Tag Archives: Wedding

Our Rehearsal Dinner on the Grand Canal

November 8, 2020 romicortier@yahoo.com 2 Comments

My idea for our rehearsal dinner on the Grand Canal started out as a simple meet and greet kind of concept. Something casual, low key, and intimate. A place where our guests could break the ice and get to know each other, before we were married the following day. However, things didn’t quite go in that direction.

Mandy Forrester-Jones, Viva Travel, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca.

Our wedding planner from Australia, Mandi Forrester-Jones of Viva Travel, was coming to LA for a few days on her way home from Italy. It was the perfect opportunity to get together for dinner, and to discuss how the plans were coming along. Besides working on travel accommodations for our guests, she was also working to help us find a small venue where we could have pizza and gelato near the waters edge. After weeks of emailing and contacting several small cafes, the options just weren’t coming together. It was either going to be a long walk from our hotel, or a venue packed with lots of tourists. It just didn’t feel right, so she suggested that I check with our hotel to see what options they might have.

I reached out to Simona Miranda, our event coordinator at the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal. We’d had our initial interview with her during Christmas of 2018, while scouting wedding venues. We loved her, and we loved the venue, which is how we’d gotten this far. I emailed Simona about the idea of a cocktail party on the terrace. Time was running out, as there were only six weeks left until the wedding. After a few emails back and forth we decided that it was a go. She quoted me a price per person, gave me some food options, and then asked if I’d like a printed menu… a printed menu? for a cocktail party? Sure, why not.

I think something got lost in translation. When I arrived on the terrace about 20 minutes before the party, I was surprised to see a sit down event. It was complete with tables and tablecloths, candles, wine glasses, and a full wait staff ready to attend to our every need. And of course, there were those fabulous little menus, placed gently on the plates, along with the cocktail napkins I’d designed for the cocktail hour.

Ms. Taylor and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Romi Cortier and Ms. Natalie Marletta, Hotel Monaco & Grand Hotel, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Our guests began to arrive, all 35 of them. They were thrilled at the elaborate layout, as they too expected a simple cocktail hour. It was turning into the perfect Venetian evening. Glowing guests, a balmy 75 degrees, the full moon reflecting across the lagoon… you could feel the magic in the making.

Recio Young, Ms. Davis and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Guest Arriving — Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Ms. Ibay, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The Youngs — Ms. Young and Isaiah Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Everyone was so excited to finally meet the people whose faces they’d only seen on social media. Friends from Fiji and Australia got to meet our families from Chicago and Seattle. Our friends from Texas were introduced to friends from San Francisco. The wine was flowing, as trays and trays of appetizers glided onto the tables.

The Sisters — Ms. Bigelow, Ms. Puckett and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Recio Young, Jud Nichols and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Dinner entrees included a course of 3 types of spaghetti: vegetarian, seafood and beef, all made with the freshest Italian pasta. The flow of food and delicacies lasted for at least three hours and included an assortment of deserts, cappuccino and did I mention, more wine?

The Ladies — Ms. Chan, Ms. Harville, Ms. Forgue, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

True to form, Recio gave one of his epic toasts. He always knows the right emotional tone to hit. He’s generous in his praise of people, thanks to his astute observations of who they are. He makes friends for life and wants to see everyone become their best selves, and live their best life.

The Toast — Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Guests, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

What started out as an idea for a casual evening of pizza and gelato, turned into the most amazing 5 hour evening of love, laughter, and celebration. It’s an evening we’ve come to value even more during this time of Covid, because in the end, Love Wins.

Romi & Recio — Romi Cortier and Recio, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Mandy Forrester- Jones can be reached at Viva Travel

Simona Miranda can be reached at VIP Service Italia

Architecture, Culture, Travel

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk

November 1, 2020 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk was the perfect backdrop for our wedding photos. After our nuptials in the Ridotto Ballroom, we hopped in a private boat with our crew of photographers, and sped across the famed lagoon.

Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Venice Lagoon, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The 16th-century Benedictine church, a basilica in the classical Renaissance style, can be seen from the gondola lined shores of San Marco. Its gleaming white marble has inspired artists for centuries. Think Claude Monet, Canaletto, and Francesco Guardi. Each of them have created multiple paintings capturing the magical and ever changing light in Venice.

Recio Young and Romi Cortier, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

This Palladian landmark was designed by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Begun in 1566, it took nearly 50 years to complete. Palladio was inspired by the formal classical temples of the ancient Greeks and Romans, focusing on symmetry. He adhered to the principles of classical Roman architecture, based on mathematical proportions and an absence of rich ornamentation.

