rachael getting married

my best friend kyra's little sister got married yesterday and it was the loveliest young-person wedding that i have ever attended. i got to spend a good amount of time with the bride (as well as her family and in-laws) getting mani-pedis in lincoln square, eating mushroom ravioli at cafe selmarie, and even doing her makeup for the rehearsal dinner. (technically, rachael hardly anything was required in the way of cosmetics -- the women of that family have been genetically gifted with flawless skin. 'twas but a little eyeliner, mascara, and lipglaze.)

the parents were beaming, the groom was charming, and the surroundings were at all times splendid.

the bride's earrings are badgley mischka and her veil was trimmed in gorgeous lace. 

something blue: the bride in the center, kyra at the far left.

the bridesmaids (and maid of honor) gowns were all by j.crew. the wedding dress itself was sexy yet streamlined and classic, with a 3 ft train. kyra was informed as how to adjust it, and did so at several intervals.

did you notice that there are Two Dudes officiating the ceremony? a rabbi and a catholic priest. the couple received the seven blessings, signed the ketubah, and stomped a wine glass (actually a lightbulb) in addition to a bunch of christian customs. i thought it was really wonderful that rachael and russell included jewish traditions as part of the day. (we danced a traffic-jamming hora at the reception and...everyone sang hava nagila.)

my pew-mates, ashley and nick, were the best-dressed guests. nick is a stylist (among twelve other creative pursuits) and ashley is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.

i found my dress at buffalo exchange in lakeview just a few hours before the wedding. i was biding time while kyra got coiffed at aveda, and this Elizabeth and James mini practically jumped off the rack. a plush midnight blue velvet with a deep v-back -- and an exposed zipper -- and gathered bell sleeves. there were many beautiful dresses in this tiny buy-sell-trade shop, but the luxurious 70s vibe and the high quality won my heart. i'd been planning to wear the tiered silk Marc by Marc Jacobs frock, but with 40° temps, this seemed more appropriate. (no one commented on the length of my skirt.) my other great last-minute find at the Buff was a disco-ball-inspired necklace... with fringe. gucci heels and rhinestone tassel earrings into the mix, and i could hear that other rachel (zoe) deap-panning from far away "i die. ba-na-nas. a-mah-zing."

note/caveat: even though i looked rad, the only boy that danced with me was kyra's dad, bill. best father of the bride ever.