Cynthia Edorh and Richad Rondon, August 21, 2010, Yonkers, New York

Photography Courtesy Shaun Mader and Ariel Tarr

About the couple

Bride: Cynthia Edorh

Groom: Richad Rondon

Their wedding day: “We knew we wanted to get married in the city where we met and fell in love but also liked the idea of a venue that didn’t feel quite so urban,” explains Cynthia. “We chose Alder Manor, an early twentieth century country estate, built in 1912 by the same architects behind the Frick and The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. Its location overlooking the Hudson River and unusual history made it unique and charming — the mansion was recently used as background for some of our favourite films including Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. Our afternoon ceremony was officiated by Reverend Dr. Sheila Gross in both French and English and took place in the vine-covered gardens of Alder Manor. A steel pan musician played during the cocktail hour while photographer Ricardo Lardiez made Polaroid transfers of all our guests. Those were given as favours at the end of the night. We worked closely with calligrapher Jenna Hein on our family tree and table numbers that were made from vintage postcards. For flowers, we chose primarily green roses and white dahlias. Our guests dined on watermelon arugula salad, grilled salmon and skirt steak served with summer vegetables. The late night candlelit reception included music by DJ Dhundee, a lot of dancing and a dark chocolate truffle and raspberry cake! Overall, we wanted our wedding day to be elegant, timeless and uncomplicated. Our goal was for everyone to have fun.”

Entrace to Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris.

I’ve told you about my trips to New York and London now let me tell you about  Paris. One of the world’s most romantic destinations, Paris is a dream honeymoon locale for so many reasons. The food. The shopping. The history. The art. *Le sigh.* Post-Royal Wedding, I took my own honeymoon hopping the Eurostar to Paris where I stayed a few days at what is currently the city’s chicest hotel: Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris. Opened in October 2010, this masterpiece of a hotel featuring interiors designed by Phillippe Starck must be seen and experienced to be believed. The hotel is centrally situated (some of the hotel’s 149 rooms offer views of the neighbouring Arc-de-Triomphe) is quite literally a feast for the senses. Art can be found in every nook and cranny from the commissioned plate collection in La Cuisine resto, to unique pieces in each guest room, all of which feature floor to ceiling mirrored walls, a Starck trademark.

Inside La Cuisine resto.

Other luxe touches: a handmade guitar in every room, the Spa My Blend by Clarins complete with indoor pool, a cigar bar, an art concierge, an in-house art gallery and in-house movie theatre. Il Carpaccio restaurant is another treat. Intimate and very Parisienne in feel, the menu here is actually 100% Italian inspired including a menu of classic dessert treats like tiaramisu, panna cotta and gelati re-interpreted by renown pastry chef Pierre Hermé.

How amazing is this guestroom at Raffles Paris?! DIVINE!

Allow me to get back to the guestrooms for a minute though. They are very unique because the bed in each room is essentially situated in the middle of the room, on an angle where the first light of the day will hit. I have to say this was quite honestly the most heavenly hotel bed I have ever experience with it’s whisper light duvet, feather bed and fine French linens. Le Royal Monceau is definitely a sweet-treat of a hotel that comes with a luxury price-tag but if you can swing a stay for your honeymoon in Paris, I guarantee it will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

Inside Hotel Gavensvoort Park Avenue.

In the past month, I’ve hit three of the world’s biggest cities—New York, London and Paris—and had some very sweet sleeps at some amazing hotels. My first stop back in mid-April was New York and a stay at the swishy Hotel Gansevoort Park Avenue. A sister hotel to the uber-hip Hotel Gansevoort MeatPacking, the Park Avenue location opened last year and has quickly become a haven for midtown hipsters. Sexy, sleek and luxe, you know you are in for a fabulous stay from the moment you walk into the three-story atrium lobby which features slick herringbone granite floors, an oversize fireplace (it’s on 365, 24/7) and opulent purple tinted chandeliers.

How luxe is this lobby?!

Rooms in New York of course are notoriously small, but not at Gansevoort. Each of the hotel’s 249 rooms offers plenty of room for lounging and luxuriating, making the hotel a perfect choice for a Big Apple honeymoon or pre-wedding getaway. It’s plum location is also a major draw as you are just steps from amazing restos, shopping, the Empire State Building, Times Square and Broadway. With a satellite location of the fantastic Exhale Spa in house as well as the Cutler Salon, you can have a day of tony NYC primping before a night out. An absolute don’t miss here is the Gansevoort Park Rooftop.

The best pool in NYC!

This cool urban oasis comes alive at night on the top of the hotel with DJs, an amazing lounge, and million dollar views of Manhattan and Gansevoort’s fabulous rooftop plunge pool.  HOT.

I’m just back from New York and checking out the new dinnerware and home introductions at the spring tabletop show at 41 Madison. I saw so many gorgeous things but my favourites always tend to be the fashion designer collaborations collections which always have such interesting elements and details. Vera Wang has a new casual pattern for Wedgwood. The new Versace for Rosenthal is spectacular—a gorgeous lavender palette with the signature Versace Medusa head woven into the design. Kate Spade for Lenox is always a favourite this season introducing a few new whimsical patterns which include a gorgeous white/green/blue watercolour floral motif and another white pattern with blue sandpipers. Marchesa for Lenox is equally exquisite, with the simple Rose pattern being one of my new must-have classics. Probably my new favourite collection that I spied was also at Lenox—Donna Karan. Her dinnerware pieces are simple, fresh and easy, just like Karan’s principles for dressing. Her decor pieces are to die for! Oversized swirled wooden vases, intricate metal platters and art pieces, plus some very unique items like this metal Singing Bowl, which will not only look amazing in your home but reportedly align your chakras—form and function! Read more about Karan’s latest launch in Architectural Digest.

