Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Celebrity Weddings Exclusive: "Odd Mom Out" Star's Abby Elliott and Bill Kennedy's Wedding Photos By Eleni N. Gage Eleni N. Gage Website Eleni is a freelance writer for Martha Stewart Living and MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Abby and Bill Corbin Gurkin You'd expect laughter at the wedding of Abby Elliott, star of the Bravo comedy series Odd Mom Out, and screenwriter Bill Kennedy. But you might not anticipate its being inspired by the priest at the Catholic ceremony. "He definitely called the best man the 'breast man' at some point," recalls Abby. "Then he introduced us as 'Mrs. and Mrs.'" Which would have been cool, except Bill is a man. "We just laughed it off," she says. That's pretty much how they handled their entire romance. The pair met in June 2013 on the set of the movie Sex Ed, which Bill wrote. On her last night of filming, the cast and crew went to dinner, and they shared a bowl of lobster mac and cheese. "She was so much fun to be around; being with her made me happy," Bill recalls. The group stayed out late to party that night, and Bill's friendliness bordered on flirtatation: "I thought, He has a crush on me," says Abby. He did—or at least "she made me want to know her more," Bill says. But both were dating other people. So Abby returned to New York and didn't hear from him again until a year later, when he was living in Brooklyn. He emailed Abby a link to her scene in the film, and a week later asked her out to discuss it. She accepted (even though she hadn't actually watched it yet). They met for oysters and martinis; this time both of them were single, and Bill made his intentions clear. Nearly a year and a half after that first date, he filled their apartment with candles and flowers and proposed. Abby said, "Of course!" and they headed out to celebrate with their waiting families. The courtship was a whirlwind, but "I knew I wanted to marry Bill right away," says Abby. "I had a secret Pinterest board with our wedding all planned out." On September 3, 2016, her vision was realized: A ceremony at the church where she had her first communion, and a reception at her parents' home. Cocktail hour included mac-and-cheese bites (a nod to their first meeting) and a raw bar (their first date). The 170 guests danced before, during, and after dinner. Everyone laughed when the father of the bride, comedian Chris Elliott, gave a toast and recalled little Abby yelling, "Where's my father?"at playgrounds to alarm other parents. The laughter continued at the after-party, when they all danced to show tunes—some of them on the coffee table. As for the bride, she cried twice: Once when her father described the "immense relief he felt when meeting my mom, which I totally relate to with Bill." And again when her sister and cousin surprised her with a song from the film The Wedding Singer, which summed up just the way the couple feel about each other: "I Wanna Grow Old With You." 01 of 31 The Save the Date Corbin Gurkin Abby and Billy spread the news with this card, an updated version of the poster for the 1967 rom-com Barefoot in the Park, but with their heads replacing Jane Fonda's and Robert Redford's. "We relate to it because we live near Washington Square Park in a 5th floor walk-up," like the newlyweds in the movie, explains Abby. 02 of 31 The Invitation Suite Corbin Gurkin Stationer Mekala Tinnin of Tie That Binds created this suite, which was flat-printed on handmade recycled-textile paper and included a floral envelope liner. 03 of 31 Welcome to Town Corbin Gurkin The couple had fun filling the welcome bags. They held mini liquor bottles, San Pellegrino, hangover cures, gummy treats, and fudge brownies labeled with a silly rhyme her dad sang when she was a kid. 04 of 31 Something Borrowed Corbin Gurkin Abby carried a clutch that was just right for the occasion—Edie Parker's hand-poured acrylic minaudiere which showcased her new title. It was loaned to her by another recent bride, her friend and colorist Rita Hazan, who had just gotten married. 