The Brooklyn Bride

Franco – Ramirez

Vanessa Franco, 23, and Jonathan Ramirez, 32, plan to be married by Father McGillicuddy on June 23, 2006, at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Sunset Park.

The reception will be at the Riviera in Coney Island.

The bride-to-be’s mother is Rosaura Nieto, of Sunset Park. Franco attended Bishop Ford High School (class of 2000) and earned her degree in Public Affairs from Baruch College in 2004. She currently works as a medical secretary.

The groom-to-be is the son of Irene and Jose Ramirez of Sunset Park. He grew up in Park Slope, attended John Jay High School (class of 1991) and St. John’s University, graduating in 1996. He is employed as an investment banker in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the couple is currently living.

How did you meet?
The bride-to-be says: “At the 2000 Halloween Parade in Manhattan. We ran into each other four times in the huge crowds before we exchanged telephone numbers. Neither one of us was in costume, either!”

Who proposed, and how?
The bride-to-be says: “Jonathan proposed to me in his car in January after I picked out the engagement ring.”

Concerns about the wedding:
The bride-to-be says: “The entire event is a concern! I will be planning a wedding in Brooklyn from North Carolina. It will be hard flying back and forth to take care of things.”

Adrienne Deppe

Hafferty – Fischer

Evelyn Hafferty, 28, and Joshua Ethan Fischer, 29, were married on May 5, 2005, at the Brooklyn Supreme Court, in an intimate ceremony with their immediate family in attendance. Judge Gerald Held officiated. The reception was held at Jolie restaurant in Boerum Hill.

The bride is the daughter of John and Jean Hafferty of Rutland, Mass. Hafferty attended Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, Mass., class of 1995, and Syracuse University, graduating in 1999. She is currently self-employed as a design consultant and freelance writer.

The groom is the son of Sharron Fischer Commack, N.Y., and the late Sam Fischer, of Brooklyn. Fischer grew up in Canarsie and attended Edward R. Murrow High School, class of 1994, then went on to SUNY Binghamton, graduating in 1998, and the University of Pennsylvania in 2005. He is pursuing a doctorate in medicine.

The couple currently resides in Baltimore, Md.

About the wedding:
The bride says: “We were very fortunate. The day we were married was absolutely gorgeous weather-wise and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. We chose 05/05/05 because we loved the date — doesn’t come around very often. And heck, being Cinco de Mayo, we figured at least in the future we could always look forward to Mexican food, beer and festivities on our anniversary — whether we remember it or not!

“Josh and I were married by a judge at Brooklyn Supreme Court because we come from inter-religious backgrounds.

“After the ceremony, we went to the Brooklyn Heights promenade for photos by Adrienne Deppe. Twenty family members and intimate friends attended the ceremony. Afterwards, we dined at Jolie Restaurant.

“Thanks to the lovely weather, we were able to eat out on the back deck at the restaurant. The wooden deck is surrounded by a warm orange painted fence, and flowers adorned the area in abundance.

“We feasted on vegetable terrine, warm goat cheese salad, and vichyssoise as appetizers, and for the main course, grilled vegetables with celery root, hangar steak with frites, ‘ravioli de royan,’ and tilapia with ginger and scallion soy sauce. Dessert was exquisite, with a choice between the flourless chocolate cake and warm apple tart.

“[Owner] Benjamin Tretout was wonderful to work with, very accommodating. The staff at the restaurant was incredible and made our experience absolutely wonderful.

“Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about our experience at Jolie. I really hope this restaurant continues to thrive. It’s a gem!”

Where did you honeymoon?
The bride says: “We went on a honeymoon in Vermont and stayed in a chalet at Okemo Mountain. We got to go hiking and do some sightseeing in the off-season.”

The Brooklyn Bride welcomes Brooklyn engagement and wedding announcements.

For more information, e-mail us at weddings@brooklynpapers.com.