“I really wouldn’t change a thing about the day I married John,” says invitation illustrator extraordinaire, Happy Menocal. “I just have the warmest, fuzziest feelings about it. It was early December 2011, in Charleston, S.C., on the banks of the Ashley River.” But, her wedding was pre-Pinterest, pre-Instagram, and before the mere utterance of Happy Menocal’s name became synonymous with a certain kind of chic wedding. “Ok, suppose we hooked up today, and decided to get married this spring. And suppose we had unlimited resources. Here’s what I’d do,” laughs the creative, who admits it’s something she’s definitely thought about. How could she not?
INVITATIONS
“John and I are both into Americana, particularly early Colonial stuff. I love Pennsylvania Dutch wedding contracts. I would make us something in that style. The below is actually a baptism certificate, but it’s the perfect spirit.”
VENUE
“Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. I researched this place when I was throwing John a birthday party, and it is BANANAS. A Revolutionary War era fortress (now a National Park) with incredible views of the city. It’s not really set up for parties, so it would take some cleverness and hard work, but it is spectacular. I love the thought of all the guests taking the ferry over, having a beer from the concession stand . . . ”
PLANNER
“Rebecca Gardner. She’s like if you combine Baz Luhrmann with Martha Stewart, with a pinch of Amy Sedaris. Theatrical, crafty, romantic, irreverent.”
FOOD
“We love the whole Buvette / Via Carota / I Sodi empire. In this fantasy world, they would cater it, I Sodi style.”
SWEETS
Twiss Manor. “The prettiest, tastiest things little things you ever saw.”
MUSIC
“DJ—I like it when the music is just completely basic and high-spirited and dancey. I like when everyone is just losing their minds on the dance floor—eccentric uncles, little kids, everyone. So basically like 80s pop, 90s hip hop, club bangers . . . ”
DRESS
“Valentino. I’m my best self in a short dress.”
“For the afterparty, I’d change into this pink Lanvin number.”
Presents for my BFFS:
“I’d give my best friends antique kimonos I found on Ebay, it feels very ceremonious.”
“For people who were kind to us along the way, I’d give potted Calamondin orange trees. They’re so hardy, but still delicate and exotic. I’ve had one for going on 10 years!”
FLOWERS
“Daffodils! Loads of them. Just the most eager, happy, guileless flowers. So the wedding would have to be early Spring.”
LIGHTING
“A billion candles. I like tall tapers.”
KIDDOS
“Assuming my children exist in this fantasy: I’d dress them in Oso & Me, it’s the most charming! This is the smocked ‘Betty Dress’for my daughter, Daisy, to wear—I actually designed the print!”
REGISTRY
“After this extravaganza, what more could we need? We’d ask that our guests make donations to the World Wildlife Fund.”
MORNING AFTER LUNCH
“These dresses are so insane. If ever there were an occasion to wear this, it’d be a lunch at home with all your friends straggling in over the course of a few hours.”
That’s a wrap—thanks for letting me conjure up my dream wedding!