05 of 31 Scarlett Shoes Corbin Gurkin The bride walked down the aisle wearing something red—these Charlotte Olympia sandals. Post-ceremony, she changed into wedges so she could dance the night away under a tent on her parents' lawn 06 of 31 Meaningful Accessories Corbin Gurkin In a twist, the groom wore "something old": his great-grandfather's watch and sapphire cuff links. Abby's engagement ring was Bill's grandmother's. 07 of 31 Getting Ready Together Corbin Gurkin Abby's attendants helped her with her Leanne Marshall gown, which boasted a lace-sleeved overlay. 08 of 31 A Moment with Mom Corbin Gurkin The bride's mother, Paula, wore an Aidan Mattox gown. 09 of 31 The Bridal Bouquet Corbin Gurkin Red garden roses and purple-blue thistles brought the bold wedding palette to the bride's bouquet, made by Mar. Floral & Botanicals. 10 of 31 Going to the Chapel Corbin Gurkin The bride and her father rode to the ceremony in a vintage Rolls Royce, which she says was "very cool." En route, "I was for sure nervous," Abby recalls. "My dad was definitely calming me down. I have no idea what I said and I'm positively embarrassed because there was a driver driving us who we didn't know." 11 of 31 Ruby Red Slippers Corbin Gurkin The flower girls wore BHLDN dresses and red shoes to match Abby's scarlet sandals. 12 of 31 Pre-Ceremony Portraits Corbin Gurkin Before heading to the church, Abby and her bridesmaids (wearing Adrianna Papell, Jenny Yoo Collection, Eliza J, Jenny Yoo for BHLDN, and Donna Morgan) gathered for a portrait on some of the lounge furniture later used at the reception. The bridesmaids wore floral crowns by Mar. Floral & Botanicals. Abby and Bill didn't see each other until she walked down the aisle. "We didn't have a first look, so the first time we saw each other was at the church," says Abby. "And he made sure not to talk to me before the wedding or before bed the night before, too." 13 of 31 The Bride's Entrance Corbin Gurkin "I was nervous, but as soon as my dad and I started walking down the aisle, a calm washed over me," Abby recalls. 14 of 31 The Ring Bearer Corbin Gurkin Abby's cousin's son, William, acted as ring bearer—with some support from mom. "He had a little trouble walking down the aisle, so he had help from his mother," Abby recalls. In fact, the whole family got in on the act; his older sisters were the flower girls. And all of the ceremony readings (six in total) were performed by children. 15 of 31 Sealed with a Kiss Corbin Gurkin The newlyweds sealed the deal with a kiss and then walked up the aisle to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." 16 of 31 Perfectly in Palette Corbin Gurkin When thinking about venues for their Catholic ceremony, Abby remembered St. John's in Old Saybrook, "a really pretty, classic church," she says, which her family attended when they lived in the area for a year before moving to Wilton, Connecticut. The fact that its red door matched the wedding's color palette was, she says, "just coincidental." It made for great photos, which the couple took after the ceremony, opting out of a first look to follow tradition. The 16 bridesmaids and groomsmen included sisters, cousins, and good friends, all wearing shades of blue. The groom sported a custom suit by Duca Sartoria and a navy silk knit tie, while the groomsmen donned darker H&M suits and lighter ties. 17 of 31 Feels Like Home Corbin Gurkin The reception took place at Abby's parents' house; a drawing of the home—by her grandfather Bob Elliott, who passed away last February—graced the invitation suite, welcome bags, and favors. 18 of 31 Passed Appetizers Corbin Gurkin During the pre-dinner cocktail hour, guests enjoyed snacks from stations that included a raw bar and a cheese and charcuterie table, along with these passed hors d'oeuvres—pulled pork sliders, beet and goat cheese napoleons, mac and cheese bites, and mini lobster rolls. 19 of 31 Cheers! Corbin Gurkin Cocktails were served with custom napkins from For Your Party, which were printed with the couple's names, their wedding date, and Abby's grandfather's drawing of her parents' home. Two signature drinks were on offer: The Billy, a gin, cucumber and lime concoction, and The Abby, a flute of St. Germaine, champagne, and a sprig of rosemary. 20 of 31 The Escort Cards Corbin Gurkin The same floral print that lined the envelope appeared on other paper goods throughout the event, including these place cards by Tie That Binds. 