"Marcie and I met through our mutual friend, Chrissy, in March of 2003. While Chrissy and I were having lunch one day in Boston, Marcie called to let her know that she was coming to the restaurant. I decided to stick around to meet her.

"Marcie was beautiful and we got along famously. The next day I called and invited her out for dinner and a concert. It wasn’t long before we realized we were made for one another.

"Five months later, we decided to move in together in Boston, where I work as a unit manager providing client services for a financial company. Marcie quickly got a job working for CSN Stores as an online retailer.

"In January of 2006, I asked Marcie to be my wife. It was a Sunday morning, and I woke up early, leaving a single note on the coffee table as I set out to plant other clues all over the city of Boston. The last clue took her to Swan Lake where I was waiting for her under the bridge on one knee. I asked her to marry me. She accepted.

"Marcie and I researched venues that would be equidistant for our families travelling from around the tri-state area. Liberty House was the perfect spot and the perfect venue for us. It provided the most scenic, most romantic backdrop for our wedding.

"John Hanson, the banquet manager, and Jeanne Cretella, the owner of Liberty House, were an absolute pleasure to work with. They always took the time to sit with us to discuss color patterns and menu options. Their experience and knowledge played a major role in helping us make all the right choices.

"John and Jeanne also helped us host an intimate rehearsal dinner on their luxury yacht, The Valiant, for our family and those friends who were participating in the wedding. The boat was decorated with beautiful artwork and inviting lounge furniture, floral upholsteries, dark woods, and bronze sculptures.

"A four-piece jazz band serenaded us throughout the evening as we enjoyed a pasta station, a meat carving station, a made-to-order stir-fry station, and platters of antipasto. We cruised up and down the Hudson River for hours, stopping in front of Lady Liberty.

Marcella DiBernardo & Joe DiChiara Ceremony: St. Patrick’s Church Reception: Liberty House Restaurant Rehearsal Dinner Cruise: The Valiant Yacht Gown: Alfred Sung Bridesmaids: After Six Hair & Makeup: Balance Hair Salon Tiara: Jessica McClintock Tux: Calvin Klein Ring: E.B. Horn Florist: Perla and Company Invitations: SoLUXE Cake: Carlo’s Bakery Photographer: Sebastian Photography DJ: International Sound DJ Ent. Honeymoon: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Liberty House Restaurant 201.395.0300, www.libertyhouserestaurant.com Valiant Yacht Charters 201.761.0666, www.valiantyachtcharters.com

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"After the ceremony we headed to the Liberty House, where our guests indulged in the cocktail hour, with everything from create-your-own pasta stations to a Mediterranean raw bar to a meat carving station. Most of our guests were going out on the balcony outside, taking in views of the Manhattan skyline.

"At our reception each table had four-foot tall white rose and orchid flower arrangements in copper pedestals with white candles. Our dinner menu consisted of frisee and arugula salad with a wheel of baked brie, and a choice of grilled filet mignon served with a twice-baked chive wrapped potato and green beans, or porcini-coated halibut with red wine sauce and fingerling potatoes.

"The desserts included fresh berries with whipped cream and a gorgeous white fondant cake. Throughout the evening, the wait staff was impeccable. No one was left wanting anything.

"Jeanne and John had every detail of the evening planned out and executed without a flaw. We never had to think of anything other than our enjoyment."