Quest Magazine February 2025 by QUEST Magazine

THE WEDDING ISSUE

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90 QUEST WEDDINGS From Manhattan and Southampton to Palm Beach and Bermuda, our annual roundup of spectacular nuptials. by

Brooke Kelly Murray

Elizabeth

Meigher 106 BARBARA TOBER: THE TRUE QUEEN OF HEARTS A look back at Barbara Tober’s illustrious career as the long-time editor of Brides and her love story with the late Donald Tober. by David

Patrick

Brooke Kelly Murray

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DAVID PATRICK C O LUMBIA

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

ELIZABETH MEIGHER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

TYKISCHA JACOBS

MANAGING EDITOR

BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

DESIGN EDITOR

JAYNE CHASE

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

ROBERT BENDER

PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE

JULIE SKARRATT

SOCIETY EDITOR

HI LARY GEARY

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

HARRY BENSON

KATE GUBELMANN

TONY HALL

ALEX HITZ

ROBERT JANJIGIAN

RICHARD JOHNSON

KAREN KLOPP

JAMES MACGUIRE

HAVEN PELL

CHUCK PFEIFER

JANIE PIERREPONT

LIZ SMITH (R.I.P.)

TAKI THEODORACOPULOS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

HARRY BENSON

CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY

BILLY FARRELL

MARY HILLIARD

CRISTINA MACAYA

CUTTY MCGILL

PATRICK MCMULLAN

NICK MELE

ANNIE WATT

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LIVING WITH ART AND DESIGN: A COLLABORATIVE PRESENTATION BY ROBERT STILIN AND GAVLAK THROUGH MARCH 16, 2025

Clockwise from bottom left: A younger Barbara Tober on horseback; columnist Taki Theodoracopulos; a Brides staff tribute for Barbara Tober’s 30th anniversary with the magazine in 1991; Annabel Love and Sam Zuckert aboard a 2020 Hacker-Craft 24’ Runabout in the Adirondack Mountains; New York City Marriage Bureau; contributor Mary Hilliard; columnist Richard Johnson; Griffin Dunne’s family memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club.

AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM has been on full display this week in the District of Columbia. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, religious belief, ethnic background or even gender, you couldn’t ignore the historical majesty of our Nation’s Capital and the indisputable dominion of our pageantry and might. Like so many of you, I was glued to the big tube (forget the puny phone!), as a host of well-coiffed heads and panoramic cameras guided viewers through the inner corridors of Washington’s muffled power and the wintery exteriors of imposing and iconic monuments. When the TV screen panned through the fabled Rotunda - with five past Presidents assertively present in a commanding continuum - I caught myself singing along with the Battle Hymn of the Republic - hardly on key, but brimming in patriotism that swelled with allegiance. How blessed we are, dear readers, to live in this “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave”.

Quest’s bulging Wedding Issue - always a post-Inauguration mile marker - is our annual salute toward a more ephemeral institution, and one that I’ve been blissfully dedicated to for nearly 55 years. With every February (still known as “Cabbage Month” in the UK ... perhaps a British banker’s nightmare?) our pages overflow with bounteous brides and their endless entourages. Quest’s well traveled Managing Editor, Brooke Murray, has this year cobbled together nine uniquely attractive nuptials from near and far, spanning the Adirondacks to Bermuda, with an understated dollop of Palm Beach, Southampton, and Newport mixed in for “seasoning”. Moreover, Brooke has identified a baker’s dozen of honeymoon destinations that range from the traditional to the exotic ... and I mean “Mnemba Island, Zanzibar” exotic! Highlighting this connubial connection is the legendary Editor in Chief of Brides magazine, Madame Barbara Tober. Brides was once a well-milked cash cow of the Condé Nast stable, and top editor Tober was appropriately dubbed the “Queen of Hearts”. Having left her elevated post at Condé Nast to marry her beloved Prince Charming, the very eligible Donald Tober, Madame maintains today a coveted perch as one of New York’s most highly respected patrons within the charitable and cultural domains.

Now don’t dare miss in the pages ahead: Taki’s convincing treatise

on the (once) young masters of American letters, including O’Hara, Fitzgerald and his pugilistic favorite, Papa Hemingway; nor should you gloss over Richard Johnson’s insidery Palm Beach column, where he meets up with Griffin Dunne for a revealing chat about the latter’s riveting and best selling family memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club. Adding arresting visuals to these vaunted male wordsmiths is the keen-eyed and comely Mary “Cookie” Hilliard, whose subtly brilliant volume of unposed “society” images - fittingly titled People Will Talk - is excerpted on pages 74 through 77.

In closing, let’s again applaud the robust state of our reawakened Union, where our government, our industries, our campuses and our media must now address the will of America’s electorate - endeavoring to blunt the discord they’ve created, and laboring to restore our trust in them. The people have spoken. Our Country has been summoned back to greatness, kneeling to no one but God. The journey ahead is uncertain and the threats from abroad unsettling. But as our 47th President so aptly observed: “In America, the impossible is what we do best”. ◆

Chris Meigher

ON THE COVER:

Merritt Piro and Patrick Hutchison depart St. Andrew’s Dune Church after their wedding ceremony in Southampton, New York. Photographed by Jenelle Kappe.

David Patrick Columbia NEW YORK SO CIAL DIARY

WELL, IT’S FEBRUARY in New York. The Weather, The Fire, and the books I’m reading. It’s busy during the weekday. And then after 6:30, it stops. Then it looks like everyone’s left town. Except the neighborhood streets are full with the owners’ cars which are parked and waiting, so

they’re all still there.

But one of the great things about living in New York is everything is just minutes away. At least that is what it feels like sitting here on a late Wednesday afternoon writing diary.

More interestingly, I’ve been reading Griffin Dunne ’s memoir, The

Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir. Many people I know have already read it, and they loved itmade me curious. I knew Griffin’s father but never met the son. I knew a bit about Dominick ’s background from knowing him socially, and sharing mutual friends. But Griffin was

simply the son’s name in my head.

Well. It’s really good. I’m reminded of Brooke Hayward ’s classic Hollywood memoir, Haywire, which came out in 1977. It was really good where she gives you the lay of the land in the family. Griffin takes you into his family

SALZBURG FESTIVAL SOCIETY’S DINNER IN NEW YORK

ANNIE WATT

Barbara Tober with Lee and CeCe Black

Christophe Caron Soriano, Elizabeth Beracasa and Tracey Amon

Horacio Milberg, Daisy Soros, Matthew Pietras and Adrienne Vittadini

Carole Bailey French, John French and Sana Sabbagh Svetlana Wachtell, The Hon. Mary Mochary and Valerie Carney

Noreen Buckfire, Nabil Chartouni and Dorothee Volpini de Maestri

Samantha Chartouni and Marianne Thies

CLEVELAND

relationships and events where reality lives. He lays it out for you. The subject of Hollywood lives is often fascinating as well because they’re movie stars who turn into real people as soon as they get inside their own home, or memoir.

But now, although I hadn’t been aware of it, Griffin Dunne is also an excellent writer; a natural, much the father’s son in his ability paint the scene. Because the father is famous, Griffin takes you into a world with the extraordinary dramas found in many, if not most families, and you are at home with them with this book.

Dominick, for example, had a terrible father who treated him violently both physically and emotionally

because of the young boy’s girlish behavior. He’d take him outside and beat him like a madman. Dominick’s mother however was devoted to her husband.

Nevertheless, the boy Dominick had the inner strength to recover emotionally enough to move forward, to find the channels to pursue his dreams. But then, although curiously, as a father, Dominick had his moments of “rage” toward Griffin, and not his other son.

Dunne. She did for him what Dominick’s mother and/or father never did for him. Yet, years later, grown up, married, father, ironically, Dominick also wore some of his father’s “emotional weakness” with his son.

Yet when his son writes about it, he makes it clear that his mother, Lenny, always treated him with a respect that Dominick never got growing up.

Haywire by Brooke Hayward

Dominick’s family, as portrayed by his son, had a wonderful wife and mother, Ellen “Lenny” Griffin

Lenny was stronger, as women often actually are in the family structure. Griffin reads more polished than Dominick – who of course was an excellent

story teller. But Griffin’s view is more sophisticated as he was an actual child of Hollywood, born and brought up in a highly creative story-telling community. He also had two smart parents who shared their lives with their childrendespite that their marriage in that highly competitive environment was like many: troubled.

It was Dominick who had the problems that made their marriage fail although I’m sure that was not his intention. And you can see that Griffin’s respect for his father’s talent is intact. Because Dominick got beyond his own father and went on to become famous and familiar to millions of readers, a celebrity as it were – which was his main ambition in

CLINIC’S LUNCHEON IN PALM BEACH

Michael and Julie Connors

Carlos and Maria Theresa Tejada

Brice and Lori Able

Kathryn Vecellio and Dr. Conor Delaney

Richard McCready and Dr. Steve Avallone

Kipper Lance and Bud Hendrick

Abby and Steve Perelman

life. To show his father and to justify his self.

It was a family like all families that came with drama from the previous generation. Dominick, as a child, for example, was treated very poorly by his father because of the boy’s effeminate behavior. The way Griffin describes that relationship makes you wonder about Dominick’s father’s problem. He was physically cruel to his son.

For Griffin, in the beginning it’s a sweet story of a child’s growing up, especially in and at the center of the film and entertainment industry. Dominick

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

was drawn to it immediately finishing school. His first job was a director on the original Howdy Doody television show in the early 1950s - it was one of the very first daytime shows on television. Griffin brings his father’s ambition to life, finally becoming the best-seller and famous author that he became.

It’s what first appears as a normal 20th century American family of the era. Clearly and easily, the sto -

ry reveals the way of life in movietown when it’s mainly 20th century American values being acted out for the motion picture camera, while off-camera it’s a highly dramatic, demanding and even difficult world to succeed in.

But you see in this particular “all-American, 20th century” tale that its regular inhabitants appear to live in a different professional atmosphere. Griffin Dunne’s family story is presented

realistically by him, so that you get a strong sense of “all American” with a sharp eye and self-respect. He adds an admirable dimension to his father’s career with this memoir. But his mother Lenny, Dominick’s wife, was also the heroine in the family. Sound familiar?

Holiday memories. In the1960s, over the Thanksgiving holiday, my sophomore year at Colby. When home for the holiday, my next door neighbor, Kathy Garvey – then a freshman at Manhattanville – told me that she’d been invited over the Christmas vaca -

Griffin and Dominick Dunne CAPEHART

KRAVIS CENTER’S LUNCHEON IN WEST PALM BEACH

Mary Goldberg and Bonnie Strauss

Deb Epstein and Carol Trow

Ellen Shaprio and Eileen Judell

Marlene Strauss and Eileen Berman

Vicki Wildstein and Henni Kessler

Hazel Schultz and Jackie Schiro

Pat Falkenberg and Renee Fleming

tion to a Coming Out party (Debutante) in New York, of one of her classmates. I was duly impressed. She added that if I could get my college roommate to escort her to the party, she’d get me invited.

My roommate/fraternity brother was a guy named Allan Zehe from Erie, Pennsylvania. Allan was a particularly goodlooking guy; handsome-as-a-movie-star actually. Although that meant nothing to him; he was just a nice guy. I knew Kathy was thinking about how it would look to her classmates to have Allan at her side. For me, the invitation was an interesting and fun adventure.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

So, back at college after the holiday, I asked Allan.

“Why not?” was the young adventurer’s response.

Back then, attending a debutante party in New York was something I never even imagined. Being a boy who grew up and still living in New England (then at college in Maine), Kathy’s offer was a no-brainer. New York; debutantes, the Waldorf-Astoria; life in the Big Town.

Allan fortunately was also a rich boy: his moth -

er booked a room for us at the Waldorf. That in itself was a Wow to this country boy. By the time I was 10 and 11, I was reading the New York tabloids, the Daily News and Daily Mirror that my father got everyday. I was sent to the newspaper store on my two wheeler. He was born and grew up in New York and I was totally fascinated by his stories of life there.

