Baldwin-bred Merrick couple hoping Irene won’t crash their wedding

Allison Lutz, who was born and grew up in Baldwin, spent many summer days on the boat her grandfather, William Lutz, kept at the Alpha Sigma Boat Club in south Bellmore. Though he died 20 years ago, the family has continued to dock boats there, and it has always held a special place in Lutz’s heart. When her boyfriend of 12 years, Tom Ruggiero, 35, also from Baldwin, proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2010, the Beach Street club seemed like the obvious place to get married.

When they picked a wedding date –– Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 –– they never imagined that a hurricane the likes of Irene might be bearing down on them.

But Lutz, 31, said she has no intention of cancelling the wedding. The couple, who grew up only blocks apart in Baldwin and both went to BHS, have been eagerly anticipating their wedding day for months, if not years. “There’s been a lot of time, a lot of money, a lot of effort put into it,” Lutz said.

80 guests are expected for the wedding which is slated to take place under a tent overlooking Bellmore Creek. The ceremony is set to start at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour to follow. The drinks are scheduled to be enjoyed outdoors.

The reception will take place inside the club, with dinner and dancing late into the night. Lutz said the club, which is a collaboration of boat owners, has already told her that as long as the couple is comfortable, the wedding can go on as planned. Piccolo Ristorante owner Tommy Valenti, who will cater the event, has said he will be there, rain or shine. The only area of concern is the tent that which is now being built at the club — the tent company has already informed Lutz that if winds become too strong, the temporary structure will have to come down.

If the ceremony can’t take place at the water’s edge, Lutz says it will be moved into the boat club. Most guests are local, and those who’ve traveled from Staten Island and New Jersey have already made their way to the Bellmore area. The farthest-traveling guest, Lutz’s cousin, made the trek from school in West Virginia ahead of the storm. “Everybody is pulling together,” Lutz said. “As long as we have our friends and family there, it’ll be fine.”

Lutz said she is confident that her grandfather will be watching over the couple come Saturday, as will her grandmother Joan McCarty, whose wedding ring the bride will wear. “There’s lots of good karma,” Lutz said — as long as Irene stays at bay.

Comments about this story? DKrasula@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext.t 234.