Happy New Year!
Hit Pause
You know that sweet time between Christmas and New Year’s—the time we’re in now? It’s a moment of pause, where we reflect on what the year brought—what we learned, who we loved, and what we accomplished.
At the same time, there’s quiet excitement for what’s next—when dreams are dreamt, and intentions are set. What will the new year hold?
Here’s to savoring and anticipating. And here’s to hitting pause one last time before the new year.
Embark EPIC at Las Ventanas with florals by Pina Cate. Photo by Eric Kelley.
From 2nd Grade to Fifth Avenue
We had the pleasure of planning the wedding of Kathryn and Ricky, who met in 2nd grade and reunited in New York City post-college—pretty adorable, wouldn’t you agree?
Kathryn and Ricky chose New York City for their venue. From an intimate ceremony at The Lady Chapel in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (where Kathryn’s grandparents tied the knot in 1963) to a rehearsal dinner at the classic Bowery Hotel (featuring an epic cacio e pepe), to the timeless wedding and reception at the New York Public Library, illuminated by hundreds of candles—the weekend was pure magic.
Kathryn’s wardrobe for the weekend was next level. For starters, Kathryn’s vintage Chanel dress from Resort 2014—sourced from eBay with the help of Anny Choi—set the tone for utter elegance at her intimate ceremony at St. Patricks. A vintage Valentino dress from Tab Vintage (again, Anny Choi!) paired with Valentino platform heels was her go-to for the rehearsal dinner. Later, a Danielle Frankel gown for her grand entrance—walking down Astor Hall’s limestone staircase with her dad, as Kathryn and Ricky’s favorite love song “Grow as We Go” by Ben Platt reverberated off the limestone walls.
Hundreds of candles lined the stairs of the New York Public Library. A custom monogrammed ice cube was served with Ricky’s Old Fashioned during cocktail hour. There was yet another costume change in this mini crystal-embellished moment for the dance party, where espresso martinis got the party started, and pizza from Joe’s Pizza was passed on the dance floor straight out of the box! And yes, the song that closed the night was ‘New York, New York.’
It was truly a New York wedding in every sense. Congratulations, Kathryn and Ricky!
For the Love of Las Ventanas
Recently, we had the pleasure of staying at the stunning Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a true gem in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Perched where the desert meets the Sea of Cortez, this luxurious haven blends natural beauty with modern elegance.
Dining at Las Ventanas is an experience unto itself, with multiple restaurants serving everything from local flavors to global cuisine (our fave was the tequila and ceviche bar!).
Guess what? There’s a speakeasy piano bar called La Botica. Picture this: you walk through a door, met by a red curtain, and a vintage typewriter. To be let into an unforgettable night, you must type the secret code.
Once inside, the bar’s tucked-away charm gives way to vintage apothecary vibes. This place is a haven for cocktail lovers. Cocktail masterpieces are crafted by seriously talented mixologists blending creations and classic Prohibition-era favorites.
Add world-class performers and legendary singers to the mix, and you have a night you’ll never forget.
Shhh… don’t tell everyone—some secrets are best kept among us.
The Reviews are In!
We are so overwhelmed by the reviews of Gorgeous Gatherings! Here are just a few:
“Gorgeous book with amazing, over the top inspiration. Great gift for that party loving friend!”
“A love letter to luxury, details and design. I couldn't put it down!”
“The storytelling behind these events is just as captivating as the visuals. Wow!”
We’ll be on tour in the new year—and you’re invited. We’ll see you in the following cities in the first part of 2025. Follow along on Instagram. We’ll let you know where to meet.
February 25, 2025: Los Angeles, CA
February 26, 2025: San Diego, CA
April 2, 2025: Charlotte, NC
April 3, 2025: Charleston, SC
Do come! We look forward to giving you a squeeze.
The AE Five
It’s the time of the year when wellness is at the forefront—hello, New Year! Here’s a roundup of our faves:
Alison swears by Insight Timer when she’s having a hard time sleeping in hotels—it has meditation and white noise. Also, taking half a sparkling pear of this and chillaxing instead of a glass of wine (takes the edge off and makes holiday socializing doable). Finally, this dreamy eye cream.
Lauren loves sipping her NA Ghia with adaptogens, listening to Melissa Wood’s podcast Move with Heart, wearing these socks to Pilates, and face plunges in a bowl with ice in the AM.
Danielle can’t live without this kettle for her daily tea ritual. And Alison would say this is a must-add: pour-over coffee and this superfood creamer.
Brooke wears this to bed for a deep sleep, sculpted jawline and energized morning, after getting in this blanket to sweat it out, and won’t start her day without a cocktail of this and this—mixed with ice.
Collectively, we love these and won’t leave for a trip in the sun without ours.
