February 5, 2010

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David and Amy Lau Photography

Abby and Glenn met at high school, where Abby is a special-education teacher and Glenn is a vice principal. After a couple of years as friends, they went to Atlantic City on a first date. Three months later, on one hot summer afternoon in Atlantic City, Glenn surprised Abby by proposing. “I knew she was the one for me,” Glenn says with a smile. Abby said “yes” on the spot, as she donned a gorgeous canary diamond ring.

A Touch of Yellow in AC

David and Amy Lau Photography

They had already purchased a house together; three months later, they brought home a bulldog named Salem. And a wedding was in the works at the sentimental location of their whirlwind courtship: Atlantic City. Abby and Glenn set a date for summer vacation—August 1, 2009—with sufficient time to save. From the start, this couple planned to fund the event themselves, so their budget was a priority.

Abby and Glenn opted to hold the guest list to one hundred immediate family members and childhood friends, with a wedding party comprised of siblings only. Rather than hiring a wedding planner, Abby consulted wedding websites, television shows, and magazines for trends and ideas. “I found the best South Jersey vendors in New Jersey Bride,” she tells us.

Meanwhile, Glenn watched over the budget. “Once Abby decided what she wanted, it was my turn to wheel and deal,” explains Glenn. For an occasion where costs can easily escalate, this couple decided which purchases were important enough to splurge on and economized on the others. In their case, splurge-worthy purchases included the photographer (a camera-buff herself, Abby insisted on David Lau), the dress (from Kleinfeld Bridal, an errand for which Abby thoughtfully invited her future mother-in-law, who has two sons), and the venue (Chelsea Hotel for its intimacy, chef, and recent renovations with a retro vibe).

Their wedding featured touches of sophisticated black and sunny canary yellow, taken from the hue of Abby’s engagement ring. Canary followed through on invitations, bridesmaid dresses, bou-

quets, and even a satin ribbon for Salem the bulldog.

Abby took last summer off to handle all the final details. “I could save money and also personalize everything,” she says. “You don’t need more than a year to plan a great wedding. Most of the effort takes place in the final two months.” And she should know.

Sources:

PHOTOGRAPHER: David and Amy Lau Photography, 848-459-3198;

dlauphoto.com

VENUE & WEDDING CAKE: The Chelsea Hotel, Atlantic City,

800-548-3030; thechelsea-ac.com

CEREMONY: Church of the Epiphany, Ventnor, 609-822-0285; epiphanyventnor.org

BRIDE’S GOWN: Pnina Tornai, from Kleinfeld, Manhattan,

646-633-4300; kleinfeldbridal.com

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: David’s Bridal, 877-923-2743;

davidsbridal.com

TUXEDOS: Men’s Wearhouse, 877-986-9669; menswearhouse.com

FLORIST: Green Lea Florist, Voorhees, 856-767-4287 or 800-657-6945; green-lea.com