The Basilica — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Steps — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The Rings — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy Photo Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The first church on this island was built in 790. In 982 the island was given to the Benedictine order by Doge Tribuno Memmo. The Benedictines founded a monastery there, however, all of the buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1223. The church and monastery were rebuilt after the earthquake.

Kneeling — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

In the photo above, you can see the Doges Palace on the shores of San Marco, as seen from the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The water ways have been an essential part of Venice’s history. The 11th century was Venice’s first golden age of maritime power, reaching its peak in the 17th century with nearly 190,00 citizens. By the 18th Century, all of that had changed. 1797 marked the Fall of the Republic of Venice at the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte and Habsburg Austria.

Holding Hands — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

It’s difficult to comprehend a civilized island with a 1300 year history… but here we are. We are beyond thrilled and blessed to have experience such a beautiful moment in the long arch of history in Venice.

Yacht — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Dusk at San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Until we meet again dear Venice…

Silhouette — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Venice Lagoon, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Culture, Travel

Not Just Any Gay Wedding…

October 25, 2020 romicortier@yahoo.com 4 Comments

When is a gay wedding more than just a gay wedding? When your husband to be has had a 30 year dream of getting married in Venice, Italy since the age of 11. Love means you’ll do just about anything to make it happen. After all, isn’t that what love is about, making your fiancés dreams come true. Our worldly guest list included friends from Chicago, Texas, Washington, California, Fiji and Australia. Yes our peeps flew half way around the world for us. #Blessed

After our glorious nuptials under the baroque fresco, we wanted to give our guests a fun photo op while the Ridotto Ballroom was being redressed for dinner. We’d designed our own step and repeat and had it installed in the adjoining Crozzola room. We added a prop table that included an assortment of Venetian masks and Chinese fans. ‘Dynasty poses’ are something we adore doing in our photo ops. Strike a pose, throw in a little attitude, and viola!

Step and Repeat — David Stanko and Ms. Ibay, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

First Lady of Fiji Natalie Marletta and Husband Ben Tedrick, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The Taylors — Mr. & Mrs. Taylor, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Once the Ridotto was reset, our guests flooded back in, found their tables, and prepared for the continuation of the festivities. Recio and I burst into spontaneous dance as we re- entered the ballroom and made our way to our table. Recio decided to throw in a little twerking, and our guests went wild.

As the evening progressed We had many of the traditional moments. Our first dance, speeches from our best men, our personal speeches, a champagne toast, and the cutting of the cake.

First Date — Romi Cortier, Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Best Man — Isaiah Young, Romi Cortier, Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The Best Man — Best man David Stanko, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The cutting of the cake was a moment that we couldn’t wait to share with our guests, because we had a little surprise in store for them. We, yes Recio and I, were the cake topper. My best man David Stanko had taken us to Doob 3D as a wedding gift. In their photo studio we held a pose in a round room, filled with 75 cameras. A single flash gave them a digital 3D file. Six weeks later we received our little statue in the mail. It was a total show stopper!! After the big reveal our guests were jockeying to take photos of it, especially with the two of us standing behind it. Even the Hotel staff lost their minds when they pulled it out of the box… I’d forgotten to mention that it was literally ‘us’ as the cake topper. Thank you David for one of the best moments of the evening, and for helping us make this a spectacular gay wedding.

Cake Topper — Recio Young, Romi Cortier, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal

Here’s the moment we danced into the ballroom. A huge thank you to our camera man Andrea Rizzo for creating this fantastic video.

Culture, Travel

Our Wedding Photos at Piazza San Marco

October 11, 2020 romicortier@yahoo.com 2 Comments

Our 8 hour wedding event began with a 30 minute gondola ride before arriving in Piazza San Marco. Our gondolier took us out into the Grand Canal, passing by the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture built in 1687. We turned onto a smaller canal enjoying the tranquility of the nearly empty canals before arriving back at the Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal. It was our private time to reconnect, to get centered, and to remind ourselves to stay in the moment. We wanted to be present and take in all of the beauty that was about to unfold.

Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Venice Canal, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Gondola — Romi Cortier and Recio, Grand Canal, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Once on solid ground we walked over to the Piazza San Marco, mixing with the tourists on the street. Everyone around us could feel the excitement and the magic… because these bespoke chinoiserie tuxedos weren’t about to be ignored.

Venice Stroll — Recio Young and Romi Cortier, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

We stopped in front of the Good Luck Centurion… because it’s good luck to touch his belly.

Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Venetian Crest, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

From there we entered the famed Piazza. Walking hand in hand took on a new meaning as we passed by tourists. Some smiled and waved, some took photos, and some seemed a bit startled. This little square draws people from all around the world… I had to wonder, was gay marriage legal where they were from? In that moment, I realized that we were making a political statement. A huge statement. So much larger than I’d ever imagined. I wasn’t trying to be a political activist, just a guy marrying the guy he loves. So I held his hand a little tighter, and was grateful for this extraordinary opportunity.