Although I was born here in the city, my mother and father moved up to Massachusetts when I was

an infant. I had only been to New York once when I was in grade school. My mother took me on the New York, New Haven, and Hartford’s weekend “excursion” train (a threehour ride each way). This was even before I started reading the tabs. New York was already a metropolis of wonder to this scrawny little kid, and now a college boy, it was a major moment in the young man’s life. I had no expectations other than the first-time to the Big Town on my own and going to a (debutante) party at the Waldorf-Astoria – was naturally a potentially major experience. It was the first time actual -

Debutantes, circa 1960

MAX MARA’S DINNER IN ASPEN

Jamie Tisch

Abigail Spencer

Sabrina de Baets, Gloria Marcus

Jake Ireland, Tina Craig and Lauren Ireland

Riley Keough and Jamie Mizrahi

Bo McCourt

Kathy Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild

Take

ly staying in a hotel – any hotel – and this was a hotel where presidents and ambassadors, and people like General MacArthur , the Duke and Duchess of Windsor , Cole Porter , Frank Sinatra and the Presidents lived in their own apartments whenever they came to New York.

So in the early afternoon of December 20th,1960, we traveled by train, Allan from Erie, and I from Springfield, Massachusetts and met up in the lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria to register and drop off our bags. Kathy had already left a message for us with the desk to come to 640 Park

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

Avenue, 16 blocks north of the hotel, where Catherine’s family lived, and where she and Kathy and others were having their makeup done and getting ready for the party that night.

Never having been to a New York apartment before, both Allan and I were amazed when the elevator stopped at a small chandelier-lit ante-room on the 6th floor.

view in the room of the apartment was like something neither Allan nor I had ever seen.

A uniformed maid opened the door and we introduced ourselves. She invited us in and she left the room. The

The entrance gallery where we waited was a large rectangular room with the floor covered with an orange and yellow shag rug. You could see the entrance to the dining room, a sitting room/ library and a living room.

Against the walls between the main rooms were 18th century black lacquered Chinoiserie chests over which were hung with

small lighted 16th century oils by Tintoretto and Rafael . (All of this information was acquired long after.)

For a moment, both Allan and I just stood there and gawked. I was neither knowledgeable or especially curious about the art or the pieces. I had seen the likes in art books at Colby and even in museums, but never hung so elegantly and matter-of-factly in someone’s vast and airy apartment six stories above the road and sidewalk called Park Avenue.

Moments later, a very friendly blonde girl with bright eyes came round

MORSELIFE HEALTH SYSTEM’S CELEBRATION IN PALM BEACH

640 Park Avenue

CAPEHART

Marlene Strauss Ben and Susan Winter

Lenny and Beth Wilf

Sondra and David Mack

Robert and Ann Fromer

Arthur and Janet Hershaft

Phylis Fogelson and Arlene Blau

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

PROMISE

the corner from a hallway:

“You must be Allan,” she said to me with a big smile. “I’m Catherine,” she said extending her hand. “No,” I replied, surprised at her mistake, wondering what Kathy told her about me, and I introduced her to Allan.

As clearly as I recall those moments in that room 60 years ago, I don’t recall anything more about that moment that afternoon at this extraordinary apartment where we met this warmly friendly and cheerful young woman who lived there and was ‘the debutante’ who would be coming out at few hours later at the Waldorf.

That night must have been called for 7:30. The party was to be in the Sert Room, a very large public room occupying the north side of the steps of the main entrance to the Park Avenue lobby. I later read in the following day’s Journal-American that among the guests were CZ Guest and Rose Kennedy , the mother of the President; along with Catherine’s parents, Peggy and Morton Downey , although I never saw any of them. Or took time to even notice.

I was already in the aura of this girl who lived in a palace (to this boy) up on Park Avenue and thought I was as handsome as Allan Zehe. I naturally wanted to know more.

The room was set with tables for dinner and at one end of a large dance floor was Meyer Davis , known for half a century as the Toscanini— and J.P. Morgan—of society band leaders, and his orchestra. Rock and Roll was established by then, the Beatles would soon be coming to America, and

bands were everywhere. Fortunately, in that era of ballroom dancing many children were taught the steps and the manner (“may I have this dance..?”) and moved two by two with a variety of inferences.

When Catherine came in with her mother and step-father, along with her group and likely her escorts, I was never aware of them either. There must have been 300 guests attending. The greatest number were my contemporaries.

But when I finally spotted her, there was a charming effusiveness about her manner. Once the party began, and the dancing

Meyer Davis and his orchestra.

FUND’S PINK TIE GUY EVENT IN PALM BEACH

Nicki Harris and Peter Cummings

Tim and Jana Davidson

Cynthia Friedman and Bill Bone

Ken Endelson, Nancy Brinker and Chip DiPaula

Susan and Ben Winter

Karen Patti and Ron Rosenfeld

Diane Sculley and Paulette Koch

began, and I saw the coast was clear, I asked Catherine to dance.

She was naturally effusive and warm, and inquiring - like I was the interesting one. She already knew a little about me from my neighbor Kathy. I asked her why when we met at her apartment she greeted me as Al Zehe.

“Because,” she explained, when she learned we had arrived, as she was leaving her room, Kathy told her “Al Zehe was the handsome one.” And when she came in and saw me, she naturally assumed I was Al. I was flattered in a way, to this day, and it

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

remains a charm about Catherine that drew me to her.

We danced a couple of times at her party, maybe more but not much more. The conversation was two older teenagers having a glorious moment unknown to them. It ended with me nicknaming her “Luk-See” in her manner of deciding who she’s looking at. LukSee Hohenlohe

Allan and I both departed New York for home the next day. Several weeks after that night, back at Colby, in the fraternity house, I sat down one night at my desk because she was on my mind. I wrote her a let -

ter, referring to her as LukSee. I don’t remember the contents; they were probably light and silly. Except I had been charmed almost into a new consciousness, and I wanted to see her again.

My letter brought her very great response with all the effusiveness in her smile. What followed over the next several months, I began writing love letters to her. They weren’t love letters per se, because we weren’t having a romantic relationship; but they articulated how I felt around her and thoughts of her. She was still only an acquaintance I had met and

YOUNGARTS GALA IN MIAMI

danced with once on that one evening at the Waldorf. I already knew I was not the “right guy” for her although my interest was almost obsessive in my thoughts. And the letters became almost literary in my expressions of interest; I was also conscious of that and enjoying it. Most noticeable to this young romantic love letter writer was: I knew that it was good because there was a clear expression of how I felt about her. I never thought I had a chance with her. But I knew in that brief experience over a few months, I knew that whatever else I might be

Julia Rauton and Shana McFadden

Randi Wolfson and Chris Adamo

Danielle Garno

Courtney Lord, Sarah Arison and Karen Lord Misty Copeland

Michel Combes and Bernardo Fort-Brescia

Lorna Courtney

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

in life, I was a writer. She touched me.

For her, about a year after her college graduation, she married . Her beautiful mother, only in her early 40s, long ailing from Depression, had overdosed and died two weeks before her daughter’s marriage. Peggy Downey was only 42, famous in the international community as the Newmont Mining heiress. But she was also a mother who had had a difficult mother. What I learned about her life from her daughter, was that it had been a deeply unhappy life as the poor little rich girl. She was beautiful and smart but

had a terrible mother who basically ignored her and her brother.

Shortly after Catherine’s marriage, I also married and our paths rarely crossed and I never really saw her again. Although she’d remained in my thoughts all my life. Until, 50 years later, literally, astoundingly, a half century, I heard from a close friend of hers that Catherine was coming to New York to the friend’s birthday dinner. I was invited, and privately excited about going be -

cause I knew I would get to see her again after all these years.

And so it was . At the cocktail reception for the birthday dinner I could see that Catherine either didn’t see me when I arrived and made my way around a crowded room. Or maybe she didn’t recognize me, and our paths never crossed. She looked older and very serious, and kind of dowdy about her fashion sense, the New Yorker that she wore when I knew her. That reflected an im -

age change. But she never liked living in New York with social people. If by chance she did see me, she didn’t come my way. So I wasn’t sure what to say to get her attention.

Then sitting at dinner, she was seated one over from me. As my dinner partner, the college classmate was asking me about the history of the New York Social Diary. As I was telling her, Catherine sitting on the other side of her, without interrupting my words, but injected so that we could hear: “you wrote me the most beautiful letters!”

Overhearing her, surprised, I responded “You

Peggy and Morton Downey

Gail McGovern, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen Hunter and Elaine Lyerly

Peter Dawkins and Ambassador Mary Ourisman-Dawkins

Jane Casey and Missy Chilton

Charles and Amanda Schumacher

Hillie Mahoney and Gay Gaines

64TH INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS BALL IN PALM BEACH

Hilary and Wilbur Ross

Ambassador Aldona Wos and Louis DeJoy

were my muse.” And indeed she was and will always be one for me. But that night at the table, she told us that she had kept the letters all these years, through her marriages, until very recently when she threw them away. Sixty decades later.

That meeting of Catherine at the birthday of our friend prompted her to invite me to spend a weekend as her guest in Martha’s Vineyard. She had a trio of spacious but simple connected cottages on 100 acres overlooking the ocean and the harbor at Chappaquiddick. She was wearing the signs of age,

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

a kind of indifference of getting on. Her life outside the city we call New York had naturally affected her. It didn’t matter; she still had it to me.

That Saturday afternoon, sitting outside, out of the Sun, she told me in passing, unrelated to anything we were discussing, she said, “I’m not rich anymore.” She didn’t say it with regret but simply as a matter of fact. Although to this writer we were sitting outside having

the conversation on a piece of property worth millions and who lives as comfortably in a mansion on the beach in South Florida. Surely the family fortune has been divided but still ample – her mother, at the time of her death just two weeks before, had been written up in one of the Sunday magazines as “the 5th richest woman in the world.”

These last passing years of loss for many took Catherine too. She jested about

the matter until there was nothing left to jest. Knowing her was a sweet and lasting gift of experience for this writer.

Our reunion lacked the intimacy of those weekends we had when we were very young. We had become actually what we used to think was very old-until we got there and found out that in many ways we hadn’t even grown up. Catherine I know grew up. She made the best of what looked like splendor of the spirit to the outsider. But the reality of life was right there at the door, waiting. Always. I’ve taken her with me through my life. ◆

Chappaquiddick Beach Club

Nacho Figueras

Billie Lourd, Shawn White, Paul Wesley and Riley Keough

Anna Kendrick

Charlotte Groeneveld

Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder

ST. REGIS ASPEN’S SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

Billy Magnussen

Nicky Hilton Rothschild

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

ROYAL SAVOY BALL IN NEW YORK

Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Tracey Amon

Brian Saltzman and Victoria Vicuna

Barbara Tober and Adrienne Vittadini

Olga Franco and Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia

Jeanne Lawrence and Nabys Vielman

Margaret Butler and Michella Cruz

Stephanie Stokes

Bill Katchen and Patricia Katchen

Debra DiMaggio and Joseph Sciame

Anki Leeds and Violetta Neri

THE SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS

CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN

The Society of the Four Arts’ Centennial Campaign is raising funds to allow The Four Arts to serve its members and its community for the next one hundred years.

We appreciate the early support from the following individuals and foundations: (as of December 31, 2024):

$10MM - $50MM

Anonymous

John A. (dec.) & Carole Moran

Sanda & Jeremiah Lambert

$5MM - $9.999MM

The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter

$1M - $1,999,999

Patrick Davidson & Diane Couto

Miranda & Robert G. Donnelley

The Honorable David T. &

Mrs. Jennifer Fischer

Mr. Patrick Foy

Mrs. Jack M. Friedland Estate

Audrey & Martin Gruss

Dr. Randolph H. & Beatrice Guthrie

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Hassen

Desmond & Ann Heathwood

Vicky & Sam Hunt

Joseph & Michelle Jacobs

Reuben & Robin Jeffery

Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Johnson

$100,000 - $249,999

Suzanne & Michael Ainslie

Anonymous

The Chisholm Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Falkenberg

Chris & Ann Flowers

The Folger Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Gill, Jr.

Ginger & Larry Leeds

Mitra & Michael Margolis

Henry “Rip” McIntosh, IV

The Palm Beach Country Club Foundation

$2MM - $4.999MM

Michele & Lawrence Beyer

William & Janet James

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Iovino

The Honorable John L. & Mrs. Sharon Loeb, Jr.

Mrs. Jordan Saunders

John & Diane Sculley

Randall & Barbara Smith

$500,000 - $999,999

Y.Michele Kang

Mr. Gil Kemp

David & Cristina Kepner

The Peter & Eaddo Kiernan Foundation

John & Giuliana Koch

The Maurer Family Foundation

John “Jack” & Lynn McAtee (dec.)

