Katja and Ivan hired us with just 2 months to spare before their December 23rd wedding date, and we were up for the challenge. While they loved the setting of the Public Hotel, they weren’t in love with the design of their reception space, so we decided on a full room transformation. We completely covered the ceiling with draping, added a large vinyl dance floor, brought in new linens, glassware, candles, lighting, …. you name it, we did it!
Katja and Ivan’s Elegant Affair at the Public Hotel in New York City
Senior Planner Samantha worked with Katja to hone in on her style – classic, simplistic and elegant. Samantha says, “We worked together with the florist to create centerpieces that drew your attention away from the room that Katja wasn’t a fan of, but still had the simplistic classic style she was looking for. We landed on heavy greenery and only white and blush florals.” Blush satin linens elevated the tablescape and added a pop of color and shine without being too over the top, while floating candles adorned each table complimenting the linens with soft, beautiful light and accentuating the matching glassware – one of Katja’s top priorities. To add to the romance, they paired a simple, textured glass charger with an ornate silver rimmed white china dinner plate. This paired beautifully with traditional ornate silverware with a patterned handle from the same collection as the napkin rings – the perfect finishing touch to the plating.
To compliment the ornateness of the table, classic white and black signage completed the decor with table numbers, place cards, and menus all designed together to create a cohesive and classic theme.
In addition to the stunning reception tables, Samantha transformed the reception room itself. Pipe and drape for the ceiling was a difficult feat given the low ceilings, but Janet Makrancy’s Weddings and Parties did a fantastic job creating a billowy tent like ceiling and the added bistro lighting mimicked the NYC skyline. Antique white Chiavari chairs with ivory cushions adorned the ceremony space and the reception tables, and the large acrylic dance floor covered the carpeting enhancing the space.
Ceremony decor was kept simple, with a minimalist asymmetric arch that was heavy on the greenery and light on the florals. A marshmallow white aisle runner was lined with greenery and pillar candles creating the most romantic setting during their sunset wedding overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
Katja and Ivan met through mutual friends at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, foreshadowing their future wedding at… a hotel in midtown Manhattan! Ivan proposed by the beach in Florida. According to Katja, “[Ivan] was so nervous he could barely keep a conversation going, and he is not the type of guy to ever get nervous about anything!” Clearly it went well 😉
The month leading up to the wedding was stressful. The second wave of Covid was rampant and many of Katja and Ivan’s guests were traveling long distances- some couldn’t make it at the last minute due to travel restrictions and visa issues. Their DJ even got Covid the week of the wedding and had to find a last-minute replacement! Samantha handled it all in stride, finding solutions to each issue that arose, including setting up a last-minute live stream so all of the international guests could view the ceremony virtually.
The day of the wedding was beautiful. Katja and her ladies got ready in a large suite within the hotel. After everyone was dressed, Katja had a first look with her Dad (one of our favorite moments of the day) immediately followed by the ceremony. The bride and groom chose to see each other for the first time at the ceremony, which meant cocktail hour was filled with portraits of the couple around the hotel, while the guests enjoyed cocktail hour. They then joined the reception and did all the normal formalities including an impromptu speech from the flower girl (Katja’s niece) where she mostly repeated all the English words she knew. “You’re beautiful, I’m beautiful, today is pretty and beautiful. LOVE” which she ended with “I was best”. She was a blast! Towards the end of the night, Katja did an outfit change into a trendy short, feathered number, which made for some absolutely stunning photos! The couple ended their evening partying the night away with all of their guests.
Sam’s favorite part of the day was hands down the bride’s smile. Sam said, “Katja was nervous in the morning but from the moment she saw Ivan, she could not stop smiling from ear to ear the entire night. She was truly the happiest bride I have ever seen. It was so beautiful.”
Want our help to elevate your wedding design and to make sure you don’t lift a finger on wedding day? Reach out and schedule a consultation, we’d love to chat!
Wedding Team:
Planner – Samantha Luck of The Wedding Plan & Company, Day-of Assistant Morgan
Venue – Public Hotel
Photographer – Nela Kekic for Christian Oth Studio
Floral Design – Bride and Blossom
Beauty Team – Beautini
Rentals – Party Rentals Ltd.
Pipe/Drape/Lighting – Janet Makrancy’s Weddings and Parties
Dance Floor – NY Lounge Decor
DJ – 74 Events
