When you think of the King of All Media, "Vogue-style elegance" usually isn't the first thing that pops into your head. You probably think of fart jokes, intense celebrity interrogations, and Artie Lange era chaos. But back in 2008, the Howard Stern Vogue wedding—or at least the high-fashion spectacle that people still call a "Vogue wedding"—totally flipped the script on what a shock jock's nuptials should look like.
It wasn't some trashy Vegas affair. Honestly, it was one of the most sophisticated, star-studded events Manhattan had seen in years. Howard and Beth Ostrosky didn't just get married; they took over Le Cirque and turned it into a botanical wonderland that felt like it belonged in the pages of a high-end fashion editorial.
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The Night Le Cirque Turned Into a Fairy Tale
Basically, if you weren't at Le Cirque on October 3, 2008, you weren't anyone in New York. The guest list was insane. We’re talking about a room where Donald Trump, Barbara Walters, and Joan Rivers were all rubbing elbows while Billy Joel serenaded the crowd.
People always ask about the Howard Stern Vogue wedding vibe because it looked so curated. The planner, Elli Jafari, basically had to pull off a miracle. She built a massive tree in the middle of the restaurant and wrapped it in 2,000 weeping willow branches. Then, they hung 3,000 white orchids and lanterns from the ceiling. It didn't look like a restaurant anymore; it looked like a dreamscape.
- The Dress: Beth wore a stunning Marchesa gown designed by Georgina Chapman.
- The Officiant: Mark Consuelos did the honors (yes, Kelly Ripa's husband is actually ordained).
- The Entertainment: Billy Joel played "Always a Woman" and "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)."
- The Roast: Chevy Chase reportedly gave a toast that was... well, let's just say it was "classic Chevy" and maybe a bit too raunchy for the room.
Why People Call it a Vogue Wedding
Technically, the wedding wasn't a "Vogue" production in the sense that Anna Wintour planned it, but the aesthetic was so elevated that the label stuck. Beth was a model, after all. She brought that fashion-world sensibility to Howard's "guy from Queens" energy.
The couple had been engaged for about 18 months. Howard famously proposed with a 5.2-carat emerald-cut diamond ring on Valentine's Day. For a guy who spent decades mocking the institution of marriage after his first divorce, the level of sincerity at this wedding actually shocked his fans. Jimmy Kimmel, who was a guest, later mentioned how emotional the whole thing was. Even the toughest guys in the room were reportedly tearing up.
The Menu That Confused the Tough Guys
Since Beth is a huge animal activist and a vegetarian (who eats fish), the menu was a bit of a departure from the steak-and-potatoes vibe some of the Stern Show staffers might have expected.
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They served tuna tataki and scrambled eggs with white truffles. The main course was striped bass with caviar. It was sophisticated, lean, and very "New York elite." Howard, who is famously neurotic about his diet and health, was apparently thrilled with the "animal-friendly" approach.
The Fallout and the "Landslide" Disaster
You can't have a Howard Stern event without some drama. Even though it looked like a Howard Stern Vogue wedding, the after-party had some typical Stern Show messiness.
Howard later joked on air about the stress of the day. He talked about how Donald Trump (who was a regular guest on the show back then) supposedly leaked the location to the press. Then there was the karaoke. Apparently, there was a "Landslide" karaoke moment involving some of the guests that Howard still cringes about to this day.
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It's funny because you have this incredibly posh, high-fashion setting, but at the end of the day, it was still Howard's world. You had Artie Lange there, Robin Quivers, and the whole radio crew mixed in with the Hamptons elite. That contrast is exactly why people are still obsessed with the details of this night nearly two decades later.
Lessons from the Stern-Ostrosky Playbook
If you’re looking to recreate that high-end, editorial feel for your own event, there are a few takeaways from the Stern wedding that actually work:
- Venue Transformation: Don't just pick a room; change the architecture of the room with florals like they did with the willow trees.
- The "Surprise" Element: Keep the guest list tight and the details under wraps to create a sense of exclusivity.
- Hire a Pro Officiant (Even if they're a Friend): Having a celebrity friend officiate is cool, but make sure they take the "legal" part seriously like Mark Consuelos did.
- Personalized Menu: Don't be afraid to stick to your dietary values (like Beth's vegetarian-leaning menu) even if it's a "fancy" event.
The Sterns eventually renewed their vows on The Ellen DeGeneres Show years later, but nothing ever quite topped the sheer, polished madness of that October night in Manhattan. It remains the gold standard for how to do a celebrity wedding that feels both incredibly expensive and genuinely personal.
To get that specific "Vogue" look for your own big day, start by researching "tablescaping" and high-impact floral installations rather than just standard centerpieces. Look into Marchesa or similar bridal houses that specialize in architectural lace and draping to mirror Beth’s iconic silhouette.
Next Steps for Your Planning:
- Research Marchesa’s current bridal collection to see if that romantic, ethereal style still fits your vision.
- Look into "Living Decor" concepts, like the weeping willow tree used at Le Cirque, to transform a standard ballroom.
- Consult with an ordained celebrant who can help you write vows that balance humor with genuine emotion, just like Howard and Beth did.