An Affair to Remember

Saying “I do,” is the easy part. It’s the task of finding a wedding planner to guide you to your big day that can get a little tricky. Since 2000, the choice of stylish society girls and chic starlets has been Ann David and Nicky Reinhard of David Reinhard Events. Besides their impeccable taste, they are known for being an invisible force of nature that keeps track and anticipates every last detail. On a rainy afternoon, we popped into their cozy office in an Upper East Side townhouse to see what the seasoned planners had to share.

What should you know before hiring a wedding planner?
Know what kind of bride you will be. If you are planning the wedding on your own and holding down a full time job make sure your planner has the time to work with your schedule.

Find a planner that has the same style and taste as you. If you share the same “aesthetic,” your planner is less likely to steer you wrong when making important decisions.

Hire a planner with specific experience. If you want a tent wedding, ensure that your planner has extensive knowledge about tents and the logistics involved. If you are having a destination wedding, your planner should understand how to work with vendors from out of town and organize everything long distance.

Remember what is important to you. If you love gourmet food and fine wine, make sure your planner shares your appreciation or has knowledge of excellent caterers to execute your vision.

Figure out how much you want to spend. When speaking to planners, find out how they charge - flat fee or commission from vendors (not both!)

For a destination wedding, how should couples create a schedule for their guests?
A great destination wedding begins even before it starts. Send information to your guests to let them know what is in store for the weekend. This helps them with packing and being prepared for certain activities (like golf). Have a fun welcome gift in their hotel room when they check in. For a Hamptons wedding, we filled beach bags with local treats like North Fork Potato Chips , Bridgehampton Gorp, Levain Cookies , a Hamptons Magazine, some water, a piece of fruit and a schedule of the wedding weekend events. Remember, you can host a few activities during the day but give your guests time to relax and enjoy themselves. This is a vacation for them too!

What are some great ideas for a beach wedding?
Instead of a coat check, set up a “shoe check.” Just as guests enter the tent, have waiters with lavender towels ready to wipe sand from their feet and have their shoes waiting for them. Make your escort card table into a sand box with the names of each guest leaning on a starfish. Pass out colorful paper umbrellas to shield guests from the sun (which looks great in photos!).

Favorite venues in New York for a traditional bride?
We love the New York Public Library, The Frick and the Metropolitan Club.

Tell us about the most outrageous wedding you have planned.
Our weddings are never outrageous, they are understated and elegant but they can be logistically challenging. Once we planned a 300+ wedding on a private island off the coast of Connecticut and had to transport all the guests from a dock to the island for cocktails and the ceremony and then back to the mainland for the reception. We had every small boat hired from New York to Rhode Island!

If you had to register for wedding gift, what would it be?
A juicer (Nicky). His and hers custom surfboards (Ann).

Founded by Ann David and Nicky Reinhard, David Reinhard Events (128 East 72nd Street, No. 4A, New York 212-535-1520) is known for their personal service and fresh approach to wedding planning. They are regularly featured in publications such as Town & Country, Instyle and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.