"The two of us were introduced several years ago through a mutual friend, but lost contact immediately. Several years later, while we were both working in Parsippany, New Jersey on the same corporate campus, we bumped into each other while out to lunch. I work for a consulting and risk management firm and Mike is a finance manager. Before we left to go back to our offices, he asked for my email address so we could get together for lunch again one day.

"We began sending emails to each other right away. A week later, I traveled to Minneapolis for work. While I was away on business, we spoke every night on the phone. It seemed as if we had been friends for years! When I flew home, Mike was waiting to pick me up at the airport. From that night on, we were inseparable.

"After two and a half years of dating, we started to discuss our future. On a late October day, Mike arranged a day of pampering for us at a spa in Manhattan. After our day together at the spa, he got a call from our friends inviting us to a last-minute Halloween party. Of course, with no makeup on and wearing a baseball cap, I was not thrilled with the idea.

"Finally, Mike convinced me to go and see our friends at the hotel. Once we got to 'their room' Mike opened the door, revealing a path of candles that led to a small velvet box in the center of the room. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. After a tearful acceptance, we went to dinner. It was the perfect evening!

 

 

"Since we’re both very close to our families, we wanted to find a reception location that conveyed the feeling of 'family.' From the moment we walked through the door at il Tulipano, we felt this location was right. We also loved that they did one wedding at a time.

"We met with Gregorio Polimeni, Jr. who worked us through what we envisioned our wedding to be. Greg helped us design an event that was our own, including serving the wines and cocktails that the members of our wedding party and family enjoyed. I truly cannot say enough about il Tulipano. They exceeded our every expectation.

Lauren Lo Carro & Michael Horbal Ceremony: St. Thomas the Apostle Church Reception: il Tulipano Gown: Demetrios Hair: Steve DeLuca’s Townhouse Salon Makeup: Cristina Resciniti Headpiece: Headpiece.com Florist: Michael’s Florist Photographer: Gabelli Studio Videographer: Champagne Video Productions Band: New Power Soul Honeymoon: Maui & Kauai, Hawaii il Tulipano, 973.256.7755, www.iltulipano.com

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"Dinner was a choice of chateaubriand in a Barolo wine sauce or grilled chicken in a white wine sauce with garlic mashed potatoes.

"Our lavish Viennese room had chocolate fondue, a flaming international coffee station, zeppolis, Italian pastries, pies, and cookies. il Tulipano surpassed our every wish.

"Our wedding day was absolutely perfect. We look back and are amazed at how everything worked out just as we wished it would!"