A Swanky Jazz Club-Inspired Wedding at The Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom

Paige Kaping and Johnnie Hicks’ love story began just like a romance novel. She was working at Urban Eatery on the ground floor of the Beach Club on Bde Maka Ska, he lived in the residences above. As a frequent diner, he quickly became smitten by the cute server, and when he asked her out, she didn’t hesitate. It wasn’t long before they knew it was kismet. (Bonus: Johnnie was also smitten by Paige’s two cats, Simon and Spike.) The fun-loving couple wanted a swanky, 1940s New York jazz club vibe, and the Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom proved just the right place. Engagement photos of Paige in an olive-sequined gown, sitting on a piano with a glass of champagne in her hand as a tux-clad Johnnie serenaded her gave guests a hint of the formal affair to come. Surrounded by a wealth of candles in crystal containers, an abundance of mixed white florals and striking gold accents against black backdrops, the scene was nothing short of extraordinary. Cocktail hour featured a jazz trio while guests sipped Manhattans and gin gimlets. During dinner, a 10-piece band took the stage and performed well into the night. Spike and Simon appeared as graphics on cocktail napkins and the namesake of two special after-dinner drinks: whiskey sours served with a cinnamon tiger-stripe stencil to represent Simon and espresso martinis with a cocoa bowtie stencil to represent Spike. As the evening wound down, the guests nibbled mini French pastries and chocolate-peanut butter wedding cake.