January 3, 2012

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Kay English Photography.

Meghan McCarthy first met the man of her dreams in the summer of 2006 at Leggett’s Sand Bar in Manasquan. Jason Ronan was tending bar and, once he and Meghan locked eyes, it was a mutual attraction. In fact, they hit it off so well that after his shift, Jason invited Meghan to a local fireman’s fair. “We talked all evening, had so much fun, and that was that,” the bride says.

For The Fun of It

Fun has always been the operative word in this relationship, and the couple’s May 6, 2011, wedding day reflected their lighthearted personalities. Immediately after Meghan, a pre-kindergarten teacher from Howell, and Jason, a glazier from Manasquan, exchanged their vows at Saint William the Abbot Church in Howell, the fun—unexpectedly—began. Jason was so excited that he sat in the wrong seat during the church service. Then, after the ceremony came to an end, one of the guests fell backward into a fountain. While guests regained their composure, Meghan and Jason made a quick detour to Leggett’s to pose for photos at their original meeting place.

They then arrived at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant with their nautical-themed reception bursting with navy blue and hot pink. Almost 200 guests were treated to a photo booth and an evening of dance music. “We specifically asked the band to play only upbeat music so that everyone would be relaxed and dancing the whole time,” Meghan says. There was even a flash mob dance to “Push Push” by Kat DeLuna and Akon. The bride’s friends and family practiced it at the shower and bachelorette party, and taught other guests.

“My best tip for brides is to be sure to relax after the ceremony and get into a party mode for your reception,” Meghan says. “I’m so glad I took off my veil, put a diamond flower in my hair and added a one-shouldered strap to my dress for dancing!” Before heading home, guests helped themselves to a candy bar, and scooped up M&M’s, Hershey kisses and Swedish Fish treats into their take-home plastic beach-bucket party favors. After a 10-day honeymoon in St. Lucia, the couple is at home in Brick.

Resources:

Photographer: Kay English Photography; kayenglishphotography.com

RECEPTION: Crystal Point Yacht Club, Point Pleasant; thecrystalpoint.com

BRIDE’S GOWN: Maggie Sottero from Nicole’s Boutique, Brick, 732-262-3500; nicolesboutique.com

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Victoria’s Secret; victoriassecret.com

FLOWER GIRLS: Littlegirldresses.com

TUXEDO: Men’s Wearhouse; menswearhouse.com

JEWELER: Bentley Diamond Importers, Wall, 732-974-9292; bentleydiamond.com

MUSIC & PHOTO BOOTH: Elite Entertainment, 888-354-8380;

eliteentertainment.com

HAIR: Le Chic Salon, Spring Lake, 732-449-1332

FLOWERS: Flowers by Rhonda, Brielle, 732-612-3277; flowersbyrhonda.net