When Ashley Van Peenen and Jeff Campeas find a good thing, they recognize it right away. That goes for their relationship—they’ve been together since meeting as students at a Wayne Hills High School football game ten years ago—and for the spot they chose for their April 18, 2008, reception. “We immediately knew that the Westmount Country Club was perfect for us. The grounds are beautiful and the cocktail hour is amazing. It was the only place we looked,” says Ashley.

For their guests, the first glimpse of Ashley and Jeff’s romantic ivory, gold, and white-hued affair was the elegant scroll invitation accented with crystals and beads that came rolled in a gold mailing tube. The next special touch: regally attired trumpeters heralded each guest’s arrival at Jeff’s childhood church, St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes. Inside, forty of Ashley’s past and present third-grade students walked down the aisle ringing bells in the otherwise silent church to signal the start of the ceremony. The bride, wearing an Eve of Milady ballgown embroidered with silver thread and crystals and carrying a bouquet of roses and orchids, was escorted by both parents.

The reception kicked off with a bountiful cocktail hour during which 370 guests nibbled on butler-passed hors d’oeuvres and sampled bites from stations serving a dazzling array of seafood, Asian dishes, antipasto, pasta, and more. On an outdoor terrace, a “San Gennaro Feast” featuring hot dogs and sausage and peppers wowed the crowd. After dinner and dancing to a ten-piece band, guests enjoyed an elaborate presentation of flaming Baked Alaska and other desserts. Even sweeter was a surprise serenade by Ashley’s sister, who served as maid of honor. As the couple danced, she sang “My Wish,” by Rascal Flatts. It was a performance and an evening that hit just the right notes.

SOURCES

Photographer: Noel and Jim Michalski, Bella Photography,

732-991-4642 or 732-991-1417; noelmariephotography.com

Reception and CAKE: Westmount Country Club, West Paterson,

973-256-2700; westmountcc.com

Bride’s Gown: Eve of Milady from Bridals by Roma, Clifton,

973-777-9344; www.bridalgownsbyroma.com

Bridesmaid Dresses: Alvina Valenta from Bridesmaids at

Nonchalance, Morristown, 973-292-0902; nonchalancenj.com

Hair: Jhaleh Spa, Wayne, 973-709-1020; jhalehspa.com

Bride’s Veil and Tiara: Headpiece.com, Pompton Plains,

973-835-0936; headpiece.com

Makeup: MAC Cosmetics at the Willowbrook Mall, 973-812-0152; maccosmetics.com

Groom’s Attire: Robert’s Tuxedos, Totowa, 973-256-3849;

robertstuxedo.com

Ceremony: St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, 973-835-0374;

stmarys-pompton.org

Invitations: Natural Impression Design, Miami, 305-261-8331; natural-impressions.com

Flowers: Atlas Floral Decorators West Paterson, 973-812-9438

Band: Oasis, Lodi, 973-772-7425; oasisnj.com

Wedding RINGS: Gem Creations, Wayne, 973-696-5800;

gemcreationsonline.com

Transportation: America’s Best Limousines, Fairfield,

800-292-2995; americasbestlimos.com

Trumpeters and Dove Release: Fanfare Brass, Greater New York

and Tristate Area, 888-432-6327; fanfarebrass.com