It’s not every day where you hear of a love story that started in Kindergarten; but for Linda Zuckerman and Michael Maddaloni, they were lucky enough to have met all the way back before grade school days. After a dedicated decade long relationship from high school onward, the meant-to-be couple recently got engaged in what we’re calling the ‘Summer of Love’. A special event was coordinated for Linda and Michael’s engagement on July 24th, 2021 which also happens to have been Linda’s 29th birthday – and what a celebration it was.
At the couple’s waterfront home in Long Island, New York, a lantern and flower-adorned floating dock set the stage where Michael popped the question. The couple’s closest family and friends were hiding behind the scenes to watch as the moment unfolded.
Cocktail tables cascading out from the event tent turned the lawn into an elegant party setting overlooking Stony Brook Harbor. Mother Nature was really looking out after multiple weekends of rain, the beautiful day turned out to be 80 degrees and mostly sunny.
A stunning ‘London’ flower wall by New York Backdrops was the perfect romantic backdrop for the engagement event. The 8 x 8 foot installation filled with an assortment of pink and white florals glowed in the afternoon sunlight as guests mingled and took advantage of the perfect photo opportunity.
Catering was provided by celebrity Caterer Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs, New York’s premiere luxury caterer servicing New York, Long Island, and The Hamptons. Their attention to detail, elegant recipes and artistic presentations made the hors d’oeuvres hour more like a Michelin-starred tasting. A few highlights included Sesame Seared Tuna [on a wonton crisp with fresh seaweed salad and Sriracha aioli], Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls [with carrot, avocado, and local greens], and Watermelon Cups [with feta and aged balsamic].
A toast to Linda and Michael featured their signature Basil Watermelon Cooler, a refreshing tequila-based cocktail for the mid-summer celebration.
Back in the tent, a 20-foot grazing station was filled with the best party bites – from assorted antipasto tastings, a caviar station, veggie filled roasted potatoes, and mini truffle mac and cheese bowls.
The Ikraa Caviar station was a guest favorite featuring D.I.Y recipes, the choice of either a a blini or cucumber base, and toppings of chopped egg, onion, capers, creme fraiche, and lemon wedges.
As adamant foodies, Linda and Michael included Black Winter Truffle from Truffle Shuffle freshly shaved and added as a topping to various dishes, along with their Truffle Salt and Truffle Honey.
Any celebration of love with an Italian family is not complete without a little pizza. The team at Pinons Pizza Company brought their Mobile Bake station, making fresh wood-fired pizza all night long. Delectable pies like their Wild Mushroom, Maple Bacon, Garlic Sausage and Hot Mesa hit the spot; and the a touch of Truffle Shuffle’s Black Winter Truffle on a fresh pizzette was custom made for the event.
Anthony of DJC Productions kept the beats going into night with a full DJ station set-up on the house patio overlooking the event space.
As the sun set, the table spread turned into a dessert station filled with custom cakes and cupcakes by Kira’s Cupcakery. The self-taught cupcake queen Kira thoughtfully created L & M cupcake monograms, decorated to match the party theme adorned with real roses! Her homemade cupcakes have become a sensation with the melt-in-your-mouth feel and ultra elegant aesthetic – a real treat for any celebration.
The celebration of Linda and Michael was absolutely perfect, and one to remember.
Official event photography provided by Brandon Atchinson.
