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On a sunny day in the spring of 2012, Christina McNulty received a troubling phone call from her mother.
One of her relatives had suffered a small stroke and was being rushed to Jersey Shore Medical Center.
It wasn't the first time McNulty had raced to an area hospital worried about the family member, but this time she had help.
McNulty called Gary Bifano, her boyfriend at the time. He offered to take her to the hospital.
He stayed with her the entire evening.
Bifano did not complain. He barely even spoke. He simply waited -- and offered his support.
Gary Bifano and Christina McNulty chose to wed on Aug. 15, a date close to the anniversary of their first meeting. (Absolute Celebrations) "At that moment, I knew that he really loved me and that we would spend the rest of our lives together," McNulty said. "There have been a few other times that we ended up in a hospital room and still he never complained or said a word."
McNulty has found comfort in Bifano's silence and support.
"They say it's in times of need and sorrow that you find out who people are and what they are," McNulty said.
Bifano said he knew within a year of dating McNulty that she was "the one."
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"Christina is unlike any girl I've ever met or dated before," Bifano said. "We have a connection that is different."
Their shared interests and values have made him confident in their love.
"After about a year, I knew I definitely loved her, and started to think about if this is who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with," he said.
On Dec. 21, 2013, Bifano proposed to McNulty in Bryant Park.
Christina McNulty prepares for her wedding with her bridesmaids. (Absolute Celebrations)Their wedding date
McNulty and Bifano met through a friend in the summer of 2011 at Jenks Club in Point Pleasant.
However, they didn't start dating until that fall.
"Considering we first met in August, we wanted to celebrate that by getting married in August," McNulty said.
But they did not want to wed on a Friday, which is what the anniversary of their first meeting -- Aug. 21 -- was this year.
So they decided to marry on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Bifano and his bride were married at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish in Middlesex. Their reception was held at The Imperia in Somerset.
The Imperia in Somerset. (Absolute Celebrations)The venue
The newlyweds wanted a venue with a charming interior and an outdoor space that their guests could utilize.
"When we went to The Imperia and were brought downstairs to the Majestica room, we fell in love with the lounge feel," Bifano, 31, said.
When they saw the outside patio for the first time, which has a waterfall, marble gazebo and flowers, they started to imagine their guests cozying up on the outdoor benches.
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At that point, they were sold.
Gary Bifano and Christina McNulty during the black light party at their wedding reception. (Absolute Celebrations)What they splurged on
The Middlesex couple spent the most on entertainment for their wedding.
"We used Absolute Celebrations for everything," McNulty, 29, said.
The Woodbridge-based entertainment company provided TV's, a dancing on the clouds effect, LED lighting and photo booth.
The couple also opted to have a brief "black light" glow in the dark party to kick off the dancing at their reception.
Where they saved
McNulty, a meetings coordinator for Mature Health Communications and Bifano, who works as a car technician, footed most of the bill for their big day.
They spared expenses on decorations and flowers, which they deemed as non-essentials.
"We saved money with using silk flowers for the bouquets and boutonnieres," McNulty said. "We also didn't go crazy with our centerpieces and kept them low to the table and modest."
Their flower arrangements were from Floral Sentiments in Englishtown.
McNulty said her "crafty mother" made the table numbers and card box for the reception.
Christina McNulty used silk flowers in her wedding bouquets. (Absolute Celebrations) Each guest was welcomed to his or her seat with a hand-painted scroll with their name and table number.
How they made their wedding special
McNulty and Bifano put their own spin on old traditions on their big day.
They decided against a "first look," and chose to see each other for the first time at the altar.
They also prepared informal wedding programs reflective of their low key personalities.
"We also had his and her signature drinks for our guests to enjoy that were handed to them with our personalized cocktail napkins," McNulty said.
McNulty even planned a surprise for her husband. When they made their wedding budget, they initially decided against having TV screens at their reception.
"He became bummed that the TV screens were going to be too expensive for us to get," McNulty said.
However, McNulty made a photo montage which included their childhood photos and had it played on TVs during their reception.
Christina McNulty's father, John, walks her to the altar to meet her groom, Gary Bifano. (Absolute Celebrations) Most memorable moments
Seeing each other for the first time from opposite ends of the aisle was a favorite moment for the bride and groom.
"We decided to keep that old tradition and it was worth it," McNulty said. "When my father handed my hand over to Gary, we both just looked at each other and started to cry."
For Bifano, the moment was one he had long imagined.
"It was the best feeling for the both of us," he said.
Janelle Griffith may be reached at jgriffith@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @janellefiona. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.