Tom & Heidi McWilliams

Frank & Eleanor Pao

Pam & Gary Patsley

Lewis & Alice Sanders

Thomas & Diane Smith

Robert & Ann Fromer

Dennis & Deborah Glass

Heather & Patrick Henry

The Honorable Mary V. Mochary

The Edward John & Patricia Rosenwald Foundation

$250,000 - $499,999

Robert & Lydia Forbes

The Hulitar Family Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Rosin

The John H. & Regina Scully Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Sosnow

The Estate of Cynthia van Buren

OTHER GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Max G. Ansbacher

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bezos

Mr. & Mrs. Denis P. Coleman, Jr.

Mrs. Patricia Dunnington

Mrs. Edith B. Eglin

Mr. & Mrs. Alexander P. Federbush

James & Laura Lofaro Freeman

Mr. & Mrs. Peter N. Geisler, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Peter N. Geisler, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. William S. Gubelmann

Roger & Susan Hertog

Mr. & Mrs. Harry E. Hill, III

Mr. & Mrs. Barry Hoyt

The Florence Harris Koontz Trust

Mr. & Mrs. John H. Livens

Mr. & Mrs. George G. Matthews

The McCausland Foundation

Mrs. Mary Morse

Mrs. John A. Nyheim

Mr. John Otto, Jr.

The Hellen Plummer Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. John J. Pohanka

Dr. Philip & Mrs. Jane Rylands

The Society of Colonial Warriors (FL)

The Honorable Craig R. & Mrs. Dorothy Stapleton

The Van Buren Family Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Catharine Warren & Mr. Bradley Geist

Mr. Michel Witmer

Mr. & Mrs. Robert K. Wood

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

GLADES ACADEMY’S

“A

NIGHT OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS” IN PALM BEACH

Carol and Earl Mack

Kara Ross and Talbott Maxey

Pauline Pitt and Jerry Seay

Pepe and Emila Fanjul

Michael Donnell, Judith Taubman and Tom Quick

Annette and Joe Allen

Helena and Roman Martinez

Barron and Tessa Hilton

Pepe and Lourdes Fanjul

Jane Holzer and Karin Luter

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

FAENA HOTEL’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH IN MIAMI

Nicole Zaffino and Megan Cleereman

Endre Boksay and Rafa Olarra

Midnight fireworks

Jason and Lisa Ness

Gina Nalamlieng and Judith Hofman

Victoria Eichner and Julia Eichner

Make home your favorite destination.

Drawing inspiration from across the globe, our team of experts will collaborate with you to bring the aura of your favorite place in the world to the comfort of your home.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

ly restrained and minimalist dining room at setting makes me think of a

photographer’s backdrop, as if fellow diners and I are waiting for our portraits to be taken. This backdrop effect is made all the more apparent when my friend, the designer Vivienne Tam, enters the room. She is a burst of color, wearing a jade-green satin, short-sleeved shirt with a flowy sheathe and graduated jade balls that form a Chinese animal-head-like design; relaxed jeans that are rolled just above the ankle; Chinese-red leather pumps; and an overs summer Sunday morning, and I am sitting in the serenely restrained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s latest Manhattan venture, Per-

ry St. The restaurant is bathed in neutral colors, predominated by a calm, bone-colored white. The smoked-oak finish es on the slight off-white leath er banquettes and the Thomas Juul-Hansen slate carpet with modernist abstract forms are the only touches of color in the place (if, that is, one counts smoked oak and slate as “col ors”). Craft-paper lampshades and sheer white Trevira win dow treatments round out the neutral palette. The blanched setting makes me think of a photographer’s backdrop, as if fellow diners and I are waiting for our portraits to be taken. This backdrop effect is made all the more apparent when my

friend, the designer Vivienne Tam, enters the room. She is a burst of color, wearing a jade-green satin, short-sleeved shirt with a flowy sheathe and graduated jade balls that form a Chinese animal-head-like design; relaxed jeans that are rolled just above the ankle; Chinese-red leather pumps; and an oversized watch with thick red leather straps. The top of her smooth black hairband, leaving the length of it to

ting in the serenely restrained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s -

ry St. The restaurant is bathed

THE SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS’ SPEAKER SERIES IN PALM BEACH

Danielle and Ronald Bradley

Robb and Sara Allan

Neil and Vicki Aronstam

Dr. Philip Rylands and Wilbur Ross

Sheila and Patrick Gross

Robert and Donna Lloyd-George

Veronica Atkins and Suzanne Niedland

Janet and Wilber James

Melinda and Tom Hassen

Martha’s Vineyard

PALM BEACH

1. Kate and Tom Gilbane 2. Colt Robinson and Ann Summers 3. Andrew Wetenhall 4. Alex and Nickie Fanjul 5. Diana Cunningham, Mark Gilbertson and Hilary Dick 6. Kane and Mary Baker with Laddy Merck 7. Carol and Earl Mack

Carrie and JB Murray

Troy and Debby Maschmeyer

The Coconuts

Mary and Austin Willis

Amanda Boalt Coleman and Alex Griswold

and Nancy Evans

5. Britty Bardes Damgard and Johnny Damgard 6. Chris and Binkie Orthwein

7. Elizabeth Kuensell and Michael McCarty

8. Heidi Aakre with Burke and Susan Ross

9. Ted Cooney and Addie Cramer 10. Bingo Gubemann, Alexanjra Martinez and Blakley

and

1. Stephen and Christine Schwarzman

2. Piper and Sara Quinn 3. John Antonini, Julia LeClair, Callie Baker Holt, Elizabeth Meigher, Tyler Godoff, and Sophie and Sean Quinn 4. Bob

Page 11. Denise

Dan Hanley with Inger Anderson 12. Soraya and Peter Geisler

13. Dance floor

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

RYAN LICHT SANG BIPOLAR FOUNDATION’S RECEPTION IN PALM BEACH

John and Anne Surovek

Drew Hanley and Mumbi O’Brien with Blake and Denise Hanley

Dave and Kelly Matthews with Dr. Randy Blakely

Dusty and Joyce Sang

Jaynee Luntz , Kat Abel and Sherry Kindred

Jimmy Cohen, Sally Soter, Turner Benoit, Lisa Cohen and Grace Meigher

Lori and Bruce Gendelman

Jessica and Clay Surovek

Julie and Anthony Cummings

Jeffrey and Frances Fisher

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH’S FLOWER FLASH PARTY

Betsy Shiverick and Chuck Royce

Cathy Cooney and Catherine Yeatman

Susan Meyer and Katie Jacobs

Bruce Robb and Maggie Betten

Denise and John Buchanan Katie Carpenter and Pamela Yates

Nina Yacavino and Gaby Rodriguez

Dolina Frease, Cecie Titcomb and Beth Dowdle

Laura Wissa, Vicky Hunt, Marybeth Sotos and Ellen Merriman

Kit Pannill

Laura Semler and Marci Johnson

Christine Aylward

Tara Vecellio, Jean Rutherfoord and Melinda Hassen

Marty Straton and Bobbie Lindsay

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION’S RECEPTION IN PALM BEACH

Elizabeth Meigher and Whitney Douglass

Kevin Condon and Katherine Lande

Guests enjoy the evening honoring HDRF

Matthew Oleszczuk, Susan Taylor and Will Mueller

Anna Rothschild and Alex Hamer

Julia LeClair and John Antonini

Whitney McGurk and Ashley Ludlow McGurk

Callie Baker Holt, Nick Mele and Audrey Gruss

Gavin and Kate McLaughlin

DESIGNER CHAT

WITH QUEST @ HOME EDITOR JAYNE CHASE

FOR WELL-KNOWN interior designer Meg Bra , opening a retail shop in West Palm Beach in 2022 has been a wonderful experience. Being a part of the emerging design community on Georgia Avenue is not only exciting, but has helped her meet and interact with so “many great people.” Recently, Quest @ Home sat down with the designer to discuss her take on traditional design and what she loves about Palm Beach.

Jayne Chase: If you weren’t an interior designer, what profession would you have pursued?

Meg Braﬀ : Deﬁnitely a landscape architect. I’m obsessed with outdoor rooms and creating those experiences for my clients. My second choice would be a jewelry designer and I would start with an internship with David Webb!

Jayne Chase: Favorite colors?

Meg Braﬀ: Aqua and Chartreuse.

Jayne Chase: Wallpaper or paint?

Meg Braﬀ: Wallpaper all the way! I have a wallpaper line that I produce and we have a lot of fun customizing patterns for my design and decorative customers. I love the warmth and texture that wallpaper lends to any room.

Jayne Chase: Do you have a go-to resource for all design inspiration?

Meg Braﬀ: I still subscribe to all the design magazines and use pinterest. And of course, instagram is fantastic for discovering new resources and inspiration. But the most valuable inspirations come from travel experiences. I love visiting homes, gardens, and museums wherever I go.

Jayne Chase: Do you have a favorite design project?

Meg Braﬀ: We recently completed an amazing family compound in Antigua which is magical! We also

recently ﬁnished a 16-bedroom house on Nantucket that turned out to be really beautiful.

Jayne Chase: Do you have a bucket list?

Meg Braﬀ: Yes! I’m dying to do a boutique hotel, perhaps in Florida!

Jayne Chase: We all have treasured possessions. What is yours?

Meg Braﬀ : I treasure my cabbage ware collection and I’m very attached to certain paintings I’ve purchased over the years. Also, some jewelry pieces, real and costume!

Jayne Chase: Favorite food or meal?

Meg Braﬀ: I love my husband’s cheese soufﬂe.

Jayne Chase: We love Palm Beach. What has become your favorite thing about being here?

Meg Braﬀ : Besides the weather, I love the enthusiasm for design and the care and thought people put into their homes. My clients love to entertain and we love creating multiple spaces, indoor and out, for them to enjoy. Visually, I’m so inspired by the architecture and all the fabulous houses as well as many of the exquisite gardens. Palm Beach is having a moment. With so many friends, fabulous restaurants, and shopping, it’s a very special place.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

PALM BEACH POLICE & FIRE RESCUE BALL

MACHINE DAZZLE’S EXHIBITION OPENING IN NEW YORK

Carrie Rebora Barratt and Barbara Tober

Jonn Nubian and Wang Newton

Eileen Rosenau

Justin Vivian Bond, Machine Dazzle and Tim Rodgers

RoseLee Goldberg and Dakota Jackson

Michael and Linda Belisle with Sean Baker and Danielle Moore

Leo and Kathryn Vecellio with Amy and Bret Baier

Lisa and Jimmy Cohen

Andrea and Steve Wynn

Anthony and Lynda Lomangino

Jana and John Scarpa

Austin Scarlett and Phoebe Legere

Gillian McCain

Janet Gretzky and Bridget Koch

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

Austin Friedman and Peter Brandt

Augustina Mistretta and Tim Sack

Andre Gharakhanian and Amanda Rickel

Sailor Brinkley-Cook

Erica Jackowitz Alexander Hankin and Victoria Brito

Makenzie Phelan and Chloe Woods

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BRITISH ART’S RECEPTION IN PALM BEACH

CINEMA SOCIETY’S SCREENING OF WISH YOU WERE HERE IN NEW YORK

Andrew Saffir, Cynthia Rowley and Daniel Benedict

Amanda Bowers, Gabby Kono-Abdy and Molly Conners

Candace Bushnell

Julia Stiles, Mena Massoud and Isabelle Fuhrman

Larisa Oleynik and Jane Stiles

Lord Stormont, Jane Ylvisaker and Michael Ridgdill Xiomi Murray and Katherine Shenaman

Jane and Charles Carroll

Chris and Susan Cowie

Terri Mersentes, Katherine Lande and Shani Core

Kate Stamm and James Sharp

Laila Robins

Mike Carlsen, Kim Director and Mick Szal

Page Kjellstrom and Lena Helms

THE STORE at

Discover Cubitts x The Store at MAD’s new collaboration, an iconic pair of white cat-eye sunglasses inspired by Barbie’s 1959 frames. These hand-sculpted shades combine toylike curves with timeless style and UV protection, perfect for sun-soaked adventures.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH’S RECEPTION

Camilla Webster and Paul Massey

Grace Walker, Ivana McCready and Natalie Smith

Carol Calicchio and Josie Noreika

Kenneth Himmel, Sarah Wetenhall and Paul Leone

Sonja and Mark Stevens

Joe Morin, Lisa LaFrance and Chai Banthia

Rick Rose, Daphne Nikolopoulos and Jeremy Johnson

Mya Crespo and Minh Nguyen

Francie Hargrove and Leighton Candler

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

COX SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM’S SMARTY PARTY IN WEST PALM BEACH

Howard Cox and Susan McCaw

Jennifer Fischer and Thomas Peterffy

Alex Hitz

Wendy Cox and Bill Meyer

Johnny Johnston and Gil Walsh

Doug and Julie Ostrover

Caroline Rafferty and Stephen Ross

Anne and Chris Flowers

Bill and Katherine Eyre

Mary Snow and Susan Dunlevy

Cynthia Breazeal and Deborah Norville

Virtually Staged

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PALM BEACH’S COCKTAIL PARTY

Bill Beadleston and Jackie Weld Drake

Charles and Ann Johnson

Julie, Michael, and Kathy Connors

Juan Pretel with Debbie and Craig Stapleton

Mia Hallingby Harrison and Lotsie Holton

Jay Keith and Richard Holton

Lynne Wheat and Thomas Peterffy

Melinda and Tom Hassen

Bob Murray and Sharon Bush

RARE KATONAH ESTATE

BEDFORD, NY

Just moments from the village of Katonah, over 17 breathtaking acres with gently rolling lawns, spectacular trees, flowering gardens and pristine woodlands. Long drive to magical hilltop setting with reservoir views. Handsome stone and stucco Tudor Style House dating back to the 1930’s awaiting restoration and a new vision. Incredible grounds with irrigation and deer fencing. Stone terraces, firepit and two built-in barbecues for outdoor entertaining. An incredible outdoor lifestyle with 50’x25’ heated swimming pool, Hartru tennis court and an all-weather tennis court. Separate, 1345 sq ft outbuilding with heat and a/c and a bath- a perfect Studio, Office or Gym.

