It Began With A Star Site Map

enter flash site

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/
You can find our stories about what "the star" means to each of us by clicking on our pictures after the introduction photo montage is completed.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/about_carolyn/
It seems strange to write about myself, but Jay reminded me that some people who don't know me very well yet will read this, so here goes. . .

I grew up on Long Island and went to college at FIT for Advertising Communications. My idea of a perfect day is being at the beach with the sun, a nice breeze and a good book. I like to travel, cook, entertain friends and head out east to the vineyards to try new wine. I love my puppy Sophie to death and I'm comfortable saying that I'm addicted to reality TV.

Like Jay, I'm one of those people that really like what they do. I work at Austin & Williams, an advertising agency in Hauppauge (which ironically, is the town I grew up in – and where Jay and I met). The people and the talent in that place make you proud to be a part of what goes on there every day.

I like to go to concerts where I can sing as loud as I want and no one can hear me. And, I'm a Yankee fan because my grandma was. There are a lot of other things I could tell you about myself, but most importantly, I'm so happy to be marrying Jay.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/bridesmaids/
Ericka Gannon. Without a doubt, Er is the most fun and hilarious person I know. She is a free spirit who remains true in her beliefs, and to know her, is to love her. Through the trials and tribulations of junior high and high school, distance through college and the changes that adult life brings, our friendship has remained a comfort and constant in my life. Growing up, we couldn't be more different: she was the star athlete with a ’67 Mustang and I was the cheerleader going to the mall. She wore black Reebok’s (against my repeated advice) and I wore purple suede boots (what?!) Differences aside, we’ve been friends for over 20 years. We’ve made enough memories to last a lifetime and every single one is dear to my heart. I couldn't be prouder to have Ericka as my Matron of Honor.

Tara Hux. TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Tara and I became friends immediately following an introduction at a lunch table in the Bretton Woods cafeteria. As we get older, I realize more and more that our friendship is based on two things: acceptance and patience. She has a heart of gold that shines through everything she does – especially being a mom. We’ve laughed and cried together over the years and each giggle and each tear has brought us closer as friends. Through talent shows and slumber parties, wigwam socks and too much make up, dance recitals and broken hearts, first kisses and first cars, Tara and I truly accept each other for who we are, and will be friends forever.

Amy Goldberg. Amy and I became friends in spite of a little secret that she kept from me growing up (she was a bit envious that I didn’t have zits… but did have boobs.) Little did she know that I was envious of her ability to ALWAYS get into the open house parties and her party girl, risk taker personality. Amy is still a risk taker, is strong in her convictions and takes life for everything it’s worth. Even though Amy and I don’t see each other as often as I’d like, we can pick up the phone or see each other after not being in touch for a while and feel like no time has gone by at all. “True friendship isn't seen with the eyes, it is felt with the heart.” My friend Amy is always in my heart.

Melissa Eckert. I know being an only child has its rewards, but I have always wanted a sister. Not only am I gaining a husband, I feel very fortunate to be gaining Jay’s entire family - including Melissa - my future sister-in-law. Our love for fashion (though her love affair with shoes is a lot more passionate than mine) is just one of the “sisterly” things we have in common. I look forward to getting to know Melissa even more and enjoying our new sisterhood. (Don’t worry Corey, I’m thrilled to now have a brother too!)

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/carolyns_parents/
JERRY & KATHY SPILKER. My parents love boating and the beach, hiking and their home. They love to travel and taste new food, dancing together, and their dog. My mom loves Oprah and gardening and Jerry loves any frozen drink you put in front of him, and stamp collecting. They live in North Carolina, in a beautiful home on the Central coast. My mom is my best friend and Jerry is my rock. Growing up, my Mom did everything she could to make sure I had everything, and Jerry made everything alright. They are fun, loving and generous people; the kind of people you want to have in your life.

I have no doubt that I am the person I am today because of my mother's constant unconditional love and unwavering fortitude.

I thank them both for all their love and support. I love them with all my heart.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/the_bachelorette_party/
Details are still being planned, but will most likely involve a night of live music with "Big Shot" at Port Jazz in Port Jeff, NY.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/about_jay/
Here is a little bit about myself...I am a SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) Alum, with a degree in 3d animation. I have been working at an advertising agency here in New York named Austin & Williams. I have been there for about 4 years now, where I am an Interactive Designer and Developer (basically an art director with an interactive skill set). I love it there, for many reasons, the guys I work with are great. I get to create art all day, but perhaps most importantly, it is the place where Carolyn and I met.

I am a die-hard Yankees, New York Rangers, Auburn football, and yes... Buffalo Bills fan.

I love trying new foods, beers and wines from around the world, and I have been known to enjoy a fine cigar on occasion. And my little girl (our puppy) Sophie is the apple of my eye (whatever that means).

I can't wait for our wedding, and I can't explain how absolutely happy I am to be spending the rest of my life with Carolyn.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/groomsmen/
Corey Eckert, my "little" brother, my Best Man. Ridiculously long hair aside, Corey is my only blood brother. One of the hardest physical workers I know, he is always there for me when I need a hand, and well, if he ever needs a website or a tri-fold direct mail piece he knows who to call. Seriously, I could not ask for a better brother. Whether we are sharing a thrilling ride back from a late night Yankees' game after losing the brakes on the LIE or just talking over a few good cigars, Corey is not just my brother, but a great friend. Through thick and thin, highs and lows we are here for each other.

Aaron McGriff, A-dawg, my brother from another mother, Agent J of J&K, Murtaugh of Murtaugh and Riggs, the other half of bad boys for life. I met Aaron in '02 when we became part of the Weston Res-Life family and quickly became close friends. Partners in ping-pong and crime, we have been part of some pretty memorable moments. From turning a campus upside down and immersing it in all-out assassin warfare, to sweeping the girls at the Pulaski house off their feet. I would trust my life in Aaron's hands and he knows that I am always here for him. I am very lucky to have Aaron in my life, and Carolyn and I are honored to have Aaron wed us.

We ride together, we die together, warriors for life.

CJ Heidick, the only guy I have ever felt comfortable enough to liken him to a teddy bear. CJ has a heart of gold, one of the most genuine caring guys that I have ever met. He was a resident of mine at SCAD my first year as an RA. I have to say that I thought that he was going to be a pain in my ass, but was I wrong. He not only became one of my favorite residents, but one of my closest friends. We all spent countless hours together, going to the beach at midnight, watching Undergrads, seeing ghosts on Montgomery Street, or grabbing some crabs at the Crab Shack. CJ was there to pick me up after my first tattoo, where I learned the fine cuisine at Krystal's is unmatched by any fine eating establishment. Although years have come and gone, CJ is still one of my closest friends and I can't wait to see him in December.

Ty Paslay, may not look like a guy you want to run into in a dark alley, but he is one of the nicest guys I know. He and CJ were roommates my first year as an RA and we became close friends very quickly. One of the best memories that I have of Ty is when he shared his 21st birthday with me. He turned 21 on March 1st and I was turning 21 on March 2nd, he stuck it out for 24 hours so we could all go bar- hopping together. It was the best birthday bash I've ever had (from what I can remember, ha ha ha). Ty is a bad-ass with a huge heart although I am sure he doesn't want anyone to know it. I am so psyched that he is going to part of our wedding.

Ben Blackketter, Beebs, Bee-bop, Crazy Legs, Cowboy Bee-bop. Ben and I met in '02, and with the help of a little thing we like to call Assassins Complex we became close friends. Ben was the mastermind behind the Assassins website, and we spent A LOT of time together maintaining it, I think Hilary (now his wife) was getting nervous. We had great times cook'n for the Pulaski girls and grill'n for our Weston family, and striking 'em out as Turkey Trouble teammates in the SCAD bowling league. A confidant and an inspiration, Ben and his wife Hilary showed me what true love looks like. If they had not been so gracious to invite me to their wedding I may not have known what true love was when I met Carolyn.

Becky Arthurs, B, Rebecca Lillian Anne Arthurs, the Groomsmaid. Becky and I go way back. When I met Becky back in 2000 she was buzzing around on her rollerblades at a fundraiser for a child in the area who had leukemia. I was painting faces and Becky was passing out flyers, I asked if I could paint her face, she obliged after a ton of prodding. She asked to be painted like Mr. Potato Head, but without the mustache, no glasses, no big lips... are you picturing what she looked like yet? She had a brown face with a red nose... that's it... didn't look like Mr Potato head at all, in fact she didn't look like much at all. I still joke about it till this day with her. If you see Becky at the wedding, just give a little rub of the nose in her direction for me, she'll know what you mean.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/jays_parents/
TOM & MARIANN ECKERT. My parents... where to begin?

I have become the man I am because of the great, caring and loving people that they are. My mom wears her heart on her sleeve and is quick to put food in your mouth while asking you several questions, without taking a single breath. Although she doesn't necessarily smile well in photos (EXCEPT the one found above), her beautiful smile in real life is infectious and can turn a bad day around. My dad, unlike my mom, does not wear his heart on his sleeve. But, he has his own way of showing how he cares. Whether it is by following us out to the car, rain, shine, sleet or snow, and giving me a hug and telling me to "watch out for the crazies on the road" every time before I leave with Carolyn, or that look he has in his eyes as we all sit around the dinner table as a family.

My parents both worked so hard to make sure that Corey, Melissa and I had every opportunity to succeed and be happy. I cannot ever list everything that makes me so appreciative and thankful to have them as our parents. Nor could I ever thank them enough for everything they have done for us, or tell them how much I love them both.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/the_bachelor_party/
The bachelor party will be held the night before the wedding (December 30, 2008) so all of you "out-of-towner" warrior family members can attend. It'll be nontraditional, co-ed and probably involve some poker, cigars, beer and food. The details are still being ironed out but I will make sure to keep you informed as we flesh out the details. All SCAD friends are invited!

I can't wait to see everyone! woo ha!

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/ceremony_and_reception/
The ceremony and reception will be held at the Bayview House in Bay Shore, NY.
We are honored to have our close friend, Aaron McGriff, performing our ceremony.
The ceremony will begin at 7:30 PM, immediately followed by cocktail hour and reception.

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/directions/
the Bayview House
3 Bayview Avenue
Bay Shore, New York 11760

from the Southern State Parkway
exit 42 south, fifth avenue
go south on fifth avenue
continue on n. clinton avenue
turn left onto w. main street
turn right on ocean avenue
turn right on lawrence avenue
turn left on burnett avenue
turn left on bayview avenue Bayview House parking on the right
valet attendants available

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/travel_info/
There are three major airports in the area, Islip MacArthur is the closest. the Holiday Inn Express offers free transportation to and from Islip MacArthur Airport and Long Island Rail Road's Central Islip train station:

Islip MacArthur Airport (ISP)
Airlines:
ATA
Delta
Northwest
Southwest
US Air

Car Rentals:
A-Car Auto Rental
877-296-2277
Enterprise
631-737-3722
Lighthouse Ford Auto Rental
866-471-5765
Dollar Rent-A-Car
631-588-1700
Budget Rent A Car
631-588-0590

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Airlines:
Air Canada
Air Tran Airways
American Airlines
Colgan
Continental
Delta
Frontier Airlines
jetBlue Airways
Midwest
Northwest
Spirit
United
US Airways

Car Rentals:
Avis
  (718) 507-3600
Budget
  (718) 639-6400
Dollar
  (718) 779-5600
Enterprise
  (718) 457-2900
Hertz
  (718) 478-5300
National
  (718) 429-5893

Kennedy Airport (JFKs)
Airlines:
Aero Mexico
Air Canada
American
Continental
Delta
JetBlue
North American
Northwest
Sun Country
United Airlines
US Airways/America West
Virgin America

Car Rentals:
Avis
  (718) 244-5406
Budget
  (718) 656-6010
Dollar
  (718) 656-2400
Enterprise
  (718) 659-1200
Hertz
  (718) 656-7600
National
  (718) 632-8300

Long Island Rail Road's Central Islip Train Station

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/accommodations/
Holiday Inn Express Hauppauge
2050 Express Drive South
Hauppauge, New York 11788
Phone: (631) 348-1400
Fax: (631) 348-1411
Toll Free: 1 (800) HOLIDAY

There is a block of rooms reserved under our names for our guests. Please reference code “CEW” when booking to assure that you get the wedding reduced rate of $129 per night.
Please book your room no later than November 20th to ensure you receive the reduced group rate.
The Holiday Inn will provide transportation to and from the Islip MacArthur Airport and Central Islip Train Station. The Holiday Inn will also provided transportation to and from the Bay View House for those staying at the hotel.
The Holiday Inn will also provide a buffet style "hot continental breakfast" every morning which includes eggs, bagels, toast, juices, coffee, tea, cereal, etc.)

Directions:
From the West:
Long Island Expressway. (I-495) East to Exit 56, hotel located on right.

From the East:
Long Island Expressway. (I-495) West to Exit 56, make a left onto Route 111, make first right past light onto Central Ave., entrance ¼ mile on right.

From the North:
Northern State Pkwy to the Sagtikos Pkwy. South, ¼ mile to the Long Island Expressway. (I-495) East to Exit 56, hotel on right.

From the South:
Southern State Pkwy to Exit 41 (left lane) Sagtikos Pkwy. Take Sagtikos Pkwy north to Long Island Expressway (I-495) East to Exit 56, hotel on right.

From MacArthur Islip Airport:
Make right out of Airport onto Veterans Hwy. (454) West, to Long Island Expressway (-495) West to Exit 56 (follow from the east above).

http://www.itbeganwithastar.com/#/gift_registry/
We are registered at Macy's and Bed, Bath & Beyond.