our videographer to create a short clip to be shown that evening. It was the perfect addition to the night and knew he was in fact with me for our dance.
Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.
Flowers:
From the beginning I did not want to design a typical wedding. I have seen it all from the flower walls to the orchid trees. I had always envisioned a classic simple design that made an impact. My amazing florist had recommended using tall bunches of white calla lilies based in a tall fluted vase surrounded by smaller mercury glass with floating candles. It was the perfect combination of bold hues for an eye-catching display. We also did (3) long tables in a mix of rounds that surrounded the dance floor. The guests were covered in a canopy of white orchids, as pale pink and champagne colored flowers filled the tabletop in smaller vases. It was perfection in every way and exactly what I had envisioned.
My bridesmaids had carried precious bouquets of pastel colored flowers wrapped in light pink ribbon, as I carried a large bouquet of all my favorite flowers in soft pinks and creams with a small picture frame that carried my dads picture.
Gown:
The hunt was on! For months I traveled far and wide to find the perfect dress. Appointment after appointment, I thought I would never find the ONE. I was telling myself to settle because I was running out of time. However, what bride would ever settle for the DRESS! I wouldn’t and just then I stepped into the Pronovias showroom and tried on the Barquilla Gown and it happened! That twirling Cinderella moment that every brides gushes over! After that moment each and every detail just fell into place! The gown was a fitted mermaid dress in tulle with a sweetheart neckline, rebrode’ lace appliques , adorned with crystal gemstone embroidery. The bottom skirt had two layers of lace and a scalloped hem.
Cake:
We wanted a very simple but yet rustic design for our wedding cake wrapped with beautiful flowers. Palermo’s Bakery did just that! They amazed us with a four-tiered white frosted buttercream cake in strawberry and cream with the top tier in cannoli cream! I had our florist customize a lush garland accented with peonies and roses to surround the cake. Our topper completed the fairytale and stayed our theme of the day as “It Was Always You” in gold. It was perfect!
What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?
Pick your venue first and then let all of the other pieces fall into place.
Photography: Dyanna LaMora | Cinematography: Studio 94 Video | Coordination: Lauren Perry Events | Floral Design: MDS Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Palermo's Bakery | Reception Venue: The Grove | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Makeup: Faces by Grace | Hair: Victoria Rocco | Calligraphy: MBM Calligraphy | DJ: Platinum Entertainment | Groomsmen Attire: LABEL | Wedding Venue: Church Of The Immaculate Conception | Bridal Boutique: St. Pucchi | Cake Topper: Better Off Wed | Dance Floor + Monogram: Holo- Walls | Flower Girl Hair Accessories: Fancy Girl Boutique NYC | Hair Accessories: Mon Cherie | Lighting + Drapes: Lounge it Up | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Signage: Nese Decor | Veil: Pronovias
