Laura and James
February 19, 2011
Colony Hall • Staten Island, NY

Laura and James were seniors in college when had their first date on December 31, 2005. They met as students at Fordham University and shortly after their New Year’s Eve date they officially became a couple. About four years later, Laura and James were spending the day together, and after a romantic dinner they found themselves under the Brooklyn Bridge. James then asked Laura to marry him and she couldn’t have been more thrilled. “I thought it would be an unforgettable moment and perfect complement to starting our life together in Brooklyn,” James reminisced.

The couple set the date for February 19, 2011 and immediately began planning their classic-modern celebration. “We wanted timeless with a twist of today,” said Laura, who chose dark grays, black, deep purples, and magenta as the color scheme for their winter wedding. When it came time to choose a reception location, family members recommended Colony Hall. According to the bride, she and James wanted somewhere truly unique that was fit for a big party; Colony Hall was just what they were looking for. “It was the perfect space to accommodate our tastes and vision,” she commented.

The morning of the wedding began early for Laura and her bridesmaids, who had a lot of prepping to do before the 3:00 PM ceremony. Matt from Cozmo’s Hair Salon and Design Studio and Jeanine from Jeanine Mangan Makeup Designs arrived at Laura’s parents’ house at 6:30 AM to get the girls ready for the big day. “Jeanine is truly an artist. I have never felt more beautiful, thanks to her. The makeup lasted the whole wedding without a worry,” noted the bride. Once everyone was ready, First Class Limousine Service took Laura, her parents, and the bridal party to The Shrine Church of St. Bernadette, James’ family’s parish. Laura wore an off-white strapless trumpet-fit LaSposa gown with ruching and an A-line train with a hair comb from her mother-in-law and a plain floor-length veil. James waited at the altar in a wool tuxedo with a classic black bow tie.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their wedding party braved the cold February winds for photos taken by John Arcara Photography, who also filmed the wedding. “John and his team are pros. Their ability to be everywhere and capture everything in the most beautiful way will never cease to amaze me. These are photos we will cherish forever,” Laura commented. After pictures everyone gathered at Colony Hall for an extravagant cocktail hour, which featured some of the couple’s favorite foods. In addition to numerous passed hors d’oeuvres, guests also enjoyed a baja taco bar, a raw bar, and snacks like truffle oil popcorn and pretzel bites at the bar and cocktail tables. The entree was a modern take on traditional surf and turf: a beef tenderloin and crab cake combination served with cheddar potato gratin and corn pudding. “We got rave reviews on the food for months after the wedding! It was truly gourmet,” said the bride. Mother Mousse designed the couple’s wedding cake, which was white with cascading black, gray and purple dots. The white chocolate raspberry-filled vanilla and chocolate cake was served for dessert with espresso drinks, cordials, and trays of cookies.

Michael and Anthony from Eclipse Entertainment worked with the groom to create a playlist that kept guests up and on the dance floor. The couple agreed that they were incredibly impressed by the team from Eclipse, who was flexible and accommodating. Laura and James’ first dance, “When I Saw You” by The Ronettes, was followed by traditional parent dances, with Laura and her father’s dance ending in their favorite dancing pastime, “The Twist.” After their big day, the newlyweds escaped to Antigua for their honeymoon. Laura and James felt their wedding was exactly how they envisioned it and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They are looking forward to starting their life together as a married couple.

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: The Shrine of St. Bernadette • Officiant: Monsignor Casserta
Reception Location: Colony Hall
Photographer and Videographer: John Arcara Photography
Entertainment: Eclipse Entertainment LLC • Wedding Coordinator: Guide the Bride
Limousine Service: First Class Limousine Service • Florist: Flowers by Bernard
Cake Designer and Favors: Mother Mousse
Bridal Salon, Veil and Headpiece: Wedding Atelier • Formal Attire: Jack Silver Formal Wear
Invitations: Holland Designs
Hair Salon: Cozmo's Hair Salon and Design Studio
Makeup Artist: Jeanine Mangan Makeup Designs
Jeweler: Gerald Peter's Goldmine and Sassy Chic Boutique
Honeymoon Location: Antigua

To read more about Laura and James' big day, pick up the latest New York edition of Contemporary Bride Magazine!

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Thank you Jessica Urzua of Jessica Lauren Photography for sharing this beautiful classic wedding picture. For more information visit www.JessicaLaurenPhoto.com.

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Designed by Benjamin Adams, Sissy features a peep-toe style shoe with show stopper details of rhinestones and ruffle embellishment. For more information and to view more styles, visit www.myglassslipper.com.