Pre-show at Romona Keveza where makeup artists created the perfect red lip.

My day started backstage at Romona Keveza, where I was able to sneak a peek at the Stila makeup artists at work. Each model had sexy cat’s eyes (thanks to black liquid liner), major lashes and bold red lips. And you can recreate this look at home because I made sure to ask what exact shade of red they were wearing—turns out it’s a combination of two Stila products: Long Wear Lip Liner in Passionate and Long Wear Liquid Lip Color in Fiery. Bonus: I’m assured that these products won’t kiss off, so they’re perfect for your wedding day! Romona was showing two bridal collections this season: Legends and Couture. Legends was first up, and Romona prefaced the show by explaining her inspiration—the royal brides, Kate Middleton and Charlene Wittstock (who is engaged to Monaco’s Prince Albert). The collection was classic and romantic with lots of lace sleeves and illusion necklines, and to top things off models wore gorgeous veils and tiaras by Chopard (including one that was made from a jaw-dropping 326 diamonds). Romona’s Couture collection was similarly regal, but with more of a fashion twist. Dreamy dresses were adorned with countless three-dimensional flowers. At Reem Acra, the princess theme continued with a collection called “Yes I Can be a Princess Too.” Intricate gowns—such as one completely embellished with pearls—were paired with veils, oversized crystal tiaras and bright pink accents (gloves, rosettes, shoes). Reem also showed a mint green dress, which was a breath of fresh air. Speaking of which, Rivini designer Rita Vinieris took her inspiration from New York’s Central Park in spring. Ruffles and rosettes were present and accounted for, as was a beautiful shade of pink reminiscent of cherry blossoms in bloom.

This one is for the beauty lovers in the crowd. On your next visit to the Big Apple (romantic getaway, girls weekend, honeymoon, etc) a visit to NARS new flagship store is a must. François Nars himself was on hand to cut the ribbon of his sleek boutique in the West Village this past Wednesday. The boutique is a beauty junkie’s paradise of NARS products and even has a few in-store exclusives like the amazing 413 Bleecker Pure Matte Lipstick ($30), a name derived from the store’s address. This lippy makes for an amazing (and affordable) NYC souvenir.

Greatest Love

Just two weekends ago, bridal designers showed their latest and greatest in New York. Everyone from Vera Wang to Monique Lhuillier and Romona Keveza (who later showed at LG Fashion Week in Toronto), presented their Fall 2011 collections. One of my personal favourites, Reem Acra, showed a beautiful 21-gown collection inspired by the most romantic movies of all time. Each dress was named after a classic film, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gone with the Wind and An Affair to Remember.  Ballgowns dominated, but it wouldn’t be a Reem Acra show without intricate embroidery and feminine accents like pale pink ribbon sashes and sheer long gloves. I also loved the playfullness of the rabbit ears, and veils shaped like bear ears – how cute! (More photos after the jump.)

{Breakfast at Tiffany’s}

{Here to Eternity}

Here’s a glimpse at some of the dresses. Click on the links to see the full Reem Acra collection and everything from Fall 2011.

]]> http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/fashion/2010/10/27/reem-acra-fall-2011-collection/feed/ 1 http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/blogger-search/intimate/2010/05/24/gift-for-the-groom/ http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/blogger-search/intimate/2010/05/24/gift-for-the-groom/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 13:00:47 +0000 Mai Trac http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/?p=8846 Only a few more weeks to go until the big day!  I feel like we’ve...]]>

Courtesy mybearsshop.com.

Only a few more weeks to go until the big day!  I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot over the last few weeks but one major thing still left to think about—the groom’s gift!

Because Bojan and I have been together for so long, we often don’t bother getting each other major birthday or Christmas gifts. But our wedding day is totally different. While I know that Bojan will appreciate any gift I give to him, this is the time to get him something special that he’s always wanted. Unlike Christmases and birthdays which come and go every year, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event.

I am a firm believer in spending money on experiences rather than material things. Some of the best times we’ve shared are when we’ve travelled! To this end, I’ve narrowed my gift down to a few choices (don’t worry, Bojan won’t be reading this!).

The first is a weekend event with the motivational speaker Tony Robbins. I know, I know, sounds completely cheesy but a few years ago, Bojan attended a workshop and found Tony to be very inspiring. A session is being held in New York in November and although the price is a bit steep, I know that he has wanted to try something like this for awhile. Not to mention I think he will gain quite a bit from attending the workshop which will benefit all aspects of his life.

Bojan is a huge sports fan (what guy isn’t?) but he’s never been to an NFL game! Football is his favourite sport to watch but with no teams in Canada (CFL doesn’t count), he’d have to travel down to New York, Detroit or Buffalo. I know he would gladly make the trek to any of these cities so he could watch a live game and this option is much more affordable than the first.

Photography courtesy NBC.com.

Finally, the third option is a couples-only weekend getaway to Niagara Falls. Yes, we can do this at any time (and we have done it before!) but it never grows old. Plus, the Falls are beautiful and there are always plenty of things to do while there. This gift is more of a gift for the two of us and since this should technically be a gift for the groom, one of the other two options might be a better choice.

No matter the gift, I plan on writing him a short note telling him how excited I am to become his wife and reminding him again why I’m marrying him!

What are you planning on getting for your hubby-to-be?