Monday, June 1, 2009

Abella Studios' Photography Featured in Real Weddings Article from Manhattan Bride Magazine - Spring 2009

We were delighted to provide the images captured at Jeremy's and Sandi's Big Day for this article. Their reception was held at The Park Savoy, Florham Park, NJ...It is one of our favorite spots to shoot...Absolutely beautiful grounds and facility...

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Jeremy and I met in Maryland in early 2006, where we both worked in television advertising sales. Shortly after meeting, we began dating. Just before our two year anniversary, I test drove a new car and went home to pick up Jeremy so he could go back to the dealership with me. When I showed up, he was at the house playing with our dog in the family room. He was acting strangely and kept asking me to hold the dog, and then finally asked me to look at our dog’s collar. Attached to it was a blue pouch containing my ring. I immediately started crying and accepted his proposal.

We wanted to get married in the beginning of October, our favorite time of the year. There was no doubt that we found the perfect place after we visited The Park Savoy. We loved that the mansion is incredibly charming, with cozy fireplaces, a baby grand piano in the cocktail area, and an incredible back deck that overlooks a waterfall, a reflecting pool, and an unbelievably manicured multi-level garden. Their outdoor area was breathtaking for our ceremony. The Park Savoy also has an expansive bridal suite with a concave fireplace, a lovely antique armoire, and a chaise lounge. Alan Weinstein, the owner, made our entire out-of-state planning process effortless and stress-free. The space also has a newly constructed annex connected to the dining area that would serve as our back-up in case the weather didn’t cooperate for the ceremony.

On the day of our wedding, I was fortunate enough to have my two very good friends help with my hair and makeup, and they did a wonderful job.

We could not have been more pleased by the menu we chose. At the cocktail hour, we enjoyed a variety of 15 passed hors d’oeuvres, including lobster bonbons and hickory-grilled pizza. We also had a meat carving station, a fresh mozzarella station, and an outdoor Mexican station with fajitas and frozen margaritas.

Dinner was a combination of grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, and artichokes wrapped in a crispy phyllo purse, and an arugula salad tossed with Julienne apples in an aged white wine vinaigrette, topped with caramelized walnuts and shaved Manchego cheese. The entrees were a choice of roasted salmon with sesame, soy, and ginger glaze; filet mignon with cabernet sauce; or medallions of chicken with eggplant, tomato, and mozzarella. The Park Savoy also accommodated our guests who kept Kosher.

When our meal was over, the cocktail area transformed into a dessert wonderland, complete with a waffle and ice cream station, a gelato station, a chocolate dipping station, cookies, pastries, and cakes. As if that wasn’t enough, The Park Savoy also surprised everyone with a tray of Kahlua shots with warm cookies. Included in our wedding package were a full premium bar, a custom-designed four-tiered wedding cake, and an ice sculpture with our initials.

Beyond the ambience and the outstanding food, The Park Savoy also has the most friendly and unforgettable staff. I had two wonderful bridal attendants helping me. They were there all day to make sure we had something to eat and drink.

To me, one of the most important people at our wedding was my father. A year before our wedding, my mother passed away. My parents were married for 46 years and I knew this day would be difficult for him. The staff at The Park Savoy treated him like a king, and for that I will be forever grateful. Now that we are married, we both agree that our wedding was perfect.

Sandi Solomon &Jeremy Ricci

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Ceremony & Reception: The Park Savoy
Gown: Sophia Tolli
Bridesmaids: Alfred Angelo
Hair: Melissa Kottler
Makeup: Joelle Seaton
Tux: Ralph Lauren
Florist: A & K Florist
Ring: Golda Jewelry
Cake: The Park Savoy
Photography: Abella Studios, 973.575.6633
Band: Leonard Bornstein Entertainment
Honeymoon: Maui and Kauai