Adrienne O'Connor

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the New York Weddings Event again this year, and once again, it did not disappoint. It was definitely interesting being there more as a wedding coordinator, rather than a bride this time, but equally inspiring.

Photography/Videography
One of the first vendors I saw was Zev Greenfield, owner of Milk and Honey Productions. Zev was my wedding photographer and Milk and Honey filmed the day, so I have first-hand experience working with them and can’t say enough good things. They truly are talented filmmakers who bring an artistic, yet sensitive approach to their work and make sure that you’re enamored with the end result. Packages start at $4,750 and include a 40-60 minute wedding day feature including your choice of music.

Bridesmaid Dresses
If you’re looking for “wear again” bridesmaids dresses, I found 2 amazing options at the event. The first, twobirds, I’ve actually known about for quite some time now and am continuously impressed by the innovation and style. It’s one dress, just tied differently to create a different look for everyone. So all your girls can look similar, but still maintain their own personality and comfort level. Short styles start at $270, long styles start at $290, and the gratitude of your bridesmaids is priceless. And if you mention “Wedding Salon” when ordering you can get free monogramming on all your dresses.

Another great bridesmaid dress company I stumbled upon was 57 Grand. They focus on timeless dresses with a hint of glamour, and even offer matching accessories like chiffon flowers, bows, pins, and sashes. The dresses are gorgeous, and they feature suggestions on their site for how to re-wear each of the styles by pairing different types of accessories for a brand new non-wedding look.

Music
I’ve seen the various musicians of Elan Artists perform a few times – at bridal events and a showcase that I attended recently – and the collective talent is incredibly impressive. They represent a select group of dance bands, jazz combos, classical ensembles, and DJs, and add a level of personalization to every event by ensuring that their entertainment option is a true compliment to the atmosphere and personality of your wedding.

Dessert
The amazing team from Cake Alchemy was also in attendance with their awe inspiring and delicious cakes on display. Every cake is custom tailored to the event and can be made with any flavor combination you like – they will even develop a new flavor just for you, based on your idea. Not only is each cake gorgeous and tasty, but also a wonderful piece of perfection – if you’ve ever witnessed Lauri in action on the WEtv show Amazing Wedding Cakes, you know what I mean – she is the greatest perfectionist I’ve ever seen, and exactly the person I would want making my wedding cake.

Who wouldn’t want an ice cream truck waiting outside at the end of their wedding? I strongly believe in wowing and surprising your guests up until the very last minute, and Gold Coast Ice Cream Truck Co. seems to have found the best solution to doing just that. You can book their Good Humor truck, stocked with ice cream and retro candy for your entire day, or as a perfect happy ending, which is what I would prefer. Either way, you really can’t go wrong – I mean, who doesn’t love ice cream? Prices vary based on location, time, date, and number of guests.

Health & Wellness
InShape Bride offers a variety of packages to help you look and feel radiant, strong, relaxed and confident on your special day. Packages range from $950 to $2,725 and include consultations, personal training sessions, eating plans, and massages. You can even create a custom package for your bridal party. To me, this is a no-brainer.

When I attended this event I was already thinking about trying out Blueprint Cleanse, and then when I saw they had a booth and were offering 10% off, I immediately signed up. Blueprint Cleanse is the most user-friendly cleanse I’ve come across and is the first line of juice cleanses to offer varying levels of intensity. I opted for the 3-day Foundation cleanse and felt brand new by day 3. I would highly recommend this cleanse to anyone looking to give their insides a rest and gently rid their body of impurities, and especially to brides who want to feel their best during the days leading up to their wedding. Check out their site and find out which level is right for you – they even have a bridal roadmap, offering tips on when a few days of juice will come in handy throughout your entire planning process.