Marisa's Clips

This year was my first as executive editor of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. From assigning stories on wedding trends to scouting real weddings, I was involved with every single page. The issue includes:

-a gorgeous wedding gown photo shoot with 11 different dresses, shot at Playland in Rye

-a feature on wedding venues on the Hudson River

-a photo spread comparing traditional and nontraditional bouquets (written by me)

-four twists on the idea of rustic farm tables by local event designers

-six different real weddings, done in different styles and seasons (two of which were written by me)

-mini-features on different wedding trends, including local minimoons, black and white bridesmaid dresses, and, my favorite, ombré-themed weddings

-a front-of-book covering beauty tips, inspiration ideas (written by me), advice about food, and style advice for women and men

-a final inspiration photo for the last page

The issue only comes out once a year, but I also scout weddings for our Wedding of the Month blog.

These are two features included in the 2013 issue of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. I didn't write either of them, but the PDFs look much better than the web versions. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, the feature "Something Old, Something New," featured in Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings' 2013 issue. The feature pairs traditional floral bouquets with more modern equivalents made from non-floral materials, such as paper, felt, or brooches. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, one of the "Real Weddings" featured in the current issue of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, one of the "Real Weddings" featured in the current issue of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, the "Celebrate" page of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings, which is meant to provide fun, little bits of wedding inspiration. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

'Love, Wedding, Marriage': We Recommend Therapy

"Yet it’s not the premise to Love, Wedding, Marriage—and its strict romantic view that equates divorce with failure—that is the movie’s biggest flaw. Instead, it’s the way the film uses its premise to indulge the worst romantic-comedy tropes, scenes featuring zany speed-dating, bad karaoke, soap-opera-style revelations, a fake suicide attempt, schmaltzy third-act toasts, multiple uses of the phrase 'once upon a time', dramatic revelations, and wacky marriage therapies, plural. Did I mention that Ava has a three-week deadline to save her parents marriage before their big, surprise 30th anniversary party that she refuses to cancel?

Love, Wedding, Marriage goes for broad, just-shy-of-slapstick humor. Only Mulroney doesn’t have a feel for the right tone, rhythm, or look of a romantic comedy. In one scene, the marriage therapist that Ava sends her parents to—played by Christopher Lloyd in the most disappointing cameo of his ever put to film—has them run through some pre-therapy exercises that includes them hopping around and snorting air through their noses. Surely, this was supposed to be played for comedy.

In reality, there’s nothing really all that funny about watching Jane Seymour and James Brolin flopping around on screen. It’s almost more sad than funny. When Mulroney tries for some more directorial flourishes, he favors the more dramatic series of extreme close-ups, lingering ponderously on Mandy Moore’s face.

Then again, there isn’t much in the material to elevate with better direction. Much of the dialogue, written by Anouska Chydzik and Caprice Crane of the recent 90210 and Melrose Place reboots, is therapy-speak. People often say exactly what they feel. They talk about fulfillment, prioritizing, and validation. If there is a single least-funny word in the English language, it just might be 'prioritizing'."

Click through to read the full review at PopMatters.

Returning Home to Larchmont

Afterward, festivities moved on to Rye Brook’s Doral Arrowwood. Upon arriving in the ballroom, guests were wowed with soaring centerpieces topped with cherry-blossom branches. 'I originally wanted low centerpieces, because I thought of tall centerpieces as being these big candelabras and over-the-top things. But the ceiling at Arrowwood is so high that you really need tall centerpieces; otherwise, the room looks kind of empty. Lauren Sozmen of Loli Events came up with the idea of branches with cherry blossoms, and we went from there. We got the height that we needed without interfering with conversation around the table.

Click through to read the rest of the article, or download the PDF.

I interviewed local vendors in all aspects of the wedding industry--cake bakers, caterers, musicians, DJs, florists, stationers, photographers, and planners--and solicited their reports on recent wedding trends. The result is a massive survey--spanning 26 pages in the magazine--that's packed with good ideas for those planning a wedding. You can read it online here or download the PDF above.

The Look (and Book) of Love

The couple snuck off to the Manor’s library after they’d released their bridal party to the reception. "At this point, things settled down, and it became oddly calm," says Lisa, who posed in a very full, customized gown by Ines DiSanto. "It was just my husband and me, and our photo and video crew. The whole experience was serene and romantic."

Click through to read the rest of the article online, or download the PDF above.