Vanessa and Robert met in New York City during the summer of 2009 while working at Davis Polk & Wardwell, one of NYC's preeminent law firms. Vanessa was a summer intern prior to starting her first year of law school at Columbia, and Robert was a summer associate who was going into his final year of law school at Harvard. Throughout the summer, they would see each other around the firm, but it wasn’t until one afternoon when Robert knocked on Vanessa's cubicle to introduce himself that they actually spoke for the first time. Vanessa recalls immediately recognizing that she had just met someone incredibly special – reserved, yet confident, and clearly one of the most intelligent people she had ever met. Robert was drawn by Vanessa's inviting smile, cheerful demeanor and witty sense of humor. They were friendly to one another throughout the summer, but their interactions remained professional. At the end of the summer, Robert returned to Cambridge, MA to finish his law degree at Harvard and Vanessa moved to Harlem, NYC to be close to Columbia's campus in Manhattan. Over the next few years they would occasionally check-in with one another over email, run into each other in Harlem (where coincidentally they ended-up living just one block away from each other) and bump into each other at the neighborhood gym, where they were often working out at the same time. By late 2010, Robert was working as a full-time lawyer at Davis Polk, while Vanessa had made plans to start her career at another law firm.

But, as fate would have it, shortly before Vanessa was to begin her career at the other firm, an executive from Davis Polk offered her a position as a lawyer there. She started in the fall of 2012 and that's when Robert and Vanessa's long-budding romance began in earnest. It started slowly – stopping by each other’s office every now and then, which quickly turned into a daily occurrence, and jointly taking afternoon reprieves from the rigors of work by going to the gym together. Their first real date – dinner at a NYC hot-spot called Buddakan, where, admittedly, Robert was trying to impress Vanessa with the restaurant's beautiful decor and "cool-kids" vibe. Their chemistry was undeniable and, despite working grueling hours most days, they would forego sleep for the opportunity to spend free time together – cooking, talking and laughing late into the night. They fell in love and after a year of dating, they moved in together and ultimately purchased a condo in the heart of Harlem, where they currently live together with their adorable 8-year old beagle, Quincy.

From an outsider's perspective, Vanessa and Robert may seem different than one another. Vanessa is outwardly playful and chatty, while Robert is measured and pensive. But their distinct personalities blend seamlessly, allowing them to often banter about everything from sports or reality TV, to substantive legal matters they may be working on or, one of their favorite pastimes, engaging in philosophical discussions about random topics, during which one of them inevitably proclaims to have solved one of life’s longstanding mysteries. It’s not unusual to find Vanessa dancing and singing around the house. While Robert doesn’t often join in, some of Vanessa’s favorite moments are when she catches him watching her, always with a smile on his face. They admire each other’s quirks, respect each other’s personal needs and have grown together in a partnership that is founded on a desire to make each other happy.

On September 8, 2018, Vanessa woke up to get ready for a day out with her mom and sister (or so she thought). She met up with them at a spa in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and, after a morning of pampering, they set out for a brief walk around the neighborhood, stopping to grab a cup of coffee (because, unbeknownst to Vanessa, Robert needed a bit more time to set up), before looking to find a restaurant to grab a bite to eat. While walking, Vanessa’s sister had casually (and quite inconspicuously) led them to Buddakan. Vanessa had doubts that the restaurant would be open so early in the day, but the three nonetheless walked in. The restaurant was quiet and empty, except for two women waiting at the hostess stand. Vanessa’s sister pretended to ask for a table for three, but at the same moment, Vanessa turned her head and saw Robert, surrounded by flowers and candles, standing next to the table where they had their first date years earlier. In complete shock, Vanessa walked over to Robert. As he grabbed her hands and began confessing his love for her, Vanessa saw her dad step out from around the corner. She remembers thinking – 'to have included my family in such a special moment, he’s perfect.' As Vanessa’s tears flowed and both of their hearts beat out of their chests, Robert got down on one knee and asked Vanessa to marry him. She said ‘yes’ and they immediately began planning their wedding in Robert’s home town of Las Vegas.

