Jessica + Gary

Jessica Finney and Gary Engel’s wedding at the Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom was the perfect setting for the Art Nouveau-inspired reception. The goal was to have all aspects of the day work in harmony to create a complete work of art. The Metropolitan was the ideal venue in that it features several unique spaces!

Jessica’s wedding planning began at The Bridal Salon at Macy’s where she selected her Vera Wang gown. Jessica and her bridal party enjoyed champagne and artisan cheeses as they viewed the exquisite gowns. Jessica finally selected a beautiful off-the-shoulder Vera Wang gown made in ivory tulle. The gown was whimsical and romantic yet sophisticated. She chose a pair of exquisite Grace shoes—a classic sling-back heel in ivory—with a delicate crystal buckle adding just a hint of sparkle.

Jessica’s bridesmaids also walked the aisle in beautiful Vera Wang creations, the final selection was a striking full-length trendy dress in a deep purple with a black sash and eye-catching halter style V-neckline.

A Milestone Paper Co. created a suite of personalized wedding day stationery for the couple. A bound-book format with perforated cards that contained all pertinent information and incorporated every element of the invitation into a sleek and modern package. The invitation itself featured the color palette of the ceremony and reception—peacock colors of regal purples, greens, and a splash of red. Liberal use of bold, interesting, colorful graphics and original text made the text itself a graphic statement. In addition to traditional elements included in the invitation ensemble, they included a copy of the reception menu. This gave guests a formal listing of the culinary selections in advance, a good idea since the reception would feature chef action stations! The hand-bound booklets were personalized and arrived in cellophane envelopes. Sarah from A Milestone Paper Co. even designed a custom stamp that included the couple’s names and an Art Nouveau motif.

The glowing bride arrived at Hotel Ivy where pampering was the rule of the day! Greta Olson of New-York based MG Hair and Makeup did Jessica’s hair and makeup. In order to stay with a romantic, evening theme, the makeup consisted of a smoky gold-brown eye shadow, natural-looking lashes added to the outer edge of Jessica’s eyes (to add definition without being overly dramatic), a soft blush, light bronzer, and pale pink lipstick. A 19th century “Gibson Girl” style—complete with a waterfall of curls pulled back into a low gathering of pinned curls—looked both romantic and timeless. The crowning touch was a wonderfully simple chapel-length ivory veil by Toni Federici. Jessica’s silver Swarovski crystal earrings and hair jewelry were custom crafted by Che Bella, located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.

Gary and his groomsmen arrived at the Hotel Ivy to meet the rest of the wedding party for photographs taken by Jenn Barnett of Jenn Barnett Photos. Gary and the guys were dressed in black Soho jackets by Joseph Abboud with matching tone-on tone black striped pants, courtesy of Savvi Formalwear.

Once the wedding party arrived at the Metropolitan, a gorgeous floral piece created by Stems and Vines made a memorable impact. Set upon a large table with aubergine linen from Après Party and Tent Rental, the piece was reminiscent of the type of arrangement you would see in a five-star hotel. Guests were directed to the ceremony space where the sound of contemporary classical music, played by Complete Music, filled the air.

Everything was white, from the carpet (brought in just for the ceremony), to the modern ceiling draping technique created by Après Party and Tent Rental. The environment was reminiscent of the Art Deco decadence, only with a modern twist. Two acrylic cubes displayed dozens of candles within stemmed glass holders, placed at the start of the aisle. A hand-painted aisle runner from New York-based Original Runner Company incorporated the couple’s motif from the invitation along with their names. It was the spectacular creation at the end of the aisle, however, that made the biggest statement. The teamwork of Ice Sculptures by Tom Doyle and Stems and Vines created a magnificent centerpiece to the ceremony—an eight-foot-tall albino peacock made out of ice, orchids, and feathers. Perched upon a mirrored pedestal, the body of the peacock was carved from a solid piece of ice, blending seamlessly into a tail of albino white peacock feathers and white dendrobium orchids.

While the guests arrived, the wedding party relaxed in a lounge with white chiffon lined walls. The room included lounge seating in black and white with custom pillows in black mink. The room also featured a small table and chairs for the bride and groom to enjoy champagne together in a private moment after the ceremony.

The bride and her father made a dramatic entrance as rolling fog filled the floor from the other side of the room. The effect was as if Jessica was entering on a cloud. Guests could hear the magical tinkling of the crystal strands in Jessica’s gorgeous cascade bouquet (consisting of lisyanthus, vanda orchids, sweet peas, and roses) as she and her father proceeded down the aisle to “Fairy Dance” from Peter Pan. The bridesmaids’ bouquets offset Jessica’s with a lime green monochromatic cascade of dendrobium orchids and green tea roses. The groomsmen had peacock feathers in their boutonnieres. Jessica met Gary beneath the towering peacock display. Dozens of candles surrounded them.

When it was time to move to the reception servers greeted guests in the lobby with champagne. They were then ushered into the Clubroom where D’Amico Catering had an outstanding selection of hors d’oeuvres including steak tar tare with stone ground mustard on Yukon gold potato chips, truffled lobster, and sweet corn fondutto tartlet butler-passed on framed mirrors.

