During her freshman year in high school back in 2000, Juliet Izon met Michael Lewin, a junior, at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. It was a simple, platonic relationship at that point, and the two students lost touch for a while–that is, until eight years later. Unbeknownst to each other, they were both living in New York City and reconnected via Facebook. After reuniting over cocktails, the two soon became inseparable.
About three years later, Juliet and Mike were about to move into a new home in Greenwich Village.
"JULIET IS FILIPINO-ITALIAN AND MIKE IS JEWISH, SO THEY MADE IT A POINT TO INCORPORATE TRADITIONS FROM BOTH CULTURES."
During a beautiful October day, Mike asked if they could take a walk by their new building; and once they were standing outside their new bedroom window, he got down on one knee and proposed. “He had the ring on him all day and I never knew,” says Juliet. “Every time I look outside my bedroom window, it brings a smile to my face.”
The wedding planning process began with two immediate decisions–it was going to take place in New York, and the guest list was going to be rather long in order to accommodate two large families and a wealth of friends. Having always dreamt of a black tie affair, the couple chose to have their wedding at New York City’s iconic Plaza Hotel. “The moment I walked across the Plaza’s threshold, I knew it was the one,” Juliet describes. “It was beautiful, the hotel had so much history, and everyone who works there is so accommodating and kind.” With a long engagement working in their favor and allowing two years to plan the perfect wedding, Juliet and Mike never felt rushed. They also had “first crack” at their vendors, because they booked so far in advance.
On July 13, 2013, the bride and groom were married in the Plaza’s Terrace Room. For the ceremony, they opted for soft candlelight and a chuppah with sheer white fabric and round floral bouquets. Juliet is Filipino-Italian and Mike is Jewish, so they made it a point to incorporate traditions from both cultures.
The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom, and the décor included alternating centerpieces of tall and low floral arrangements, as well as candles. Inspired by the Plaza’s classic elegance, they didn’t want their decorations overshadowing the hotel itself. As self-proclaimed foodies, the bride and groom mostly enjoyed planning the menu for the cocktail hour and seated reception dinner. “We had everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to braised lamb osso buco,” the bride says. “Our cake was designed by Ron Ben-Israel and featured a white base with a cascade of rainbow flowers. I managed to save a lot of the sugar flowers and still have them on display in my living room.”
Their party continued and concluded down the street at Whiskey Park, and they didn’t leave until last call. To sum up their wedding, the couple simply describes it as “FUN.” “What a gift to have all your family and friends celebrate you and your love,” says Juliet.
WEDDING TALENT
Location: The Plaza Hotel, New York, NY; Cake: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, New York, NY; Caterer and Planner: CPS Events at the Plaza, New York, NY; Floral Design: Bloomers, Chatham, NJ; Lighting: Bentley Meeker Lighting Staging, Inc., New York, NY; Wedding Dress: Badgley Mischka; Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld, New York, NY; Photography: Lilian Haidar, New York, NY
