Jeff & James

Jeff Fang & James Hannigan on May 4, 2019

By Tracie Seed | Newport Wedding magazine 2020

You can (sort of) thank Red Bull, vodka and karaoke for bringing Californian Jeff Fang and New Yorker James Hannigan together. When James worked as a summer associate at the law firm where Jeff worked, he noticed his future boyfriend at an after-hours event (cue drinks and singing). But it wasn’t until two years later, when the couple ran into each other at a party, that sparks flew and they knew they had found “the one.”  Seven years later, instead of getting an itch, the couple decided to get hitched. “Jeff popped the question at dinner in Park City, Utah,” recalls James. “In typical Jeff fashion, he asked the server to pull up a seat and help celebrate the rest of the night!”

“We looked in NYC, the Hamptons and Santa Barbara for the perfect spot. Couldn’t find it. We went to Newport on a rainy day in February and ended up signing a contract the same week!”

Start Spreading the News…

The gentlemen chose a “natural and elegant” theme, which included moss greens, whites, plum accents and bounteous amounts of foliage. The couple added a personal touch to the reception by naming their guest tables after their favorite New York City restaurants.

A Gift of a Lifetime

The grooms chose to exchange wedding presents. James gave Jeff a watch, and Jeff endowed a park bench for James at Central Park in Manhattan, where they live. On it, he inscribed a wedding day note to James and their puppy, Finley. 

Run for It

The couple’s most cherished moment of their wedding day occurred before the vows, when they decided to have portraits taken at the mansions. “Our photographer suggested we take off our shoes and have a short race to calm the nerves,” recalls Jeff. “There we were, a couple hours before our wedding, sprinting on the lawn fully dressed in our tuxes.”

Where Are They Now?

After a splendid honeymoon in Bali and Japan, the newlyweds returned to their home in New York City, where James is a managing director at Blackstone and Jeff is a deputy general counsel at LSV Advisors. 

Vendors

Photographer: Dave Robbins Photography

Venue, Caterer & Wedding Night Stay: Castle Hill Inn

Tuxedos:  Brunello Cucinelli, Isaia

Flowers: Stoneblossom

Rings: Cartier, Tiffany & Co.

Rehearsal Dinner:  Queen Anne’s Loft

Cake: Scrumptions

Guest Transportation: Rockstar Limo

Guest Accommodations: Castle Hill, Newport Marriott, Courtyard Marriott 

Décor Rental: Ryan Designs and PEAK Event Services

Officiant: Rev. Erik Larsen

Ceremony Music:  Boston String Ensemble

Reception entertainment:  The Sultans

Invitations: Banter and Charm

Videographer: Shot and Cut Films, Lisbon, Portugal