21 of 31 Getting Cheeky Corbin Gurkin Abby's sister Bridget and friends started a tradition: "You may now kiss the bridesmaid." 22 of 31 The Guest Book Corbin Gurkin Guests wrote greetings in a coffee-table book about New York City. 23 of 31 Snap Happy Corbin Gurkin Guests Marika Sawyer and Vanessa Bayer posed in the photo area, which was backed with a floral print. 24 of 31 The Photo Album Corbin Gurkin "My publicist told me she had tiny instant cameras at her wedding," says Abby, which inspired her to set up a photo station in front of a wall covered in paper made by her stationer, Tie That Binds. Partygoers took snaps as souvenirs and also pasted them into this custom guest book by Jenni Bick. 25 of 31 The Reception Tables Corbin Gurkin Tables set with mismatched vintage china reflected the vibrant, lighthearted mood of the day. Gold mercury-glass compotes were filled with roses, assorted berries, chocolate and burgundy dahlias, andromeda, and seasonal foliage. Menus were calligraphed by the bride's uncle in a Gothic style befitting the architecture of the home. 26 of 31 An Edible Work of Art Corbin Gurkin Inspired by those floral envelope liners, cake maker Ana Parzych hand-painted flowers on the half dark-chocolate, half strawberry-vanilla fondant-covered cake. Gum-paste flowers topped each tier. 27 of 31 The First Dance Corbin Gurkin The bride and groom performed their first dance to the Supremes' "A Lover's Concerto," played by the band. "I'll never forget walking into the tent, being introduced by our amazing band, holding Abby's hand, and seeing all of my friends and family," Bill says of his most memorable moment of the day. 28 of 31 A Special Dance Corbin Gurkin The groom and his mom, Colette, danced to Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." Abby and her dad chose Paul Simon's "Father and Daughter" for their spin on the dancefloor. 29 of 31 The Bouquet Toss Corbin Gurkin Abby threw her bouquet from her parents' balcony into the crowd below. It bounced off of her friend, Saturday Night Live cast member Vanessa Bayer, "which I felt terrible about," she says. Luckily, "Vanessa was fine, and my mom's best friend ended up with the bouquet." After the bouquet toss, which was the grand finale of the reception at about 10:30 pm, die-hard revelers headed inside the house for an after-party, which, says Abby, included "a lot of showtunes, dancing on my parents' coffee table, tons of sandwiches, chips, and more alcohol." The fun finally wound down around one a.m. 30 of 31 Nutty Favors Corbin Gurkin As favors, customized shot glasses and packs of nuts were labeled, "We're married—it's nuts!" The bride's parents' 1830s Gothic Revival home has a nutty past: The previous owner, Elizabeth Tashjian, was an artist who painted nuts and nutcrackers, and eventually opened her home as a "nut museum." "Visitors would have to bring a nut to come in, and she'd have different nuts from around the world for them to see," says Abby. The couple chose their wedding favors in honor of this history. 31 of 31 Sources Corbin Gurkin Ceremony Location, St. John Catholic Church Event planning, True Event Catering, Gourmet Galley Flowers, Mar. Floral & Botanicals Photography, Corbin Gurkin Photography Videographer, Buzz Media Company Stationery and flower wall, Tie That Binds Cake, Ana Parzych Cakes Music, Chevy Chevis Entertainment Rentals, Borrowed, A Vintage Inspired Company; Gather and Lounge; La Tavola Fine Linen, Rentals Unlimited; Sperry Tents Bride's gown, Leanne Marshall Bride's accessories, Sara Gabriel veil; Selima Optique Pamela Love sunglasses; Edie Parker clutch; Charlotte Olympia shoes Bride's hair and bridesmaids' hair and makeup, Betsy Elisa Beauty Bride's Makeup, Dani Barkat Turner Bridesmaids' dresses, Bhldn; Jenny Yoo; Adrianna Papell; Donna Morgan; Eliza J Flower Girl dresses, Bhldn Groom's suit, Duca Sartoria Menswear, H&M Groom's slippers, Stubbs & Wootton Lighting, Ryan Designs Transportation, Black Swan Limousine; First Student Restrooms, United Site Services Cocktail napkins, For Your Party Custom shot glasses, Factory 21 Nuts, Oh! 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