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Mrs. Bee, New York Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet Engagement Date: May 7, 2004 Wedding Date: March 5, 2005 Venue: Westside Loft, New York About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
About Mrs. Bee

The Explorers Club

September 30th, 2007 @ 7:27 pm by Mrs. Bee

Last night Mr. Bee and I attended a wedding at a unique and intimate Manhattan venue called the Explorers Club. Mr. Bee called it an “intellectual wedding” because it was a wedding between two lawyers, presided over by a judge. There was also very little dancing and partying as the focus was on eloquent and heartfelt speeches by the father of the groom, father and mother of the bride, best man, maid of honor, the mc, and the groom interspersed throughout the evening.

Despite my not even knowing anyone there and Mr. Bee not being a big fan of weddings in general, we both agreed that it was one of the best weddings we’ve ever attended.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576015.jpg

It was perfect weather for an outdoor ceremony. This intimate venue seats a maximum of about 100 people.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z11159803.jpg

No pictures of the happy couple, unfortunately, because I didn’t get their permission yet.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576016.jpg

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576017.jpg

Cocktail hour munchies

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576018.jpg

The cocktail hour room…

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z11159804.jpg

Which was later transformed to the dance floor (though only a small handful of guests danced, and none of the wedding party did!)

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z11159805.jpg

I duked it out with this polar bear.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576019.jpg

Tables were named after animals to stay within the Explorer Club’s theme. The couple are also headed to Africa for their honeymoon.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z11158301 Phil’s Wedding 003edit

We were seated at Table Gazzelle.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z11158202.jpg

A cozy 9 tables fit in this room.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576020.jpg

Towering berry covered branches were placed on each table…

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…with loose arrangements of flowers in antique vases and pitchers surrounding them.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576022.jpg

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576023.jpg

Though there were many great moments, the best part of the entire evening was the father of the groom’s speech. He brought out a book of poems the groom had written when he was 9 years old, and read a couple of them out loud. He prefaced them by mentioning the adage that “the child is father to the man”, and proceeded to analyze the deep meaning behind each poem. It was so funny… unfortunately at the expense of the groom. The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Silly059 silly059

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576024.jpg

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576025.jpg

The ceremony courtyard was transformed into a casual outdoor seating area where everyone enjoyed cigars after dinner.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576026.jpg

It was gorgeous, warm and inviting.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576027.jpg

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576028.jpg

Instead of a guestbook, each of these four frames had a line on top asking guests to leave marriage advice, a favorite memory of the couple, etc.

The Explorers Club :  wedding real weddings Z111576029.jpg

All paper items and decor by Artfool.

The groom doesn’t like to dance, so in lieu of a first dance he commissioned singer/songwriter Corey Dargel to compose and perform a love song during the reception. Corey, whose work has received rave reviews from the New York Times among many others, composes a three-minute love song based on your personalities, interests, love story, etc. It was so sweet and funny and perfect.

It’s hard to be impressed when you live, eat, breathe weddings… but this was truly one of the best weddings I’ve ever attended. They didn’t include a lot of “traditional” wedding elements, as there were no dances, favors, bouquet toss… but no one noticed at all. It was a beautiful wedding so very rich in feeling and meaning. :)

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19 Responses to “The Explorers Club”

1.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Bell Pepper (message)  146 posts, Blushing bee

ooh, such a cool venue site! :)

 
2.
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Guest
lauren

my goodness..that looks like such a beautiful, elegant wedding. love the venue!

 
3.
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Guest
HamiHarri

beautiful…thanks for sharing

 
4.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Spider (message)  120 posts, Blushing bee

gorgeous pictures. what a grown up wedding.

 
5.
Mrs. Toucan
Bee
Mrs. Toucan (message)  1,327 posts, Bumble bee

This wedding looks gorgeous!

 
6.
Mrs. Lemon
Bee
Mrs. Lemon (message)  630 posts, Busy bee

What a gorgeous and sophisticated wedding! I know quite a few people this style would fit… and it seems like it was pulled off perfectly!

 
7.
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Guest
Annie

I love what you’re wearing! So cute! Is it a dress? Where from? TIA!

 
8.
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Guest
Christina

I must agree with Annie, you look so chic and beautiful in that picture of you and (not quite as attractive) polar bear!

 
9.
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Guest
Jennifer

You look fabulous! The wedding looks beautiful, I love the table that the cake is on, surrounded by all the candles.

 
10.
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Guest
TM

love all the candles…you look great!

 
11.
Mrs. Bee
Bee
Mrs. Bee (message)  3,235 posts, Sugar bee

aww thanks! the dress is actually from zara, and i bought it in paris. they have stores in ny as well, but i don’t think they’re on the west coast?

the dress had this super cool jeweled choker neck. it was such a fun dress! here’s a better look. :)

http://x34.xanga.com/212c215b41634149976656/w111658123.jpg

 
12.
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Guest
lauren

actually, zara opened a couple of stores in sf (not sure about LA) in the past year!

 
13.
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Guest
Annie

You look beautiful in your polar bear picture! That is a gorgeous wedding. Perfect for inspiration.

 
14.
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Guest
Rose

Thank you so much for posting this wedding! My fiance and I will be having a similar type of wedding–my college mentor/philosophy professor will be the officiant and we are having an intimate ceremony/reception without dancing. I was getting worried that it would not be as “fun” so this entry is very encouraging! Thanks again!!!

 
15.
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Guest
Moi

Thanks for the reminder that a wedding is all about the LOVE!

 
16.
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Lisa

there are several zara locations in la (costa mesa and third st promenade, etc) and two in downtown sf :@)

 
17.
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Guest
nopushover

I know that location pretty well, as one of my best friends works for the club. Glad to see the place all decked out for a wedding. I knew it would look fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

 
18.
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Guest
JKNYC

Hi nopushover… do you know if you need to be a club member to have a wedding reception at the explorers club?

 
19.
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Member
GlobalBride (message)  6 posts, Newbee

Here’s some more information from NY Mag:

The Explorers Club
46 E. 70th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 212-628-8383; explorers.org

This elegant, Gothic-style 1910 townhouse has a lobby filled with exhibitions of Arctic Circle expeditions and the like. The second floor, including the wood-paneled Clark Room, is available for private events and can hold up to 250 guests for cocktails or 120 for a seated dinner. For nonmembers, prices start at $4,500 on weekends, $3,500 on weekdays. Catering by New York Catering.

 

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Mrs. Bee
Mrs. Bee

Mrs. Bee, New York Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet Engagement Date: May 7, 2004 Wedding Date: March 5, 2005 Venue: Westside Loft, New York About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!

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