Melissa & Lenny
By Margie Monin Dombrowski
Photography By Silverfox Photography
Melissa was dressed to impress for her first day of school at Dowling College in spring 2005 when she exited an elevator in her dorm building and noticed a handsome young man, Lenny, reading a newspaper nearby. She said “Hi” and went about her day, even though she was curious about him. Lenny wanted to know more about her, so he asked around until he found her later that day. The rest, Melissa says, is history.
When Lenny, a commercial pilot, told Melissa that he had picked out her ring, he had to live up to some high expectations for a proposal because Melissa is a wedding planner. Then one lovely September day, Melissa and Lenny visited Old Westbury Gardens, where Melissa was distracted by photographing her beautiful surroundings. Suddenly, she noticed Lenny on bended knee with a gorgeous ring, asking to marry him. Melissa responded with, “You have it?!” which didn’t exactly answer his question, so he asked again. “Yes!” she shouted, “Of course, yes.”
Melissa said “I do” a year later in a fitted Liz Fields custom gown with a sweetheart neckline, drop waist, Swarovski belt and ruffle across the bust matching the loose ruffles sweeping down. The gown’s long train was later bustled for the reception. Melissa wore a white veil with white beading on the edge tucked into the back of her hair with a floral rhinestone brooch and Badgley Mischka shoes with pink rhinestones on the platform. “For all special events in my life, my mom had always had a touch of pink incorporated in some way and I wanted to continue the tradition,” Melissa said. She accessorized with a Swarovski bangle bracelet and her sister’s earrings (her “something borrowed”). She also had a heart with Lenny’s and her initials stitched onto her gown in a light blue thread as her “something blue.”
The bridesmaids all matched in full-length tangerine Liz Fields gowns in soft chiffon. Their gowns had one shoulder strap and the same brooch Melissa wore in her hair on the strap and waist. Another brooch was added to the shoulder for extra sparkle. The maid of honor’s gown was strapless to distinguish her, while all bridesmaids wore the same gold heels with ruching around the opening.
Groomsmen looked classic but with a trendy twist in black tuxedos, black vests, skinny ties and orange boutonnieres. Decked out in black and white, Lenny’s tuxedo, suspenders, hand-tied bow tie, and mother of pearl studs and cuff links were a fashionable take on a traditional look.
Melissa arrived to the ceremony at Corpus Christi Church in a 1966 Princess Rolls Royce with her parents. The bride and groom had a full catholic mass and exchanged traditional vows before family and friends. Inside the church, each pew was accentuated with a white tulle bow and Swarovski brooch, white floral arrangements sat atop white columns, and a white and silver aisle runner hand painted with swirls and the couple’s monogram greeted guests upon entering. Guests were handed programs containing Melissa and Lenny’s monogram and Swarovski crystal embellishments as well as bubbles personalized with the words “Love Is In The Air—August 27, 2011” to shower well wishes on the couple as they left for the reception.
The reception was held at The Hamlet Golf and Country Club, which was elegantly decorated with rose and hydrangea centerpieces with crystals raining down, provided by Colonial Flower Shop. Five-foot chandeliers floated above every other table with a bouquet of cascading white orchids. Knotted white lamour chair covers dressed up the seating, while the tables were topped with a silver tablecloth, white lamour underlay and silver lamour napkins from The Finishing Touch. Vase centerpieces were filled with rose petals and candles, and rhinestone table numbers, which were created by You’re Invited to Celebrate, rested against them. Signs saying “Eat, Drink and Be Married” and “The New Mr. and Mrs.” in rhinestones hung from strands of crystals above the dance floor.
A live band playing Portuguese folk music (in honor of Melissa’s Portuguese heritage) and DJ with accompanying lighting effects entertained the crowd all night. Guests dined on crab cakes, Greek salad, pink champagne Sorbet, filet mignon, prosciutto-wrapped chicken breast and maple-mustard glazed wild king salmon. During the Viennese hour, guests were treated to cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate lava cake, bananas foster and waffle stations, a chocolate fountain and a cigar roller. The five-tier wedding cake, made with a different flavor and filling for each layer, was accented with a bubbles motif that faded toward the bottom and a Swarovski “C” cake topper.
The reception went off without a hitch, though Hurricane Irene threatened to ruin the festivities. Even with canceled train schedules, changing the reception start time last minute and vendors asking to move the date, the celebration went on. “Everyone was ready to party, with or without power,” Melissa said.
Melissa and Lenny honeymooned in the exotic Canary Islands, where it’s 85 degrees and sunny every day. The newlyweds enjoyed their own private beach and poolside area, and spent their days whale watching, going on volcano and desert ATV tours, and taking rainforest canopy walks. It was the perfect ending to their wedding stress and start to their life together.
Take it from a bride who didn’t let a hurricane spoil her big day: “Not everything may be exactly how you planned, but it is always going to be your special day,” Melissa said.
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