Since we always have weddings on the brain, we thought it would be fun to dedicate this weeks blog post to Cupcakes Couture‘s owners Jenine and Brett as they celebrate their 2nd Wedding Anniversary.
Here’s their love story…
Brett asked our president and founder, Jenine, out for a week straight before she said yes. They’d met at her friend’s birthday party the day after she moved to California from New York…it took some time for Jenine to get settled in before finally agreeing to go on a date. “He looked like the typical blonde, long-hair California surfer type which was far from the NYC corporate business suit type guy,” Jenine laughs. But when he asked for her number at the end of the night, she gave it to him, some things are just meant to be.
Brett’s persistence paid off. Jenine finally agreed to a date at her mother’s urging. “Finally when I told my mom about it, she was like–just go! You’re not going to marry the guy; maybe you will like some of his friends.”
Nearly a year later, Brett proposed, and the two were married in New York City on September 19 2009. Captured by Fred Marcus Photography, we’re sharing their photos and story for the first time. Congratulations, Jenine and Brett!
Much to her surprise, Jenine’s dazzling city photos got picked up in several wedding magazines including RangeFinder and Wedding Sites and Services!
One of the aspects that attracted Jenine most to Brett was his worldliness–he’d traveled to 44 countries before the two even met. Paying homage to their passion for the world and other cultures, the two asked their wedding guests to make donations to Children of Uganda charity, in which they are both actively involved in, in lieu of wedding presents.
What made Jenine fall in love with Brett? “I had never dated anyone of such intellect. Brett is a very smart person and has worked very hard as an entrepeneur yet has the warmest heart of anyone I know. I really admired his desire to enjoy life, have fun, and live life in the moment.”
As a New York native, Jenine knew she’d never get married anywhere else. Friends and family watched the two exchange vows at Gotham Hall–one of NYC’s most illustrious locations. “Gotham Hall was one of my forever dream venues because of the grandeur of it all,” Jenine said.
Combining the styles of their two home states, Jenine used Old Hollywood as inspiration for the wedding. Blushes, pinks, crystals, feathers, and pearls characterized the decor, invitations, florals, and design. Jenine planned the entire wedding by herself from Los Angeles–no easy feat, but sought out the help of the amazing Annie Lee from Daughter of Design to pull everything together on the day of. 
Some of her and Brett’s favorite photos from the day are these shots captured in the streets of New York City.
Above: Sisterly Love. Below: Jenine and her mom
Jenine remembers being led down the aisle by her two twin great uncles (pictured above) as one of the standout moments in the wedding. “It was also the first time Brett saw me in my dress, which was really exciting” she said. “I am so grateful for that moment of having my uncles walk me down the aisle. Sadly, one of my uncles passed away within a year later.”
Below: Brett and his family preparing for the ceremony.
Brett’s nephews and Jenine’s cousins charmed audiences looking dapper in these adorable outfits as ring bearers!
How gorgeous are the details of Jenine’s dress? She found this beauty at the infamous Kleinfelds in New York City, it was a brand new Ian Stuart dress that arrived in the box straight from London while Jenine was trying on dresses. Someone there said she just had to try it on, it was perfection. “It was the second dress I tried on and that was it, I knew it was the one,” Jenine said.
Instead of having guests sit in front of them, Jenine and Brett had their 220 friends and family sit circled around them for the ceremony as they stood in the middle. “It was pretty amazing to have everyone around us,” Jenine said. The couple wrote the entire ceremony themeselves along with one of Brett’s best friends, Kevin Miao (who also happens to be the friend that introduced them). Kevin became a wedding officiator for one day to be able to be the one to marry them, a moment the couple will never forget.
After the two exchanged vows, the party began. Family dispute ruled out a sit-down reception: Jenine’s family was adamant on serving Italian food only, while Brett wanted sushi and steak. They solved the problem by serving Italian on one side of the room and sushi and steak on the other. “It was funny to never see my family cross over the the other side,” Jenine laughs.
Without delay, the dancing began. Jenine and Brett flew out the resident DJ, DJ Vice from Tao in Las Vegas to ensure their guests stayed out of their seats. “Brett and I love to party! We wanted people to feel our love of fun at our reception,” Jenine said. “No cheesy wedding stuff other than the first dances and speeches, but other than that, the music was to be non-stop upbeat dance party … everyone raved about how fun it was!”
In true fashion of the city that never sleeps, Brett and Jenine continued the festivities with an after party at the Hudson Hotel, which ended with “Brett searching for me everywhere at 4 am and finally hearing I was at a pizzeria across the street getting a slice with all my NY girl friends. Priceless,” Jenine smiles.
After the wedding, the two toured France and Italy for a month. In November of 2009, Jenine opened Cupcakes Couture, and just one month later found out she was pregnant with Saylor! “Definitely not planned but Saylor Bleu is now one-year-old and is the greatest gift and miracle life could provide. I wouldn’t have changed a thing, I can’t imagine life without her and Brett,” Jenine said.
Below is our local Southbay magazine that featured Brett, Jenine, and little Saylor back in February for their love issue.
The two are currently celebrating their two-year anniversary in Napa, where Brett had a surprise weekend in store for Jenine 
Credits:
Photography: Fred Marcus Photography
Venue (Ceremony and Reception): Gotham Hall
Venue (After Party): Hudson Hotel
Stationery: A Legendary Affair
Dress: Ian Stuart from Kleinfelds New York
Day of Coordinator: Annie Lee of Daughter of Design
Floral and Decor: Atlas Floral
Makeup: Patricia Margo of Masion Rouge
