Couple Makes Their Wedding Debut in Style
Nicole Balsamo and Robert Stonbely II
Ritz Carlton Westchester, White Plains
Ritz Carlton Westchester, White Plains
Entering into marriage is a true act of faith, but entering a contract with an unfinished banquet facility that requires you to wear a hard hat when viewing the premises for the first time—now that takes guts! And that is exactly what Nicole Balsamo and Robert Stonbely II did in August of 2007 when they were brought up to the second floor of what would be the Ritz-Carlton ballroom. “We were reassured by the staff,” says Nicole Balsamo, a manager for a commercial real estate company. She met her husband-to-be, Robert Stonbely II, owner of Kitchen & Bath Stores in North White Plains, while grabbing a late-night dinner after work at a White Plains restaurant. “They showed us swatches and gave us a good idea of what everything would look like,” she recalls. “Of course, when our florist, Diana Gould, got through with the up-lighting, amber swags, and tree centerpieces with tea lights, the magnificent room looked even better than before.”
And so, the 160-guest Balsamo-Stonbely wedding made history as the first wedding reception to be celebrated at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester on February 23, 2008.
Resources: Caterer: The Ritz-Carlton Westchester, www.ritzcarlton/westchester.com, (914) 946-5500. Wedding dress, accessories, bridesmaids’ andflower girls’ dresses: Fontana Bridal Salon, www.fontanabridalsalon.com, (914) 472-1441. Tuxedos: Windsor Tuxedos, www.windsortuxedo.com, (914) 948-8330. Mother-of-the-bride’s gown: Neiman Marcus www.neimanmarcus.com, (914) 428-2000, Centerpieces: Diana Gould Ltd., www.dianagouldltd.com, (914) 347-7134 Band: Hal Prince, www.halprince.com, (914)937-4700, Cake: Ritz-Carlton pastry chef and decorated by Diana Gould.
Photos by André Maier
