Most brides lose weight for their special day, but this one wasn’t worried about it. for today’s bride, Tom Barba, said he had no problem slipping into his size 24 wedding dress.
“I had to gain weight so I could show my pregnancy,” said Barba, pointing to his belly.
Barba, along with several other members of the Empire State New York Club, entertained more 250 other members during the club’s monthly party and dance at the Kings Point Borini Theater Jan. 3.
“We are New Yorkers,” said Barba, who hails from Brooklyn. “They are the friendliest people in the world once you get to know them.”
Chichi Horvath, another Brooklynite, wore a groom’s tuxedo.
“Oh my god, this is a hoot,” she said. “I’m happy to be a part of this.”
Horvath paraded Barba around the room while his wife, Helen, played the bride’s mother, holding the gown’s train.
Dominick Sali, as the father of the bride, came complete with shotgun. Gerardo Pieserchia, the best man, wore Superman briefs.
“It’s all for fun,” said club president Frank Gatto. he moved from Long Island to Sun City Center along with his wife, Joan, six years ago.
“We (the club) meet 12 months out of the year on the first Tuesday of every month,” Gatto said. “I make a theme for every month. this theme is a mock wedding.”
Horvath said club members – like all New Yorkers – can relate to one another.
“I grew up in an Irish neighborhood but I’m Italian,” Horvath said. “My Irish friend also grew up in New York, but in an Italian neighborhood. We could exchange memories.”
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