September 17, 2011
As a musician and music therapist, Evelyn Potter knew that music would play an important role in her wedding. It started with the proposal, when Stephen Amato had “In My Life” by The Beatles playing as he made Evy trace a ribbon around their apartment, to which he’d affixed cards reminding her of their best memories as a couple, until the ribbon finally ended—tied to the ring box.
Of course, Stephen has his own passion: Star Wars. Right before graduating from SUNY New Paltz, where the couple met, he asked Evy to see Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as a first date.
When it finally came time for them to get married in September 2011, Evy and Stephen wanted a classic wedding, while still making room to showcase their interests. The ceremony took place at the O’Byrne Chapel on the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase. Evy’s father walked her down the aisle to “Across the Universe”—there are those Beatles again—and, after saying her vows, Evy took up her ukulele and sang “Always” by Irving Berlin. “If you listen to the lyrics, they’re really significant for people saying their wedding vows,” she says.
Evy and Stephen were chauffeured in a 1961 Rolls-Royce Princess to their reception, which took place at The CV Rich Mansion in White Plains, a venue the couple found after a long search. “We had a big guest list that started with around two hundred forty people,” Evy says. “All of the places we liked were cute, small places that couldn’t fit two hundred people. CV Rich Mansion had what we were looking for in those smaller venues, but it could fit the large crowd.” And, as they were announced for the first time as a married couple, Stephen entered brandishing his replica light saber.
Though cozy, the Mansion’s ballroom is quite big, so the couple had House of Flowers design centerpieces out of tall lanterns to fill the space. House of Flowers also made bright magenta bouquets as a contrast to the bridesmaids’ subtle silvery dresses. Evy chose a dress from Priscilla of Boston that not only featured pockets, but also had short lace sleeves that buttoned onto the dress, which she wore during the ceremony and removed for the reception.
While at the reception, guests danced to the music of the nine-piece Marc Topaz Orchestra. “Every song they played sounded like the original artist,” Evy says, “or better!”
Resource Guide:
Photography: Diane Stredicke of Hudson River Photographer, Rhinebeck (845) 876-0652; hudsonriverphotographer.com. Videography: eMotion Pictures, New York, NY (646) 483-3083;
emotionpicturesnyc.com. Ceremony Site: O’Byrne Chapel, Manhattanville College, 2900 Purchase St, Purchase (914) 694-2200; mville.edu. Reception Venue: The CV Rich Mansion, 305 Ridgeway, White Plains (914) 949-3543; caperberryevents.com. Wedding Planner: Joanna Malone at Caperberry Events, Inc. Cake: Lulu Custom Cake Boutique, 40 Garth Rd, Scarsdale (914) 722-8300; everythinglulu.com. Florist: House of Flowers, 231 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck, (914) 698-2522; houseofflowersny.com. Bridal Dress, Veil and Accessories: Priscilla of Boston (now closed). Bridal Hair: Debbie Weaver at Scott Thomas Salon, 1137 E Main St, Shrub Oak (914) 245-3600; scott-thomas-salon.com. Bridal Makeup: Mara Stolper, Makeup By Mara, (914) 645-0421; makeupbymara@aol.com. Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal; davidsbridal.com. Bridesmaids’ Accessories: Loft; loft.com. Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse; menswearhouse.com. Music and Entertainment: Marc Topaz Music and Entertainment, New York, NY (516) 584-2774; marctopaz.com. Invitations: Paper Source, 338 Boylston St, Boston, MA (617) 536-3444; paper-source.com. Transportation: Top Class Limousine, Ltd, 24 Ashburton Ave, Yonkers (914) 423-5466; topclasslimo.com.