Destination: New York! The David Beahm Team's Top Tips for Making Out-of-Town Guests Cozy in 'The Big Apple'

A warm welcome back to Christina Matteucci of David Beahm Design.  As you know, Christina joins Merci each month by sharing swoon-worthy destination wedding tips and tricks. This month, she interviews Christopher Confero -- newly-minted New Yorker and event pro extraordinaire -- on how to make NYC a home-away-from-home for wedding guests. Take it away, Christina and Christopher!

I have a bit of exciting news my Merci family!  This month David, I, and our whole team are proud to welcome a brand new member to the david beahm family: Mr. Christopher Confero of  formerly, Birmingham-based, Christopher Confero Design!  We are so very pleased to officially announce Christopher as the Vice President of david beahm design and I am personally thrilled to be able to introduce him to the world of Merci New York.

As New Yorkers, I don't believe we ever really think about our city as a 'destination' per se - when in reality a large number of guests attending NYC weddings are, in fact, visitors to our fantastic city.  Being that Mr. Confero is the quintessential Southern gentleman (with a New York newbie's eye and an expert wedding background) I decided to do a little probing on how Christopher envisions New York as a wedding destination in the hopes that it will give us all a fresh look at our beautiful NYC and how we can make as inviting as possible for our out-of-town guests. 

 

Christopher!  Welcome to the Big Apple!  Now, I know over the years, you’ve visited a number of times to our fair {but sometimes overwhelming} city.  What’s the best piece of advice you can give a traveler coming to New York for the first time and how can that recommendation be integrated into the planning process when a couple is preparing their guests to embark upon New York?

Christopher: Thanks Christina! I’m so excited to finally be living in Manhattan and working with Team Beahm; it’s a dream come true!

The best advice I could give a traveler coming to NYC for the first time is to simply make yourself familiar with the basics.  Even numbered avenues go uptown while odd numbered avenues go downtown.  Even streets go EAST; odd streets go WEST.  If you are ever in doubt, catch a cab!  They know their way around.  The best way to integrate transportation advice is when sending out save-the-dates, put in a subway map but also explain that your guest doesn’t need to use it as a crutch.  Give them a list of the best smartphone apps such as Hop Stop (which breaks down the public transportation system in an easy way) and NYC MAP (which is a full interactive map of the city so your guests don’t stick out like a sore thumb and carry around a huge paper version).  For a family with kids, there is an app called Treasure Walks, which turns exploring the city into more of a game – think about it as going on a scavenger hunt.  It’s far less obvious to be gazing at your iPhone than to have a cumbersome fold-out map sprawled open while on a crowded subway car.

 

As traveler yourself, and someone relatively new to NYC, if you were a guest at a wedding what are the amenities you would like to see in your hotel room welcome basket upon arrival in Manhattan?

Christopher: Trick question, because when you are out-and-about in the city, feel comfortable in knowing that anything you’d possibly need is right around the corner.  However, for a host to make their guests as well-prepared as possible, I’d include a small umbrella, a pre-paid metro card with a 7-day unlimited ride, a mini bottle of hand sanitizer, plenty of water, and a well selected New York souvenir – perhaps the iconic “I love NY” T-shirt stuffed in an “I love NY” tote!  Do be sure to always include a note to your guests on a card that matches your wedding stationary suite.  It is important to let your guest know how much you appreciate them taking time from their lives to come to your wedding.  This small detail goes a long way in making a guest feel welcome and well-cared-for.  

 

What should a couple hosting a destination wedding look for in a New York venue, not only in terms of quality and service, but also in terms of the venue speaking to their love for New York? 

Christopher: There are so many iconic venues in New York.  The Plaza, The Pierre, The St. Regis, The Cipriani Properties, or any number of raw-space lofts with panoramic views are all fabulous options.  NYC can be a blank canvas for anyone to build the wedding of their dreams.  Specifically, look for the venue that mostly relates to your personal style.  If you are an urban bride who wants a contemporary feel, you aren’t going to say ‘I do’ in a gilded ballroom, but rather look into a venue like Glass Houses. 

What singular piece of décor, floral or otherwise, screams New York to you?

Christopher: To me this one is all about personal preference.  I don’t feel there is any certain flower or décor piece that screams New York because this city is a true melting pot of many cultures and styles.  The one thing that is so indicative of throwing a wedding here is that anything and everything you would want is readily available.  From eclectic antiques, minimalist, chic décor, to oversized pieces from prop-houses, anything is possible.  You could have a 10ft long toothbrush lying on a table if your heart desired!   Also, every top wedding professional in the world is here as well; the best of the best are at your disposal. Take advantage of this and you are sure to have a party you and your guests will never forget.

 

New York City alone comes with a wealth of inspiration, from bridges to brownstones, Broadway to Barneys.  Where do you draw the line?  When is it too much?   

Christopher: It’s better to have too many ideas than not enough.  The key to being in an atmosphere of such over-the-top inspiration and not going too far is the ability to edit.  Use one key element as your inspiration and go from there.  Is it Central Park, a yellow-cab, the skyline, Rockefeller Center or the Statue of Liberty?  The possibilities are truly endless, just don’t get carried away and try to combine them all.  Take one idea and implement it well versus having an overabundance of clashing visual elements. 

 

As a Southerner, you are downright full of charm!  How do you hope to bring elements of that down-home hospitality to the events you design here in New York?

Christopher: No matter the locale, weddings are a time to slow down and reflect on a time when two families are coming together.   The Southern approach to designing an event truly isn’t that different from one in New York City, but in the South we slow down to savor the moments.  Manhattan is hustle and bustle, never sleeping, never ceasing – it’s always go, go, go!  A wedding warrants a gentler approach.  It’s a priceless time that deserves to be treasured.  Escape from the commotion and cherish the moment.

All photos courtesy of Hechler Photographers.