A Sophisticated Valentine's Day-Inspired Wedding in New York City

July 27, 2011

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Aliana and David

Aliana and David's lives have been all but enchanted since they met in March 1998. For their first date, the two just clicked. "Before we had even begun dinner," says Aliana, "we found ourselves spilling our guts to each other in ways that we just never had on first dates before." At the time, David was living in Philadelphia. "Over the next couple of months, I found plenty of reasons to visit New York." When David finally moved to New York a year later, he found a job in two weeks and an apartment in one day. And when he proposed to Aliana on a beach in October, she said yes as the sun set over the water. "Everything in our relationship felt charmed," says Aliana.

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The Bridesmaids

David's sister, Susan Spungen, stands with Lori Strasberg, the maid of honor; like all the women in the wedding party, they were allowed to choose their own dresses, as long as they matched the color to fabric swatches given out by the bride.

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The Best Man

Before the ceremony, David meets his best man, Dean Becker, outside the building where the restaurant is located.

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The Ceremony

David and Aliana say their vows under a huppa wrapped with garlands of roses.

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Details

The couple's table for two is dressed in red; monogrammed boxes of chocolates and saucers of candy wait for the bride and groom.

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Details

Aluminum Art Deco-style table numbers from Gauge NYC direct guests to their places; white candles in blown-glass holders and all-red flower arrangements are a nod to Valentine's day; since the bride and groom didn't want to overdo the Valentine's theme, David and Aliana chose a red tablecloth for their table for white for the tables of their guests.

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Details

Sliced strawberries -- chosen for their resemblance to hearts -- float in cosmopolitans made pink with cranberry juice; the cocktail napkins are personalized with the help of a rubber stamp.

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The View

From their tables, guests can gaze at the sparkling city.

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The Cake

The wedding cake was designed by Ron Ben-Israel with help from Susan.

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The Newlyweds

David and Aliana pose for their first portraits as husband and wife.

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Treats

At the end of the evening, a waiter brings out a tray of various candy treats for guests to enjoy.

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The Celebration

"Everything and everyone was glittering and spectacular," says Aliana

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The Favors

Red pistachio favors are wrapped in Asian paper; paper bands, stamped with the couple's name, unify them.

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The Getaway

David and Aliana's car is decorated with flowered hearts and good wishes.

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Sources

Location: The Rainbow Room
Dress: Michelle Roth Couture by Peter Langner
Catering: Newman and Leventhal, 212-362-9400
Cake: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, by appointment only
Music: the Rhythm Dogs

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