Our work together began in November of 2018 and we set our sites on a Spring 2020 wedding. The Waldorf Astoria was selected due to the venue only having one ballroom, which meant that the entire team would be devoted to their event. Vanessa dreamt of something utterly romantic and over the top, with a tremendous floral expression. He desire to be couture and creative with flowers lead me to Javier Valentino, again and always, for his ability to create big moments that were both whimsical and wildly new. A pink color palette runs the risk of feeling too feminine and overly sweet, even juvenile. Strong design elements such as off-white drapery, gold and ivory chairs, and marbleized stage backings and dance floor treatments.

Vanessa and Robert inspired me to push beyond the constraints of the room. I found myself looking up, wondering how I could add a ceiling installation for them without the trussing that is traditionally required to support so much weight. Wondering if the interlocking light sculptures could be leveraged as truss, I worked with the engineering team to design a pattern that could laid over the existing lighting to create a soft but full ceiling that honored the original design and pattern. It was the first time this would ever be done. Nothing like this had ever been created for the Waldorf Astoria. It truly was a one in a lifetime design.

When the pandemic hit, Vanessa and Robert immediately decided to postpone their celebration. A decision that would be incredible difficult for most couples came rather easily to these two. They committed to the outcome of the event, dedicated themselves to the magic and the moments that they knew would come if they simply trusted the process.

1,277 days later, we made good on that promise. After years of postponements, my team and I worked around the clock for two days to bring Vanessa and Robert’s dream to life. As guests entered the pre-function space they were greeted with a series of arches crafted out of greenery and dotted with roses to represent the winding journey that the bride and groom had taken to get here.

Our ceremony was candlelit and dreamy, with an aisle full of pink roses. Delicate white orchids and bundles of pale pink roses fell from the sky as a violinist played Vanessa down the aisle. After years of waiting, Vanessa walked down the aisle in a customized P’Nina Tornai gown. She and Robert exchanged the most beautifully heartfelt vows surrounded by family and friends, including their beautiful baby boy who was just over a year old.

During the cocktail hour the ballroom was transformed with a full flip. The drapes were removed, carpet was rolled up to reveal the dance floor, and the tables were dressed with towering roses. We kept the palette soft, with a base of pink that was elevated with shades of peach and neutral tones. Each place setting featured stacked chargers and plates topped with individual crystal vases filled with mini-bouquets. To the side we tucked triple thick menus with gold foil print.

After having waited so long, I wanted to give the bride and groom the opportunity to look out over their wedding reception and see the world as they wish it were. It was about bending the world to my will and giving them something special but ephemeral. The head table was placed on the ceremony riser. Built on sophisticated golden legs, the table was topped with a thick garland of pink and peach roses and white orchids.

The ceiling was everything I could have wanted and more. This was the first time that a full ceiling was ever installed at The Waldorf, Astoria Las Vegas, and given the complexities of the space it will likely be a long time before we see something like this again. I stood in the space alone for a moment, selfishly taking it all in before I went to fetch my couple.

Revealing the room to my couple is always one of my favorite moments of the night. All of their hopes and dreams hang in the balance of those few seconds before the doors open. In those moments we all hold our breath. This is the emotional pay out that we have all been waiting for; the moment when everything we have planned and proposed comes to life.

The doors opened and the guests filed in with ooh’s and ahh’s at seeing the stunning space. Vanessa and Robert entered the room to the sounds of Phearnone Violinist and DJ Matrimony. They shared their first dance before being toasted by their family and friends. A four-course dinner was served, along with a towering cake.

Our entertainers kept the dance floor filled all night long, but we were able to sneak away with the bride and groom for a few moments alone for portraits against The Strip.

Beautiful people should be surrounded by beautiful things. It is rare that you get to witness a love like Vanessa and Robert’s. It was an honor to design this wedding for them. Brining it to life and watching them revel in the room was such an absolute joy for me.

John and Joseph took so many beautiful images of the space, it is nearly impossible not to share them all! Please enjoy and leave our couple notes of love and well wishes below.

xoxo always - Andrea

CREDITS:

Wedding Planning and Event Design by Andrea Eppolito. Images by John & Joseph. Venue Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Flowers by Javier Valentino Studio. Rentals by The Rental Avenue LA. Dress by P’Nina Tornai and Kleinfeld. MUAH by Paper Bag Beauty.