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Sara Rue wore Dahlia designed by Amsale for her May 21, 2011 wedding to Kevin Price. The beautiful ball gown featured silk taffeta, sweetheart neckline, and hand-pleated floral embroidery in the color, caffe.

Image via CelebrityBrideGuide.com

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If you're searching for a unique detail for your wedding reception, and like the idea of serving a signature drink, then you're going to love this alternative! Spice up the bar with Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters! Click HERE for more signature drink recipe inspirations. Please drink responsibly (21 and older) and always have a designated driver.

Strawberry Prep: Cut the bottoms of the strawberry flat to get them to stand upright. Use a huller or apple corer to empty out the strawberry. Once the strawberries have been emptied, use a towel to pat the outside of the strawberries dry. Check each strawberry and make sure there is not a hole in the bottom before you start filling.

Ingredients:
Margarita Mix:
1 box Strawberry Jell-O
8 ounces tequila, preferably reposado or blanco
6 ounce Cointreau
Salt for garnish

Directions: Boil one cup of hot water in a saucepan, then add in Jell-o powder and whisk until powder is completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Set aside. Measure out 1/4 cup of cold water and set aside. Combine tequila and Cointreau in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add liquour mixture to cold water and stir. Then add cold liquour mixture to hot Jell-o mixture and stir. Pour final Jell-o mix into strawberries and chill overnight. Dip your finger in water or use a moistened brush to wet the edge of the strawberries, dip and rotate the strawberries in salt to rim. Garnish with cut lime triangles to finish.

Image and recipe from www.bakersroyale.com

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Designed by Roxy's Jewelry Boutique, this Coin Pearl Double Strand Necklace is handcrafted and made with genuine freshwater pearls and solid sterling silver. Check out additional wedding day accessories to coordinate with your wedding day attire at www.RoxysJewelry.com and receive a ten percent discount off your entire order by entering contemporary during checkout.

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LAURITA WINERY BRIDAL SHOWCASE
VINEYARD WEDDINGS

Sunday, May 6, 2012
Noon to 4 p.m.

Come view our tented vineyard wedding venue and fall in love with one of New Jersey’s most beautiful hidden jewels. Laurita Winery is located in New Egypt, one and a half hours from Manhattan and a short drive from almost anywhere in New Jersey. Experience the ambience of the unique location at our exclusive bridal showcase. Take in the surrounding 250-acre vineyard in a setting complete with 12-column ceremony pergola and adjacent fire pit. Savor Branches’ delicious cuisine, meet our preferred vendors, and perhaps be one of our lucky prize winners. Attendance is by invitation only, for engaged couples who are seeking a venue.

Showcasing the following vendors:
Sound Connection Entertainment
Russ De Santis Photography and Video
Richard Music Ensemble
Petal Beach Florists
Ocean Tents and Party Rentals

To register, call toll-free 877-316-1753 or go to www.BranchesCatering.com

Laurita Winery
35 Archertown Road
GPS users enter 85 Archertown Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533

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Bride Tips to help you through the wedding planning process from Contemporary Bride.

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HONEYMOON SPOTLIGHT:
Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives
Maldives Islands

Set amid the perfect islands and blue ocean of South Ari Atoll (Alifu Atoll) in the republic of Maldives, Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives delivers a unique Premium 4-star resort experience and offers the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Featuring 112 suites and villas, the resort features diving enthusiasts outstanding diving opportunities including an excellent house reef complete with a dedicated sunken ship wreck and is within easy reach of the top dive spots in the Maldives. The resort offers all guests a premium all-inclusive vacation experience, along with a perfect white sand beach and the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean.

Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives offers beachfront and over water accommodations divided into seven categories complete with a "resort within a resort" accommodation experience- Island Club. For the discerning leisure travellers, the Island Club concept offers guests who have booked Island Club Villas exclusive use of the Island Clubhouse, swimming pool, with a more expansive choice of beverages using popular branded spirits. Additionally, the club pool features cold towel service, tropical fruits, and refreshing sorbets served in the afternoon and a sun bed concierge service.

Within all guest rooms, some of the amenities you will enjoy include a bedroom complete with a furnished living room area, bathroom with bathtub, or personal Jacuzzi Spa and heavenly rain shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, comfortably furnished terrace, among much more.

Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives offers more than simply daytime sun, sea, and sand. The resort features a variety of dining options, pools, recreation activities, Sports and Fitness facilities, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, SPA Cenvaree, and a Kids Club. A choice of 112 suites and villas including Fully Inclusive - All Inclusive Benefits await individual travelers, romantic honeymoon couples, and family fun groups for the first heavenly experience in the middle of the idyllic Maldives. For more information visit www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com.

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