May 26, 2020

Parisian Secret Garden Wedding

It's our one year anniversary and a perfect time to look back on our special day.

One year ago Cody and I were married in Palm Beach, Florida at the stunning Henry Morrison Flagler Museum. The day was absolutely perfect. We were blessed with perfect spring sunshine, breeze, and smell of the near by ocean. Flagler sits on the banks looking west over the intercostal. Our brilliant photographers from Domino Arts and videographers from Sendrey captured every detail and special moment, as if they could predict exactly what emotional moments would be special to capture. Each time I look at our photographs and watch our video I am overwhelmed remembering the joy and love that I felt that day.

We started the morning getting ready in my childhood home with my Mom, sister, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. It was important to me to feel support and calm, so limiting my bridal party to my immediate family was ideal for me. The fabulous styling team also put me an great ease. Jon from Jonathan Edwards and Stephanie from Lips to Lashes knew exactly what I liked. I was also so excited to finally be able to get into the stunning Ersa Atelier Bridal Gown purchased at Chernaya Bridal House in Miami, Florida.

There was a perfect little library garden just down the street from our wedding venue, Five Arts King Library. This little gem had ponds, luscious green backdrops, and a stunning window filled greenhouse. Being able to see Cody for the first time that day in such a dreamy spot could not have been topped. These gardens were also the perfect place for our families to spend time together, just the nine of use, before heading into the larger events.

If you are from a warmer southern state, you can understand how risky it can be to plan an outdoor wedding. I wanted so much to be under the beautiful sky for our ceremony, and the Flagler Museum had the perfect balance! A large glass sunroom, where you could look out directly onto the intercostal as the sun was setting and look up to see the cloudless sky. Our flower covered pergola chuppah fit perfectly, with the outdoors being brought indoors with the backdrop of the antique architecture inspired by a train station. And! The silk chuppah fabric from Jeanette Kuvin, ceremony programs created by Paper and Lace Boutique, Kippah's from Skullcap Co.,and Ketubah by Danny Azoulay added the personalized touches.

The ceremonies were full of emotions. The men's Tisch was in a sun room and the Kabalat Panim and Bedekin in the Great Hall. I could not hold back my tears as I was overwhelmed seeing so many of our friends an family arriving. Having this special moment with nearly every female guest was precious. I am tearing up even as I write this and I can still hear the excitement as Cody was danced to into the room to place the veil.

The Chuppah ceremony was unbelievable. It took place just as the sun was setting. The warm colored sky enveloped us in a large hug. The Cantor Charles Muhlbauer filled the room with his stunning voice singing Mi Adir as we entered Eishes Chayil and Im Eschcha Yerushalayim as we left. Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield, an extremely inspirational and dear friend of ours, officiated the ceremony. As wonderful and full I felt by the presence of our guests, there were a few people that we were missing dearly. My maternal grandparents and Cody's maternal grandmother. I had always wished that my grandfather could officiate, but since he couldn't, I instead took the recording from my parent's wedding video and played the recording of him singing the seven wedding blessing for the bride and groom. Having his booming passionate voice fill the hall brought us all into an entirely different spiritual experience. Of course, I had arranged this as a surprise, so all of us were hysterically crying.

The party room was exquisite. The tall ceiling and large archways, the multi levels, and lighting was warm and inviting. Joni Scalzo did a fabulous job coordinating all the moving pieces the day of with our vendors: Exquisite Events, Nuage, Elemts and Accents, and Atlas. They were able to seamlessly create the look of a spring garden tea. The meal by Shaike’s Catering well was perfectly plated and the delicious dessert bar could not have been any more perfect, with the cake from Ana Paz only highlighting the beautiful meal.

Bringing two families together can be very scary. My main wish was for everyone to feel the over pouring love that Cody and I have for each other and the other’s family. I truly believed that was accomplished. The hugs, smiles, dancing, and over all joy resonated through the walls of the venue. The endless dancing during the horah with a combination of religious traditional, Israeli, and modern music was exhausting and energizing. Blond Ambition, our extraordinary band, was so supportive and helpful in keeping the dance floor full of life.

It is hard for me to pick a favorite part of the part, and yet, my dance with Cody stands out. It was a perfectly choreographed Viennese Waltz by Scott and Faith at Colorado dance Sport. It was magical to have that moment between the two of us, even if everyone was watching.

I am not sure where the tradition came from regarding the bride dancing with her dad and the groom with his mom, but we were very blessed to have them there. I started ballroom dancing when I was 12 years old when I took lessons with my dad for my bat mitzvah. This special moment felt like we were floating together. I loved having this opportunity to relish in our relationship; and seeing Cody dance with his mom made my heart melt

We are so grateful that we have so many loving and supportive friends and family members in our lives. Thank you to those who were a part of that special moment, and we look forward to continuing to share our lives with you and many more as our family and friends network grows.