Amanda & Danny
By Ivette Manners
Photography By Perceptions Photography
Amanda and Danny’s love story began in the summer of 2005 when they met through mutual friends. They hit it off right away, but since they, both were seeing other people they remained just friends. At the end of the summer, they ran into each other at a local bar in Amityville and started talking. “I truly felt like it was love at first sight when I met Danny, but it took a little time for us to get together,” says Amanda. Danny felt the same. “I knew Amanda was going to be out that night and I was determined to ask her out,” he says.
While dating, the couple began a tradition of hosting a Christmas party each year to get together with friends for the holidays. “It became our special thing and each year we would come up with a funny theme,” says Amanda. For Christmas in 2008, Amanda and Danny asked their friends to dress in their favorite, funny Christmas pajamas and the best outfits would receive prizes. Around midnight, the couple rounded up their 60 guests on the front lawn to pick the winners. After he gave out the 1st prize, he said he had one more surprise for everyone; then he got down on one knee and proposed to Amanda. “I was in shock, but of course said ‘yes’,” says Amanda. “I think all of the people on the block heard the cheers and screams coming from our yard.”
Danny, who was half-Catholic and half-Jewish, converted to Catholicism, so they could get married in a Catholic church and hold a full mass. The ceremony was officiated by Monsignor Robert Thelen at St. Martin of Tours in Amityville. Danny met Msgr. Thelen when he was converting to Catholicism and wanted him to be part of their big day. The couple faced their family and friends as they said their vows, which was very special for them and their guests. The bride wore an ivory mermaid shaped gown with a sweetheart neckline and sequin and lace embellishment; which she accessorized with a cathedral-length veil, chandelier earrings, and Badgley Mischka shoes (she changed into hot pink Stuart Weitzman shoes for the reception). Amanda also wore a bracelet she borrowed from Danny’s grandmother. Her bridesmaids wore black A-line dresses and black peep-toe shoes along with earrings that Amanda gave them as gifts. Danny wore a traditional black Calvin Klein tuxedo with a white shirt, ivory vest, and ivory striped tie. The groomsmen wore the same style black tux with a white shirt, silver vest, and silver-striped tie. Guests tossed hot pink flower petals from ivory cones as the couple left the church planning to jump into a Rolls Royce, but then decided to ride in the limo with their bridal party to Carlyle on the Green in Farmingdale. “We wanted to celebrate with our bridal party on the way to the reception, figuring that we would have plenty of time to be alone over the next two weeks while honeymooning in Greece,” says Amanda.
The ballroom at the Carlyle was lit up by an assortment of soft colors and the
tables were named after soccer teams in the English Premier League. The bride and groom sat at “Liverpool”, Danny’s favorite team. The tables were also decorated with alternating tall vases holding long white calla lilies and low square vases filled with hot pink roses. The guests enjoyed music by Skyline Orchestras during the cocktail hour, and the reception’s menu was an epicurean dream, complete with a mashed potato bar, Margarita Bar, and Pasta Bar. The dinner entrée was a choice of chicken, Mahi Mahi and Filet Mignon, and the pièce
de résistance was the round black and white wedding cake, baked by the pastry
chef at the Carlyle, which was decorated with a black swirl design and pink roses and had a chocolate chip and cannoli filling. In lieu of favors, the couple gave a donation to the ASPCA.
The DJ had every single guest on their feet. The high-energy event was photographed by Anthony of Perceptions Photography. “Our favorite part of the night was the last dance,” says Amanda. “We played ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Jay-Z instead of the traditional ‘New York, New York’.” Everyone was up on their feet and after the song was over the doors to the terrace were opened up for the after party. “The Reggae band was awesome and everyone had such a great time. Having that extra hour was probably one of the best wedding decisions we made. It was such a beautiful night.”
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