An intimate wedding in a Manhattan loft 

Naama and David are a couple who know what they want. On their second date, they knew they wanted to be married. And when David proposed a few months later, they knew they didn't want to wait too long. So they planned their wedding in four months.

They also didn't want to settle for what Naama calls "a traditional hotel wedding," preferring an intimate party in a nontraditional space -- with great food and wine. "We're foodies, and we have a lot of foodie friends," Naama says, adding that she knew she'd found her caterer the first time she met with her event planner at Naturally Delicious. "I kept hearing that their food was delicious and their service was the best. And I felt like they just got us."

Naama and David's Saturday night wedding -- a traditional Jewish ceremony -- took place before 90 guests at Loft Eleven, a loft space in Manhattan's Garment District. The reception was designed to feel like a "really fun dinner party," with long rectangular tables, because the couple wanted their friends and family to talk. Guests spent the evening enjoying the food, swapping stories and dancing to the klezmer bluegrass band. The colorful flower arrangements -- clusters of roses in glass vases -- were kept low, so guests could talk over them. Candle-filled orbs swathed in orange and red silks gave the room an almost magical glow. Sprinkled rose petals added to the romance.

When the couple danced the hora, hoisted aloft on chairs, confetti shimmered in the air.

And the food? The guests at the winter wedding still rave about the appetizer: tomato soup and mini grilled-cheese sandwiches. The couple selected a fish entrée -- halibut -- to suit family members and friends who keep kosher, and had Naturally Delicious bring in glatt kosher meals for more religious guests. And since the bride's father doesn't eat fish, they offered braised short ribs as a second entrée option, allowing guests to choose as they sat down to eat. They selected sides that could go with either entrée: potato pancakes and Brussels sprouts, their favorite vegetable. The wine flowed. "Everything was delicious," says Naama. "We have no idea how they pulled off cooking halibut in that space."

Their party was perfect, but the highlight for Naama and David came right after the ceremony, when the couple retreated to the bridal suite for a few moments alone, a Jewish wedding tradition called "Yihud," or "seclusion." They were delighted to find celebratory drinks waiting for them, along with a sample of all the hors d'oeuvres. "We just looked at each other, and we were like, 'Wow, we're married now,'" Naama recalls. "We were so happy. It was amazing to be alone with each other before walking around and seeing everyone at the cocktail hour. That was the most special time."

Loft Eleven

Saturday night

100 Guests

Specialty Cocktails
Passed Martinis & Cosmopolitans

Passed Hors d'Oeuvres
Seared Tuna with Red Pepper Aioli & Arugula on a Rice Cracker

Charred Sliced Steak with Watercress & Sesame Dip

Chunky Artichoke Pesto with Pecorino on Crisp Brick-Oven Bread

Charred Lamb Skewers with Roasted Red Pepper Romesco Sauce

Thai-Style Vegetable Summer Rolls with Sweet Chili Dip

Spinach & Potato Samosas with Apricot Chutney

Naturally Delicious Market Table
Market Cheeses with Fresh Fruit & Brick-Oven Breads

Roasted Red Pepper, Tomato & Black Olive Bruschetta

Mediterranean Ratatouille Bruschetta

Green-Market Crudités with Herb Yogurt Dip

Bowls of Marinated Olives

Sit-Down Dinner
First Course
Tomato Bisque served with a Mini Grilled Gruyere Cheese Sandwich & Mixed Baby Field Greens with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Entrées*
Braised Short Ribs with Cabernet Red Wine Sauce

Seared Halibut with Caper & Dijon Mustard Sauce

*Entrées served with Potato Pancakes & Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots & Wild Mushrooms
Assorted Rustic Breads & Rosemary Scented Olive Oil

Mini Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
Chocolate-Chip Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream

Almond Cookies with Green-Tea Ice Cream

Chocolate Cookies with Coffee Ice Cream

Bowls of Red & Green Grapes for the Tables

Coffee & Assorted Teas