THE TOP TWO

I’VE BEEN CATCHING up on my reading of late, and here’s the one and only Papa Hemingway’s advice to writers: “Don’t let them suck you in to start writing about the proletariat, if you don’t come from the proletariat, just to please the recently politically enlightened critics.” Hear, hear! Leave it to Papa to tell unpalatable truths, especially true today with the proles

all-conquering and the nobs in hasty retreat. Papa was right to warn us.

As it’s Christmas time, Hemingway’s advice on what we should be reading during the holiest of Christian dates is: “John O’Hara’s Appointment in Samar-

exactly what he is writing about and has written it marvelously well.” Papa was at times rough on O’Hara, another of my hero writers, stating in an interview that we should all chip in and

Clockwise from left: Ernest Hemingway; John O’Hara; the cover o f Appointment in Samarra ; Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises

send John to an Ivy League University. The rambunctious and heavy-drinking Irish-American was a terrific writer, and held Ivy Leaguers with impeccable backgrounds in high esteem, but so did the great Scott Fitzgerald, or did he?

I’ve just finished the umpteenth book on the tragic Scott, and will get back to his Princeton problem in a jiffy, but first some more about Papa. Hemingway reinvented modern American prose, and his best work is deeply moving and rich in meaning and psychological complexity. He also lived on an epic scale in fascinating times and

their bodies due to booze, and in Hemingway’s case terrible head injuries caused by not one but two airplane crashes in the same week.

Yep, neither Scott nor Papa editorialized, instead letting the reader make up his mind, the sign of a great writer. In Dick Diver, Jay Gatsby, and Monroe Stahr, the reader encountered a series of ill-fated characters unable to overcome personal weaknesses. Fitzgerald knew all about that. Papa had set the stage with lean, hard, athletic prose in The Sun Also Rises , where Jake Barnes had his manhood shot off

in fascinating places. None of those grungy, dirty tenements and lowlifes for Papa to write about. He and F. Scott wrote about the upper classes and their salubrious whereabouts. Papa was mythologized by the masses for his bravado both in life and in his fiction. Fitzgerald was greatly misunderstood because of his drunken shenanigans early in his life. People forget that Scott hit the big time in his very early 20s, and was considered finished by the time he was 30. Both Papa and Scott were masters at their game, both turned their storytelling into melodies, and both knew that only bad novelists are editorialists for their own convictions. Both were later on betrayed by

WASPs of the time (and old Princeton classmates) as vulgar when compared with his Baltimore clan. He called the Tom Buchanan character in Gatsby “the one percent at its worst.” The growing power of industrialists and financiers (read the techies of today) offended Scott’s romantic sensibilities, and he wondered if this rising republic of consumers could ever recover its old idealism. He depicted those doubts so brilliantly in the shimmering green light that watches silently over Gatsby’s grand illusion.

Fitzgerald’s moral concern about corruptive wealth and a culture too

during the war through no fault or weakness of his own. The rhythm, the idioms, the pauses of that first novel of his set the standard for living speech. Frederic and Catherine’s tragedy in A Farewell to Arms was again through no fault of their own, but the vicissitudes of life.

Scott blamed it on personal weaknesses, Papa on life; both were right, Scott being more critical, whereas Papa was more romantic. Fitzgerald’s characters were injured by wealth, Hemingway’s by fate. Neither writer liked the rich, and Scott got a raw deal because he wrote about them. In real life, Scott warned his daughter at Vassar “not to go Park Avenue,” as he saw the ruling

impressed by fame and fortune would stand up today, in fact today more than ever. Papa also held the rich in contempt, and in “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” calls the rich “dull and repetitious and they drank too much, or they played too much backgammon.” Both men had some very rich and good friends like Winston Guest in Papa’s case, and Gerald and Sarah Murphy in Scott’s. Both writers died much too young, Papa at 60, Scott at 40. But even dead, both men have remained more alive than ever in their novels, especially because those who came after them were dead already. u

For more Taki, visit takimag.com.

From left: Gerald and Sara Murphy; F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald; Princeton University.

RichardJohnson@questmag .com

My Table @ SWIFTY’s

RICHARD JOHNSON has settled in at Palm Beach’s Pink Paradise (otherwise known as the legendary Colony Hotel). He is penning a column from his table at Swifty's on questmag.com.

THE COCONUTS rang in the New Year with fewer guests - but more frivolity and fun - after relocating from the Flagler Museum to The Colony Hotel, where these black tied swells once held court in the early 1990s.

The secretive bunch started out 101 years ago as a group of bachelors intent on hosting a party for the hostesses who’d been feeding them all season.

This exclusive boys club had been at the Flagler Museum for a decade, occasionally

enjoying behemoth fireworks as they washed down their midnight breakfasts with Champagne and gun powder.

But this year the Flagler raised the rate, and The Coconuts quickly moved their bash to The Colony, which meant the guest list had to be culled. The Coconuts has 25 members, many of whom are billionaires; but they didn’t make their fortunes by getting stiffed.

After consulting with his members, the group’s

chairman Alex Fanjul booked The Colony, which would fit just half the guests. "I am going to be the most hated guy in town," Fanjul told the Palm Beach Daily News

But those who received the coveted stiff card invite said the bash was a blast. Juniors entered as their parents went home, partying hard until dawn.

The Coconuts membership: Kane Baker, Girard Brownlow, Robert B. Evans, John R. "Jack"

Grace, Peter N. Geisler, Jr., Alexander Griswold, Bingo Gubelmann, Daniel Hanley, Troy Maschmeyer, Jr., William Matthews, Michael R. McCarty, S. Christopher Meigher III, George Merck, W. Blair Meyer, new member John B.T. Murray, Jr., Christopher Orthwein, Blakely Page, Thomas W. Purcell, Jr., Oliver “Piper” Quinn, Caldwell "Colt" Robinson, E. Burke Ross, Jr., Wilbur Ross, Earl E.T. Smith, Jr., and Percy P. Steinhart III.

CAPEHART

Clockwise from top left: A group portrait of The Coconuts at the Poinciana Club, 1976; Diana "Dysie" and E.T. Bedford "Buddy" Davie attend The Coconuts at Ta-Boo; The Coconuts at The Flagler, 2017; dance floor at The Coconuts at The Colony Hotel, 2024; George Hamilton and Stacey Cooper at the New Year's Eve party, 2023.

ARTIFICIAL

INTELLIGENCE is nothing to be afraid of. Robots will not be taking over the world and turning human beings into their slaves.

At least that was the hope on January 16th when guests filled the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for Cox Science Center and Aquarium's 2025 Smarty Party with the theme “AI: Envisioning the Future.”

The crowd was treated to robotic dogs and a sit-down dinner while Deborah Norville, one of the chairpersons, had a chat (somewhat awkwardly) with Massachu-

setts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor Cynthia Breazeal, a pioneer of social robotics who says robots can be helpful companions in daily life.

The event’s other chairs were Amanda Cummings, Victoria Hagan and Laing Rogers, while the honorary chairs were Kenneth C. Griffin, Julia Koch, and Judy and Leonard Lauder.

“The mission of our institution has never been more urgent,” said Eric Stonestrom, of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium. “As our nation faces a growing need for

skilled professionals, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, we need to address the gap between the number of qualified graduates and the demand in the workforce.”

Stonestrom doesn’t think computers will replace humans. “Children may represent only 20 percent of the population, but they are 100 percent of our future. In an era where artificial intelligence will be a powerful tool, we need to ensure we ask the right questions and prepare the next generation to answer them.”

Guests included Billings and John Cay, Chip DiPaula, Katharine and Bill Eyre, Anne and Chris Flowers, Debby and Jon Hirtle, Allison and Brady Johnstone, Harvey Jones, Carol and Ambassador Earle I. Mack, Susan McCaw, William Meyer, Greg Norman, Jodi and Tony Oh, Lisa and Mehmet Oz, Julie and Doug Ostrover, Katherine and Gary Parr, Lynne Wheat and Thomas P. Peterffy, Pauline Pitt, Francine and Gregory Purcell, Helen and Charles Schwab, Julie and Brian Simmons, Stephen Ross, Tina and Byron Trott, and Kathryn and Leo Vecellio.

Clockwise from top left: Cox Science Center and Aquarium's 2025 Smarty Party gift bags; lead donors Wendy and Howard Cox; 2025 event chairs Amanda Cummings, Victoria Hagan, and Laing Rogers; guests seated for dinner during the Smarty Party.

GRIFFIN DUNNE has dealt with more than his share of tragedy. His sister was murdered. His father was an alcoholic. He was thrown out of prep school for smoking pot. But no setback could stop him from success as an actor, director, and producer. He’s also a writer.

In his bestseller The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir, his father Dominick Dunne is quoted as saying, “Hey, kiddo, what can I say? I’m a work in progress.”

Griffin spoke on January 20th at The Colony Hotel as part of the Morselife series that had J.D. Vance talk about “Hillbilly Elegy” in 2018, before he dreamed of being vice president.

Dunne can currently be seen on the HBO Max series The Girls on the Bus

playing a New York Times editor inspired by the late David Carr.

“I like talking about my parents,” he said. “I’m very proud of them.”

Dunne is especially proud of the way his father was able to come back, after his career in Hollywood imploded, his marriage ended and he gave up drinking.

“My father was quite lost. When my mother left him, he was spiraling down. He lost his wife. He lost all of his possessions. He had a yard sale,” Griffin said.

Dominick traded his beloved Mercedes for a Ford Fiesta, and retreated to Oregon, where he gave up drinking and started writing.

Truman Capote, an expert in dramatic failure, wrote Dominick a letter encourag-

ing him to get back into the game. “That’s not where you belong,” Capote said.

“My dad came back to New York and got a tiny apartment,” Griffin said.

On Halloween in 1982, Griffin’s sister Dominique was strangled by an ex-boyfriend, and Dunne wrote about the tragedy for Vanity Fair.

“The trial gave him purpose,” Griffin said.

Dominick then coved the famous trials of O. J. Simpson, Claus von Bülow, William Kennedy Smith, and the Menendez brothers.

He also wrote several bestsellers, including The Two Mrs. Grenvilles, An Inconvenient Woman, and Nightmare on Elm Drive

Griffin said, “My father was gay. He was a closeted man. He lived with this

shame and kept it secret.”

His mother Lenny suffered from multiple sclerosis. “Every day was painful for her. My brother and I introduced her to marijuana. She loved it, but she was law-abiding. So she’d get high, then guilty.”

Griffin is still upset that his sister’s murderer was freed after just three years behind bars, but he consciously avoids anger.

“It doesn’t really end. You live with it,” Dunne said. “I don’t forgive. I don’t forget.” He quoted the aphorism, "Grief is just love with no place to go."

