{noteworthy} cupcakes, cupcakes & more cupcakes!

Nothing says summer quite like a cupcake tour in Manhattan!  Oh, is that not an actual saying?  Well, it should be.  It was such a fun way to spend a beautiful summer day with my sister!  That's us, enjoying our sugar tour above.  Knowing how much I adore cupcakes, my aunt had purchased two tickets for The Cupcake Tour of New York by Great New York Tours for us as a Christmas gift.  We saved the tour for a sunny, warm Sunday, when walking through the city & tasting cupcakes sounded perfect.

    
The great cupcake tour met at Union Square, arguably my favorite part of the city, & we walked half a block to Baked by Melissa, a tiny place I have walked past a million times.  Baked by Melissa is famous for its bite-sized, mini cupcakes.  We tried the flavor of the month, Pina Colada, & it was delicious.  Someday I will return to try the signature tie-dye cupcake!

Next, we stopped at Amorino Gelato Artigianale.  Yes, gelato on a cupcake tour!  But once we sampled the incredible, refreshing mango gelato, it became quite clear why a gelato place is included in a cupcake tour.  The gelato is that amazing!

Hands down the cupcake bakery that has my heart, we went to Crumbs Bake Shop next.  I'm a huge fan of Crumbs' gourmet cupcakes & I frequent the Hoboken location a little too much.  I'm happy to report the cupcakes were just as yummy in this NYC location!  We were given our choice of a mini cupcake from their best-seller pack & I was lucky enough to score a tasty cookies and cream cupcake.

After walking through scenic Washington Square Park, we arrived at the charming Molly's Cupcakes to build our own custom cupcake.  Just to sugar us up more than we ever could have imagined, they ran out of mini cupcakes & they offered us regular-sized "Molly" cupcakes instead.  I created a basic vanilla cupcake with french buttercream frosting & topped it with pastel sprinkles.  It looked pretty cute & tasted so good!

When we arrived at the adorable Milk & Cookies Bakery on a charming, tree-lined street in the West Village, my sister & I decided we would take our treat to go.  We skipped the cupcakes in favor of their famous cookies, specifically the Salted Oat Surprise.  I simply couldn't wait until I got home to try it so I ate half of my cookie & I was instantly in cookie heaven! 

Last but not least, we found ourselves on a sweet corner in the West Village at Magnolia Bakery.  Sex & The City fans may recognize this little bakery!  We were treated to a full-size red velvet cupcake with whipped vanilla icing.  My sister & I finally raised our white flag in sugar surrender.  I guess there is such a thing as too many cupcakes.  Those red velvet babies came home with us & my husband & I loved them!

If you're looking for something different to do in Manhattan, I highly recommend The Cupcake Tour of New York.  & not just for the treats, although the cupcakes are obviously the highlight.  The cupcake tour is a fun way to explore the city too.  It gets you away from the hustle & bustle of midtown & showcases some of the more unique, delightful neighborhoods of the city.

One last thing.  Per Molly's Cupcakes, did you know there are cupcake rules?

May your weekend be lovely & sweet!

Photography: Kate Corpuz for Koru Wedding
  

next stop, wedding!

Between the MetroCard escort cards & the NYC Subway Map seating chart, there has been a lot of chatter about the subway around here.  But did you know some Brides & Grooms ride the subway on their New York City wedding days?  It's true, take a look:

Can you imagine?  Next stop: your wedding!

Photo 1: Diana Garcia Photography via; Photo 2: Christina Szczupak via

skyline shots

Living in Hoboken, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, I count myself pretty lucky to see the New York City skyline every day.  Day or night, it is a spectacular sight.  It comes as no surprise to me that many New Jersey & New York couples take pause in their wedding day to pose with the New York City skyline.  No doubt that a little skyline adds some magic to wedding photos!

Nothing puts a stamp on a New Jersey or New York wedding like the Manhattan skyline!

Photo 1: Shira Weinberger via; Photo 2: Ryan Brenizer Photography via; Photo 3: Kay English Photography via; Photo 4: Heather Waraksa Photography via; Photo 5: Carla Ten Eyck Photography via

{save-the-date invitations} bright skyline

Welcome to Week Two of the local New Jersey & New York wedding series!  Each Wedding Wednesday features a local New Jersey or New York wedding & other days present details from local weddings that I love, like MetroCard escort cards & vintage Checker taxicabs from last week.  Today, we're turning towards the skyline. 

The amazing, one-of-a-kind New York City skyline, of course!  Why not feature the skyline in a save-the-date for a Manhattan wedding?  The grainy, vintage postcard image combined with the bright, modern letters really makes a statement.  I'm imaging a hip & fun loft wedding, perhaps a loft offering city views.  Fun must have been had!            

Photo: via

Wedding Wheels, Vintage Checker Taxicab (aka my favorite!)