Recio Young and Romi Cortier, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

We paused in front of the Doge’s Palace to take in the beautiful views of the Lagoon. It was the perfect mid September day, not to hot and not to cold. The iconic gothic details date back to 1340 and are recognized around the world. I feel so lucky that we could have this beautiful moment in front of it, becoming apart of its nearly 700 years of history.

The Hug — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

We stole a kiss in front St. Mark’s Basilica, the Italio-Byzantine church we’d visited months earlier for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The gold mosaic ceilings inside are beyond breathtaking.

The Kiss — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The opulent lace like arches with their gold hues, look a bit like a crown in this photo. I know we certainly felt like royalty on this day. Once we were finished in Piazza San Marco, we headed over to the Ridotto Ballroom to begin our fairytale wedding…

Saint Mark's Basilica — Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

One of our wedding photographers, Andrea Rizzo, created this stunning video of the empty streets and canals of Venice, during initial lockdown due to Covid19. We hope you’ll watch it, it’s breathtakingly beautiful.

Architecture, Culture, Interior Design, Travel

Designing my Venetian Wedding

October 4, 2020 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Designing a Venetian Wedding is no small task, especially when you’re doing it from half way around the world. Since there’s no room for error, everything must be thought through as completely as possible.

Begin with a solid floor plan. You’ll need to be clear on how you want to move through the space. Where will you sit? How do you want your guests to see you? What will be behind you? A mirror, a draped window, a baroque water fountain? Think about what will happen when the camera’s flash. Will your photo white out because of the glass window or mirror behind you reflecting the flash? You’ve only got one chance to get it right, so it’s important to minimize the possibility of mistakes. These drawings were my springboard for the event. They helped me decide on things like lighting, fabrics, candelabras and even camera angles.

Wedding Drawings — Design drawings and floor plans

Our wedding took place in a renowned historic space in Venice, Italy, the Ridotto Ballroom. Located in the Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, it sits on the edge of the famed lagoon and faces the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Built in 1638 by the Dandolo family, the public gaming room was Europes first casino and was frequented by famed ladies man Casanova. We love this space, and what makes it special to us is the authentic Baroque ceiling fresco. It’s very similar to one that hangs over the shampoo bowl of my hair salon in the Hancock Park neighborhood of LA.

Ceiling Mural — Ridotto Ballroom, 1638, Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

The wedding decor was guided by the two color palettes in the room: The warm tones of the terrazzo floors, peach walls and gold trim, and the cool tones of the ceiling fresco. The ceiling fresco is the focal point of the room, and I wanted to bring that color down to eye level by covering the table tops in an iridescent ice blue fabric. After weeks and weeks of clipping fabric samples from nearly every fabric store in Los Angeles, I created these sample boards of colors.

Blue Color Palette — Venetian Wedding Fabric Samples in Blue

Gold Table Swag — Gold Table swag prototype, designed by Romi Cortier, for his Venetian Wedding

Warm Toned Fabrics — Host table fabrics for Romi’s Venetian Wedding

I wanted a little something ‘extra’ for the guest tables. So I chose one of my original floral paintings and had it printed onto fabric. After finding the right fabric that wouldn’t wrinkle or curl up, it was cut it into a circle and trimmed with gold fringe. I chose tall candelabras for the tables because of the ceiling height. I had the flowers arranged not at the base, but up towards the top by the candles. This allowed the guests to be able to see across the table and again helped add volume higher up in the room.

Table Centerpiece, Designed by Romi Cortier for his Venetian Wedding

I also created accent pillows from my original bird paintings, trimmed them in fringe, and then tossed them around the room for added color. I wanted to capture the feeling of an imaginary Venetian garden with birds, butterflies, and flowers.

Blue Jay Pillow — Blue Jay pillow for Romi Cortier’s Venetian Wedding

Construction of all of these items took far longer to complete than I expected. My seamstress was working at her own pace… perfection takes time. I’m so glad that I gave myself extra time for these bespoke items. Ultimately it was worth the wait.

Tablecloths with Tassels — Bespoke tablecloths designed by Romi Cortier, for his Venetian Wedding

I chose Venetian masks and Chinese fans as party favors. I knew the room might be hot… and it was. The fans were a life saver for this elegant soiree.

The final factor for the wedding was the lighting. As you can see above, the marble columns and inset panels are very grey during the day. Because our event was going to be 8 hours long, we needed to create a continuous mood throughout the event. I wanted it to glow with warm pink tones late into the evening. Thanks to digital lighting effects, we had exceptional mood lighting for the entire evening.

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