February 20, 2010
Photography by Ro Rappa
Oftentimes, real life can imitate fiction. Case in point: When Harry Met Sally is a romantic comedy depicting two strangers who find themselves meeting time and again, moving into friendship, then a romantic relationship, then back out, then back in.
This newly wedded Westchester couple also shared an unusually long and circuitous friendship with their love-struck paths almost crossing over the years, from state to state, year to year, and from one missed opportunity to the next. Well, as the old adage suggests: almost doesn’t count accept in bocce ball, right?
On the contrary, according to this happy couple, it also counts in horseshoes, archery, and, as it turns out, in the fateful courtship between these two.
The bride explains, “We became friends at Boston College eighteen years ago, when we were both involved with other people. We dated each other for a few years in our early twenties and, though it did not work out, we managed to stay good friends over the years. Five years ago, when both of us were living in Manhattan, we reconnected and quite naturally rekindled our relationship.”
While vacationing in romantic Tulum, Mexico, last year, the groom, knowing that it was truly about time, dropped down on one knee and proposed. With so much sweat equity invested (albeit, a true labor of love for both of them) how could a woman refuse?
They both wanted a winter wedding and were looking for something elegant for their reception that was also warm and welcoming. The C.V. Rich Mansion in White Plains was a perfect match to their vision. “The fireplaces, library, and ballroom were huge selling points,” Luisa says. “There was plenty of room to mingle and it felt like we were in someone’s home.”
The wedding ceremony took place at the Church of the Annunciation in Crestwood last February, the couple redeeming themselves in their friends’ and families’ eyes, once and for all proving that every good decision, even for these two, need not take years and years.
As the best man said in his speech, “When Sean and I met in college, the Berlin Wall was still up and no one had heard of the Internet, email, or global warming. After many years of ‘will they, won’t they’, the wedding was a much-anticipated event by mutual friends and family, not to mention the bride and groom.”
Congratulations Luisa and Sean. All good things do come to those who wait.
Resources:
CEREMONY
Church of the Annunciation
470 Westchester Ave, Crestwood
(914) 779-7345
ENTERTAINMENT
Hal Prince Music
111 Bowman Ave, Rye Brook
(914) 937-4700
“Our DJ, Carlos, definitely knows how to read a room and kept our crowd dancing from beginning to end,” Luisa notes. “He was even able to integrate some salsa for my Colombian family and some traditional ballads for the groom’s Irish father.”
FAVORS
www.beau-coup.com
FLOWERS
Arcadia Floral Company
Jennifer Spaziante
411 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
(914) 723-4000
“I knew I wanted orchids but didn’t know how to work them into our winter wedding,” Luisa says. “I was particularly impressed with how Arcadia designed my bouquet, a combination of eggplant mini calla lilies and lime-green Dendrobium orchids.”
INVITATIONS
www.weddingpaperdivas.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ro Rappa
White Plains
(914) 831-7039
RECEPTION VENUE
C.V Rich Mansion
305 Ridgeway, White Plains
(914) 949-3543
WEDDING ATTIRE
GOWN
Wedding Atelier LLC
103 Fifth Ave
New York, NY
(646) 638-3263
After trying on 20 dresses, Luisa found “the one” here. “The service was low-pressure and helpful and they are one of the few boutiques to carry Suzanne Neville, a British designer with a strong focus on flattering corsets.”
SHOES
My Glass Slipper
20 W 22nd St
New York, NY
(212) 627-0231
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Flair Brides & Maids
10 Newbury St
Boston, MA
(617) 247-2828
“We had four bridesmaids with very different body types and styles. Luckily, Flair was able to provide four different dress styles in the same color and fabric. Even the matron of honor, who was eight months pregnant at the time, looked absolutely fabulous.”
TUXEDOS
Men’s Wearhouse
731 Central Ave, Scarsdale
(914) 725-7964