Hailing a taxi & being in New York City go hand-in-hand.  It's only natural that many New Jersey & New York couples opt for a taxi on their wedding day.  Even though the last one was removed from service in 1999, the old world charm of a vintage Checker taxicab is a popular choice.  Fortunately, you can rent vintage Checker taxicabs for weddings, like I did (see photo above!).  I'm not the only one, I frequently spy vintage Checker taxicabs in New Jersey & New York weddings & today's Wedding Wheels is all about those classic, bright yellow beauties!

Just as a vintage Checker taxicab is forever a symbol of New York City, it will forever look right at home in New Jersey & New York weddings.  Once a classic, always a classic.

Photo 1: Timothy Glenn Photographers; Photo 2: Janelle Brooke Photography via; Photo 3: Photo Pink via; Photo 4: Christian Oth Studio via; Photo 5: Janelle Brooke Photography via

{escort cards} metro

Since we are diving into New York & New Jersey weddings for the next few weeks, I will bringing you a steady diet of New York & New Jersey details that I adore.  Our first contender is the MetroCard escort card!   

If there is one item that resides in the wallet of every New Yorker, it's a MetroCard.  A MetroCard is a bit like a Manhattan passport.  It is accepted on city subways & buses; it can take you anywhere & everywhere!  As such, MetroCard escort cards are an absolutely perfect detail for a New York City wedding.  Or for a New York City couple getting married elsewhere.  

MetroCard escort cards bring local flavor & charm to the special occasion!  

Photo: Sarah Postma Photography via  

{Holidays 2012} Holiday Date Night

The very first year RZ & I were dating, we had December date in Manhattan, admiring the city in its holiday finest.  We've done it every year since, a holiday tradition now known as our Holiday Date Night.  This year, we did things a bit different.  We started with drinks in the World Financial District & stopped to pose by the Christmas tree afterwards:

My picture isn't the greatest but we paused to admire the still-in-progress Freedom Tower that reaches well into the dark sky:

We enjoyed a delicious dinner in Wolfgang's in Tribeca:

Then we headed to midtown for a short tour of Manhattan's holiday sites.  First, we stumbled upon Radio City Music Hall, looking a little extra special as they celebrate 85 years of the Rockettes:

The red Christmas ornaments on Sixth Avenue are always a holiday favorite:

And then the always stunning, the always beautiful Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center:

Every year, we search the crowd until we find another couple trying to take a self-portrait with the tree & we strike the "I'll take your photo with the tree, if you take our photo with the tree" deal:

My husband & I have witnessed many things at the tree (an engagement once!) but this year was unlike any other.  Many, many people were openly praying & beautifully singing prayers for the 27 angels gone too soon in the Newtown, CT tragedy that had just taken place earlier that day.  We will continue to keep those souls, their family & their friends close in our hearts & prayers this holiday season.  It's fitting that my last photo in this post is one of the beautiful angels at Rockefeller Center:

May everyone find peace & comfort this holiday season!

only in ny

Only in New York City!  That's all I've got to say about this one, folks.  It's pretty safe to bet an amazing wedding kiss against the regal backdrop of the Empire State Building in Manhattan says it all.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography via

In Memory

September 11, 2001 is a day forever etched in our hearts & minds. 

 

There is so much to say, so little of it seems right for the somber occasion.  On that sunny morning 11 years ago, I rushed to work, ignoring the horrible sight of the first tower billowing smoke across the Hudson River.  I came home much, much later on the ferry & looked in horror at the heavy smoke where the towers had stood tall just hours ago.  The Twin Towers were gone.  Loved ones were forever lost, including 57 of my Hoboken neighbors.  My heart was broken.  The world had changed. 

 

Hope & resilience persevere.

 

I bow my head in remembrance.     

 

Image via Lavender & Lilies 

 

 

City Lovin'

"I am about to make a brand new start of it, right here in old New York"

You can't argue with Frank Sinatra: New York is a great place for new beginnings, like weddings.  For lucky couples tying the knot in the Big Apple, consider letting the magnificent city influence your wedding invitation suite.  

I'm ready to bust out my party dress & attend this fabulous city affair!  The Empire State Building featuring a sweet pink heart?  Oh yes, I consider that NYC save-the-date perfection.  The wedding invitation doesn't bother with the traditional NYC skyline design.  Instead, the modern, calligraphy invitation & its coordinating pieces are a perfect compliment to the city lovin' save-the-date.  The oh so popular gray color maintains a sense of cohesion throughout the invitation suite.  LOVE!!  

Are you getting married in a town or city that is important to you?  Will you let the city influence your design decisions?


Photo via

Holiday Date Night, Take Two

My hubs & I made a very important decision: 2011 could not be the year of No Lights at Rock Center.  We wouldn't let this happen.  Holiday Date Night, Take Two became a reality with one critical change in our game plan: the tree first, dinner second.  You can't accuse us of not learning from our mistakes!

Last Friday night, like the holiday troopers we are, we made our way to crowded Rockefeller Center & breathed a sigh of relief when we were greeted by this familiar, beautiful sight:

LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!  Camera!  Action!

We paused for a bit to admire the graceful ice skaters:

We can't leave well enough alone so we posed for one more holiday photo with the LIT tree:

Seconds after this photo was snapped, we witnessed a man propose to his surprised girlfriend.  (I stopped myself from handing them my business card, ha!)  I felt like we were on a movie set for a moment.  Pure holiday magic!

