This Lexington Wedding Turned a Hurricane Into a Celebration
Any event planner knows to expect a few hiccups on the big day. For most, these minor inconveniences give way to a picture-perfect day, transforming over time into sweet anecdotes that add to the happy couple's shared history.
Judging by the photos, you'd think Silvia Radulescu and James Ehret had such a wedding. Their blissful smiles, the palpable love and support from their guests, and the stunning setting shine in each image — so you'd never expect they weathered a literal hurricane during their wedding weekend.
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Hurricane Helene ripped through Lexington, KY, on Friday, September 27, 2024. 'Half the city lost power,' Silvia recalls. The storm left its mark on the couple's big day, but thankfully, they stayed safe and enjoyed an especially memorable nuptial. 'Our friends and family came from all over the country and even some from across the world,' Silvia tells us, 'Nothing was going to stop us from celebrating joyfully together!'
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Silvia met James in college, and they began dating shortly before Silvia moved to Washington, D.C. for law school. After weathering three years of long-distance courting, James proposed to Silvia on their neighborhood pier in Brooklyn Heights, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and Downtown Manhattan.
In a premonitory twist, they happened to have the usually crowded waterfront to themselves when James popped the question — all thanks to a rain shower that morning. A few of Silvia's nearest and dearest, who helped James plan the proposal, were waiting with champagne on their apartment rooftop upon their return, which was followed by a surprise party at a local restaurant with their closest friends.
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Silvia enlisted the help of Shelly Fortune Event Design to plan the wedding of her dreams in her hometown of Lexington, KY. Considering Silvia was 700 miles away in New York City, it's good that she had Shelly and her team to assist. 'Shelly was extraordinary; there was no way we could have done it without her,' Silvia says.
Together, they planned a weekend full of wedding festivities, beginning with a welcome party and rehearsal dinner on Friday, the day Hurricane Helene wound up passing through. 'Two hours before the rehearsal, we were told the kitchen could no longer prepare the fixed menu for our rehearsal dinner,' Silvia recalls.
Fortunately, the groomsmen jumped into action, picking up pizza and fried chicken to save the day. Looking back, Silvia remembers the ordeal fondly. 'We ate, laughed, and had a blast scribbling over the (now pointless) menus we had previously designed,' she says.
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According to Silvia, the easiest decision for her big day was the venue: A Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony in her family's church, followed by the famed food, cocktails, and ambiance of The Apiary. A members-only venue, The Apiary also offers bespoke weddings to the public while retaining an air of exclusivity, perfect for the couple's 130-guest list.
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Silvia wore a soft strapless ballgown by Anne Barge, with a draped bodice and box-pleated skirt. She added a custom wrap for the ceremony. Her something old was a handkerchief that belonged to James's late grandmother. And for her something borrowed? A Kwiat diamond bracelet and earrings. Her maid of honor and sister, Laura, wore blue to complete the tradition.
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By the couple's wedding day, power had still not been restored in many parts of the city, including at the church. But not even that could stop the two from tying the knot. 'Because of the church's beautiful natural lighting, and thanks to a talented string quartet, most guests didn't even realize until the priest mentioned it in his homily!' Silvia says.
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Before the ceremony, Silvia and James shared their first look at the church and also exchanged private vows in an intimate moment together, which Silvia says was her favorite memory of the day. 'We loved sharing the beautiful day with our friends and family, but one of the most special and tender moments, at the heart of the day, was just for us,' she says.
The couple held a cocktail hour in the Winter Room at The Apiary following the ceremony. Guests sipped on Old Fashioneds and Hotel Nacionals as they snacked on passed hors d'oeuvres: Moroccan lamb skewers with yogurt sauce, arancini, and whipped brie with grapes.
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Afterward, guests moved to a seated dinner in The Apiary's grand reception hall, which they affectionately call The Tent. Menu items included gnocchi with wild mushrooms, beurre fondue, and shaved truffle. There was also a peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce, garlic-lime aioli, crispy Kennebec potatoes, and grilled asparagus. Dessert included bite-sized crème brûlée, key lime pie, tiramisu, and quince macarons, served with espresso martinis.
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For the reception, Silvia changed into a satin strapless gown with an attached neck scarf. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife to 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' by Savage Garden.
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The couple departed through a sparkler send-off to an awaiting town car and headed for their honeymoon on the French Riviera.
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Whether a couple faces minor hiccups or literal hurricanes on their wedding day, it can still be perfect in all the ways that matter most. 'Plenty of things didn't go to plan, but none detracted from our special day,' Sylvia says. 'You get to decide what is important to you and what defines the occasion.'
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RESOURCES
Venue: The Apiary in Lexington, KY
Planning: Shelly Fortune Event Design
Photographer: Carl S. Miller
Videographer: True Videography
Bride's gown: Anne Barge /Kleinfeld
Hair & Makeup: Makeup by Kristin Gray, hair by Maddie Wofford, Beheld
Invitations, programs & menu cards: Shelly Fortune Event Design
Flowers: Blooms n' Blossoms
Catering: The Apiary
Entertainment: The Adrian Duke Project & Volare String Quartet
Cake: Tinker's Cake Shop
STYLEBLUEPRINT RESOURCES:
Planning a wedding? Check out StyleBlueprint's two Wedding Resource Guides. (More to come!):
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Discover more fabulous wedding inspiration in our archives HERE!
About the Author Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.
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