She’s a vector girl. I’m a bitmap guy.
Photo by Guy AmbrosinoI don’t really write much about my personal life on this site, but I’m going to make a big exception to announce that I recently got married to graphic designer Ellen Butters. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you with an album of wedding photos, but I do think there are a few aspects of our wedding that readers might find interesting.
Back in December, when we started planning the wedding, we were interviewed for an episode of Wallstrip, the daily video podcast about stocks which are at an all-time high. This episode was about TheKnot.com, a website that helps couples plan their weddings. CBS purchased Wallstrip last month (congrats to them!), and I have a strong suspicion that our participation in that episode helped seal the deal. Here’s the video:
The wedding took place at the Society of Illustrators in New York City, an old carriage house turned gallery that doubles as a sort of clubhouse for illustrators. “Illustration” was the theme of the wedding. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Before the wedding where we exchanged rings and vows before our family and friends, we were legally married at City Hall, accompanied by fellow photographer Brian Berman. Brian’s portraits don’t always capture people in their most flattering light, but it’s his photos of people in their awkward moments that are always the most interesting. Here’s his favorite photo of us at City Hall:
Don’t worry. He took photos showing how happy we were, too.
The wedding at the Society of Illustrators took place in their third floor gallery, which featured an exhibit of illustrations from the seven women’s magazines that dominated the market in the 1950s. Paintings by artists including J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell, James Montgomery Flagg and others provided the perfect setting for the event.
Photo by Tim GriffinFor dinner, each table featured a lantern centerpiece (made by Ellen and her mom) featuring a biography of an illustrator plus examples of their work. Instead of being assigned a table number, guests were assigned an illustrator, and they had to look at the lanterns to figure out where to sit. To make it even more interesting for the guests, each illustrator had at least one painting hanging somewhere in the room, to encourage people to walk around and look at the artwork.
Music plays as important a part in our lives as does art, and we were honored to have great talent on hand. Guests arrived to the music of pianist and arts critic Vivien Schweitzer. The procession was accompanied by cellist Yves Dharamraj, and Ellen’s father provided a Piano interlude. At the reception, pianist Kayo Hiraki led a jazz trio in setting the musical tone for the celebration. The whole event went as smoothly as could be imagined, and a great time was had by all.
In a few weeks, we’ll be off to the Galapagos Islands for our honeymoon (with me sporting a fancy You Say You Want An Evolution T-shirt). So I hope everyone is itching to read a post about giant tortoises, because I suspect there will be one coming.
Comments
Congratulations! All the best to you and your new wife - Love and luck for the future!
Posted by: Jay | June 25, 2007 6:08 PM
Holy cow, congratulations! Married life is pretty great. I wish you guys the best of luck and life!
Posted by: Miles | June 25, 2007 7:25 PM
Wow, congratulations David. I love that photo at City Hall. All the best for your future together.
Jason
Posted by: Jason O'Donnell | June 26, 2007 12:33 AM
There it is! I’ve been waiting for this to show up on Ironic Sans. Congratulations, you two. And the Galapagos Islands! Well, I guess you did this wedding thing better than we did, with our boom box of burned CDs and no honeymoon.
I love that City Hall photo, too.
Posted by: Adam Rex | June 26, 2007 4:23 AM
Congrats David! And posts about giant tortoises?!?! Be still my heart!
Posted by: Andrew | June 26, 2007 8:19 AM
Congrats. This is my favorite blog, so keep up the good work and good luck on the marital bliss.
Posted by: Brett | June 26, 2007 9:06 AM
Congratulations. I’m coming up on 10 years and I still think marriage is a good idea (that was supposed to sound encouraging). Best wishes to the both of you.
Posted by: Micah | June 26, 2007 12:21 PM
Congratulations. May you always be happily married.
Posted by: Javier | June 27, 2007 10:31 AM
Thank you for sharing your special day with us! I love to hear our other graphic designers incorporate their passion for art in their lives. You guys look great together.
Posted by: Colleen | June 27, 2007 11:25 AM
Congratulations! I’m a wedding photographer and that City Hall shot is great. I can think of about 3 clients in the past few years that would have really gone for that shot. The other 50? Not so much. I hope that you like the rest of your photos as much as I like that one. Scrap that, I’ve just been to Brian’s site. There is no way that you wouldn’t love them, his stuff is great. Congrats again.
Posted by: nevin | July 4, 2007 2:52 PM
Congradulations! The City Hall picture reminded me of my wedding day (we also got married at City Hall). Right before the ceremony, I was in the restroom, and I panicked as I thought, “why am I doing this?” I had that very same expression on my face as I walked out the restroom door. Luckily, my husband to be was right outside. So we did it, and 14 years later, I’m still glad he was standing there. All the best to you and your bride.
Posted by: Annette Evans | July 9, 2007 3:34 PM
Congradulations! The City Hall picture reminded me of my wedding day (we also got married at City Hall). Right before the ceremony, I was in the restroom, and I panicked as I thought, “why am I doing this?” I had that very same expression on my face as I walked out the restroom door. Luckily, my husband to be was right outside. So we did it, and 14 years later, I’m still glad he was standing there. All the best to you and your bride.
Posted by: Annette Evans | July 9, 2007 3:34 PM
Some coincidence - my wife and I also got married at the Society of Illustrators (in April, 2006), and your comments bring back great memories. We held our ceremony in the ground floor gallery and moved upstairs for the reception. A grand time was had by all, especially my wife’s parents who have been Society members for over 50 years.
All the best in your married life!
Posted by: Doug | July 10, 2007 11:47 PM
Congrats! I’ve been following your site ever since your interview with the SNL line-sitter — Louis Klein. Pretty sure I saw him when I was in New York last January and tried to get SNL tickets. Anyways, seriously, best of luck to you two.
Also, if you two ever come to blows, be the bigger man and admit vectors kick bitmaps’ ass. It’s just the truth.
Posted by: Nathan | July 18, 2007 7:16 AM
Congrats, you two.
Posted by: Les | July 22, 2007 5:52 PM
I was wondering how you made those centerpieces..they are great!
Posted by: Holly | February 13, 2008 12:35 PM
Is it just me or you two look so serious on the third pic from above? relax a bit.
Posted by: Johan | May 15, 2010 10:32 AM