Nicole Simat and Chauncey Brown were featured in the latest issue of Pacific Weddings, and we had to share more of their gorgeous wedding. As a member of our PW staff and a dear friend, Nicole asked me to take the lead on her wedding design, and knowing her fabulous sense of style, I was honored—I also knew it had to be absolutely gorgeous. The images by the very talented Anna Kim attest to the fact that it was a stellar event.
What is even more moving to me about this wedding is the back story. Both the bride and groom had each of their childhood friends stand up with them. Such longstanding, deep friendships speak to their shared values and integrity, something that will carry them far in their future together.
Nicole wore two gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gowns and her bridesmaids wore pretty pale chiffon dresses and carried brilliant bundles of purple lisianthus. The bride carried an extravagant bouquet of pale blush peonies cuffed by lisianthus fading from lilac to sumptuous purple.
As a staff member of the magazine, the bride took a firm handle on the wedding plans (though Chauncey asserts he reserved “veto power”) and with the assistance of the entire Pacific Weddings team, things flowed seamlessly. Inspired by a breathtaking Givenchy gown (photos below courtesy of Givenchy and Paulo Roversi) in ombré tones graduating from nude to aubergine, Nicole borrowed her color story from the Paris runway and turned over the design to yours truly. Ceci New York designed a custom monogram in keeping with the French antiques of the mill, and the formal tone was established by the letterpress stationery. We called in Fong Tagawa of Floral Inspirations to create the stunning flowers that would grace the mill. Dan Sanchez and Jessica Waite worked their magic to make the wedding party beautiful.
The groom was dashing in an Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo with his groomsmen donning tuxedos and proper suspenders, enjoying their time together before the heartfelt ceremony. Chauncey recalls, “I felt completely calm before the ceremony. I have never been so sure of something in my entire life…Nikki takes amazing care of me and the boys. She has a way of making me feel like a king for the first time in my life. I couldn’t wait to be married!”
Family and friends gathered for cocktails under a magnificent mango tree festooned with colorful umbrellas, sipping blueberry lavender mojitos and mango martinis by Garnish Events, accented with custom stir sticks from For Your Party. As cocktail hour came to a close, guests were escorted into the breathtaking Mill, transformed with the help of Pacific Weddings editors and Fong Tagawa of Floral Inspirations into a glimmering reception with over 20,000 white orchids cascading from the glass ceiling behind the head table showcasing ghost chairs from Island Rents Maui. Centerpieces of hydrangea and calla lilies graced the tables while hundreds of candles and fragrant arrangements of purple stock and lisianthus created a magnificent array of purple hues mimicking the original Givenchy inspiration.
The lavish setting was a prelude to an amazing meal of red wine poached pear salad, carrot curry cocoa lollipops, shiitake-encrusted beef tenderloin and pan seared mahi mahi by Maui Executive Catering. Standing majestically atop sequined linens was a beautiful red velvet cake by Hawaiian Cakesations and a unique final course of homemade Italian gelato by Maui Gelato Company. The exquisite meal filled their loved ones for an evening of laughter, love and dancing to continue the celebration.
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