My Love Has Come Along at Hycroft

Posted April 11, 2025

When Crystal and Phil first chatted with DreamGroup planner, Alexa Gayton, they made it clear they didn’t want a traditional, cookie-cutter wedding. Instead, they envisioned a fun, unexpected celebration that would surprise and delight their guests. After touring the stunning historic Hycroft Manor and discussing their ideas, it became apparent that they both loved the idea of a Great Gatsby-inspired 1920s theme. Go back in time as we tell the story of Crystal and Phil’s “My Love Has Come Along at Hycroft” as beautifully documented by Lumina Weddings and Events.

Three generations of beautiful women captured as Crystal poses with her Mom and daughter. Hair & Makeup by Caked by Fe.

Phil looking ever so dapper and ready to be married!

The Great Gatsby theme was right on the money, but it was important to Crystal and Phil that the wedding not come across as too theatrical or reminiscent of a Halloween costume party. With a generous budget at our disposal, I recruited the perfect Vendor ensemble to bring their vision to life in a sophisticated and elegant way. The outcome not only captured the opulence of the era, but also offered the most enjoyable experience for guests without being “too much”.

Crystal and Phil wanted to keep their guests entertained throughout the night, so incorporating a variety of engaging elements was essential. To set the tone for the evening, the incredibly talented Nikita Afonso performed during guest arrival. As guests arrived at Hycroft, they were greeted with trays of champagne, adding a touch of luxury right from the start. Guests mingled and explored the stunning interiors of the mansion before taking their seats for the ceremony.

The overall theme for the wedding was inspired by the glamour and sophistication of the 1920s Great Gatsby era. We wanted to subtly introduce the theme from the moment guests arrived and gradually build up as the evening progressed. The ceremony was elegant and timeless, featuring mostly white draping and lush white florals accented with pops of greenery.

A white ceremony platform embellished with custom vinyl lettering read, “My love has come along” — lyrics from “At Last” by Etta James. This was the song that Crystal chose for her walk down the aisle. This touch added a romantic and personalized element to the ceremony.

Stunning bar from Bespoke Decor and show-stopping florals by Flower Factory.

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and due to an unexpected rain shower, we had to pivot from our original plan of hosting the ceremony in the garden. Instead, we moved it to the terrace, a decision that, in hindsight, was a blessing in disguise. The terrace, with its grand pillars, provided a dramatic and breathtaking backdrop for the ceremony. The unexpected change turned out to be the perfect option.

Shawn from Young, Hip & Married offered the perfect level of brevity and charm for Crystal & Phil’s vow exchange.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a lovely cocktail hour in the drawing room, where Nikita Afonso continued to entertain guests. The infamous The Near and Dear portrait station was on hand, offering guests the opportunity to capture exquisite portraits with friends and loved ones.

As guests transitioned to the cocktail hour, they were greeted by cocktail tables draped in emerald green velvet linens. Use of this colour tied in beautifully to the green velvet drapery that would later appear in the speakeasy for the after-party, creating a cohesive experience. We set up the bar in the venue’s green-tiled room, perfectly complementing the theme. It was adorned with dramatic asymmetrical floral arrangements by Flower Factory, featuring cascading blooms. The seating chart featured the lyrics “For you are mine at last” elegantly displayed on 3 different sized large gold casbah stands.

The vintage Bentley from Luxury Life Limousine added a perfect touch!

After the ceremony, the terrace was transformed into the dinner reception. Each table featured Art Deco-inspired charger plates, green velvet napkins, and custom menus and place cards featuring gold tassels, all of which added to the overall feel of the day. To incorporate some black elements from the Art Deco era, we used gold candleholders with black tapered candles, which added contrast to the table settings. Koncept’s gold fanfare chairs were the perfect final touch, completing the luxurious and sophisticated dinner setup.

Beautiful gold chairs provided by Koncept Event Design.

A decadent 3-course plated dinner was served on the terrace while friends and family shared beautiful memories and anecdotes of the couple. Menus + stationery by Violet Grey Creative.

Exquisite themed cake created by Cake by Annie.

After dinner, Crystal and Phil took to the grand foyer for their first dance. From the beginning, Crystal expressed a desire to feel like she was dancing on a cloud. Michael of About Town Entertainment arranged for a fog machine to create a dreamy, cloud-like effect as they danced. The moment was pure magic, and it perfectly captured the romantic atmosphere Crystal had envisioned for her first dance. Following their first dance, Crystal made a quick change into her second dress of the evening. This change up added an element of surprise and glamour to the night. I positioned her and Phil for a dramatic re-entry on the top of the grand staircase.

To elevate the party atmosphere we hired dancers from Obsidian Arts to dress as flappers! They performed a choreographed fan dance with feather fans, setting the stage for Crystal and Phil’s grand reveal of their outfit change. The couple then led their guests downstairs to the surprise speakeasy in the mansion’s downstairs ballroom. The speakeasy was kept a secret all night, thanks to Scotty, our awesome “Speakeasy Bouncer”. The reveal was exactly what I had envisioned. The looks of amazement and delight on the guests’ faces were priceless as they were led down the stairs by the dancers into our hidden lounge, designed by Bespoke Decor to perfectly capture the feel of a 1920s speakeasy.

Obsidian Arts dancers dressed to perfection in 1920s flapper style!

The theme was further defined by the after-party in the downstairs speakeasy lounge. Emerald green velvet panels enveloped the room and created a dark, moody, and romantic atmosphere. The space featured four welcoming lounges. The dance floor featured a geometric Art Deco design by Luxury Floor Wraps. Every detail of Crystal and Phil’s wedding was meticulously planned. It was so magical to see the vision I had worked on for months, come to life on their wedding day!

The Speakeasy was the perfect spot for guests to enjoy hours of dancing, drinking, and portraits with the Near and Dear. The evening concluded with a party bus from Boss Limousine transporting guests to an after-party at Mansion Nightclub. From the glamorous decor to the captivating entertainment, Crystal and Phil’s wedding was an unforgettable celebration. Combining sophistication with the unexpected, making it an event that their guests will talk about for years to come.

What was the most successful part of the day?

The most rewarding aspect of the day was definitely seeing the vision I had meticulously planned come to life. From the very beginning, I had envisioned every moment, planned out every detail, and carefully considered all the logistics and vendor coordination necessary to execute each element of the day. Every touchpoint, from the décor and ambiance to the flow of events, was carefully curated to create a seamless and unforgettable experience for Crystal and Phil and their guests.

While we faced the unexpected challenge of the weather, which required us to pivot quickly and adapt our plans, everything else unfolded exactly as I had hoped. A smooth day with an atmosphere filled with joy, elegance, and excitement. Just as I intended. I could not have achieved this level of success without the incredible support of my DreamGroup team and talented vendors involved. Their professionalism and hard work invested brought every detail to life and made the day a huge success.

What did you learn?

With every wedding I support I find myself learning valuable lessons that shape future planning. Each experience has takeaways that help me grow as a planner and adapt to new challenges. This particular wedding was a learning experience. It tested my ability to manage a highly complex, logistically demanding wedding with lots of moving parts. It required a high level of coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate and navigate unexpected challenges. Successfully pulling off this wedding proved I can handle complex expectations. I can’t wait for the next one!