The Michelle Bastardi and Brandon LeBlanc Wedding

College is a great place to meet new friends and entertain an occasional romantic interest. But not many plan—or expect—to meet a future spouse there, though stranger things have happened.
Michelle and Brandon first crossed paths via a common friend, in the first week of the first semester of freshman year. Little did either know that the two would become inseparable and that their encounter would quickly blossom into the romance of the century—at least their romance of the century.

Brandon and Michelle dated for eight years and eventually moved in together before getting engaged. In April 2009, the couple took a trip to visit Michelle’s grandfather on beautiful Marco Island in Florida. What Michelle didn’t know was that Brandon had stowed a beautiful engagement ring in his pocket, fully prepared to ask for her hand in marriage, and even though he playfully admits that he was bursting at the seams to propose, he waited until the perfect moment presented itself, got down on one knee, and proposed on the balcony at sunset.

The fountain, surrounded by lion statues, makes a perfect background.

A quick kiss in the Rolls

The ceremony was held at the Briarcliff Congregational Church, around the corner from where the bride grew up. After a photo session at the Trump National Golf Club Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, the bridal party moved on to the reception, held at the Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac. The guests enjoyed the Villa Barone Grande Deluxe Menu with full Viennese hour as well as a decadent chocolate cake with cannoli filling.

The bride wore a stunning modified A-line gown by Demetrios, complete with a cathedral train and a two-tiered veil, purchased from House of Botticelli in Bronxville. Her accessories were all precious family heirlooms.

The Monday after the wedding, the happy couple enjoyed a fabulous honeymoon cruise stopping at various tropical spots such as St. Thomas and the Grand Turks.

When asked why this marriage works so well, the bride doesn’t hesitate: “He makes me smile,” she says. “He makes me laugh.”

And isn’t that all you really need?

CAKE:
Villa Barone Hilltop Manor
466 Wt Route 6, Mahopac, NY
(845) 628-6600

CEREMONY LOCATION:
Briarcliff Congregational Church
30 S State Rd, Briarcliff Manor
(914) 941-4368

ENTERTAINMENT:
Le Grande Entertainment
590 Commerce St, Thornwood
(914) 741-2595

LIMOS:
Settembre Luxury Limo
1421 Crompond Rd, Peekskill
(914) 288-9198

FLORIST:
Westchester Floral Decorators
299 Wolfs Ln, Pelham
(914) 663-1900

INVITATIONS:
Precious Papers
71 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville
(914) 747-6850

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Martone Brothers Photography
961 Morris Park Ave, New York, NY
(718) 931-9090

RECEPTION VENUE:
Villa Barone Hilltop Manor
466 W Route 6, Mahopac, NY
(845) 628-6600

WEDDING ATTIRE:

Demetrios Gown
House of Botticelli
81 Pondfield Rd #340, Bronxville
(914) 337-6384

Angela Nuran Shoes
www.angelanuran.com

Family heirloom accessories

Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dresses
www.alfredangelo.com

Calvin Klein tuxedos
www.menswarehouse.com