Tag Archives: new york

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Today we’re thrilled to welcome our friend Claudia Hanlin of the Wedding Library to the Bon Bon Blog! The Wedding Library is a one stop shop for brides in New York, offering them wedding planning services, bridesmaid dresses, wedding stationery, and even registry gifts. Claudia was kind enough to chat with us about her favorite parts of the business, the most over-the-top event she’s ever planned, and her best advice for brides…

Soirée:  How did you get your start in the wedding industry?

Claudia Hanlin: I planned my wedding 20 years ago, before the dawn of the Internet. I had a hard time finding the perfect vendors for my type A personality and an even harder time tracking them down, interviewing them, and discovering that they might not be the right fit. I figured there had to be a better way. My brainchild was to create a “consortium” of like-minded vendors whose portfolios all resided in a pretty little townhouse space in Manhattan. In a library of sorts, a Wedding Library. I met with brides, and like a “fairy godmother” matched up brides with their perfect vendors. Soon I was planning weddings and soon after that folding in retail products. Now I have a quite large Bridesmaids division, a Stationery design studio and produce a bridal show in NYC and Chicago with Martha Stewart Weddings.

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S: What sets you apart as wedding planner?

CH: When we started (20 years ago), I was planning upwards of 30 weddings a year. I got to know every NY space inside and out, and feel like I’ve seen it all. Now, I plan about 10 weddings a year. With that depth and breadth of experience comes a lot of expertise. I’ve worked with every vendor in NYC, I’ve planned events in every venue. I’ve experienced the most delightful in creativity and the best in professionalism. And because I have my own stationery business, I understand the etiquette, wording, methodology and styles that are available in the printing world. And my dress experience also adds a dimension to what I can offer brides. This very comprehensive portfolio of skills and experiences that I have to draw on when planning a wedding gives me the confidence to try new things, and create unique experiences for my clients.

S: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

CH: There are so many rewarding parts of a wedding. Sitting with my team at 2am, after it’s all done, and sharing a toast to a job well done. Watching a father and bride stand nervously before he escorts her down the aisle. Reading a heartfelt thank you note. Impressing the groom by tying his bow tie. Poring over the photographs with a bride and re-living every moment.

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S: What is one of your favorite events you’ve planned thus far?

CH: I turned a 35,000 square foot raw office space in Times Square into a modern secret garden. We moved sprinkler lines, hand-painted thousands of square feet of floor, installed screen-printed walls, and created a replica of a fabulous Berlin disco. The party ended at 5am and I’ve never been more tired nor more happy with the outcome.

S: Tell us more about the boutique portion of your business.

CH: Our Bridesmaids Salon has been steadily growing for over 10 years. We were asked to be the flagship for Amsale’s Bridesmaids collection eight years ago and its exploded from that time on. We carry 9 lines, bring on new designers all the time, and help nurture designers that we believe in. I didn’t have retail experience when we started, so it’s been a learning experience for me, too. Although bridesmaids is unlike anything else in retail anyway. I am happy to say that we’re in a place that I am very proud of — it’s difficult to consistently provide the level of service and care you’d like (for decades) and I feel like our team has settled into a great routine of excellence. We love seeing bridesmaids who’ve worn our dresses over the years turn into Wedding Library brides. It really reflects our pride in being a small business in New York City.

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S: Where do you see the Wedding Library headed in the next 5 years?

CH: I would love to see a Wedding Library in other cities — maybe one in the south! I have been exploring the idea of product development — making wedding products as easily accessible and tangible as other wedding shopping experiences. What I mean by this is: you can walk into a salon to buy a dress, a stationery store for your paperie and a department store for your registry. But if you want to find useful, well-designed wedding day products you have to search the entire Internet to find what you’re looking for. Like the Wedding Library has done with so many other areas of your wedding day, I’d like to put those items under one roof. We’re looking at ring pillows, cake toppers, casual stationery, gifts and more. Stay tuned!

S: What is one thing that every bride should keep in mind on her wedding day?

CH: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Your wedding day is about you, your groom and your family. Let everything else fall away and enjoy the day. The memory of a happy day will be the most important gift you can give yourself.

S: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to learn about you?

CH: I love to drive very fast. But my local law enforcement friends would not be surprised…

1.14.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Gifts, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers | 5 Comments
Oct 31, 2014

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We had so much fun at New York Bridal Week earlier this month and were thrilled to partner with Charleston Weddings magazine on a fabulous event at Ramscale Studio in the West Village. We hosted all of our industry friends to celebrate the amazing fashion coming down the runways at Pier 94, but the most exciting fashion moment was joining in the launch of Lula Kate designer Katherine McDonald’s signature line of wedding dresses. I also loved seeing two former Soirée brides that live in the city and stopped by to catch up. Aren’t they so cute in the photo above?! We’re happy to share some photos of the event with you today, and must thank Melissa Bigner of Charleston Weddings, Ramscale Studio for hosting us, and of course Lucy Cuneo for these stunning images!

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Let’s start with the dresses shall we? Seriously stunning! Katherine showcased them throughout the venue for an absolutely beautiful display.

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Loving the new issue of Charleston Weddings magazine that features one of our Soirée brides Kelly Broad. Make sure to grab a copy, and see a sneak peek here. And how amazing is the view from Ramscale?!

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We made sure ever guest had a gift bag (a Soirée signature) and loved these with a map of Charleston on the front to represent all of our Charleston friends in town for the event. We also had copies of our Weddings book there for guests to take home.

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Everyone loved the cocktails made with mixers from Charleston-based Bittermilk… with packing that beautiful, who could resist?! All of these elements made for a stunning event, and we loved spending the evening with some of our favorite people. We’re already counting down until next year!

10.31.14   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Events, Fashion | 1 Comment

A few weeks ago, I hosted a fabulous luncheon in New York with the team at 1stdibs. We invited all of our editor friends, and had a lovely meal at The East Pole restaurant, while I shared tips on infusing your tabletop decor with vintage pieces. It was a blast! And as of today, you can check out the pieces I selected from 1stdibs to get this look on their website. It was such fun to work with their team on this, and I think y’all will enjoy doing some shopping!

Now, do you want to see pictures of the event? I thought so…

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We sat at a long table covered in hot pink anemone flowers and surrounded by the beautiful, vintage maps that hung on the walls. It was great to get a chance to chat with my New York friends while I was in town, and no one wanted to return to the office (myself included)!

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Here are some close-up images so you can see what fun we had with this! I used one of my own fabrics from my Life is a Party Pop-Up Shoppe for the table runner, and wrapped the calligraphy menu around the vases. Lastly, I tucked rosemary around the napkins, and used lavender to hold up the lemons in the water for an extra special touch.

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Ok, now the fun part! This is the first of five looks that you can shop now!  I was inspired by the vintage floral pattern on the plate, and decided to go with a yellow pottery vase and mini daisies for a look that I think that would be perfect for a girls lunch or tea party. I paired them with ornate silver flatware, grounded by classic hemstitch napkins, and topped it all off with beautiful menu cards by the Lettered Olive.

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Here is a more modern look that I finished off with art deco napkin rings in a green hue pulled from the plates below. Do you want to know a secret? In the center of the plate, underneath the napkin and beautiful stationery, there is an incredible hand painted bird! If you don’t believe me, click here to check it out yourself.

5soiree1stdibsThe third look was the combination of some of my favorite wedding colors – tangerine, peach, and forest green. The heron vase and decorative ducks give it a woodlands vibe, but the sophisticated materials keep it feeling luxe.

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Pictured here is my super fresh, spring table that was tailored and classic in a green and white color combo. I think this would be great for an engagement party, don’t you? I did a little shopping at the New York Flower Market the morning before the event, and was thrilled to find these lush, gorgeous blooms.

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Last but not least is my whimsical take on an outdoor summer wedding! I used horn flatware, flax linen napkins, and finished the look with a decorative piece covered with cute little critters.

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek of these fab finds… now get to shopping! And don’t forget to let me know which look is your favorite!

*All images by Bryan Gardner courtesy of 1stdibs

5.21.14   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, New York, Parties, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, The Lettered Olive | Comments >>