Featured Wedding

Staten Island Advance
Carol Benanti
Inside Out

Graniteville's Robyn Ruehl-Lippert, owner of Emerald Events, an upscale event-planning business, has exciting news to share: One of the weddings she helped to plan is being featured in this month's New Jersey Bride Magazine that hit the stands a few days ago. "It was a wedding we did in June 2005 in Cape May (N.J.) involving Iris Borelly and Manny Castillo," says the exuberant entrepreneur. "I thought most of my clients would be from Staten Island, but I am actually being hired by brides from all over -- from Hudson Valley all the way down to Cape May," Robyn adds. Five Staten Island couples have also hired her for wedding-coordinating services, and Robyn says she just loves to work with fellow Islanders. In further discussing her nearly two-year-old business venture, Robyn explains that her clients range from an acclaimed soprano from the Metropolitan Opera to one of her best friend's neighbors. She's helped to plan lavish affairs for over 300 to more simple events including an intimate, elegant brunch at Tavern on the Green for 20 people.

"No wedding is too big or too small and my main selling point is that I work with the bride's budget. We want to help the bride and groom get the wedding they want that is within their budget. With most weddings now costing upwards of $50,000, they need to get the most of out every penny," says she.

If Robyn's name sounds familiar -- it should! A fervent theater-goer and entertainer since she was a youngster -- she performs annually in the South Shore Rotary's annual extravaganza at the College of Staten Island. She is an alum of Sacred Heart, Notre Dame Academy and Wagner College, where she studied theater and arts administration.

Robyn is the granddaughter of Staten Island Advance Sports Hall of Famer, the late Coach Jack McGinley, and Jean McGinley, a frequent contributor to this column. Her parents are West Brighton residents Jeanne Ruehl and Bob Ruehl.

During senior year at Wagner College, she interned at Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, learning the ins and outs behind producing shows like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King" and "Aida" and has rubbed elbows with many a celeb along the way.

In 2002, she married David Lippert, a sergeant with the Police Department. They are parents of newborn, Corinne.

Robyn has planned about 30 events and is in the planning process for about 17 more.

Check out Robyn's Web site at www.emeraldevents.org or telephone her at (718) 816-4659.
Carol Ann Benanti can be reached at benanti@siadvance.com.

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