June 24, 2011

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Transposure Fine Art Photography Studio.

Marah Winkler and Jimmy Silvestri literally won the wedding of their dreams. The couple, after dating for four years, got engaged last June, and entered the Roman Jewelers Wedding Contest. Hearing about it just two days before it began, they never thought they would win. But this hard-working pair, with the help of friends, family and strangers, raised more than $20,000 for the Special Olympics of New Jersey, and in the process won a $100,000 wedding at the Villa at Mountain Lakes, complete with gown, band, jewelry and the works, donated by generous wedding pros. “The contest gave Marah and me a foundation on which we could start our life together. It showed us how to work as a team,” Jimmy says.

A Special Day

“You could see right away the passion that they have for the Special Olympics, their charity and for each other,” says Candice Benson, owner of the Finishing Touch Events in West Orange, who helped judge the competition.

Marah and Jimmy were wed on February 12, 2011, a day they describe as perfect and problem-free. Benson coordinated their vision for a pink-and-black love theme: Two adjoining hearts adorned everything, from the program and unity candle to the champagne flutes and cake topper. Marah, a Middlesex native, wore an ivory gown and carried a bouquet of pink roses and mini calla lilies, with her grandmother’s wedding ring attached to the back, keeping her “something old” close throughout the ceremony. Her seven bridesmaids wore black satin gowns, and the groom, from Toms River, and his seven groomsmen were also dressed in black with pink ties.

The reception was filled with loved ones, which made for Marah’s favorite part of the day, while the cigar roller ranked high with her husband. The 10-piece Craig Scott Orchestra entertained their guests, who also had a lot of fun in the photo booth. After a honeymoon at the Hilton Waikola Village in Hawaii, they returned to begin their life together in Forked River.

SOURCES:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Transposure Fine Art Photography Studio, Milford, 908-930-5998; transposure.com

CEREMONY, RECEPTION & CAKE: Frungillo Caterers,

The Villa at Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes, 973-335-5300; frungillo.com

WEDDING PLANNER: Candice Benson, The Finishing Touch Events, Millburn, 973-525-5884; thefinishingtouchevents.com

BRIDE’S GOWN: Donna Morello Wedding Gowns, Flemington,

908-782-0930; donnamorello.com

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: David’s Bridal, Freehold; davidsbridal.com

HAIR & MAKEUP: Dieci Lifestyle Spa, Livingston, 973-716-0101; diecispa.com

GROOM’S ATTIRE: Dress For Success, Cedar Grove, 973-857-7068

INVITES: Occasions, Flemington, 908-806-4438; shopatoccasions.com

RINGS: Roman Jewelers, Flemington, 908-782-8240; romanjewelers.com