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Photography by Paul Specht
Bradford Shellhammer (left) and Georgi Balinov before the big day
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Photography by Paul Specht
Shelhammer and Balinov walking down the aisle to a recording of Julie Andrews singing "My Favorite Things."
Photography by Paul Specht
Shelhammer knew there had to be masks, and guests wearing only black and white—in homage to Truman Capote's famous ball.
Photography by Paul Specht
Shellhammer gives a little Madonna Truth or Dare action to the camera.
Photography by Paul Specht
The grooms decked out in black-and-white tuxes and masks.
Photography by Paul Specht
French porn star François Sagat was one of the more provocative guests in attendance.
Sandra Bernard was at the other end to bless them in her own inimitable way.
"It began, as all good gay boy relationships do, in Equinox gym--on Greenwich Avenue, no less," the comedian quipped.
Billie Ray Martin was flown in from her home in Berlin to sing her 1994 hit, "Your Loving Arms."
Instead of hosting the wedding at the Plaza, he went for the baroque fantasy of the Russian Tea Room, all red brocade and gilded eagles, and as close an approximation as could be found of 30-year-old Balinov's native Bulgaria.
Photography by Paul Specht
The Russian Tea Room in black and white (like the crowd's attire)
Shelhammer tracked down Marcella Detroit, one half of '90s pop duo Shakespears Sister, and persuaded her to perform that band's chart-topping ballad, "Stay," at the wedding dinner.
Shelhammer convinced his hero, Erasure's Andy Bell (an enthusiastic fan of Fab.com, it turned out), to light up the dance floor with a trio of Erasure's greatest hits.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the circus but I never had the talent, so here’s my chance to have my own circus—one night only," he explained. "I’m a colorful guy, and I wanted a wedding that matched my personality."
Guests continued to party at the Russian Tea Room until early morning.
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