June. Weddings. Brides magazine editor Keija Minor informs me NYC’s average cost is $87,000. America’s divorce rate — 53 percent.
I asked why’s June big for weddings? Answer: Weather’s warm. July and August, too hot. May and April, rainy. September’s catching up. Weather’s still nice and prices go down. Better deals.
Destination events? Second weddings often do exotic locations. By then, couples can underwrite it themselves. Third weddings, too, because older guests can afford to go. And whole weekends, not just a night. One did a summer resort in a hotel in Italy. Cocktails at pool area. Ceremony overlooking the ocean.
Do couples organize their own I do’s? Today it’s party planners, wedding planners, publicists, stylists, trainers. With lots of logistics, couples can be stressed out. Flower arrangements don’t come? Photographer doesn’t show? All costs a lot. New York wants red-carpet looks. More is more. Green light is to go over- the-top.
Newest fad? Food’s taking center stage. Not just chicken and salmon. Foodies now want kale, quinoa, burrata. And not plated; family style like Kanye and Kim. Also, dogs. One had two sedated puppies — dressed like bride and groom — in a stroller. As ring bearers.
Does “Bridezilla” really exist? Yes, it’s the lady’s big moment.
Theoretically, her one big shot at it. If things weren’t dramatic, nobody’d watch. Even the sweetest one has her meltdown moment. White’s here to stay, but colors are being used. We saw a bride in a vintage purple and black outfit. And changing after the vows into another dress for dancing.
Do celebs reach out for the magazine’s coverage? Sure. They go online. Even ask us to suggest vendors.
Themes? Yes. It’s moving back to black-tie.
Values assessed
’Tis also the month of datings. With sockless Eliot Spitzer cootchy cooing his former campaign manager Lis Smith, and because everyone loves a formerly married cheater, and being in June’s spirit of true love, romance, bliss and sex, leave us hear it for this happy graduate of the Newt Gingrich School of Family Values.
Farewell to ‘Katie’ show
As Katie Couric’s show closed, her wallet opened. For staffers closing party at the Copacabana, she showed non-TV talents. Booze-savvy, the lady bartended.
While everyone ate, danced to karaoke and snapped photos, she — wearing a home girl T-shirt — served shots, mixed drinks, poured hooch and did tequila. Katie spent the entire night bartending. I do not know about her tips.
Money money
Belmont. Last week. Seventh race. A 2-to-1 odds entry. The father’s Street Boss. Owners wanted the offspring called something Wall Street related. So what’s its name? Bartiromo. After Maria Bartiromo. And it’s a stallion.
Wawa crowd
Another week, another B. Walters gala. Leno had fewer farewells. Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg did cocktails in the Carlyle’s whole Bemelmans Bar, sit-down dinner in the whole dining room. Nice little group. David Geffen on her left, Rupert Murdoch on her right. Michael Douglas RSVP’d but lost the invite, didn’t know where to go so never showed.
Alan Alda, Robert De Niro, Frank Langella, Oscar de la Renta and another 125 showed. Ron Perelman graciously said if he were single and I were younger, he’d do me the honors. Henry Kissinger remembered Barbara canceled some king’s interview when a better VIP surfaced. Robin Roberts said if not for her mother’s teaching and faith she almost “gave up” in the hospital. ABC’s James Goldston asked where he phoned Barbara, who unretired when the Santa Barbara killer’s father, Peter Rodger, requested her. Answer: eating lakeside veal burgers in Berlin.
Whatthehell, just another boring night.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.