Hilary and Lisa had the classiest New York City wedding, complete with a King Kong cake topper!
When Hilary and Lisa got engaged, they knew that they wanted their wedding to have a New York City theme. The city is incredibly important to them, because it’s where they both live. They spend a lot of time walking their dog in Central Park, and when it came to planning, they knew two things: they wanted to have a view of both the park and the skyline at their wedding. They continued the New York City theme in their save-the-dates and invitations, and even their cake included a King Kong cake topper!
From Kristin, their photographer:
Lisa honored Hilary’s mother who passed away 15 years ago by bringing in the Irish tradition of hanging a horseshoe on her wedding bouquet for good luck. Lisa wanted it to be something that lasted forever so she surprised her with a Tiffany diamond-studded necklace in the shape of a horseshoe. She continues to wear her necklace to this day. Hilary’s mom was also a factor in the engagement ring that Lisa gave to her. Lisa proposed with a band from Tiffany because she knew that Hillary would want to wear her mother’s Cartier diamond ring. To show their mutual tie to tennis (which is also how they met), they had the ring bearer carry the rings inside a white tennis ball attached to an old wooden tennis racquet. Hilary wrote a beautiful piece about her mother to be read for the ceremony and Lisa translated a Pablo Neruda poem for her.
The moment that held the most emotional impact for Hilary was when the doors opened and she saw so many people she loved in one place to witness their union. Hilary decided to fix her eyes on Lisa at the end of the aisle so that she could stay calm. For Lisa, it was when Hilary’s Maid of Honor read a piece that Hilary had written (without Lisa knowing) about her mom and how she wished she and Lisa would have met.
Hilary and Lisa have three tips for future brides. First, it is not easy to stay within your budget. Second, there are many meaningful people who will not be able to attend the wedding. Be sure to focus on the people who will be there in order to stay positive. Third, have someone in charge of all the tips and logistical parts of the wedding because you will not be in your right mind throughout the evening. You want to be in charge of nothing.
Hilary and Lisa struggled when buying their dresses. Hilary wanted to be traditional and not know what each other would be wearing. This posed a problem because Hillary and Lisa have separate styles. As they viewed other same-sex weddings, it became evident when the women did not know what the other was wearing because they looked completely mismatched. The girls then decided to find some common ground and give up the tradition of not seeing each other’s dresses. With the decision to dress shop together made, they bought dresses that had similarities but enough differences to make them unique to them and their individual personalities.
Vendors:
Photographer: Photomuse
Officiant: 4th Universalist Society
Hair Stylist: Aveda
Cinema and Video: Bitcon Productions
Dress Designer: Calvin Klein
Cake Designer: Carlo’s Bakery
Dress Store: Demetrios Bridal
Jewelry: Kenneth Cole
Invitation Designer: Lion in the Sun
Shoes: Michael Kors
Reception Venue: Robert at the Museum of Arts and Design
Musicians: Ten Tumbao
Pre-Ceremony Location: The Hudson Hotel
Favors and Gifts: Tiffany & Co.
Floral Designer: Violet and Verde
