February 5, 2010

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Susie Sefcik Photography

For avid runners Sherry Sikora of Succasunna and Matt Hannay of Hopewell, getting to the altar was more of a well-paced marathon than a quick sprint. The couple met in 1999 as freshmen on the track team at the University of Richmond, and began dating in 2002. Six years later, Matt proposed during a romantic dinner for two after an outing with their running group. Just when they were in the home stretch of planning an intimate, family-focused event at the English Manor in Ocean Township, Matt, an insurance underwriter, was transferred to Richmond, Virginia. The couple packed up and moved south to their old stomping ground.

Easy-Going Elegance

Susie Sefcik Photography

Despite the distance, Sherry and Matt were able to pull off the elegant yet easy-going event they envisioned, and on July 25, 2009, they exchanged vows in front of 100 guests under a picturesque flower-draped gazebo with Rev. Joe Monahan of Succasunna United Methodist Church, Sherry’s childhood parish, presiding. “The gardens at the English Manor are gorgeous, and getting married outside really suited our personalities,” says Sherry.

The bride and groom each had four attendants, including Sherry’s twin sister and several friends from their college track team. After an hour-and-a-half cocktail party, guests enjoyed a lunch of Champagne chicken and chateaubriand, followed by a decadent dessert spread including a three-tiered chocolate-and-vanilla wedding cake with cannoli filling, a chocolate fountain, and mini ice-cream cones. Inside the ballroom, arrangements of roses, dahlias, and hydrangeas in shades of purple and green—Sherry’s favorite color combo—graced the tables. An eight-piece band kept everyone on the dance floor, and their performance of Bruce Springsteen’s “Sherry Darling” was one of Matt’s favorite moments.

In the end, it was the guests who made it so meaningful. “The whole day was amazing,” says Sherry, “but having our friends and family—including Matt’s mother, grandmother, and godmother who live in England—together in one place was the highlight.” After their I dos, the couple took a two-part honeymoon, first driving up the California coast, then jetting off to Aruba to chill on the beach. They are back at home in Richmond.

Sources:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Susie Sefcik, Red Bank, 908-902-3180; susiesefcikphotography.com

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: The English Manor,

Ocean Township, 732-776-8558; theenglishmanor.com

BRIDE’S GOWN: Jefre Bridals, Green Brook, 732-968-7733; jefrebridals.com

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: David’s Bridal, East Brunswick,

732-249-6552; davidsbridal.com

FLOWERS: Kathy Keller, The Keller Flower Studio, Red Bank, 732-842-1939; kellerflowerstudio.com

CAKE: The Pastry Chef, Tinton Falls, 732-922-8111

INVITATIONS: Crane’s from the Papery, Shrewsbury,

732-741-0414; thepaperystores.com

BRIDE’S RINGS:Whiteflash.com, 877-612-6770