WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT …
When I asked Jacqueline what was most important to her on her wedding day, she had a very clear picture in mind. She and Dhesha wanted to look out on the dance floor and see all their family from all over the world and their closest friends dancing and having a good time.
Jacqueline came to the US when she was only 6 years old to live with her father. Her father, Joseph, and Jack Maloy attended Siena College together and became great friends. Through this friendship both Jack and his Brother Peter, along with their wives Joanne and Jean, helped raise Jacqueline. Dhesha’s family escaped apartheid in South Africa, Moving to Zambia, London, and, eventually, to Boston when he was also 6 years old. They both have remained grounded to their family roots while still appreciating their new lives in America. Jacqueline and Dhesha felt that their wedding day should be about combining both their worlds in celebration, Dance, Love and Laughter.
THE DESIGN …
Jacqueline wanted the focus on the dance floor and to keep the overall aesthetic simple, clean, and feeling very much like a gathering in the back yard. I had the tent at Schuyler Meadows lined with barcelona lights. A combination of two style tables were used. Farm tables topped with simple bud vases, fresh citrus, and custom runners were mixed with round tables dressed in linens and bright. colorful arrangements. Guests were greeted during cocktail hour with our large coffee tree that had their names and table numbers attached to it.
I selected a wood dance floor, and Jacque hired a team of Ugandon dancers in order to honor her culture. Jacque had the dancers accompany the father-daughter dance, the traditional dance of the Bakiga, her father’s tribe. Many guests also joined in. Later in the evening, the dancers returned to perform the Baganda Tribal dance. After the dancers left, the guests took over the dance floor, and the dance party she had envisioned was bigger than she dreamed.
At the end of the evening, the guests all received baskets of woven grass that were hand-made in her family’s village.
THE STYLE …
Jacque looked stunning in her gown and l loved the crocodile heels she wore! The little flower girls wore hand made dresses made just for them in India, and their little gold shoes were so cute!
THANK YOU….
Christine Wheat and her team for coordinating the day and making sure everything was perfect. David Seaver for the photos. John Tegan and Will Beyer for the Nuvue film. The staff and members of Schuyler Meadows Club for hosting the event. Pember and the team at Rain or Shine for the tents and set up. As always, my team at Renaissance Floral Design for helping me get the design on for Jacqueline and Dhesha.
Jacqueline & Dhesha, congratulations! Everyone involved had such a fun experience. I know I had a wonderful time working with you!
