Joel and Megans June Wedding

Sometimes you just immediately click with clients

and sometimes

it takes a while to build

the trust and relationship.

Let's just say that with Joel and Megan

they were very keen to have

their unique touches on their special day,

as all brides and grooms deserve to have

and it took them a long time to realize that

CuisinEtc was on their side and together

Chef Andrew and I would do

everything possible and more,

to make their day special

and memorable for all concerned.

Typical on NYC clients nothing was typical about Joel and Megan.

They both grew up in warm loving families - but Joel's is definitely larger than most.

He is one of 13 siblings, 12 of whom were present

to witness their marriage

at Calvary Church in NYC's Gramacy area,

and join in the celebration that followed.

first dance

Their wedding blog site gave

thanks not only to their families,

but in the “how we met” section

stated

“ Our 'friend',

Dr. Neil Clark Warren introduced us! "

The man made famous as the founder of

eHarmony dot com.

Megan had originally suggested

that they only wanted seating

for 100 guests so that the small hall

could accommodate

a larger dance floor

and that they wanted dancing

to be going on

as guests were getting food

at the buffet and eating.

Megan envisioned that as

one guest finished,

another would be able

to sit down and eat.

We gently guided them through

the scenario of chaos

that would ensue,

as guests who didn’t have seats

would be waited impatiently

for others to get up,

or when our servers might accidently

clear plates of food whose “owners”

were not finished but only up dancing

- fortunately they got the picture

and we were able to set up

seating for all 150 plus guests

many of them family members

who had come from all over the US

to celebrate with this special couple.

The hall space was quite tight

and the staff had to wait until after

serving the butlered hors d'oeuvres

in order to set up the last two tables.

Needless to say the guests

who didn’t have seats

came up to me

to let me know that they didn't have a seat.

They were anxious and impatient while

waiting for us to set up those last two tables,

with tablecloths, napkins, place settings, water,

even though it took less than

5 minutes everyone wanted a seat.

Can we say

“trust the caterer’s advise”

we have been part of more weddings

and celebrations than the average person!

The floor captain invited two tables

at a time up to the buffet,

so there was never a long line

and the whole group was quickly feed

and able to get up and dance after the meal

(the bride changed her mind

at the last minute about

simulaneous dancing and eating )

Megan's biggest concern for

the wedding was to have a large enough

dance floor to accommodate

her family's active and joyous dancing

that is feature at all their celebrations.


Many thanks to Megan’s Dad, his finance

and her brother in law Dave

for all their help

and support in coordinating

and setting up the room.

The gang of 10 brothers

were out to lunch literately

when they were supposed to be on site

moving tables and chairs around.

Lesson to caterer – don’t rely on volunteers – you are at their mercy.

Fortunately Dave and Dad stepped up

to the plate and all’s well that ends well.

Joel's father is a southern Baptist

evangelist minister and he commented to me

that this was not their typical celebration

but that he was happy to have the occasion to join them in blessing this marriage.

Let’s just say he offered to introduce me to the spirit of Jesus Christ,

which as a Jewish woman, I politely declined.

Megan's dad, although

not still married to her mom,

was glowing

as he watched his

beloved daughter and her mom

dance together with complete

love and joy abound.

beaming father of the bride

can you believe this cake served 150

- it was delicious and moist

and not a crumb left.

Megan's friend recommended Paula Orr

who made this

lovely simply elegant beauty

decorated with some of the extra flowers

from the table arrangements

beautiful table toppers in rich gold and green tones matched in perfectly

with the flower arrangements CuisinEtc provided for the buffet display.

Decor by event stylist Lisa Teiger of CuisinEtc


The reception was held in Anderson Hall

- part of the historic Calvary Church

on Park Avenue and 21st Street

in the Gramercy Park area.

The hall is old and unfortunately

early June was quite hot

and without air-conditioning

both the guests and staff were sweating profusely.

The bride Megan commented to Chef Andrew

when she hugged him goodbye

that he felt like he had stepped out of the shower!

Chef Andrew and I had suggested

that bottled water service

be placed on every table

and many guests

thanked us later for that wise decision.

Megan's "flower girls" actually college

and childhood friends, made the arrangements

for the guest tables

and did a lovely job as you can see below.

Cuisinetc added lots of extra special touches with flowers,

botanticals, table toppers and more...

as we always do for our clients, especially for wedding clients.

CuisinEtc provided an array of flower displays, decor and botanicals on the buffet table and provided beautiful table toppers for the buffet and beverage stations that would jazz up the dim and hot room.


casading artisan bread display - from the famous Tomcat Bakery in LIC


The menu was simple Midwestern type fare in homage to Megan's Chicago roots, blended with some asian fusion and trans global fusion hors d'oeuvres.



Passed hors d’oeuvres
Swedish Meatballs with Swedish Ligonberry Glaze

Chicken Satay with Javanese Peanut Sauce

Harmony Dumplings Dot Com – Steamed Chicken Dumplings
with Wasabi- Soy Sauce served on Asian Spoons

Tomato & Basil Bruschetta on Garlic Crostinis

Middle Eastern Eggplant Mousse

atop Cucumber Crowns



…. Megan and Joel’s Buffet Dinner
Saturday June 2, 2007

Grilled Rosemary & Thyme Marinated London Broil –
carved by Chef Andrew Crossan


Chicken Marsala
Boneless Breast of Chicken with Portebello & Domestic Mushrooms

Roasted Red Potatoes with Garlic & Herbs

Sauté Mixed Vegetable Medley with Dill Butter

Mixed Baby Greens with Cherry Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella

Tomcat Artisan Bread & Rolls, Bread Sticks and Butter

Wedding cake

Regular Coffee and Aromatic Tea service



Congratulations to the new bride and groom