Making Miracles Happen in NYC

CNNMoney reports that the average cost of a wedding as of January 2013 is $28,400 nationwide, and almost $77,000 in Manhattan.

So when my brother-in-law told me that his budget for his Saturday evening, June, Manhattan wedding was $4,000, I had a private chuckle and waited to see what would happen. When his first catering idea of a gourmet taco truck fell through (I still would have loved to see that), he remained confident that he could spend $10 per person on the food. I can’t buy lunch for myself for that price.

On June 8, 2013, my brother-in-law married the woman of his dreams in Manhattan. They had a beautiful ceremony and threw a festive celebration. Everyone was well fed and served plenty of alcohol, and we danced all night. There were wedding cupcakes with freshly made whipped cream and berries on top, and there are plenty of professional-quality photographs to document the occasion.

The final cost of the entire wedding was indeed less than $4,000. This is a rounding error for many Manhattan weddings, where many brides couldn’t even finance the flowers with that much money.

My brother-in-law did something that most people would consider impossible. But he had a woman he couldn’t wait to marry, an idea for a beautiful ceremony and a smash of a party with his friends and family, and a budget that he couldn’t exceed. He believed, and he made it happen.

I would have never thought of my ultra-liberal, Bed-Sty, thrift store brother-in-law as an entrepreneur, but he pulled off an incredibly entrepreneurial stunt if I ever saw one.

The ceremony was in the serenity of Central Park’s Conservatory Garden. His best friend became ordained on-line and performed the ceremony. Permit: $400. Best friend as officiant: priceless.

The party was at a community center in Hell’s Kitchen with a European-like courtyard where dinner was served under the stars and Manhattan skyline. The director of the center ran around all night helping with whatever the task of the moment was. Rental: $1,000. Director bending over backward to help: priceless.

The guests were served delicious Creole cuisine at a buffet with more than enough spicy chicken, rice and beans, and vegetarian options. Catering for 80 guests: $900.

We drank Yuengling, Prosecco and wine all night. Instead of paying pricey hotel premiums, he likely purchased the alcohol at Costco for a savings in the 10s of thousands.

Bro-in-law’s friend “spun” the tunes from his MacBook, and kept the dancing going all night. Another friend snapped pics all night. Of course neither charged a dime. Another friend lovingly made all of the desserts and provided them as a gift to the bride and groom.

After all other incidentals, they did not exceed their budget. I was so impressed and inspired by this feat. It just goes to show that when creative people are given an opportunity to make the impossible happen, there are those who take charge, think creatively, go outside the box (or hotel), and make it happen. There are also those who run off and elope. Fortunately for me and all the guests at last weekend's festivities, Jordan followed his heart and made it happen.

Whenever I hear people say they can’t get something done in NYC because of the outrageous cost of doing business or the red-tape, I am going to be telling this story of a young man and his dream wedding.

Jordan - Congratulations on marrying the love of your life and for creating a meaningful, spectacular wedding out of what many in Manhattan consider pocket change. You are an inspiration. Best wishes to you and your beautiful bride.