Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/452969
BY MAX TROWBRIDGE. PHOTOGRAPHY MATT GEORGE, MEI-CHUN JAU, STEVE WRUBEL. A D A P P E R C E L E B R A T I O N : B R I A N B O L K E + F A I S A L H A L U M , N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 4 WILL WIN B rian and Faisal Forever … Suddenly BFF — the modern acronym we charmingly associate with our own best friends — takes on a more poignant meaning. For the wedding celebration of Brian Bolke (owner of Dallas' luxury boutique, Forty Five Ten) and Faisal Halum (senior VP at Briggs Freeman), the expression has become a personal symbol of matrimony. A serendipitous encounter during a concert with Gabby Porter and the New Orleans Symphony in the Crescent City on All Hallows' Eve in 2004 set the path of true love. Fast forward 10 years. Three months after the couple exchanged wedding vows in Provincetown on Cape Cod, they hosted a glamorous wedding reception in Dallas. Bolke and Halum celebrated with the chicest of friends and family at the most stylish venue possible — and "BFF" was the monogram of the night. The Celebration The wedding reception, November 1, 2014, meticulously planned and styled by BFF Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, was hosted on the lawn of The Rachofsky House within a 48-foot-tall, 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome tent, its entrance draped in white orchids. Mounds of caviar were at every table, a token of love gifted by more BFFs, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky. Pol Roger champagne flowed over a tower of coupe stemware, and silver streamers decorated the dome — a gift from other BFFs, Lucy and Steve Wrubel, designed by The Color Condition. He Wore, He Wore Bolke wore a jacquard velvet jacket with tuxedo trousers, bow tie and cummerbund, and patent-leather evening shoes, all Tom Ford. Halum wore a sequined jacket, shirt and bow tie, by Saint Laurent, and Lanvin white trousers. Bracelets Jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald insisted she design their bracelets. Inspired by her Love Me Knot necklace, she created matching bracelets in platinum with black diamonds. Theme Dynasty! The theme was inspired by a Michael Robinson video art installation the couple bought at the Dallas Art Fair, The Dark, Krystle, 2013, which played on the dome ceiling. "I always thought it would be funny to have a Dynasty-themed wedding," says Bolke. The character he loves the most? "Absolutely Alexis. Who's more glamorous than her?" Tunes Bolke booked a surprise act: Gabby Porter, who sang Christina Aguilera's hit song "Beautiful." The Dallas String Quartet performed, Wrubel did DJ honors, and guests left with a BFF CD, with music selected by Wrubel. LOVE Guests Out-of-towners: Hal Rubenstein and David Nickle; Philip Manghisi and David Rubenstein of Jeffrey store in New York; Vira Capeci, president of Céline; Michelle Stein, president of Moschino; Ikram Goldman of Ikram; Dawn Klohs and Denise Schaefer of Amarees; Sarah Easley and Beth Buccini of Kirna Zabete. Becca Cason Thrash; Marcus Sloan and Shannon Hall of Sloan/Hall; Filippo Tattoni- Marcozzi, and Ceron. Family traveled from both Abu Dhabi and California. Menu Cassandra Fine Catering created a dinner inspired by the couple's world travels. The Moment "Definitely Gabby Porter! Pulling that surprise off took a small army. I had imagined that moment for years, and it was perfect." — Brian Bolke "That Brian learned Arabic for a portion of the speech. It was very meaningful for myself and my family, and seeing my sister cry is ingrained in my head." — Faisal Halum Todd Events styled an elegant, chic and masculine theme. Christen Wilson Friends of BFF, George Cameron Nash and husband Mark Williams, who were married in Provincetown last year First course, inspired by Southern California: Baby romaine Caesar salad with pickled red onions, oven-dried tomatoes boxed in a Parmesan crisp Starter inspired by New York: American sturgeon caviar with crème fraîche, quail eggs, chives and butter brioche DJ Lucy Wrubel, mixing tunes in a rainbow-sequined dress emblazoned with Love Will Win, by Ashish Brooke Davenport, Kelly Parker Singer Gabby Porter Forty-eight-foot-tall geodesic dome on the lawn of The Rachofsky House Steve Wrubel snaps Brian and Faisal with Cindy and Howard Rachofsky. Champagne Pol Roger poured all evening. Sweet and spicy: Chocolate chip cookies, and Cheddar Cheesies with Texas Heat Seating assignments created as personalized menus; all stationery designed by Reinhardt Creative Sharing the moment, BFF Todd Fiscus Photos from the Provincetown wedding, and the Dynasty- inspired video art installation played on the dome ceiling for all to see. Love Will Win: Brian and Faisal Brian Bolke Saint Laurent and Tom Ford