Despite the pandemic of gloom that 2009 will forever be known for, one bright spot, in fact the brightest spot (thus far) of the year was September, due primarily to the joy of 4 weddings.

To be fair, being fundamental to the happy memories of this life event for 4 very different couples wasn’t all that made the month so special. We also had a full-page article produced for the fall issue of Brides/New York magazine that taught readers how to evaluate their catering proposal, plus a flurry of events during fall Fashion Week for Cole-Haan and Lucky Brand. But more than anything it was these 4 wedding weekends that made last month a “September to remember.” 

September 6: Kilvert/Newman Wedding – Smack Mellon Gallery (DUMBO, Brooklyn)

We love coming into new spaces and this corner of the Brooklyn waterfront was a gem. As minimalist spaces go, this is already one of our favorites. The ultra high beamed ceiling and 20′ tall windows give the space a cathedral-like atmosphere despite its past life as a grain warehouse. There’s no kitchen, but plenty of workspace and the elevated circular bar we brought in coupled with our signature tapas-style meal service (as well as our signature passionfruit punch) infused the post-industrial chic with a relaxed elegance that kept the guests laughing, loving, drinking and eating until midnight. There was also a keg.

September 12: Licata/Gowdie Wedding – Ramscale Studio (West Village at the Hudson)

The second weekend in our month of matrimony found us back at one of our favorite Manhattan venues, perched high above the Hudson River Park, with views to make anyone fall in love with this city all over again. Love was definitely in the air that night, along with a heavy mist and creeping damp (just as it had been for our last wedding at Ramscale back in June.) It didn’t matter though, as the groom and more than half the guests were from Scotland, the murky weather made most everyone feel right at home. Again, it was a tapas-style affair, but this time sliders and ceviche gave way to Halibut fra Diavolo, Pizza Bianca and (seemingly endless) Grilled Lambchops. Not only did the lush spread distract from the weather, but the bar, stocked with six varieties of 12-yr. old Scotch had all the kilted groomsmen leading the crowd in a veritable Highlander’s Hora.

September 19: Kim/Wojaczyk Wedding – Pratt House (E. 68th & Park)

The mist of the moors finally lifted in time for our 3rd set of nuptials, this time at the venerable Pratt House, home of the Council on Foreign Relations. This preserved mansion from the Golden Age of New York aristocracy was our second debut venue and quite a debut it was. With a main kitchen that’s 3 flights below the main dining room and only the narrowest of hallways to use as workspace, we had to be even more organized and on top of our game than usual and as a result have been added to their exclusive list of approved caterers. The plated meal included a choice of Grilled Striped Bass with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Zucchini Farro Timbales or Crispy Long Island Duck with Brandied Cherries & Wild Rice and was well-suited to such a regal and traditional setting, but after dinner we created a 2-tier table display with an elevated round behind a double-crescent to highlight the contemporary flair of the couple and their square opalescent cake and variety of petit fours included Lemon Chiffon Tarts, Chocolate Passionfruit Bombes and Opera Cake Squares with Gold Leaf. It was an evening of resplendent glamour.

September 26: Berl/Roman Wedding – The Foundry (Long Island City, Queens)

Of all the fabulous venues around town, The Foundry is the one we always feel is our second home. Probably because it’s only a 10-minute walk from our kitchens. The kitchen space there can’t be beat and despite being a bit off the beaten path, there’s a splendid isolation about it that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret urban oasis of weathered brick iron and ivy. Ending the month at The Foundry was definitely a high note, like winning the homecoming game and all your friends think you’re a hero. Our team had certainly put in the hours and for this Italian Countryside-themed family-style dinner we pulled out all the stops. A Salumi Bar produced in cooperation with our friends at Salumeria Rosi anchored the side terrace where we served bites of Frittata, Crositni al Fegatini and Arancini con Pomodoro beside classic Italian cocktails like Bellinis and Negronis and Italian sodas and beer. After cocktails all 126 guests moved down to the courtyard laid out in 3 parallel lines of dining tables, each running about 56′ long and enjoyed an amuse bouche of Italian Wedding Soup before digging in to a meal of Mizuna with Lemon Chickpeas and Ricotta Salata, Insalata Caprese with Balsamic Black Raspberries and Braised Lamb Shanks on Pappardelle and Fried Sage and endless bottles of a classic Chianti. The 7-piece band lifted the mood after a couple of teary-eyed toasts (endless bottles of classic Chianti will do that to you) and the night ended barefoot and drunk on Spiced Cupcakes, Affogato and Peanut Butter Semifreddos. And then it was October