NWR: Did anyone read this today...

Couple's McWedding marks first for LI
At Farmingville McDonald’s, they wore golden rings beneath the golden arches

BY ERIK GERMAN
STAFF WRITER

February 15, 2006

When Corey Cutcheon and Doreen Brown got engaged three weeks ago, they found themselves squeezed. The couple had sunk so much cash into their new house in Yaphank that there was little left over for a marriage celebration. And they said it was impossible to book a reception venue as quickly as they wanted.

So thrift and haste gave birth to Long Island's first McWedding.

'We called several places; no one would house us, and it cost a fortune,' Doreen Cutcheon, 34, said of her and her 23-year-old groom's dilemma. 'Corey said to me, 'Why don't we try McDonald's?''

A judge at Port Jefferson Village Hall hitched them legally at 9:30 a.m. yesterday and then the new couple joined their friends, family and well-wishers under the golden arches in a Farmingville McDonald's.

Franchise officials called the McWedding Long Island's first -- on Valentine's Day to boot. 'It's a first and it's pretty exciting' said John Rompollo, who oversees a dozen McDonald's restaurants on the Island. 'Maybe it's the beginning of a trend.'

The Cutcheons' celebration was not the first McWedding reception the world has seen. In August 2002, a thrifty couple in Wales made BBC headlines when guests at their wedding reception devoured 33 McDonald's Happy Meals at a local franchise.

Yesterday, the 50 wedding guests who gathered for fast food on North Ocean Avenue ate 14 cheeseburger value meals, 13 Filet-o-Fish sandwiches, 17 Chicken McNugget meals and four hot fudge sundaes -- all washed down with 44 medium sodas. They topped the meal off with complimentary slices of chocolate Ronald McDonald cake.

The grand total for the feast was just $250.59.

The bride's family had no complaints. 'Our children are in charge of their own weddings and they shouldn't be under the stress of the so-called traditions,' said mother of the bride Lene Brown, 57.

Brown said her own wedding was a modest affair on a rainy October day 34 years ago, in front of a judge in Yonkers.

The celebration drew mixed reactions from the customers there for non-wedding noshing, depending mostly upon the observer's age.

'I'm very shocked,' said Janet Marino, a homemaker from Farmingville. 'McDonald's is for children, and now the adults have become children.'

One onlooker, a wedding catering manager, said she's seen clients spend anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 on their receptions.

'People can't afford Long Island weddings,' said the manager. The 31-year-old Oakdale resident did not want to be identified, saying her business could be adversely affected by her name's appearance in print alongside the McWedding. 'The business is just that competitive,' she said.

But a younger McDonald's patron was all for the fast-food nuptials.

Said Vanessa Vorisek, 16, of Farmingville, as she cleared off her table: 'It's cool, and it's a lot less money than a regular reception.'
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

Wow-that is cheap! I would love to see pics! Good for them.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

I wish there were pics... Now I want Mc'd's but I get sick after I eat it.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

Oh thats just disgusting.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

Well here you go:

Oh well I can't get the pic to post. It's on Newsday.com

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

That's awesome, I'm glad that they got what they wanted w/out any BS from their families!! Congratulations to the McNewlyweds!!!!!!!

ETS: Very cute pic!!

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

If you click on this you'll see a small picture of them.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

I understand being on a budget but...

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

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Posted by Reesa

Wow-that is cheap! I would love to see pics! Good for them.

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There's pictures in NEWSDAY today!

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

good for them!! they have priorities. they're a young couple who just bought a house on LI - that in itself is a HUGE achievement

I applaud them

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

Good for them!

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Posted by smurray

'I'm very shocked,' said Janet Marino, a homemaker from Farmingville. 'McDonald's is for children, and now the adults have become children.'

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Did anyone else other than me find that quote kind of offensive? To each their own...why wouldn't you be happy for a couple celebrating their love and commitment to each other?

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

i say good for them! it shouldn't be all about the 'show' and cost of a wedding.... at the end of the day, they're just as married as anybody who had a big wedding....
and i'm glad to see their families were cool with it, too

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

The only thing that is important is if it made THEM happy. If it did, more power to them!

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

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Posted by ML110

i say good for them! it shouldn't be all about the 'show' and cost of a wedding.... at the end of the day, they're just as married as anybody who had a big wedding....
and i'm glad to see their families were cool with it, too

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AND they have a house. which is more than a lot of us can say

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

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Posted by Mayflower

Good for them!

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Posted by smurray

'I'm very shocked,' said Janet Marino, a homemaker from Farmingville. 'McDonald's is for children, and now the adults have become children.'

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Did anyone else other than me find that quote kind of offensive? To each their own...why wouldn't you be happy for a couple celebrating their love and commitment to each other?

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Yeah I thought she sounded a little snobbish. I thought they would be dressed nice... I mean not in a gown but something more than a T-shirt. But I guess they kept it real since it is in Mcdonalds. The grooms shirt is funny! Congrats to them for not caring about others, hey there wedding made the newspaper.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

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Posted by M&S Sept12006

Oh thats just disgusting.

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Why is that disgusting? Just curious as to why you feel that way. I feel many people lose sight of whats really important regarding their wedding.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

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Posted by Mayflower

Good for them!

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Posted by smurray

'I'm very shocked,' said Janet Marino, a homemaker from Farmingville. 'McDonald's is for children, and now the adults have become children.'

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Did anyone else other than me find that quote kind of offensive? To each their own...why wouldn't you be happy for a couple celebrating their love and commitment to each other?

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I was .I feel they have made the adult decision to marry, and not only that they have put alot of their savings into a home before marrage. I personally think that was a big step in general that many can say they have never made, or are no way near there.

So good luck to them. Some have 80k to spend, some don't. And some do but they choose to spend it on other things other than a wedding. If they like it I love it!

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

wierd, I think I would choose a small house reception over micky d's

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

I don't understand why people are not praising this couple. I mean they are making wise decisions regarding their future. They have a secure place to live and had a small ceremony to celebrate their marriage. I give them much credit because a wedding may be every young girls 'dream' however when you have affairs that you cant afford it quickly can turn into a 'nightmare' after the big day is over.

Re: NWR: Did anyone read this today...

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Posted by ML110

i say good for them! it shouldn't be all about the 'show' and cost of a wedding.... at the end of the day, they're just as married as anybody who had a big wedding....
and i'm glad to see their families were cool with it, too

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I agree! Good for them and I hope they have many wonderful memories in their new home!