Emily Goldsmith & Benjamin Burley
Gramercy Park Hotel
February 21, 2009
The initial details of Emily and Ben’s February wedding pretty much planned themselves. “I work as a wedding planner part-time,” explains Emily. “So we couldn’t get married in spring or fall because they’re my busiest periods. As far as the location, we knew we were going to do it in New York City, and I didn’t want to have to control all the vendors at my own wedding, so we had to find a place where the food and setting were fantastic and everything was taken care of for us.” They settled on the enclosed roof of the Gramercy Park Hotel, where they could have a traditional Jewish ceremony surrounded by lush greenery, followed by a 1920s-inspired affair packed with personalized touches like tiny teacups of hot chocolate with doughnuts and an eclectic set list (the first dance was to “Our Way to Fall,” by Yo La Tengo). Ben and Emily were only the second couple to be married in the space. The first? “The wedding before ours was squirrel-themed,” Ben says. “I think they had a squirrel fetish. Now that’d be a great article.”
THE DETAILS
Bride’s Gown: Victorio & Lucchino
Bride’s Stole: Marvin Richards
Groom’s Tux: Dolce & Gabbana
Groom’s Shoes: Opening Ceremony
Ketubah: New Ketubah
D.J.: Duane Harriott
Emily Goldsmith &
Benjamin Burley
Photo: Jamie Watts
Emily Goldsmith &
Benjamin Burley
“It was a week after Valentine’s Day, so there were huge discounts on pink flowers. We had all different kinds, like sweet pea and spray roses.”
Photo: Jamie Watts
Emily Goldsmith &
Benjamin Burley
“We made a wedding-themed crossword for the back of our programs, but it was impossible! It was like the equivalent of the Saturday Times.”
Photo: Jamie Watts
Emily Goldsmith &
Benjamin Burley
“The hotel had long rectangular tables that were all teak, so we didn’t need linens. We bought black paper place mats and designed little pop- ups that created a silhouette of a fireplace to mimic the ones they have at the hotel.”
Photo: Jamie Watts
Emily Goldsmith &
Benjamin Burley
“I waited until the last week to build the chuppah”that drove Emily nuts. Then her parents opened the garage door and destroyed it, so I had to rebuild it, like, two days before. That whole week was trouble.”
Photo: Jamie Watts
