Since this issue is all about weddings and travel, we could not resist telling you about the breathtaking location for our cover shoot. The Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate is a rare American beauty. Nestled atop a bluff on Long Island’s historic Gold Coast, this iconic property was modeled after the French royal Château de Fontainebleau, complete with an elegant ballroom, a grand staircase, a library, and sprawling formal gardens with reflecting pools.

The manse was built in 1919 by New York financier and railroad baron Otto Hermann Kahn as his family’s summer retreat. Kahn, who was the inspiration for the classic board-game character “Mr. Monopoly,” used old New York City street cobblestones to pave the courtyard, and entertained guests such as Charlie Chaplin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The residence was also featured in the opening scene of the classic 1941 film Citizen Kane.

“The beauty, grandeur, and European ambience is what attracts most people to Oheka,” says Nancy Melius, director of marketing and design and daughter of Long Island developer Gary Melius, who purchased the castle in 1984. The new owner launched a much-needed $30 million renovation that included a terrace room, imported Italian doors, and the planting of more than 3,000 trees and shrubs.

Today, Oheka stands as the second-largest private residence in America and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel features 32 guest rooms and suites that overlook 23 acres of land (including a golf course), and has been visited by tastemakers such as Nicole Kidman, Jay-Z, and President Bill Clinton. Award-winning cuisine and an acclaimed pastry kitchen make Oheka the wedding venue of your dreams. Experience their white-glove treatment for yourself the last Wednesday of every month on Restaurant Night, when their dining room is open to the public. oheka.com

Click here for the full spread from our Weddings shoot.

Vera Wang gown ($5,995), available at Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier.

Ippolita earrings ($1,500).

Jordan Alexander diamond tassel bracelet ($2,400).

Iced Orchid engagement ring ($5,539) and band ($3,280).
On him:
Etro jacket ($1,698) and pants (price upon request).

Ermenegildo Zegna shirt ($425).

Asprey London belt ($1,350) and band ($1,000).

Another week, another day and another round of outrageous celebrity phrases! This week, the celebrity sound bites making headlines include everything from the POTUS’ demands of a Golden Girl to the supermodel of the world’s love of all things tranny to an Emmy Award-winning actor’s love for nudity. Plus, guess which “Love & Hip Hop” cast mates are feuding and which RHOA credits God for her designer clothes. And I quote…

Tina Knowles knows a thing or three about multitasking. The Texas-born fashion designer (and hairstylist, philanthropist, interior designer…we could go on) created much of the wardrobe for Destiny’s Child while running her southwest Houston beauty shop, Headliners. She also managed to raise her two talented daughters, be a wife to her husband, and cook for her family three nights a week. By “cook” we mean throw down; it was reported that her celebrated Creole dishes made an appearance at Beyoncé‘s 2008 wedding to Jay-Z.

Of course, we’re all waiting for an autobiographical recipe tell-all from Mrs. Knowles, but– having just flown in from London Fashion Week, where she and B showed House of Deréon’s latest collection– she’s, you know, busy.

Until then, we’ll just have to be satisfied with Miss Tina’s tips on how to prepare home-cooked feasts for lavish affairs.

“Flowers are beautiful, but balloons are for celebrations! Each table’s centerpiece was a 36-inch round balloon anchored by a small flower arrangement. We are a true hip-hop couple who came out to a clean version of Pharoahe Monch’s ‘Simon Says.’ Everyone was on their feet!” — Joelle and Rehani Sayed (pictured above), Philadelphia, Sept. 3, 2011

Take a peek inside the UPTOWN Weddings & Travel issue. And don’t forget to pick up your hard copy on newsstands.

Not wanting to wire the entire abode is probably the main reason most people don’t invest in a whole-house audio system. Now, you can achieve premium sound quality with easier-to-set-up wireless devices (sans the overpriced contractor digging through the walls of your home).

JBL ON AIR WIRELESS ($350) lets users enjoy their iTunes library by placing a unit in any room. Sound is achieved via Apple’s new AirPlay technology, which wirelessly streams music to any compatible unit. JBL produces remarkable sound quality. You can either dock an iPod or iPhone into the JBL or stream iTunes music using your network connected Apple computer or iOS piece.

DOM PÉRIGNON Rosé Vintage 2000 limited edition gift box ($329)

The parade of popular home design shows on TV has helped whet our appetites for taking our abodes from mediocre to magnificent. But we all know that it’s never as simple as it looks. So we tapped a few of our favorite interior designers on dos, don’ts, and popular trends.

AFIYA KUMAR
Aha Designs

My design style… Contemporary global and refined luxury.

Clients include… Merchandise Mart’s first DreamHome, Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens,TT Patton, Fine Paper Store, Filter’s Recording Studio, Gallery Guichard.

Common mistake DIYers make… Paint. No gradation or flow and too much saturation.

Trend I love… Green, eco-friendly, recycled, sustainable design.

Splurge on… Artwork.

Way to save… Update cabinets with new stylish hardware.

Trend I hate… Lucite