No bridesmaids. No groomsmen. No dance floor.
Just “a quiet celebration of our union without any drama or aggravation.”
That’s what Rhonda Rose wanted—and what she got—when 32—yes “only” 32—of her and her groom’s closest relatives and friends gathered for an outdoor ceremony and lunch to celebrate their wedding at the Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown.
Rhonda, 37, currently finishing her degree in marriage and family therapy while working in a mental health clinic, met Michael, 34, while working on a temporary assignment for the State of New York. They began dating and eventually moved in together. On the day before Thanksgiving 2008, Michael proposed, but plans for their fall wedding didn’t gel until they decided on the Castle for their reception.
A 40-foot vaulted ceiling castle complete with Tiffany-style stained-glass windows may seem like an elaborate choice for a bride who bought her shoes and Mori Lee dress online, but it was one of the few places that didn’t laugh when Rhonda revealed the number of her guests.The Castle, with Rhonda’s input, planned the menu, which included Asian-inspired hors d’oeuvres and a devil’s food and white chocolate-mousse cake.
Because stationery companies wouldn’t print such a small number of wedding invitations, Rhonda made the invitations herself, using cream and chocolate-brown paper from Target. “I didn’t have a theme. I just wanted to have people get together and have a nice time. That’s it.”
With all the savings from their small wedding, the couple splurged on a month-long honeymoon in Fiji and Australia.
Resource Guide:
Venue: Castle on the Hudson, Tarrytown (914) 631-1980; castleonthehudson.com. Florist: Creative Flowers by Amodio’s, White Plains (914) 949-2444; creativeflowersbyamodio.com. Music/Entertainment: iPod. Invitations: Target. Favors: Macy’s, White Plains, macys.com. Wedding gown: Mori Lee, bestbridalprices.com. Photographer: Ro Rappa, White Plains (914) 831-7039; rappaphotography.com
