After living in New York City for awhile and not seeing much outside her law office, John Burroughs alum Allison Laycob decided to give her online dating profile, set up by a friend with Allison’s disapproval, a real try. And when Jeff Matty walked into her life in May 2012, she found her future husband— and the fun side of the city. “Through Jeff I met a whole new world of people and places to go,” Allison says. “Before, I was kind of isolated and not enjoying everything New York has to offer, but he knew all the cool venues and music spots.”
Two years later, Jeff proposed during a long weekend when friends were visiting. Although Allison knew for awhile it was coming, this was the last weekend she would have expected it, she says. Explaining that their friends had other plans, Jeff suggested they cook at home that night, and asked Allison if she would mind skipping her kickboxing class. Because on any other normal night he would be happy to eat without her, she went anyway. “I thought it was no big deal,” she says. “I open the door, all sweaty, and he’s on one knee, candles are lit, dinner’s ready, there’s flowers.” She was shocked.
This winter, the couple will become husband and wife at Congregation B’nai Amoona, with a celebration following at Westwood Country Club. “My family has belonged to Westwood ever since I can remember,” Allison says. “No place is more beautiful in St. Louis.” The black-tie affair will be warm and cozy, Allison says, and feature live music from Memphis Soul Revue. “It will be awesome,” she says. “I’m excited to have everyone I love in the same room, everyone I’ve loved all together to support me and Jeff.” Jeff and Allison live in New York City. Jeff is a complex litigation attorney at Nelson Levine de Luca & Hamilton and Allison is a vice president on the strategic alliances team at Markit.
[resources]
Ceremony location | Congregation B’nai Amoona
Reception location | Westwood Country Club
Caterer | Westwood Country Club
Photographer | Joel Marion Photography
Baker | Sugaree Baking Company
Florist | Caroline Kelsey Designs
Dress | Anne Barge, from St. Louis Berrybridge Bridal
Honeymoon | Fiji and Australia
[wedding party]
Matron of Honor | Chrissy Poleski
Maids of Honor | Rebecca Barclay, Erica Barnell
Bridesmaids | Lesley Matty, Janie Foster, Sara Badler, Rachel Rosen, Tanaz Dietz, Allison Schiffman, Aviva Grossberg
Junior Bridesmaid | Brooke Greenfield
Best Men | Michael McGrath, Kipper Kohn
Groomsmen | Michael Laycob, Tom Devine, Andrew Labovitz, Chris Graziano, Pete Dunne, Andrew Barnell
Bride’s parents | Dr. Leland & Suzan Laycob of St. Louis
Groom’s parents | Robert & Kathy Matty of Rockville, Maryland
Ushers | Andrew Barnell, Jason Greenfield, Josh Greenfield, Jonathan Rosen, Dan Abrahamson
By Stephanie Zeilenga
