While working on the set of Project Runway 10 years ago, television producers Susan Comito and Trask Donaldson admit they didn’t quite get along. “That contentious relationship eventually turned into a very close friendship that grew into more over the next couple of years,” smiles Sue. 

In February 2020, she planned him an ‘80s-themed birthday party and “much to my surprise, Trask – dressed as Marty McFly – flipped the script on the party!” exclaims Sue, who in serendipitous foreshadowing was dressed as Madonna in her iconic bridal outfit. “After I led the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ Trask took the mic and got down on one knee.” 

The California-based couple chose to say “I do” in New York, where they met and fell in love, selecting an industrial-style venue they had scouted for television shoots. “It was a no-brainer!” affirms Sue, who planned the event herself. 

On the day of their fall wedding, 170 loved ones were seated in the intimate ceremony space featuring an all-white floral design as popular love songs were performed by a violinist. “Baby’s breath installations filled the entire space, making for an ethereal, dreamlike, absolutely stunning setting,” illustrates the bride. 

Sue walked down the candlelit aisle to “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses, performed by a violinist and pianist. “She looked absolutely stunning,” Trask reminisces. The pair wrote their own vows and a dear friend officiated. “He made everyone laugh and cry; it was so special,” remembers Sue, who made sure to leave two front-row seats free for memorial signs and flowers in honor of their late fathers, Al and Todd. “We could feel the love emanating from the crowd.” 

During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed signature drinks named for the bride’s nickname and the groom’s middle name, respectively – “The SueNami” lychee martini and “The Louis” paper-plane cocktail. Audio messages were left for the newlyweds on a vintage-style telephone and table assignments were displayed on a hedge wall featuring gold-framed seating charts and black-and-white photos of the couple. As special locations were used for table names, QR codes shared the corresponding love stories. 

“Baby’s breath installations filled the entire space, making for an ethereal, dreamlike, absolutely stunning setting.”

The clear dinner tent was filled with greenery-enveloped chandeliers, warm candlelight, and elegant décor in navy, gold, and silver. Long tablescapes were adorned with mercury-glass candleholders in various heights for a magical, intimate feel, and a saxophonist and violinist performed renditions of popular songs throughout dinner. “We wanted the vibe to be fun, enchanting, chic, and pay homage to NYC and Colorado [– the groom’s home state],” notes the bride of their vision. 

Curated photo booths shared more glimpses into their relationship: One recreated the Midtown Manhattan bench where they first kissed, the second was filled with meaningful items such as flamingo lights representing the father of the bride’s love of the birds and cherry blossoms as an homage to Trask’s affinity for Japan, and the third showcased a street artist-commissioned mural as an ode to their love story starting with long walks on the streets of New York. 

They also had a dedicated “Colorado room” with Aspen trees, Rocky Mountain-scented and initial-engraved Aspen tree candles, handmade paper state flowers, edibles, and more. “It was the Colorado room after all,” smiles Sue, adding that pre-rolls were also offered at a firepit to continue the theme. 

Attendees celebrated in the dance lounge decorated with baby’s breath-wrapped disco balls, pink velvet sofas, and tables topped with disco-ball planters – “a total disco vibe!” says Sue. For the music, Trask says they “had a little bit of everything – from love songs through the decades, ‘90s hip-hop and R&B, house, and even some country” performed by a DJ alongside a percussionist and saxophonist. Their first-dance song was an acoustic version of “Rather Be” by Marc Scibilia that transitioned into the original Clean Bandit version as the wedding party joined them on the dance floor. 

Though the couple opted to forgo a wedding cake, guests were not deprived of sweets in the slightest. Instead, an espresso bar and a dessert bar filled with iconic New York City treats – including Zabar’s black-and-white cookies, Milk Bar’s signature “crack pie,” Circo’s cannolis, Magnolia cupcakes, Junior’s cheesecake, Doughnut Plant donuts, and Levain cookies – were enjoyed. Late-night pizza was also served to ensure guests had full bellies before continuing the festivities at a Brooklyn after-party into the early-morning hours. “To have everyone we love and that means to much to us together in one place was magical,” the groom shares.

This real wedding was originally published in the Summer 2023 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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