The Wedding Library

Penthouse Garden

Office Penthouse
New York City

Photography: Donna Newman
and Arnold Brower

You truly took our vision of a secret garden to a higher level. It has gone down as the wedding of the century.
We could have not done this without you. — Katie and Enrique

I bow down to you, this is a most spectacular wedding. — Jim McCann, CEO 1 800 Flowers

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I designed a sleek, modern, extraordinary secret garden up on the penthouse floor of a NYC high-rise for an uber-cool, modern couple.

The bride asked for a non-literal interpretation of “The Secret Garden”, her favorite childhood book.

I started with the garden gates and commissioned a hand-engraved monogram, hand-calligraphy throughout and searched endlessly for monochromatic vintage postage stamps, all with views of New York City.

I set the stage for a simple color scheme of black and white, with soft grays and silvers.

The bride’s dress was dramatically set off with long strings of pearls and a dramatic yet feminine bouquet. We welcomed guests with enormous urns of greens at a gritty SoHo locale, and a custom hand-painted runner stretched down the stairs of the church to the street, creating a clean and striking backdrop.

The duplexed program interior hints at the garden theme for the upcoming reception, and after a long search, I commissioned a custom keepsake program tassel.

The chic cocktail area was filled with mid-century modern furniture interpretations and personal touches such as custom-made throw pillows.

One challenge was creating an intimate cocktail party in bright afternoon sunshine on the longest day of the year. Windows surround the space, so the emphasis was naturally on the breathtaking views.

I designed the tree pattern cushions using the program and ballroom scrim artwork.

Although the view was breathtaking, I wanted to create focus in the party space, too. A 30-foot bar commands the attention of guests, and the custom “floating” glass bar-back allows an uninterrupted sight line, transforming into a glowing gathering spot when the sun went down.

The outdoor terrace was a cool gathering spot to watch the sun set.

After cocktails guests were ushered through a dense garden bower. I created a sense of anticipation, of entering a magical space.

On one side of the 24-foot rotunda guests are greeted by waiters bearing champagne, on the other side, hand-made silvered leaf push-pins secure escort cards.

Each card is attached to the beaks of floating birds of paradise – I found the wallpaper used for the rotunda in England, and had the rolls shipped in time to provide the backdrop for this special room.

Special niches in the rotunda display meaningful sayings and items I brought in for the bride and groom. The containers hold a cache of their favorite sweets. When guests emerged into the custom-built rotunda, centered with an enormous hand-crafted tree, the grand ballroom space is revealed.

Walking into the ballroom, guests are greeted with a truly contemporary garden in the sky. A surrounding scrim of forest trees, acres of orchids and a dandelion puff chandelier provide focus. The 180-degree skyline provides a breathtaking backdrop to the band. The dance floor is white Lucite, in an oval mirroring the ceiling treatment.

Over 30 branches of phalaenopsis orchids comprised the centerpieces, creating a flowering canopy over seated guests.

Hand-embroidered white organdy cloths overlay rich gray silk dupioni, giving the tabletop depth and crispness. I designed custom reverse-painted glass chargers shipped from Turkey, matched them with Italian octagonal pewter stoneware presentation plates, Indian votive candle holders and my own hand painted silvered linen dinner napkins.

To finish the look I commissioned laser-etched menu cards. The table numbers have the familiar border, duplexed on the reverse with the forest motif. Silver painted cocktail napkins ensure that no detail is overlooked.

The bride stands in front of the 75-foot scrim. Two layers, one sheer and one opaque, both printed with the forest design ensure that the depth of a forest surround is achieved.

I chose an ecru organdy overlay to match the lacy custom-designed cake – the lace is an interpretation of the bride’s gown. The cake presented on the specialty pewter stoneware and matched with seasonal berries. The stoneware is not typically rented, but I made a special arrangement with the manufacturer to secure these and other pieces.

Just one view of the magnificent skyline – guests entered the ballroom just at this magical moment.

I hid a truly secret garden in one corner of the dining room. Tucked in one corner I placed a bar, loads of candlelight and comfortable lounge chairs — an extraordinary view made this a spot not to miss.

While guests were enjoying dinner the cocktail space was being transformed into the couple’s favorite Berlin nightclub, complete with table service.

The super white cocktail space was transformed with lighting and a lot of furniture re-arranging. We also tore off 8,000 square feet of white stretch ceiling to reveal this computer-controlled light screen.

The next round of food and drink begins with color-coordinated candy, mini milkshakes, passed savories and mini sweets.

During dinner the nightclub effect is achieved with intelligent lighting on a pre-set truss, hauled into place and once-again tested. The dance floor is quickly dropped, the DJ booth installed and a new scrim wall cuts the space in half to create intimacy. The bar is ready to receive guests.

A team of DJs completes the night with dancing until well past dawn. Now that’s a garden party.