Darcy Miller and Andy Nussbaum's Formal New York City Wedding

July 27, 2011

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The Blushing Bride

Darcy, editorial director at Martha Stewart Weddings, worked closely with a designer in the creation of her hand-sewn gown: Slim through the bodice, it's laced, corset-style, down the back, then opens to reveal a profusion of ruffles that flounce at her heels when she walks. Bride's gown made to order by Vera Wang, 212-575-6400.

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The Bouquet

Darcy's bouquet is lily-of-the-valley laced with sprays of crystal rhinestones and cuffed with gardenias.

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The Miller Sisters

Darcy with her sister, Jennifer Symonds.

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All in the Family

Darcy with her immediate family.

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The Stationery

Engraving and calligraphy embellish the wedding paper. The invitation, program, and menu are all the same size, lending a sense of unity to the stationery. The extravagant calligraphy makes them attractive mementos. Darcy and Andy had a monogram designed for the occasion; the matchbooks bear a smaller version. Thoughtful details grace each piece: The invitation beckons with lyrics from the couple's song, and the wedding program itself concludes with a dedication to the grandparents of the bride and groom.

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Table Cards

Table cards, calligraphed with the names of guests and their table numbers, are laid out at the entrance.

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Tokens

On a table just inside the entrance are small tokens that Darcy and Andy have provided for each guest to take before proceeding to the ceremony: Linen handkerchiefs for "les femmes" and stephanotis-and-bay-leaf boutonnieres for "les hommes" are set out on boards covered in silk and edged in taupe ribbon.

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Floral Touches

A gardenia blossom -- one of the wedding's key flowers -- floats in a silver bowl.

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The Entrance

Darcy and Andy chose New York City's Four Seasons restaurant for the ceremony and reception. Just a few blocks from where the bride grew up, the setting is both elegant and personal. As guests filter in, violinists serenade them from the steps; cherry-blossom arrangements, the spring trademark of the Four Seasons, brighten the scene.

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Father of the Bride

Darcy and her father before the ceremony.

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The Groom Awaits

As Andy awaits the beginning of the ceremony, his nieces and nephews hide playfully behind tent panels. The tent leads from the street to the door, ensuring that guests feel attended to the moment they arrive; it also serves a more superstitious function: "I knew if I didn't have it, it would rain" says Darcy.

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Martha Arrives

Martha arrives, accompanied by Kevin Sharkey, Martha Stewart Living's director of decorating.

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With This Ring

One of the wedding bands that Darcy and Andy exchanged.

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The Ceremony

In the Pool Room of the Four Seasons, a platform built atop the pool itself provides an elevated stage for the ceremony; a simple silk shantung huppa is suspended above.

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Signing the Vows

Rabbi Rubinstein and Cantor Botton watch as the bride signs the marriage contract.

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The Marriage Contract

Darcy found inspiration for the design of the ketuba, the Jewish marriage contract, in an unexpected place: a box from Laduree, a Parisian bakery.

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Cocktail Hour Nibbles

During cocktails, guests are served asparagus tips wrapped in prosciutto, waffle potato chips with tuna tartare and caviar, scallop ceviche, and skewered oysters with tuna.

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Conversation Starters

On the bars, large glass containers hold paper cootie catchers; inside are "dares" -- such as "kiss the bride" and "introduce yourself to someone new" -- to prompt guests to mingle.

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A Father's Speech

Darcy's father, Martin Miller, is master of ceremonies; he toasts the newlyweds, saying, "Although Darcy has many accomplishments, her life and our family were not complete without the addition of this extraordinary young man."

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Sweet Serenade

Jenny Symonds sings for her sister, having taken voice lessons for the occasion. Jenny rewrote "You'll Be in My Heart" with guest Susie Flax to describe scenes from growing up with Darcy; Susie and a friend of Jenny's sing backup.

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Dinner Is Served

Wedding guests sit on ottomans at long tables. "It's a very comfortable arrangement," Darcy says. "Everyone feels like they're at one big dinner party."

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Artisanal Breads

Wedding breads, made as gifts for the bride and groom by Poilane, a favorite Parisian bakery.

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The Cake

The focal point is the nine-tier wedding cake, modeled, as the ketuba was, after a Parisian bakery box.

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Cake Favors

Individual-size wedding cakes are gifts for each couple.

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Dessert Buffet

"Andy is like a little kid when it comes to sweets," says Darcy. So dinner concludes with a fantasy buffet of candies, cookies, cakes, and other treats, set up in the Grill Room for guests to enjoy in between dances. Meringues, dark-chocolate truffles, petits fours, M&Ms candies in special colors, and miniature brownies are just some of the treats. A towering croquembouche and a decorative topiary of macaroons provide counterpoints to the height of the majestic wedding cake.

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Sweet Treats

Tiny ice cream cones filled with pastel-colored sorbets nestle in mounds of white cotton candy. "I wanted it to be like a scene from 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,'" Darcy says of her inspiration for the dessert buffet.

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The First Dance

Darcy and Andy savor their first dance as husband and wife. "We took many lessons to prepare," says Darcy, "although we probably didn't look like it."

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Late-Night Snacks

Sweet treats -- monogrammed chocolates, marzipan candies, even chocolate cake toppers -- can be found around the room throughout the night.

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Get Funky

Darcy gets down on the dance floor. Guests happily danced for hours.

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