Launch Party Photos – Part 2

There were so many players involved in making the launch party a reality, I really felt it was necessary to break things up a bit into a few posts!  I also want to save a few photos for a spread in our upcoming issue that will go live on 3/15!  So here are a few more photos to whet your appetite and to read more about what was going on behind the scenes and during the party!  632 Below was the place – an amazingly swanky and green venue in the meat packing district with a speakeasy bar in the basement and repurposed wood decor on the main floor!  A wonderful venue for any occasion!

By now, you have heard about the A-List of wedding industry professionals that were at the Eco-Beautiful Weddings Launch Party!  But – as many of you know (as you are either planning a wedding or you are part of the wedding industry) – there are always key players that are behind the scenes to bring it all together!  First – none of the event could have been done without Xochitl Gonzalez from Always A Bridesmaid. Her partnership with the party was nothing less than stellar in bringing together a group of talented wedding professionals that gave their time, services and products.  Xochitl loves working with Classic Party Rentals and they provided all the rentals we needed from glassware to linens.  If you look closely at this photo of Xochitl – you can see the fun City Winery rings at the bottom of the glasses!  Locally made wine provided by The City Winery was poured all night long!

And…it would not be a party without a band from Elan Artists – which seem to be everywhere!  With bands all along the east cost  - we work with Elan Artists all the time!  Xochitl was able to orchestrate a fun set-up with Elan Artists for a fantastic band along with an amazing DJ from Signature Events.

Jason (the DJ) was the talk of the night as women swooned (yes ladies – Jason is a hottie) and made Keli Morris (Little Pink Book Events) and I dance and sing to Lionel Richie!  Well, let’s face it, Keli and I are in love with Lionel and could not help ourselves “All Night Long”!

Then, we had some wonderful LED uplighting courtesy of swanked out Levy Lighting.  How do I know that they are swanky?  Well – I had to pick up the lighting on my way to the event and I can honestly say I have never seen a lighting studio quite as beautiful as theirs.  Now, it could be that this is just a NYC thing – but they had an amazing set-up with projected images on the walls to help clients visualize their art amongst billowing hanging white drapes.  As you can tell by the photo above (with my proud mom) – the mood was fun and the lighting perfect!

Flowers were provided by Verde Custom Flowers – o my – love their website!  We had beautiful arrangements from them on the culinary spread from The Cleaver Company along with a few arrangements for the cocktail tables!  They were perfect for the event! I promise to talk a but more about the food from the event in our upcoming article.  As many of you have figured out, we were excited to have The Cleaver Company be a part of the event as Roey Yohai showcased them in our premiere issue for the Green City Guide for NYC!

Then – the interesting and different and downright fun lipstick readings!  Yes – we had a lipstick reader!  To see and read a little more of the results – read Xochitl’s post about the party here from her blog!  Here is the information on how to have lipstick readings at your party or wedding: Elizabeth Haag, afabulousparty@gmail.com, 718.490.6042!

Without showing photos (but they are one of the apples of my eye) – Honest Tea provided all the mixers for the locally made and bottled vodka!  I am seriously the biggest fan of Honest Tea!  I mentioned them in my editor’s picks in the first issue and I truly do drink the Peach White Tea – almost daily!  I can’t wait to show off some of the photos of Honest Tea in the article!  Sorry folks – just have to wait for that photo!

There is so much more to tell and photos to see – but you will have to wait for the 2nd issue!

In the meantime – check out these fun interviews that came straight from the party!

Jennifer Adams from Better TV came all the way from California for the Launch Party – we love this interview with the me, Chris Kole from The Cotton Bride and Elizabeth (the lipstick reader!!!):

Deniesha Joseph from Wedded  Luxe did a  a fun interview with the editors of the magazine (Michelle, Robin & I):

Robert & Holli over at the Wedding Podcast Network took the time to come and interview me and enjoy the party during a busy week of launches in NYC (which also included David Tutera and Preston Bailey’s Launch parties!):

All in all – it was a green night filled with fun!  Can’t wait to show you more in the 2nd issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings!

~Katie Martin

(Thanks Parris for the wonderful photos!!!)

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Launch Party Photos!

Ohhhh Parris Whittingham – how I love thee!!!

Parris sent over so many photos from the party – I barely know where to start!  But…I will first start with how wonderful Parris is!  He is an amazingly connected photographer in New York City and in my heart, a cutie patootie (but that is another post for my other blog!).  He bent over backwards to really help me with our launch party and introduced me to Alex and the folks over at City Winery as well as the amazing Marlaina Stone! (Oh and by the way – I was introduced to Parris by Carolyn Gerin – the  fab author of the Anti-Bride Guide!…Thanks babe!)  There were a bunch of other things that he did for me…like helping me find a place to eat after the party, along with a whole slew of behind the scenes “craziness”!  The party would not have been the same without him – trust me!

I think I can honestly say that this was the best trip I have ever had to NYC.  Not just because of the launch party – but for every little second from hanging out with my aunt in the Bronx to the fundraiser for Haiti the night before the launch party at the City Winery.  I had passed right by the City Winery while I was in NYC in October and had no idea what was inside this amazing edifice!  They host all sorts of parties and wedding receptions at this facility.  It is quite a remarkable venue.  They not only have an amazing restaurant and bar, but they actually make the wine – right there!!! Alex took me for the dime tour and showed me where they made the wine, which is actually the perfect setting for a cocktail hour! I fell in love instantly.  They bring all the grapes in from the West Coast but use local water and, of course, a few of their own ingredients! How perfectly green to have a locally made wine served at your wedding that is made in the very spot where you are having your wedding.  New York and New Jersey wedding planners need to take note!

While I enjoyed the fundraiser for Haiti with several local and international bands,  I was able to spend some quality time with some of my friends from the West Coast (who flew in just for the party) and a few New Yorkers!  Parris, Alex, Carolyn, the wonderful (and our guest blogger) Emily Anderson and the incomparable Candace Lapin of Para Ti Novia.  We all shared the most ridiculous dessert that seemed similar to dipping churros in an espresso cup filled with the most sinful chocolate and a dollop of marshmallow on the side!  (Yeah – we ordered it twice – so what!?)

The building is just gorgeous!  Not to be missed if you live in New York City – but anytime you visit!  Alex was amazingly generous and sponsored the Eco-Beautiful Weddings Launch Party with 4 cases of wine.  So many guests complimented the bold taste of the wine.  Truly exceptional!

(yes that is my freakin’ Blackberry in my hand)

I had on some unusual party diggs that I just don’t think people were expecting!  Yes – I wore a black jumpsuit!!!  Then…I had the privilege and honor to wear “Mary” from the Marlaina Stone jewelry Collection!  Here is a close-up from their website (click on it so you can see her entire collection):

Then – me – CHEEZIN’ it (which I believe this photo below was taken by Robin‘s camera) as I am so in love with this piece of artwork (no..literally)!

This beautiful necklace was taken out of the Avedon Exhibit from the Detroit Institute of Art just for little ole’ me!!!  Seriously folks – I cried when I got the email that they would let me wear this for the night of our launch party.  Marlaina Stone’s work is not only eco-friendly, but amazing enough to be displayed as art!  Many thanks to the whole team at Marlaina Stone and especially to Marlaina for making me feel like a princess for the day!

I have many more photos to post and more amazing vendors to talk about in regards to the launch party!

Stay Tuned!

~Katie Martin

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