Love is in the air! Bridal Guide’s very own IT Manager, Jeremy Bucovetsky, is counting the days, hours and minutes before he walks down the aisle with his lovely fiancée, Elizabeth Blake, this Saturday. In fact, Jeremy and Liz first met five years ago at Bridal Guide when Liz was our Assistant Home Design Editor. Theirs was an office romance that started as a friendship. You might want to check out their terrific website, lizandjer.com, to learn more about their romance and wedding plans.
But before Jeremy heads off to wedding land I wanted to discover just what was on his mind right before the big day and ask him about the planning process in general. After all, it’s fun to hear the guy’s side, too! So here’s our little desk side Q&A:
How are you feeling right now, Jeremy, just days away from the wedding?
It’s the calm after the storm. Last week was pretty intense. You plan things a certain way and when it comes to crunch time if just one thing goes awry, it’s frustrating. But after you get over the hump it’s all on cruise control.
Is everything together? Any last-minute details?
Right now I’m working on the transportation. My lovely B-to-B decided on marrying at a church 40 minutes west of the hotel where most of our guests are staying and the reception is 10 minutes away from the hotel so it’s logistically challenging. But we’ve booked these great old-school San Francisco–style trolleys to take our guests back and forth and make it easier for them.
What’s your biggest concern?
That the pastor and cantor get along! They’re meeting for the first time on the wedding day. Also, I know I will enjoy the day to the fullest, but I’m feeling this nervous excitement about actually getting married. Right now Liz is focused on the wedding, but for me it’s about the marriage and our life together.
What are you most looking forward to?
Seeing Liz in her dress. I know what she’s gone through to find her dress and she’s ecstatic about it. She’s wearing a Jenny Packham gown but I have no idea what it looks like. I will see her for the first time when we have our photos taken at the Westbury Gardens before the ceremony. We planned it so that she’ll come out of the house there at the top of the hill and walk towards me as I wait in the garden below.
How would you describe your wedding style?
Our wedding style is sort of Art Deco, 1920s in feel. It’s very Gatsby-esque which fits perfectly with the look of our reception site, The Bourne Mansion, on Long Island’s south shore.
When did you start planning?
We got engaged in November 2007 but didn’t start planning until May 2008. We knew we wanted to marry in early September so we booked our site in June 2008 for a Sept 2009 wedding.
How involved were you in the planning process?
More than I would have wanted! I was hoping for a small wedding because I know the stresses involved in planning having worked at Bridal Guide. But Liz wanted a bigger celebration and found a great wedding planner, Michelle Tucillo of Pink Monkey Events, to help us. During these last three months Michelle’s been on top of everything and has kept us on track. Plus, she and Liz had a great time working on the style and décor.
What planning details did you handle on your own?
I took care of all the logistical aspects, worked with the pastor and cantor, set up all the timelines, took care of the seating charts and planned the honeymoon. Liz handled all the aesthetics. She always asked my opinion but it was usually wrong (he says with a grin).
Did you and Liz agree on everything?
No. There was a point about eight weeks ago when it all seemed so overwhelming and we were fighting over everything. But we focused on what was really important and got through it.
What was the biggest planning headache?
The biggest headache is the logistics of having three, semi-far locations and how to educate people on getting around.
What was the easiest planning aspect?
My tuxes! I had good contacts at BG. We’re wearing black tuxedos. The groomsmen will wear lavender ties and cummerbunds (to match the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses) and I’ll wear a black tux with a black bow tie and herringbone vest.
Was there anything you had to compromise on?
It’s her day so I was open to pretty much whatever Liz wanted. We did argue on some things that I thought were excessive but Liz was adamant about the look and feel of the wedding and in the end I know it will be beautiful and worth it.
How many guests are attending?
We are having 179 guests. Our initial list was 230 but we knew we had to cut it down. It wasn’t easy and there are still some friends I would’ve liked to invite but we had to set some rules for ourselves. We decided on no kids under 10, no “plus ones” unless the couple’s been dating for more than six months, and no one that we haven’t seen or spoken to in eight months. That helped but it wasn’t easy.
What about the seating chart?
The seating was difficult as well. There are varying table sizes and it was like trying to figure out a jigsaw puzzle. Also, people were telling us whom they wanted to sit with and there is a couple coming that really doesn’t know anyone so we had to figure out a good table for them.
What was your favorite part about the planning process?
Working on the honeymoon! It’s going to be great. We are leaving NYC for Paris where we’ll spend the day, have dinner there and then fly late that night to Johannesburg, Africa, where we’ll take a small flight to Richard’s Bay to the Phinda Reserve. We’ll be on safari there for a week. This is the “adventure part” of our honeymoon. Then we’ll fly back to Paris for a small layover before heading to NYC where we’ll spend one day. Then we fly to Mexico where we’ll stay at The Tides on the Riviera Maya for the relaxation part of the honeymoon.
Do you have any advice for grooms?
She’s always right, even when she’s wrong because you’re not going to win! (again with a big grin.)
Any advice for couples that just got engaged?
Really consider the eloping option! But I’m sure I’ll take back those words after Saturday. I am really excited about the wedding and can’t wait to marry Liz.
And we’re excited for you, too, Jeremy. Congratulations to you and Liz! I know it will be a great day and I can’t wait to be a part of your wonderful celebration. So stay tuned, lovely readers, for more news on what promises to be a spectacular wedding.
Posted by Diane at 3:42 p.m.
- from-dianes-desk's blog
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