Next in the MorseLife series is Amor Towles, who wrote A Gentleman in Moscow. On February 13th, he’ll discuss his new book, Table For Two.

Clockwise from left: Alex, Dominique, and Griffin with their father, Dominick Dunne, 1967; Dominique with her mother, Lenny, 1981; the cover of The Friday Afternoon Club

ALA VON AUERSPERG will show off her latest designs at La Bonne Vie Pop Up Shop in Naples starting February 15th.

Ala got her start in fashion a decade ago when her designer friend Antonio Gual suggested she print one of her paintings on a dress.

Voila, the Ala von Auersperg brand was born.

Ala said, “We are excited to deepen our connection with this vibrant commu -

nity, and share our collections created for graceful, glamorous living.”

As a tribute to Ala’s late mother-in-law, esteemed artist Sheila Isham, the pop-up will feature a curated selection of her works on paper.

The pop-up will debut a capsule collection of embellished caftans — each inspired by Sheila’s artwork, blending art and fashion in a wearable form.

Ala’s journey in fashion

began as a child when, as the young Princess Annie-Laurie von Auersperg, she visited Parisian couture houses with her mother, Sunny Crawford von Bülow, and grandmother, Annie Laurie Aitken.

Her collection evokes sun-soaked escapes and timeless elegance. With easy, flowing silhouettes and art-inspired prints, the designs induce women to feel beautiful at any age.

La Bonne Vie opened in

January with the French fashion house, Balmain, founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945.

Since 2011, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing has been building upon Pierre Balmain’s legacy.

The result is a unique Balmain silhouette that highlights the craftsmanship of the house’s ateliers, while consistently honoring their Parisian heritage.

Clockwise from top left: Third Street South; Ala von Auersperg; Meg Braff and her designs; Balmain's B-Army Vanity Case in Canvas Leather.

PEOPLE WILL TALK

SO MANY YEARS, so many parties. Most of these images were taken before the ubiquitous use of cell phones and selfies, when guests were behaving like guests and not as avidly interested in someone taking their picture. Hence, I could easily move among them and take these candids. Don’t you wonder what they are saying!? ◆

Clockwise from top left: Casey Ribicoff and Liz Rohatyn at New York Public Library, November 11, 1997; Daphne Guinness and Karl Lagerfeld at MMA Costume Gala, 2007; Carolina Herrera and Barry Diller at “Moulin Rouge” Party, April 17, 2001. Opposite page: Paul Wilmot and CZ Guest at L’Orangerie, July 24, 1991.

From above: Herb Ritts, Elizabeth Saltzman, and Bill Cunningham at MMA Costume Gala, December 8, 1997; JFK, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at Whitney Museum, November 4, 1996. Opposite page, from above: David Mortimer, Dominick Dunne, and Catherine Warren at the Duchin Anniversary at Mortimer’s, January 19, 1988; Glen Bernbaum at Pat Buckley at the Colacello Birthday at Mortimer’s, May 8, 1995.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

ROBERT JANJIGIAN

AS THE SCHOOLYARD saying goes: First comes love. It’s not as simple or as smooth as portrayed on film. The groom-to-be gets on one knee and proposes, pulling the perfect ring out in a velvet covered box. His bride is delighted. Puts the ring on. And it’s perfect, of course.

For most couples, choosing the right engagement/wedding ring is best done in conjunction with a jeweler. Sure, they could rely on the groom’s expertise in jewelry and his secure knowledge of clarity, cut, and carat weights and his side hustle as a designer, but couples today are more likely to want to make this major purchase together and seek out the advice

and experience of an established professional. The best surprise may just be no surprise. Engagement rings symbolize not only love and commitment.

“We create rings that are as unique as the couples who wear them, that embody the couple’s love story, their journey, and the profound meaning behind their union,” states renowned London jeweler Elizabeth Gage. She sees movement away from the tradional diamond solitaire on a simple band.

Increasingly popular are bold, colorful gemstones that communicate a sense of vibrancy and individuality, she says. Remaining very popular are sapphires, which hark back the ring created for Princess Diana decades ago.

Win Betteridge and his team at Greenleaf & Crosby on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach guide couples and highlight the firm’s allegiance to old-world traditions, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and customization. He will not work with mass produced cast settings or lab grown diamonds.“We handcraft our engagement rings. We make customized settings for each diamond to maximize its beauty and make certain it is completely secure for the long-term,” he says. “We prefer settings that keep the focus on a center stone, which generally dictates a timeless, less fussy mounting,” he explains. Solitaires remain popular, but they often encourage the use of classic side stones; tapered baguettes, half moons, and trapezoid cuts.

“Most importantly, lab grown diamonds do not hold their

value. Unlike natural diamonds, the price of lab growns is a very small fraction of what it was a decade ago. What’s a fake Monet painting worth? Even if it’s a tremendous copy, the answer is… not much! The same is true in the diamond market,” he says.

A ring that is classic, clean, and elegant, designed to look fresh for the next hundred years, is the aim. Incorporating a family diamond makes the ring all the more personal and meaningful.

While brilliant cut diamonds still reign, many couples, especially in Palm Beach, request emerald and cushion cuts. To achieve the similar sparkling effect, Betteridge will often suggest use of Old Mine and Old European cut stones that have a more subtle kind of shimmer to them.

So, there are many options when it comes to choosing the “right” ring. Most “real deal” jewelers will happily consult with brides and grooms on selecting or creating a wedding ring that will make a lasting impression and can eventually become family heirlooms. u

Clockwise from top left: Oval-Cut Diamond Ring with Bead-Set Round Diamond Band, by Greenleaf & Crosby; Natalie Betteridge of Greenleaf & Crosby shows off engagement rings from the shop; Antique Cushion-Cut Diamond Ring with Bead-Set Round Diamond Band, by Greenleaf & Crosby. Opposite page: Custom engagement rings by Elizabeth Gage.

QUEST Fresh Finds

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER

LOVE IS in the air this February! Whether you’re planning the perfect Valentine’s Day gesture or surprising the special Aquarius in your life, we’ve curated the perfect gifts.

Hamilton Jewelers’ Platinum and 18k Gold Heart Rubies, 10.12 total weight, 51 inch necklace. $69,500 at hamiltonjewelers.com.

Oscar de la Renta’s Sleeveless Scoop Neck Bow Detail Faille Cocktail Dress. $7,990 at oscardelarenta.com.

A luxurious statement piece that captures the timeless beauty of nature-inspired design, Shreve, Crump & Low’s Ruby and Diamond Floral Earrings feature rubies intricately set in a floral motif, with diamonds invisibly set at the center. $12,000 at shrevecrumpandlow.com.

A sensational Kiss Pin by Elizabeth Gage, featuring a fabulous heart shaped faceted rose tourmaline set in a surround of beautiful diamonds. $44,100 at elizabeth-gage.com.

Valentine’s Day floral arrangements by third generation, family owned, and world-renowned Winston Flowers are available in local delivery areas: New York, Greater Boston, Fairfield County, and Westchester County, or nationwide through a network of partner florists. Visit winstonflowers.com.

Pratesi’s M’ama Non M’ama Collection represents a sweet revelation of wistful romance, of affectionate longing. Egyptian cotton percale printed with abstract watercolor florals alludes to the petal-plucking hopefulness and naive purity of budding romance. Queen Duvet ($1,850), Standard Sham ($505). Visit pratesi.com.

Paradise is calling! Discover a world of savings and say YES to an unforgettable vacation in the Dominican Republic. Get up to 50% off on your dream destination at Casa de Campo Resort. Perfect for a friend’s trip or a romantic retreat. Seize the deal, feel the thrill, create new memories, and relax on white-sand beaches. Valid for travel between March 21, 2025 to May 31, 2025. Visit casadecampo.com.do.

Part of the Complications collection, this Patek Philippe watch features mechanical manually wound movement, a rose-gilt opaline dial with charcoal gray gold applied numerals with luminescent coating, and an alligator leather strap. Price upon request at patek.com.

ready for your

at thestore. madmuseum.org.

Brunello Cucinelli’s Linen Suit ($6,250), Linen Shirt ($890), Silk Pocket Square ($270), and Suede Tassel Loafers ($1,100). Visit Brunello Cucinelli’s boutique at 683-689 Madison Avenue in New York, or shop.brunellocucinelli.com.

Ignite love’s spark this Valentine’s Day with MarieBelle New York’s 25 piece Chocolate Ganache Heart Box. $84 at mariebelle.com.

The venerable Italian auto designer, Automobili Pininfarina, now has a home in the Palm Beaches! Braman Automobili Pininfarina Palm Beach. With unprecedented equilibrium of extremes … 1900HP ... and unparalleled form …experience Battista. Visit bramanmotorcars.com/pininfarinapalmbeach.

Get

long awaited honeymoon with Graphic Image’s Passport Cover in Azalea Goatskin. $68

Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options from “all-you-can-yacht” to “bite-sizedboating.” Members enjoy a lifetime of yachting with the ability to adjust their membership and take advantage of the ever expanding harbors and new yachts being added to the club. For more information, visit bartonandgray.com.

Verdura Estate

Cluster Drop Earrings. $49,500 at greenleafcrosby.com.

Rolex’s Day-Date

36. Oyster, 36 mm, white gold and diamonds. $67,600 at rolex.com.

Inspired by the spectacular incandescence of Mexican sunsets, Clase Azul’s Tequila Gold is ideal for enjoying this magical moment of the day. The ceramic base is adorned by two 24-karat gold ribbons painted by hand. $350 at select liquor stores.

Hand loomed on 100-year-old machines using ultra fine Italian cashmere, the Laura Cashmere Crew sweater features intricate Celtic knot stitching and is realized in a dropped shoulder and cropped silhouette. $1,800 at aztechmountain.com

Nestled in Via Mizner off of Worth Avenue, Renato’s—a Palm Beach classic—impresses in every way, making it the perfect restaurant for any special occasion - especially Valentine’s Day! Visit renatospalmbeach.com.

Florence Jewelry’s Rose Gold with Rose Quartz

$20,000 at London Jewelers. Call 516.627.7475 for availability.

Claire

Bracelet.

Ruby Grape

Asprey’s small Daisy Pendant set in rose gold with diamond chain. $8,750 at asprey.com.

Wrap your little one in love with Rachel Riley’s Heart Intarsia Cardigan. $89 at rachelriley.com.

Rock House hotel on Harbour Island is a 10-room boutique luxury hotel that has evolved into the gold standard for elegance, island sophistication, and superior service among Bahamian hotels and resorts. Just next door to the hotel is the Rock House Villa, a secluded residence with bay views, an island-inspired design, and easy access to all hotel amenities. Visit rockhousebahamas.com.

Wempe High Jewelry Spotlight Sapphire Pendant in 18k white gold with diamonds. $40,675 at wempe.com.

The Colony Trek Water Bottle at 40oz is cupholder friendly - the perfect hydration companion. The double walled stainless steel keeps your drinks cold 24+ hours or just a day at the beach. $50 at thecolonyedit.com.

Earrings. $495 at lavanyacoodly.com.

Ala von Auersperg’s Caterina Mini Dress in Coral Grandiflora ($275) and Electra Sheer Mesh Topper in Coral Grandiflora ($295). Visit alavonauersperg.com.

Chantecler Large Jackie O’ Campanella Charm in 18kt white gold and marquise, baguette and brilliant cut diamonds. $38,150 at viacoquina.com.

Escape to the serene beauty of Ocean House in Rhode Island with the hotel’s Winter in Watch Hill package. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, daily breakfast for two in The Bistro, and a resort credit to use at the Forbes Five-Star Ocean & Harvest Spa or toward dining and experiences. As a special touch, you will also receive a limited edition, plush Ocean House snowman and two signature Ocean House mugs to remember your stay. Call 888.897.8338 or visit oceanhouseri.com.

HARBOUR ISLAND’S ROCK HOUSE HOTEL

PERCHED ON THE IDYLLIC shores of Harbour Island, the iconic Rock House Hotel has returned to the spotlight, embodying timeless elegance and an unmistakably Bahamian spirit. Once a cherished retreat for discerning travelers, the hotel now thrives under the stewardship of Bahamian co-owners Henry and Teynarae Rolle, who have reimagined it as a symbol of local pride and authentic island hospitality.

Their vision transcends conventional luxury, offering an experience where history meets modern sophistication. The hotel’s ten uniquely designed rooms feature locally sourced furnishings and artwork handcrafted by Bahamian artisans. Guests can unwind in lush courtyards or savor cocktails at the intimate poolside bar—a prime vantage point for Harbour Island’s legendary sunsets.

