Amy Nugent and John McCarthy were wed on May 31, 2008.
Amy Nugent, a registered nurse in Manhattan, and John McCarthy, who works for a financial institution in Manhattan, first met years ago at a local bar and continued to see each other through mutual friends over the years. They began dating four years ago, have known each other for a total of eight. And while their wedding was a celebration of the two uniting in marriage, using mostly Westchester County resources, a central theme was honoring their forbears.
“My grandfather was a WWII veteran Marine who fought on Iwo Jima,” says Amy. “And John’s father, was in the New York Fire Department and played in its band. So we had 48 band members of the NYFD Pipes and Drums Corps at the reception and they performed three sets, which everyone loved!” Also during the reception, the groom, who is a drummer, played two songs with the band while a fellow guest sang. The hotel had a bar that extended the hours so the guests could party on until three in the morning!
Their 3 pm ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s Stone Church in Yorktown Heights, where her parents are members. (The bride grew up in Yorktown.) Before the ceremony, the groomsmen handed out programs designed by Amy with a traditional Irish claddagh symbol and a poem about its meaning written on the back.
During the cocktail hour, held in the Mansion portion of the Westchester Renaissance Hotel, guests dined on passed mini crab cakes, beef Wellington, spring rolls, and other delicacies; there was a carving station and a pasta station as well as platters of cheese and crudites. Dinner started with a mozzarella and tomato salad, followed by a choice of grilled salmon, filet mignon, or rosemary chicken. Wait staff served Chardonnay and Cabernet throughout the evening; three open bars served a variety of beers and liquors.
In lieu of favors, the couple made a donation The National Parkinson Disease Foundation in honor of a family member. Bridesmaids received personalized makeup bags along with Spa Finders gift certificates. Groomsmen received personalized pewter flasks and cigar cutters. Each of the mothers was given a dozen roses.
RESOURCE GUIDE:
WEDDING DRESS
Kleinfeld Bridal
110 West 20th St., New York
(646) 633-4300
kleinfeldbridal.com
The Kenneth Pool dress was the first dress Amy tried on. “I tried on 10 other dresses that day and kept coming back to the same one: a strapless, mermaid-style gown made from silky satin with crystal and pearl beading on the bodice and train, which extended two to three feet. I also wore a cathedral-style veil that had tiny crystals dispersed throughou
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Here Comes the Bridesmaid
238 W. 14th St, New York
(212) 647-9686
The eight bridesmaids wore strapless chiffon dresses from Jim Hejlm in patina, a shade darker than sage, with silver accents.
TUXES
Men’s Wearhouse
Multiple locations
PHOTOGRAPHER
Forever In Focus– Christina Rossomando
11-13 E. Main St 2nd Fl, Mount Kisco
(914) 729-0047
foreverinfocus.com
“One of my bridesmaids had been in an earlier wedding that Christina Rossomando had photographed and when I saw her website, I really liked her work,” Amy says.
FLORIST
Arcadia Floral
407 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
(914) 777-2800
arcadiafloral.com
Amy chose square glass vases for centerpieces with an array of seasonal flowers in shades of pink, cream and white to complement the colors of the bridesmaid dresses. Votive candles surrounded the centerpieces to cast a soft romantic glow. In addition, rose petals were scattered on each table. During the cocktail hour. gardenias floated in vases set on tables.
RECEPTION
Westchester Renaissance Hotel
80 West Red Oak Ln, West Harrison
(914) 694-5400
marriott.com/hotels/travel/hpnsh-renaissance-westchester-hotel/
“We chose the Westchester Renaissance Hotel because we were looking for a site that could accommodate more than 250 people and allow guests to stay over,” Amy says. “In addition, we wanted a place not far from the ceremony sight. The Renaissance Staff was a very friendly and accommodating.”
CAKE
LuLu Cake Boutique
40 Garth Rd, Scarsdale,
(914) 722-8300
everythinglulu.com
The Westchester Renaissance Hotel recommended the Lulu Cake Boutique to make their wedding dessert centerpiece, which contained a luscious cannoli filling. In addition, trays of cookies and pastries and platters of chocolate covered strawberries were served.
MUSIC
The Cunningham Brothers
Carousel Entertainment
(914) 762-7312
carouselentertainment.com
“We selected this four- piece band because my husband knew them since they were kids. They played a variety of tunes ranging from rock, popular hits, Motown, and oldies. The band was fantastic they had the crowd going from the first song and kept them going all night. They played very long sets of fun party music.”
PHOTOS
All Photography © Christina Rossomando, Forever in Focus
