"Al and I met in 2001 at a restaurant in Brooklyn where I was the managing partner. He quickly became my best customer and my best friend. I knew within three months that I was going to marry him. He later admitted he had a crush on me but was concerned about losing our friendship. It would be several months before we became serious.

"In the meantime, I hired Al’s band to play at my restaurant. He spent much of his free time helping me plan theme nights at the restaurant. We just loved being around each other.

"Originally, marriage was not the goal, but after being together for a couple of years, it became a priority. In lieu of an engagement ring, Al and I purchased a one-bedroom cottage upstate, which we have since renovated into a four-bedroom dream home.

"I’m Jewish and Al is Catholic, and we wanted a non-traditional, personalized wedding where we could incorporate traditions from both our faiths. We looked at several places in Manhattan and the outer boroughs and selected Renaissance of Astoria because of its elegant, classical décor and its wonderfully accommodating staff.

"We wanted to throw a beautiful event and Renaissance of Astoria and our fantastic vendors created a dream wedding. Zhana Marcelin, our event coordinator, and Alma Radoncic, the assistant manager, made the process a calm and easy one. No request was too great. They really allowed us to enjoy our own celebration.

"The wait staff was friendly and efficient. They even had a waiter serve champagne to me in a suite. This was prior to the event, and was just one example of their commitment to service and to those little details you’d never think of, but truly appreciate.

"After our ceremony, they set up our table under our chuppah, which was beautifully decorated with curly willows, vendela roses, and berries. Our tables at the reception were decorated with big, creamy vendela roses and white calla lilies.

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Melissa Greenberg & Alfred Nicoletti Ceremony: Renaissance of Astoria Reception: Renaissance of Astoria Gown: Watters and Watters Headpiece: Sara Gabriel Hair: Karen Starr Florist: Felipe Sastre Cake: Mallory Staley Photography: Mangerweil Studios, Patrick Haley DJ: Summit Entertainment Renaissance of Astoria, 718.274.9210 www.renaissanceofastoria.com

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"We wanted to make sure everyone would have enough to eat and drink. Our expectations were exceeded. We received many compliments on the food, particularly the oven-smoked salmon with a coconut-saffron créme sauce and cornish hen with cranberry sauce. All the dishes looked terrific.

"Before the cake, they even served chocolate bowls with ice cream and berries, hot apple and cranberry pie with a Grand Marnier sauce, and white and peach chocolate-dipped spoons to be served with coffee.