Expanding its offerings, Rock House presents a growing porfolio of residences for a more private and personalized stay, including Kings View, Rockhouse Villa, and the newly debuted Arches. Perfect for extended stays, these villas provide access to all hotel amenities, blending seclusion with the comforts of luxury.

What truly sets Rock House apart is its unwavering commitment to community empowerment. Employees are encouraged to pursue education through complimentary Cornell courses. By fostering Bahamian ownership and entrepreneurship, the Rolles have transformed Rock House into more than a luxury destination—it’s a beacon of progress and local pride.

Seamlessly blending history, luxury, and a commitment to community, Rock House embodies the spirit of Harbour Island, offering heartfelt Bahamian hospitality at its finest. u

From above: Inside a guest room; the pool area; al fresco dining. Opposite page, clockwise from left: The new Arches residence; inside the hotel; Rock House signage.

BENVENUTO AUTOMOBILI PINFARINA

AS THE LATE AFTERNOON sun stretched lazily across Okeechobee Boulevard, its golden rays pierced the expansive glass façade of Braman Automobili Pininfarina Palm Beach. Inside, light danced off crystal wine glasses before settling seductively on the aerodynamic curves of two automotive masterpieces. The grand opening event was a chic yet exclusive affair, closing out 2024 and unveiling the most powerful vehicles to ever emerge from the Italian Peninsula.

The spotlight shone brightly on Automobili Pininfarina’s all-electric marvels: the 1,900-horsepower Battista coupé and the futuristic B95 Gotham barchetta. Among the select VIP attendees, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as these stunning creations took center stage.

Pininfarina, long revered as the visionary design house behind some of the most iconic cars from Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Ferrari, has cemented its legacy in automotive artistry. Automobili Pininfarina, its innovative offshoot, debuted its first in-house production in 2021—a tribute to the company’s legendary founder, Battista Farina. With only 150 bespoke Battista models planned, each vehicle undergoes an entirely custom build process, making Braman Automobili Pininfarina Palm Beach a singular gateway for enthusiasts to craft their own masterpiece.

The evening unfolded with quintessential Italian flair. Guests sipped on Italian beers, Aperol Spritzes, and fine red and white wines while savoring an exquisite spread of gourmet hors d’oeuvres and sushi. They explored every detail of the two showcased models: the Battista’s seductive curves, gleaming in metallic hues, and its fighter jet-like cockpit, wrapped in carbon fiber and leather; and the B95 Gotham’s daring, windshield-free design, promising the raw exhilaration of open-air speed.

Braman Motorcars’ General Manager, Stephen Grossman, welcomed guests with warm opening remarks, followed by Simon Noone, Global Director of Sales for Automobili Pininfarina. Noone captivated the audience with a compelling account of Pininfarina’s illustrious history and celebrated the partnership between two titans of luxury and design.

The night culminated in a quintessentially Italian toast— rounds of Limoncello served courtesy of Zuccarelli’s, a beloved local eatery. As the last rays of sunlight faded, it was clear this wasn’t just a showroom opening; it was the beginning of a new era of artistry and innovation in Palm Beach. u

Test drive slots are now available for those interested in becoming more acquainted with one of these instant automotive classics. Visit BramanAPFPalmBeach.com to learn more.

Clockwise from above: Automobili Pininfarina B95 Gotham Barchetta; Stephen Grossman, General Manager Braman Motorcars, with Alessandro Guicciardi, Automobili Pininfarina Head of Prototypes & Validation; Michael Bogart sits for a test drive; Michael Scharmer, Braman BMW WPB Client Advisor, assists Brad Finkbeiner; B95 Gotham interior. Opposite page: Named after Automobili Pininfarina’s founder, Battista Pininfarina, this Battista is one of only 150 to be crafted.

FEBRUARY

On March 1st, Jupiter Medical Center will host its 48th annual Black-Tie Ball at The Breakers at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call

MSK WINTER LUNCH

The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering will host its 2025 Winter Lunch at Rainbow Room at 12 p.m. Since 1945, The Society of MSK has raised essential philanthropic funds to help drive landmark innovations in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment at MSK. For more information, visit giving.mskcc.org.

WINTER BALL

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will hold its 2025 Winter Ball at The Breakers. Sarah Johnson and Ann Johnson, chairwomen. The organization provides a safe, fun, and engaging environment for children and teens to learn, grow, and develop into successful adults - regardless of their background or circumstances. Serving more than 31,471 children ages 6-18, at over 20 locations across Palm Beach County, Boys & Girls Clubs are committed to building a stronger and brighter future for the youth

and communities. The annual Winter Ball is the longest running fundraiser in the organization’s

The

will

On February 13th, Ala von Auersperg, Joan Tobin, and Meg Braff will hold the Opening Night and Private Preview of the La Bonne Vie Pop-Up Shop in Camargo Courtyard at 1205 Third Street South in Naples. For more information, email info@thirdstreetsouth.com.

ASPEN SNOW BALL

The 3rd Annual Aspen Snow Ball Gala will take place at the St. Regis Hotel. The event will feature a performance by Zara Larsson. For more information, visit aspensnowball.com.

BCRF HOT PINK LUNCHEON

Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) will host its Hot Pink Luncheon & Symposium at The Breakers at 11 a.m., honoring the Quick Family with the Evelyn H. Lauder Humanitarian Award. BCRF is a nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer. We provide critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship. For more information, visit bcrf.org. For questions, email pinkseating@bcrf.org or call 646.497.2635.

history.

evening

begin with cocktails before the guests enjoy dinner and dancing to the

SHOP THE DAY AWAY

Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope will hold its annual Shop the Day Away Luncheon featuring returning guest speaker Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York at The Breakers at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 561.748.7227.

HEART BALL

American Heart Association will host its 70th Annual Heart Ball at The Breakers. Marie Unanue and Tara Vecellio, chairwomen. Over its 100-year history, American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke, striving to save and improve lives. For more information, call 561.697.6609.

LA BONNE VIE

Ala von Auersperg, Joan Tobin, and Meg Braff will hold the Opening Night and Private Preview of the La Bonne Vie Pop-Up Shop in Camargo Courtyard at 1205 Third Street South in Naples at 6 p.m. The evening will feature caviar and Champagne. For more information, email info@thirdstreetsouth.com.

EVERGLADES BENEFIT

The Everglades Foundation will host its annual “For Everglades” Palm Beach benefit at The Breakers at 7 p.m. Sonia Jones and Sue Hostetler

Wrigley, chairwomen; Paul Tudor Jones and Beau Wrigley, chairmen. By invitation. For more information, visit evergladesfoundation.org.

OLD BAGS LUNCHEON

The 26th Annual Old Bags Luncheon will take place at The Breakers Palm Beach at 10:30 a.m.

Old Bags Luncheon is the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County’s signature fundraiser. For more information, visit ctrfam.org.

HANLEY DINNER

The Hanley Foundation with hold its 20th annual Palm Beach Dinner at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

at 6 p.m. For more information, call 561.268.2355.

21 WINTER HAT LUNCH

Spoons Across America’s inaugural Winter Hat Luncheon will take place at Café Boulud Palm Beach, celebrating women’s leadership in the community and impact through local and global philanthropy. Proceeds will support Spoons Across America’s food education programming in Florida schools. The event will be sponsored by Carolina Herrera and chaired by Katherine Gage Boulud. For more information, visit spoonsacrossamerica.org.

PRESERVING PALM BEACH

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach will hold its annual dinner dance at Bradley Park at 7 p.m. Betsy Shiverick and Electra Toub, chairwomen. By invitation. For more information, visit palmbeachpreservation.org.

MARCH

JUPITER MEDICAL

Jupiter Medical Center will host its 48th annual Black-Tie Ball at The Breakers at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 561.263.5728.

On February 28th, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach will hold its annual dinner dance at Bradley Park at 7 p.m. For more information, visit palmbeachpreservation.org.

On February 5th, The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering will host its 2025 Winter Lunch at Rainbow Room at 12 p.m. For more information, visit giving.mskcc.org.

Virginia Brewster Cook & Johnathon Thomas Ernsting

19, 2024 j New YOrk, New YOrk j PhOtOgraPhed bY Maria burtON

Virginia and John exchanged vows before 220 guests at St. James’ Church—where the bride had been baptized, confirmed, and always dreamed of marrying. Virginia stunned in a custom gown by Ellen’s Couture, adorned with nearly 1,000 hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, and completed her look with a cherished aquamarine ring borrowed from her mother, Liz Cook. Her father, Bard Cook, escorted her down the aisle. After the ceremony, the newlyweds embraced a quintessential New York moment, traveling to their reception by pedicab. The celebration unfolded at a private club, featuring dinner, dancing to music by Bob Hardwick Sound, and cake by Charlotte Denoyer of Café Deux. Everyone enjoyed a surprise performance from the bride’s college a cappella group, the Dartmouth Decibelles. As guests arrived, they admired a special portrait of the couple, illustrated by Tug Rice and commissioned by the bride’s parents. The artwork, set in Dartmouth’s iconic Baker-Berry Library, paid tribute to the place where Virginia and John’s love story first began. The couple’s first dance was to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. The evening concluded with an afterparty at Bedford Falls. After the celebrations, the newlyweds traveled to Bermuda for their honeymoon.

Quest Weddings

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER

Elizabeth Gray Reetz & John David Gallotta

April 6, 2024 j pAlm BeAch, FloridA j photogrAphed By Joseph rogero

Liza and John exchanged vows in a ceremony at St. Edward Catholic Church, surrounded by 200 of their closest family and friends. The bride looked radiant in a Peter Langner gown and carried a bouquet of white peonies. Her bouquet was wrapped with an Hermès scarf that belonged to her late grandmother, with whom she shared a close bond. Following the ceremony, guests gathered at a private club nearby for a lively reception featuring dinner and dancing. Liza and John shared their first dance as newlyweds to Barry White’s “You Are the First, the Last, My Everything.” After bidding farewell to their guests, the couple departed for their honeymoon to South Africa and Mozambique.

Merritt Lee Piro & Patrick Ross Hutchison

June 8, 2024 j Southampton, new York

j photographed bY Jenelle kappe

Merritt and Patrick tied the knot surrounded by 300 guests at St. Andrew’s Dune Church, a place rich with memories for the bride, who sang in the choir there every Sunday as a child during the summers. Merritt wore a custom gown and veil by Katie Fong, complemented by her grandmother’s 19th-century ring and a bouquet of ranunculus. She was escorted down the aisle by her father, Dr. Philip A. Piro. After the service, the newlyweds departed in style, riding in a rare 1953 Packard convertible to a reception at a private club. Guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing to a live band, and indulging in a cake crafted by Sugar Sugar Custom Cakes in Quogue. As a nod to their engagement at Wimbledon, the couple’s head table was aptly named “Centre Court.” Merritt and Patrick shared their first dance to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

The celebration continued with a late-night DJ afterparty. Following the weekend, orchestrated by DreamMakers, the newlyweds traveled to Cape Town, Mauritius, and Dubai for their honeymoon.

Alice Elizabeth Bohan & William Earl Schantz III

O ctOber 5, 2024 j N ewp Ort , r h Ode I sla N d p h OtO graphed by r achael K azm I er

Lizzie and Will celebrated their love with a wedding at St. Mary’s Church, a venue rich in family history, as it was where the bride’s paternal great-great-grandparents exchanged vows in October 1894. The weekend began with a rehearsal dinner at the iconic Clarke Cooke House on Bannister’s Wharf. On the big day, Lizzie donned a Pronovias gown, paired with her mother’s veil. Her father, John Bohan, walked her down the aisle as she carried a bouquet of dahlias and roses. Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the grand ballroom of Gardiner House for a reception. The newlyweds shared their first dance to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The evening continued with an afterparty at Flora, the hotel’s restaurant, late into the night. After the weekend, Lizzie and Will embarked on

Hillary Blair Hoyt & Cyrus Nathaniel Wittig

July 27, 2024 j Paget, Bermuda j PhotograPhed By anne rhett

Hillary and Cyrus were married in a beachside ceremony before 150 guests at a private club on Bermuda’s south shore. Hillary’s father, C. Alexander Hoyt, walked her down the aisle. The bride wore Carolina Herrera and carried white orchids, later slipping into a dress by Khaite for the reception on the putting green—followed by a Julia Amory design for the after-party at the club’s waterfront bar and patio, “The Frozen Hut”. Hillary’s sister, Julia Amory, was the matron of honor and Rose Wittig was the maid of honor, while C. Minot Amory and Davis Wittig were best men. Bridesmaids donned white dresses and carried local Bermudian flowers. The couple cut a Lemon Cake with buttercream frosting and shared their first dance to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. Twenty-five mph winds nearly lifted the bride into the air along with her veil, and the florist almost took off with her rehearsal dinner dress, but happily at the end of the day both were recovered in the nick of time! After the festivities, the newlyweds enjoyed a minimoon at The Loren in Bermuda prior to their upcoming 2025 honeymoon in Japan.