For surprise entertainment Heather Haugen, an aerial artist, to perform three acts during the cocktail reception and dinner. This Cirque du Soleil-inspired performance amazed the guests. Heather’s graceful aerial performance included dramatic falls and lyrical movements at 15 to 20 feet above the dance floor. Even the floor was decked out.

The reception transitioned from the Deco look of the ceremony, into more of an Art Nouveau style setting. Using the peacock feather as inspiration, the reception was saturated with color. Metropolitan’s Clubroom featured four levels of distinct seating, with Après Party and Tent Rental creating unique designs for each area. The top level exuded an intimate 1920s nightclub feel with tables dressed in ‘metal circle’ linens featuring black velvet flocking on a base of iridescent platinum. Centerpieces included flowers, candles, and foliage to create texture and drama.

The custom lounge area opposite the bar featured custom bolster pillows in the ‘metal circle’ coordinating with the cocktail linens. A few steps below that was another tier of seating featuring the stunning vertical buffet—an innovative new culinary trend. A lighted vertical arrangement of food allowed guests to help themselves, a very popular trend in the world of high-end events. D’Amico provided a selection of small plated items including boucheron tart with roasted tomato, Sicilian onion and arugula, shrimp martini with tomato, avocado and red pepper infused oil, miniature Vietnamese duck egg rolls, and French cheese board with figs and walnut raisin bread, placed within a modern cubed wall.

The main level hosted the baron’s-style head table and two family tables. The ten-person wedding party sat at the head table. The centerpiece was a modern floral runner of black magic roses, green Fuji Mums, lavender roses, purple lizyanthus, garnet dahlias, green dendrobium orchids, and fern and moss in a low hedge effect. Peacock feathers and luminaries in purple and turquoise were used to accent.

The head table was flanked by the parents’ tables decorated with an iron candle tree and a lush arrangement of the same flowers. Crystals hung down from the tree like rain. Stems and Vines amplified the tree effect with large tropical leaves. For a colorful glowing effect, the base of the tree was heavy with luminaries. This level also featured two chef action stations where D’Amico prepared balsamic marinated berry salad with goat cheese crouton and organic mixed greens, mache with Newsom ham and Humboldt Fog goat cheese, beef short ribs with balsamic glaze served with smoked tomato fettuccine, saffron pappardelle pasta, chef prepared risotto and range chicken with Taleggio cheese and parsley cream sauce.

As the dinner concluded, a final performance by Heather Haugen and a pyrotechnic display of streamers and confetti signified the first dance. The band Metro Jam, represented by Macken Music, kept the party going. Under the direction of Jay Fuchs and featuring Erin Schwab, the high-energy group thrilled the guests.

Another pyrotechnic display of streamers and confetti signaled the opening of the Music Box Cake Room revealed behind the head table. The room was enveloped in red velvet and featured a decadent chocolate cake from Elegant Confections by Bellaria Bakery towering at an impressive seven feet. The cake featured five decadent layers covered in dark chocolate ganache. Inside dark chocolate cake with raspberry filling, dark chocolate cake with Irish cream buttercream filling and dark chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream filling. The chocolate cake was layered with floral in the rich color scheme and peacock feathers creating a striking centerpiece for the dessert lounge. The cake was bordered by a dessert buffet including milk chocolate and dark chocolate truffles, petite lemon meringue tartlets, petite tiramisu, fruit tartlets and miniature chocolate ganache cups in orange Grand Marnier, classic bittersweet, crème de menthe and mocha from Bellaria Bakery atop elegant period crystal serving plateaus. Uplighting added impact to the overall space.

While the guests wined and dined the ballroom from the ceremony setting was transformed into a coffee area. The lounge opened to reveal a room lined in chocolate brown velvet. In the center of the room was a large leather banquette with a towering floral arrangement, chocolate Wildwood linens, and Flocked Taffeta runners. Atop each table was a cluster of stemmed candleholders and a wreath of peacock feathers and florals.

Guests danced all night, and when it was time to say goodbye, they picked up custom made thank-you puzzle notes encased in acrylic boxes. Friends and family also took home gift bags of vintage candy including popcorn balls, roasted peanuts, saltwater taffy, cotton candy, and a lollipop.

The tired but elated newlyweds enjoyed a chauffeured ride, provided by Valley Limousine, back to Hotel Ivy where they reflected on their magical day and the start of their new life together.

Bridal Gown- The Bridal Salon at Macy’s

Accessories- Che Bella

Hair and Makeup- Greta Olson

Tuxedos- Savvi Formalwear

Photography- Jenn Barnett Photos

Invitations/Stationery- A Milestone Paper Co.

Ceremony and Reception- Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom

Decor/Rental- Apres Party and Tent Rental

Florist- Stems and Vines

Ceremony Music- Complete Weddings and Events

Band- Metro Jam presented by Macken Music

Caterer- D’Amico Catering