Now this is a New York wedding! From the photos of elegant couple Lara and David out enjoying their beloved New York, to the traditional ceremony and candlelit reception at the amazing Harold Pratt House, this wedding was suffused with a classic city style I adore!

The Couple: Lara and David

The Wedding: 5.12.12 – The Harold Pratt House – New York City, NY

What three adjectives best describe your wedding? Intimate, Elegant, Romantic

What was your wedding color palette? Golden tones, with pops of magenta

What inspired your personal wedding style, and how did you incorporate your style and personalities into your big day? We knew from the start that we wanted our wedding to be intimate and elegant, and to be a reflection of our styles, passions and personalities. We wanted it to be about our love of incredible music and performance, for amazing food, and for beautiful design. We wanted to keep it small, allowing us to stay connected with each other, and to our family and closest friends throughout the night. We also knew that we had to find a place in NYC theres no other place in the world we feel as connected to.

We fell in love with the Pratt House immediately. It felt like home as soon as we walked through the doors. It allowed us to eschew tradition and make each element of the evening stand on its own. Our ceremony in the round took place downstairs in the drawing room; cocktails, hors doervres and jazz followed in the library after ascending a grand staircase; guests then moved to the ballrooom for an intimate candle-lit dinner; and ending back downstairs in a transformed parlor for dancing and desserts.

Looking back, what are the moments, decisions or memories that you love the most about your wedding? From David: It may sound cliche, but my favorite moment was seeing Lara in her dress for the first time. Not only because of how beautiful she looked, but because I expected to see her in the sleek, clean, almost structured style I love about her. But instead, she completely blew me away with this dreamlike, almost fantastical, gown. What a blast to see my almost-wife in an unexpected way! And even better was how happy she was wearing it!

From Lara: My favorite moment was also about being suprised! We planned every moment of the night together, in fact, we even prepared a minute to minute itenerary for our all our vendors and bridal party. So, when David began speaking during cocktails in the library, I was caught completely off guard I had no idea what was happening. Suddenly, a formally attired choir stepped out from a hidden door and lined up on the balcony that overlooked the room. They performed a wonderful piece composed by my husband for me, for our wedding. Ive never recieved a better gift. What a magical moment that still gets me when I think about it…

For both of us, few moments were more powerful then standing under our grandfathers prayer shawls in our chuppah (canopy), holding each others hands, while being surrounded by the people who love us, and whom we love. Davids son giving us our rings…our sisters recitations…our best friends and our parents wonderful speeches…dancing our first dance to La Vie En Rose…were all moments we wish we could live over and over again.

Were happy we stuck to our guns and made the more challenging, riskier decisions. We didnt go for a full-service venue, definitely harder to manage, but we were then able to design every element of the night ourselves. We love that we managed to make our ceremony work in the round. The emotion we felt standing together completely surrounded by the people most important to us, was overwhelming and worth the time it took to figure it all out. We love that we opted for four long rectangular tables, and not the classic rounds. This set-up recreated our love for spending hours with our family and friends in our home, sitting and talking across our dining table over good food. Working out the seating arrangements that evening was difficult, but the result was stunning and true to our vision of the night.

What piece of advice would you give to a bride planning her wedding today? This advice is for the couple, not just for the bride… Be true to yourselves and to each other! Create a night that reflects who you are as a couple, what makes you both happy, what youre both passionate about. Dont just do things because youre supposed to. That said, some traditions are traditions because they feel wonderful to participate in. Its ok to be openminded and try something that would mean so much to someone you love. Most importantly, do every step with your partner. Every step from tastings, to picking out linens, to band showcases, to assembling those envelopes. First of all, its so much fun to have a partner in all the madness. And besides, you guys are getting married after all, commiting to spending the rest of your lives together. Go to the florist together, and then, if its football season, grab a beer and catch the game after you choose the color of your peonies.

The Wedding Team:
Photographer: Farnaz K Studio
Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Harold Pratt House
Officiant: Rabbi Gerald Weider
Invitation Designer: Bella Figura
Catering: Marcia Selden Catering
Florist: Jane Packer
Wedding Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue
Bridal Accessories: Shoes – Valentino
Groom and Groomsmens Apparel & Accessories: Grooms Suit – Dolce & Gabbana
Hair and Make-up: Makeup – Lauren Whitworth
Live Music: Harpist – Maria Banks, Jazz Duo –New York Jazz Bands, Band – Bud Maltin Metropolitan Orchestra, Choir – New York Polyphony
Transportation: NYC Royal Limo
Dance Instruction: Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Jewelry: Bride – Kwiat & Gilan, Groom – Cartier
Ketubah: Enya Keshet
Personalized Yarmulkes: Cool Kippahs

Wow – thank you for sharing your wedding and planning experience with us Lara and David! What a stunning wedding!

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