Samantha Manger Fleming & Elliott Marshall Spencer Simon

September 14, 2024 j Southampton, new York j photographed bY pat and Claire FureY

Samantha and Elliott were married in a heartfelt ceremony before 240 guests at St. Andrew’s Dune Church, officiated by Reverend Mark S. Anschutz. Reverend Anschutz holds a special place in the family’s history, having also officiated the weddings of the bride’s sister and her parents. Samantha wore a gown by Mark Ingram as her father, Porter Fleming, walked her down the aisle. She carried a bouquet of Lily of the Valley and stephanotis, arranged by Andrew Pascoe. Adding a sentimental touch, the bouquet was tied to a family prayer book that has been carried by four generations of brides, including Samantha’s sister in 2022, her mother in 1993, her grandmother in 1964, and her great-grandmother in 1936. Following the ceremony, guests celebrated at the bride’s family home with a reception featuring dinner and dancing. Samantha changed into a Markarian gown to dance the night away to music by the Atlanta Showstoppers. Dessert by Sugar Sugar Custom Cakes in Quogue added a sweet touch to the evening. The newlyweds shared their first dance to Billy Paul’s rendition of “Your Song.” Guests kept the party going late into the night at Publick House in town. Samantha and Elliott traveled to New Zealand over Thanksgiving for their honeymoon.

Charlotte Grassi & Alex Ramirez

OctOber 5, 2024 j GeOrGetOwn, washinGtOn, D.c. j PhOtOGraPheD by tOny POwell in D.c., Dave PruttinG/bFa in nyc

Charlotte and Alex met in Washington, D.C. twenty years ago. In 2021 the couple reconnected and were married this past October in an intimate ceremony at Christ Church Georgetown before 120 close friends and family members, including Charlotte’s daughter and son and Alex’s son and daughter. The bride wore a Carolina Herrera gown. Her mother, Eleuthera Grassi, walked her down the aisle—her late father, Temple Grassi, who passed away in 2021, was with her in spirit. In a nod to Alex’s Nicaraguan heritage, a mariachi band serenaded the wedding party as guests were led from the church to the reception at a private club. Two weeks later, the newlyweds hosted a “Happily Ever After Party” for 100 friends at Fouquet’s New York, to which the bride donned a Taller Marmo ostrich feather-trimmed dress. Guests danced to music by DJ John Bellone from La Guerite in Cannes. Charlotte and Alex enjoyed an “early-moon” in Mallorca this past summer. Following their party in New York, the couple returned to Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, where Alex had proposed.

Cynthia Annabel Love & Samuel Joseph Zuckert

August 10, 2024 j upper st. regis LAke, New York j photogrAphed bY Liz bANfieLd

Annabel and Sam exchanged vows before 230 guests at their family’s camp, Pine Tree Point, nestled in the Adirondack Mountains. Steeped in history, the property was originally purchased from the Vanderbilt family, who were inspired by the Japanese pavilion at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Enchanted by the resemblance of St. Regis Mountain to Mount Fuji, they brought over craftsmen from Japan to incorporate traditional techniques. Today, the Pagoda and several other beautifully detailed structures remain. For five generations, Pine Tree Point has been a cherished part of Annabel’s family. During the ceremony, the bride wore a gown designed by Esien Stein and was escorted down the aisle by her father, Howard Love. After the service, the newlyweds took a celebratory cruise aboard her father’s elegant 2020 Hacker-Craft 24’ Runabout, aptly named True Love, while guests enjoyed a cocktail hour. A lakefront reception featured dinner, dancing to music by Miami Project, and a cake by Enuf Bakery. Annabel and Sam shared their first dance to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” before the events concluded with an afterparty at Roomers bar in Lake Placid. After the festivities, planned by True Event, Annabel and Sam set off for their honeymoon in the South of France.

BARBARA TOBER THE TRUE QUEEN OF HEARTS

BY DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

I FIRST SAW these photographs in a layout before I was asked to write about what looks like the bride and groom. I loved them. I recognized them of course. I had been asked by Quest’s publisher to write about Barbara Tober, inspired by these photographs of her and her husband Donald Tober, circa the last half of the 20th century in New York. Barbara had a great career, especially as a longterm editor of Brides, turning it into a goldmine.

At this stage of her still very active and energetic life, socially appointed as a philanthropist, Barbara remains the very active, business-oriented woman who has turned her activities into philanthropy, another aspect of her life with Donald.

That was long before I met them, but on seeing them together, and later having come to know them, they were devoted and dedicated to each other in a most agreeable way. I say that only as an observer. But it was an exceptional marriage to behold over the years, and any thoughts about either: it was One Life. They always looked very happy. And they made others feel the same.

This fact is important, because it defines both. They were partners in life, as it were, although in business both wife and husband had very successful professional lives separately. It was just one of those moments that led to one of those lives where they both flourished separately, and together.

I met her first in the early ’90s when she was the wellknown editor-in-chief of Brides . I don’t know why or how I first met her at a public event, but it was often enough that we might have been seated next to each other at a dinner, or in the audience at concert. Barbara is very naturally friendly by nature. Thinking about the friendliness, I could see that she likes what she’s doing and she’s a pro at it.

I don’t recall when we got to know each other better but what stands out in memory was an invitation I was sent for a dinner dance celebrating Donald’s 75th birthday, held at Cipriani 42nd Street.

I was impressed (the reporter in me) as Cipriani is a major location for very large private public events, parties, and celebrations. I hadn’t been at it long enough to have seen any private (very expensive single party in this massively elegant fortress of a building that originally was built and occupied by a bank in the earlier part of the 20th century.

As ballroom for a private dinner dance party, it was vast and impressive. But even more impressive were the host and hostess. There must have been 80 or 100 guests, black tie for the men and long dresses for the women. It was fancy but the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. I was impressed; all this to celebrate a 75th.

And they danced to a full orchestra and the hostess and her birthday boy took to the floor. Fred and Ginger? The Park Avenue version, but talented and loving it. They danced through the evening and watching them among the crowd, always with that “Fred and Ginger having-a-goodtime” air

From above: Barbara and Donald Tober at his 50th Birthday party at Le Cirque; Barbara and Donald Tober at a wedding in Toronto, Canada during the 1970s. Opposite page: Donald and Barbara Tober at a white-tie dinner for the Chaine des Rotisseurs when they first became members.

about them, was wonderful in itself.

Now, that was the clue for me about the host and hostess. They were very good dancers but even more impressive was watching their devotion to each other and to their life to gether on the dance floor. I kept thinking they had amazing energy for his 75th. They enjoyed every minute of it as if it was their first time out together. I came to the conclusion that night, watching them, a veritable Fred and Ginger, both in pleasure – and active on the dance floor, but in a very real way, all those years later, romantically.

Looking back, when I first came to know Barbara. She had a great career in magazine publishing. Donald had a very sub stantial career in the packaged sugar business which he inher ited and grew, but they met accidentally at a cocktail party in a friend’s apartment on the Upper East Side. Donald was newly single and making a point of getting out, which meant things like cocktail parties single. It was one of those at a friend’s apart ment on Park Avenue, of no particular importance that made the difference in his life.

Learning about it years later from Barbara, it was one of

Clockwise from left: Brides staff tribute for Barbara Tober’s 28th year; Brides covers from Tober’s era; the cover of Tober’s 1984 book, The Bride: A Celebration by Barbara Tober . Opposite page, clockwise from above: Young Barbara Tober on horseback; an article from the first New York Times Style column, published on June 14, 1992; Brides staff trib ute for Barbara Tober’s 30th anniversary with the magazine in 1991.

those evenings she attended to be polite and just to get out and away from business for a few hours. Although she had no expectations of particularly enjoying herself at a cocktail party.

Except when she arrived, the host and hostess had a grand piano in the living room, and there was a handsome man at the keyboard playing some popular Broadway musical songs. He was so good that Barbara watching from afar imagined although he looked and dressed like a CEO that he must be the pro.

So for something to do, she stood by the piano listening, enjoying his talent, and he even played a tune she requested and sang, a popular musical classic. It was after a few melodies from Broadway musicals, and another guest adding the lyrics, Barbara learned that Donald always loved playing the piano.

I learned years later that Donald sat down at their grand piano in their Park Avenue apartment every weekday when getting home from the office, he made himself at home and comfortable turning melodies and the classics. After which time, in many instances, he then got ready for an evening with Barbara at all kinds of events and dinners - public and private. u

From above: Donald and Barbara Tober dancing, one of their favorite pastimes; the Tobers at a costume party; Barbara and Donald Tober in the stables. Opposite page: Donald and Barbara Tober hit the slopes.

Honeymoon Hideaways

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

From secluded private islands to iconic luxury retreats, these honeymoon destinations promise romance, adventure, and unforgettable moments.

Marbella Club, Spain marbellaclub.com

Founded in 1954 by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, the Marbella Club began as a charmingly rustic beach retreat, luring Hollywood stars, European royalty, and high-society nobility. Today, this iconic resort seamlessly blends its original allure with modern sophistication, earning its place as one of Europe’s premier beach destinations. Set amidst 450,000 square feet of lush grounds, the property exudes the charm of an Andalusian village, with bougainvillea-draped pathways and sunlit patios adorned in hand-painted tiles. Guests can choose from 115 elegantly appointed rooms and suites or 15 unique villas, each designed for ultimate comfort. The Marbella Club’s amenities include eight restaurants and bars, three pools, a Thalasso Spa, a championship golf course, a 24-hour fitness center, and a children’s club.

Aman Kyoto, Japan aman.com

Nestled in a hidden garden at the heart of a lush forest, Aman Kyoto is a serene sanctuary just steps from Kyoto’s iconic golden Kinkaku-ji Temple and 16 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Despite its proximity to these cultural treasures, the resort offers an intimate escape, with light-filled suites and pavilions tucked into peaceful glades and a private onsen providing restorative moments in the Aman Spa. For those seeking deeper connections to Japan’s imperial heritage, Aman Kyoto offers exclusive access to temples and transformative cultural experiences, unlocking a side of Kyoto unseen by most travelers.

Noūs Santorini, Greece donkeyhotels.gr

Perched on the edge of Santorini’s caldera in the serene village of Mesaria, Noûs is a retreat brought to life in 2022 by Greek-Cypriot industrialist Dakis Joannou. The boutique property combines modern minimalism with a nod to traditional village design, seamlessly blending into the natural slope of the landscape. Its focal point is its oversized infinity pool—the largest on the island—while many of the 121 rooms and bungalows feature private pools nestled within expansive gardens and outdoor terraces, perfect for honeymooners seeking seclusion. Guests can savor gourmet flavors at the poolside restaurant and bar or indulge in elevated dining at Elio’s Italian American Steakhouse, inspired by New York’s fine dining heritage. For ultimate relaxation, the Noûs Spa offers treatments that draw on Santorini’s natural elements, promising rejuvenation in a setting as extraordinary as the island itself.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania fourseasons.com

Nestled in the heart of Africa’s iconic Serengeti National Park, Four Seasons Safari Serengeti offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and adventure. Elevated walkways overlooking a bustling animal watering hole, the lodge provides front-row views of elephants, lions, leopards, and more as they roam the untamed wilderness.

