“Eddie and I must have met so many times throughout our lives without realizing it,” Joanna Carver divulges of her relationship with Eddie Manheimer. Her sentiment is quite true – the two had attended the same birthday parties, weddings, and had even lived in the same building for several years. It took a blind date, organized by a group of close friends and family, for them to come together. “At first pass, the setup sounded a bit complicated; Eddie had been married previously and had two boys, ages five and six,” Joanna explains. “However, deciding to be open to this type of unknown has proven to be the most wonderful, fulfilling decision of my life.” The pair felt an instant connection and quickly became an item.

A year into their relationship, Eddie knew he didn’t want to wait any longer to begin married life with his beloved. “All three of them (Eddie and his two sons) proposed to me, each holding flowers on the steps of our home,” beams the bride. “I always tell Zachary and Simon that I am the luckiest girl in the world because most people only get to marry one guy – but I got three.” Quite fittingly, both young boys were asked to be Eddie’s best men for the big day.

Upon deciding they’d only be engaged for half a year – and plan for a mere four months – they made all of their decisions with swift precision. “We just wanted something that felt uniquely personal and meaningful to us, right here in New York City… so that’s exactly what we did,” says Joanna. With the help of Leslie Mastin Events, they selected a grand hotel venue, picked out their idyllic vendors, and before they knew it, the day had arrived. 

The bride readied herself with her 11 bridesmaids, donning a unique champagne-hued gown with a deep V-neck, a detailed bodice, and a dreamy tulle skirt. She clasped her cascading bouquet of ivory orchids and anemones and met her three guys for their “first look,” where their photographer Maya Myers Photography took beautiful snapshots of the new family gallivanting around the streets of New York. Meanwhile, 180 guests arrived at the venue and entered the contemporary ceremony space. The room had a soft chrome-and-grey color scheme, which provided the perfect backdrop for the silver chuppah. Long strings of blush orchid blooms seemed to float as they were suspended from the arches, acting as the pop of color and the focal point. The mother of the bride’s tallit was draped across the top, as the wedding “centered around family,” tells the bride.

Following the Jewish service, friends and family adjourned to the reception, which displayed the same contemporary style: silver tablescapes featuring both low and tall centerpieces with ivory blooms and accents of greenery. Revelers found their seats via a large cherry blossom tree showcasing escort cards attached to long, silver ribbons, which dangled from the branches.

The newlyweds performed their first dance as husband and wife with two extra pairs of feet. “Eddie and I danced while he held Zachary and I held Simon,” gushes the bride. “They were our two best men, which means they had one, big responsibility that night: the best man speech. When it was time, Eddie’s sister and my brother joined forces and grabbed the mic to interview the boys. It was perfection.”

In addition to the modern motif, Joanna and Eddie wanted to personalize every element possible. Joanna's sister in law, of Lady J Creative, created the gift bags for guests, which were filled with the family's favorite snacks, as well as programs detailing their family tree, menus, and table numbers. The logo “Eddie (heart) Joanna” was embossed on everything from the programs, the yarmulkes, and the cocktail napkins, to the dinner menus and the notes they left for attendees. “I can’t help it, I’m in advertising!” the bride laughs. Following the truly special night, the pair jetted off to Italy for their honeymoon only to return to the boys for a second family honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas.