Floral Arches
India House
Bohemian Chic meets Historic Venue
Fall Wedding
Clean Plate Pictures
One of the challenges of being a designer is communicating design intent while still maintaining the freedom to design. A lot of our work depends on chance, the unique finds, textures and materials and movement of natural things in ways that really can’t be planned.
Dorothy and James were delightful to work with. Both are lawyers and creative people in their own right. We talked a lot about the story of the evening and what we wanted the flow to be and ways to communicate that message. Our design focus was on telling this story and choosing the right materials to support it. I was fortunate that they trusted me to execute their vision and gave me room to design which is when we are able to produce our best work. This particular story, is a party that takes place in India House located at 1 Hanover Square. It is is a very distinguished, 18th century landmark and one of my favorite venues. It serves as a private club on week days and party venue on weekends. If you are fortunate enough to be invited to an event there, you must go, just to see the place.
Photography by Clean Plate
India house is challenging and fun because it has a big personality. It was the original home of the Cotton Exchange, which turned into the modern day Stock Exchange, there is a lot of history in theses walls. Weddings and events take place on three different floors in several different rooms. It is like being in an old mansion at a weekend party. Rooms are painted bold, saturated colors, red, blue, yellow. The history permeates the air, not in a stuffy way at all. I can almost smell lingering cigar smoke and see the rooms filled with men, laughing in a raucous way, and women, who may or may not be those men’s wives telling bawdy jokes. A time when Manhattan felt more like the wild west with the Bowery was a farm lane and points further west were just land.
Clean Plate Pictures in an artistic, romantic and photojournalistic style.
We wanted the environment to look like the party was part speakeasy and that it was put together in someone’s rich uncle’s estate when they weren’t around. The blue room where the bar is exquisite, and the red room made a perfect backdrop for a fall wedding.
Clean Plate Pictures in an artistic, romantic and photojournalistic style.
We used a combination of mix-matched linens, lots of candlelight and sultry colors to help set the mood. Traditional elements such as gold brocade chintz tablecloths were mixed with bohemian styled arrangements with lots of movement and texture. Even I wasn’t exactly sure how the final product would look until all the elements were put together.
Photography By Clean Plate Pictures
Dorothy’s bouquet was amazing and I thought she looked stunning in her off white, beaded gown. James wearing a grey dinner jacket with black lapels looked straight out of a glamorous 1930’s Hollywood movie. Wow.
Photography By Clean Plate Pictures
As always, Erica from Clean Plate, did an excellent job with photography. She always manages to get in terrific candid shots as well as portraits which will be cherished for years to come.
Photography By Clean Plate Pictures
The team at Masterpiece catering does an excellent job of taking care of clients and their guests and are wonderful partners to work with.
I am looking forward to more fall weddings, more bohemian, speakeasy parties, and bring new life into time honored places.
Venue: India House
Photography: Clean Plate Pictures
Catering: Masterpiece Caterers
Floral Design: Rose Red & Lavender
Hotel: The Andaz Hotel
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