Honeymooners can immerse themselves in the magic of the Serengeti with once-in-alifetime experiences like thrilling game drives and breathtaking hot-air balloon safaris. For a romantic touch, indulge in a Kuamka Couples Massage, take in the beauty of the savannah during a Sunset Kopje Nature Walk and Meditation, or savor an intimate Pool Island dinner under the star-strewn African sky. At Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, every moment is designed to create unforgettable memories in one of the world’s most extraordinary settings.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic casadecampo.com.do

Spread across a sprawling 7,000-acre gated compound in La Romana, Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo offers a honeymoon experience tailored to every kind of traveler. Begin your day with a sumptuous breakfast buffet at Lago, then set off to explore the resort in your personal golf cart. Highlights include the world-famous Teeth of the Dog golf course, tennis courts, equestrian facilities, championship polo fields, a shooting center, and the charming Altos de Chavón—a meticulously crafted replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village. For those craving relaxation, Casa de Campo features pristine white-sand beaches, refreshing swimming pools, and a state-of-the-art Spa & Wellness Center, boasting over 2,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor facilities designed for cutting-edge treatments. Dining is another unforgettable part of the experience, with options ranging from the intimate, candlelit La Piazzetta, serving authentic Italian cuisine, to the chic Minitas Beach Club overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and the vibrant La Caña, known for its lively ambiance and live music. Accommodations cater to all preferences, from luxurious guest rooms and private villas to the Premier Club & Suites, which come with exclusive perks like dedicated concierge service, daily canapés, and a private bar. At Casa de Campo, every moment of your honeymoon promises adventure, indulgence, and romance in a setting like no other.

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice belmond.com

La Réserve Ramatuelle, France

Just minutes from the legendary beach clubs and boutiques of Saint-Tropez, yet blissfully removed from the crowds, La Réserve Ramatuelle is a hidden gem on the French Riviera. Set within a vast private estate, this tranquil retreat offers breathtaking views over one of the Riviera’s most stunning bays. The intimate palace hotel captures the essence of Côte d’Azur glamour with a chic new interior design inspired by the artistic elegance of the 1950s. Whether soaking in the serenity of your surroundings or venturing into the vibrant heart of Saint-Tropez, La Réserve Ramatuelle offers an unforgettable blend of privacy, sophistication, and Riviera charm—perfect for an enchanting honeymoon escape.

Tucked away on the lush private island of Giudecca, just a five-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square, Hotel Belmond Cipriani is a haven of Venetian elegance and timeless romance. Renowned for its exquisite service and Old World charm, this iconic hotel boasts breathtaking views of the lagoon and the Doge’s Palace, along with impeccably manicured gardens that feel like a secret sanctuary. Honeymooners can savor fine dining at the legendary Oro Restaurant, a Michelin-starred gem, or enjoy sunset cocktails overlooking the water at Gabbiano Bar. Unwind in the Olympic-sized pool—one of the largest in Venice—or indulge in a couple’s treatment at the Casanova Wellness Centre.

Royal Mansour Marrakech royalmansour.com

Ocean House, Rhode Island oceanhouseri.com

The last of New England’s grand Victorian-era hotels, Ocean House is a timeless retreat that effortlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. Perched atop the bluffs with its iconic yellow facade overlooking the Atlantic, this five-star gem transports guests to a bygone era of refined elegance while offering every contemporary comfort. Accommodations range from beautifully appointed guest rooms to expansive suites, each designed to honor the property’s storied past. Guests can savor the flavors of the region at Ocean House’s exceptional restaurants or indulge in unparalleled relaxation at the award-winning Oh! Spa. A private beach, complete with paddleboarding, fishing, and enchanting sunset lobster boils, creates the perfect setting for romantic summer escapes. Whether basking in the sun or exploring the charm of coastal New England, Ocean House offers an unforgettable experience steeped in history and luxury.

Royal Mansour Marrakech is more than a hotel—it’s an opulent Moroccan palace offering an unforgetta ble honeymoon experience. Tucked within the vibrant heart of Marrakech, this architectural marvel is a celebration of Moroccan artistry, with every detail crafted by local artisans, from the intricate zellige tilework to the hand-carved wood panels. Guests stay in private, multi-story riads, each with its own courtyard, plunge pool, and rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains or the medina. The sprawling gardens, designed to evoke a serene oasis, offer a perfect escape, while the Royal Mansour Spa, housed beneath a latticework atrium, provides luxurious treatments inspired by Moroccan wellness traditions. Dining is a culinary delight, featuring Michelin-starred cuisine and a mix of flavors from Moroccan delicacies to contemporary French fare.

COURTESY OF OCEAN HOUSE;

The Colony Palm Beach thecolonypalmbeach.com

Ideally located just steps from both the iconic Worth Avenue and the beach, The Colony Hotel is a vibrant retreat that perfectly captures the island’s playful charm. Known for its signature pink facade and welcoming staff, this boutique gem exudes a lively yet intimate atmosphere. The lobby, affectionately called The Living Room, features breathtaking bespoke de Gournay wallpaper, creating a cozy yet elegant ambiance. Couples can bask in paradise by the pool, savor an unforgettable meal at Swifty’s—one of Palm Beach’s most coveted dining spots—or explore the island on complimentary beach cruisers. With world-class shopping and dining just around the corner, every moment feels like a celebration of Palm Beach’s allure. Beyond its stylish guest rooms, The Colony offers 14 chic multi-bedroom residences, including villas, bungalows, and penthouses. For a honeymoon that blends sophistication, relaxation, and a touch of whimsy, The Colony Hotel is the ultimate destination.

Eden Rock - St Barths

oetkercollection.com

Perched on a dramatic rocky promontory overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Eden Rock – St Barths is an icon of romance-a favorite of jet-setters and honeymooners alike. Each suite, room, and villa is uniquely designed, blending contemporary elegance with the is land’s natural beauty. For ultimate indulgence, opt for a private villa complete with infinity pools, spacious terraces, and breathtaking ocean views. The resort’s dining is equally extraordinary, with menus curated by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, featuring fresh, locally inspired cuisine served in idyllic beachfront settings.

The Charlotte Inn, Martha’s Vineyard thecharlotteinn.com

For couples seeking a romantic retreat, The Charlotte Inn offers an enchanting escape where old-world charm meets Edwardian elegance. Nestled on tranquil South Summer Street in the heart of Edgartown village, this boutique inn exudes timeless sophistication with its fine art, English antiques, plush linens, and fresh flowers—evoking the romance of a bygone era. The Charlotte Inn features 17 meticulously appointed guest rooms and two spacious suites, complete with working fireplaces for cozy evenings. Honeymooners can unwind in refined sitting rooms or stroll through private gardens reminiscent of an English manor. For an unforgettable dining experience, savor French-inspired cuisine at the acclaimed Terrace Restaurant, set in an intimate, candlelit setting.

Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Dubai jumeirah.com

Rising majestically from its own private island, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is the epitome of modern luxury and architectural wonder. Known worldwide as a symbol of Dubai’s opulence, this iconic sail-shaped hotel offers an unrivaled honeymoon experience with unparalleled service and breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. Each suite is a masterpiece of design, featuring soaring ceilings, plush furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the azure waters. Personal butlers, 24-hour in-suite dining, and indulgent amenities ensure a flawless honeymoon. Newlyweds can relax in private cabanas at the exclusive beach club, indulge in award-winning cuisine at one of nine world-class restaurants—including the stunning Al Muntaha, perched 200 meters above sea level—and unwind at the luxurious Talise Spa, which offers treatments in serene settings overlooking the sea.

Islas Secas, Panama islassecas.com

Located in the unspoiled Gulf of Chiriquí, Islas Secas is a secluded retreat of 14 pristine is lands, 13 of which remain untouched, offering an unparalleled sense of privacy and connection to nature. This exclusive sanctuary features just seven beautifully designed Casitas and tented Casitas, along with the newly unveiled Casa Cavada, a luxurious villa perfect for a romantic escape. Celebrating the art of indoor-outdoor living, Islas Secas invites guests to fully immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding wildlife and turquoise waters. Honeymooners can enjoy a variety of activities, from whale watch ing and e-foiling to diving, kayaking, nature hikes, birding, and world-class fishing. With its unmatched serenity, awe-inspiring landscapes, and endless adventures, Islas Secas is a true slice of paradise—a dream destination for couples seeking romance and exploration in a setting like no other.

andBeyond Mnemba Island, Zanzibar andbeyond.com

A secluded paradise off the coast of Zanzibar, andBeyond Mnemba Island is the epitome of barefoot luxury and romance. This private island retreat, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, offers an exclusive experience with just 12 thatched-roof bandas tucked along the shoreline, blending seamlessly into the lush tropical landscape. Perfect for honeymooners, the island invites couples to relax in their open-air beachfront suites, where the sound of the waves and gentle ocean breezes create a tranquil haven. Days are filled with unforgettable experiences, from snorkeling and scuba diving in vibrant coral reefs to kayaking, dolphin watching, and leisurely strolls along the powder-white sands. With personalized service, exquisite ocean-to-table dining, and the beauty of nature all around, andBeyond Mnemba Island offers a magical escape where every moment feels like a celebration of love.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora fourseasons.com

Set on the turquoise waters of a private lagoon, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is a honeymooner’s dream destination. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens and the iconic silhouette of Mount Otemanu, this exclusive retreat offers overwater bungalows and beachfront villas, each with private plunge pools and breathtaking views. Couples can indulge in serene spa treatments in overwater pavilions and private dinners on the beach under a canopy of stars. For those seeking adventure, the resort offers snorkeling with vibrant marine life, paddleboarding, and guided lagoon tours. ◆

THE YOUNG & THE GUEST LIST YGL

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

The Chainsmokers on stage.

THE CHAINSMOKERS’ PERFORMANCE IN ASPEN

ON DECEMBER 29TH, The Chainsmokers delivered an electrifying performance at The Snow Lodge, a winter counterpart to Montauk’s iconic Surf Lodge, located at the St. Regis Aspen. The event, part of the Après-Ski Music Series, kicked off in the late afternoon in the hotel’s courtyard, offering attendees an unforgettable evening of music and alpine ambiance.

Clockwise from top left: Sailor and Jack Brinkley-Cook; Cara Delevingne, Evan Ross, and Ashlee Simpson; Bruna Lirio; Jourdan Sloane and Shea Marie.

YGL

LAST MONTH, Kinderbrook Home unveiled its new collection at Holiday Home on Madison Avenue with a festive cocktail party hosted by founder Brooke Kennan , joined by Meghan Klopp and Alexandra Mack . The collection, a true labor of love for Kennan, reimagines time-honored pieces into modern heirlooms, drawing inspiration from the charm of country living.

Meghan Klopp, Alexandra Mack, and Brooke Kennan

Sana Clegg and Lara Meiland Shaw

Elizabeth Kurpis

Katherine Boulud

THE WHITE CROSS BALL IN NEW YORK

THE ORDER OF Malta’s St. John Committee recently hosted its annual White Cross Ball at the Metropolitan Club, bringing together over 400 guests for an unforgettable evening of drinks, dinner, dancing, and a live auction. The event raised essential funds to support Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s humanitarian relief agency; the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem; and Malta Camp USA. ◆

Brian Dye, Christopher Carter Lee, Luisa Majnoni d’Intignano, and Harry Santa-Olalla

Mercedes de Guardiola and Pierre-Marseille de Saboulin Bollena

Father Enrique Salvo

Jon Carter and Natalie Dougherty

VOWS IN THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

AS WE REFLECT on recent years since overcoming COVID, 2022 continues to stand out as the year of grand weddings. There were 2.6 million celebrations—an incredible rise from pre-COVID numbers in 2019, and still the highest since 1984. This resurgence marked not only a return to joy and togetherness but also brought some unforgettable moments, including two high-profile weddings involving political families.

On November 12th, Tiffany Trump, daughter of former President Donald J. Trump, married billionaire Michael Boulos at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. The bride donned a sparkling Elie Saab gown as her father walked her down the aisle. A week later, on November 19th, Naomi Biden, eldest granddaughter of President Joe Biden, wed fellow attorney Peter Neal on the historic South Lawn of the White House. Wearing a delicate lace gown by Ralph Lauren, Naomi became part of an elite group, as hers was only the 19th wed

ding ever hosted at the White House. Her parents, Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle, walked her down the aisle.

No matter where one stands on the political spectrum, weddings serve as a beautiful reminder of the shared traditions and cherished moments that bring us together. For both the Trump and Biden families—who recently found themselves back in the spotlight together as Donald Trump resumed his role as President of the United States—these celebrations marked joyous milestones that will be treasured for years to come.

Clockwise from left: Naomi Biden’s wedding to Peter Neal on the South Lawn at the White House; Naomi Biden and Peter Neal; President Joe Biden (left) and First Lady Jill Biden (right) with the newlyweds (center); Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, former President Donald J. Trump, Barron Trump, and Ivanka Trump at Tiffany’s wedding at Mar-a-Lago; Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos.