Brian Spinnato loves surprises. As a kid, he once awoke on a typical day and was whisked off to Disney World. So, when Allison Meinberg accepted his proposal on April 1, just six months after they met, they told no one and turned the tables on their 160 guests-to-be.
Spinnato and Meinberg, both teachers, concocted an elaborate ruse, where family and friends thought they were helping Spinnato plan a surprise engagement and party. “They’d give these knowing looks they think are very discreet,” says Spinnato, 25.
The couple spun various plot lines to sell their tale and even staged fights to throw off the groom’s sister, who was suspicious. “We were trying to make it realistic because if he hadn’t proposed by now, I would be kind of like, ‘What’s going on?”‘ says Meinberg, also 25.
She played dumb as friends got engaged. She wore her ring only at home. The hardest part, she says, was not being able to shop for gowns with her mother.
The decision to do a surprise wedding comes in part from Spinnato’s sideline as a DJ. He wanted to avoid all the trappings and the drama. There were no flowers, no cake – just loved ones, food and music.
“Allison and I are going to get what we want – something different, not as traditional, something you haven’t seen a thousand times,” Spinnato explains. “And, our families are going to get what they want. They’re going to be there for the ceremony.”
Right on cue, on Nov. 11, the couple walked into the Gate House in Lafayette. With guests beaming in anticipation, he proposed as planned. Then, Meinberg turned and said, “Thank you all for coming. You guys are really good at keeping secrets, but so am I. The surprise is on you. This is our wedding.”
As Meinberg sprinted off to change into her gown, Spinnato’s sister jumped up and hollered, “I knew it. I told you!”