Our Holiday Date Night, Take Two got even better, continuing with a delicious dinner in the West Village.  But dinner wasn't the best part.  As we strolled through the charming, decorated streets, we were delighted to stumble upon Christmas carolers singing holiday tunes.  I've never seen & heard Christmas carolers in real life.  Let me tell you, it was quite cool.  More holiday magic!!


Now our Newlywed Holiday Date Night will be remembered as The Year of No Lights at Rock Center, followed by Lights & Pure Holiday Magic.  ♡  XOXO   ♥ 

Holiday Date Night

RZ & I have a Christmas tradition that began during our first Christmas as boyfriend & girlfriend: Holiday Date Night in New York City.  Holiday-season Manhattan is absolutely magical from the Lord & Taylor windows to the Fifth Avenue star & everything in between.  I have adored admiring the holiday cheer since I was kid; it's even more special to share it with the man I love.  Holiday Date Night 2011 was hotly anticipated because we would enjoy it as newlyweds. 

Our newlywed Holiday Date Night started out like every other one with the holiday windows at Macy's at 34th Street.  My favorite window was the spinning bucket of champagne:

Next up, Lord & Taylor, always my vote for best holiday windows.  Check out this snowy scene:

Bryant Park is festive during the holidays with ice skating & shopping.  We always pose by their icy blue tree &, well, thank goodness (more on that later):

Dylan's Candy Bar hosted a pop-up shop this year & I couldn't resist taking a peek at the candyland.  Is this candy Christmas tree not a candy-lover's dream come true?!

We never forget to pay homage to my husband's Filipino heritage with a swing by the Philippines Center's gorgeous holiday display of parols (p.s. I still want one):

We strolled up Fifth Avenue, passing Santa, Grinch, Reindeer & Snowmen.  No, not decorations- walking, talking Santa & crew (only in NYC)!  The Rockefeller Christmas Tree was crazy crowded & we decided to come back after dinner.  First, we saw Cartier, tied up with a holiday red bow:

Time to eat, drink & be merry!  We enjoyed a delicious, traditional steakhouse dinner at one our favorites, Wolfgang's Steakhouse.  Bonus: we met Wolfgang:

Stuffed & happy, we made our way back to Rockefeller Center, only to find this disheartening sight:

Sad but true: Lights out at Rockefeller Center at 11:30pm.  In the city that never sleeps!  BOO!!

But hey, we wouldn't let one little glitch ruin our newlywed Holiday Date Night.  Just a few blocks away, we found more holiday cheer.  A bright, happy Christmas light strand put smiles back on our faces:

More holiday smiles at the biggest, merriest Christmas ornaments:

Our newlywed Holiday Date Night was so fun & so special.  I will remember it forever as the year of no lights at Rock Center! 

Photos by Koru Kate

Sweet NYC

The best NYC-theme wedding cake ever!


Maybe it's the darling Empire State Building & Chrysler Building perched on top.  Maybe it's the purple, delicate NYC skyline.  Maybe it's the extra touches of the pearl piping & purple ribbon.  Maybe it's the overall clean, pretty design. 

Whatever it may be, I feel perfectly comfortable declaring this lovely cake the top prize for NYC-theme cakes.  & let me tell you, as a NYC-area wedding planner & wedding guest, I have seen my fair share of NYC-theme wedding cakes.  This baby takes the cake!!

Photo by Our Labor of Love via A Practical Wedding

In Memory

Image via Lavender & Lilies

September 11, 2001 is a day forever etched in our hearts & minds. 

There is so much to say, so little of it seems right for the somber occasion.  On that sunny morning 10 years ago, I rushed to work, ignoring the horrible sight of the first tower billowing smoke across the Hudson River.  I came home much, much later on the ferry & looked in horror at the heavy smoke where the towers had stood tall.  The Twin Towers were gone.  Loved ones were forever lost.  My heart was broken.  The world had changed. 

Hope & resilience persevere.

I bow my head in remembrance.      

The View

The glittering, glorious skyline of Manhattan was the shining star of our winter wedding.


This was carefully planned. RZ & I are lucky enough to enjoy stunning views of Manhattan from our beloved hometown of Hoboken & we wanted to share this experience with our guests. So the Manhattan Ballroom at Hyatt on the Hudson, with its fabulous skyline views, was booked. The flowers & decor were kept simple & elegant. The prayers to the Weather God were made for a clear evening.


On January 15, everything fell into place & the Manhattan skyline lit up in full glory.



Imagine dining on delicious food with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Imagine dancing to a fun song with the bright lights of Manhattan surrounding you. Imagine celebrating a joyous occasion among the ultimate backdrop of Manhattan. So beautiful, so romantic. You're imagining the very night of our wedding!


It was a dream come true to treat our wedding guests to the dramatic Manhattan views. In my mind, the skyline was the star of the show & she's never shined brighter or more beautifully!

(Skyline Photos from Our Wedding
Taken by Wedding Guests)