June 24, 2011

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Heather Russinelli Weds Anthony Mussara Jr.

Photo by Laura Bruen.

Heather Russinelli, a treasury associate from Bayonne, and Tony Mussara, a teacher from Rutherford, met at a sports bar during a celebration of the New Jersey Devils’ 1995 Stanley Cup victory. Although they began dating, it was a false start. It wasn’t until 12 years later when a mutual friend suggested that they give their relationship another shot that Tony and Heather reconnected—this time for good.

In The Pink

On September 18, 2010, 75 guests enjoyed an informal Celtic-style ceremony in which Heather’s mom walked her down the aisle and Tony’s dad was his best man. “I chose my father to be my best man because I wanted him to stand with me as I took the first step in starting a family of my own,” Tony says.

The couple chose the Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren because it suited the family-style celebration they had envisioned—many tables arranged lengthwise to appear as one long table—with Heather and Tony surrounded by immediate family members.

The outdoor ceremony included several unexpected moments: Acorns fell from overhanging trees and landed on the bride and her guests; the officiant almost forgot about the rings; and when it was time to release two doves, the birds refused to fly. “Tony and I had to reach our hands underneath their bellies and set them to flight,” says Heather. “But it was a memorable moment and one I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

Pink was the order of the day. Tables were embellished with clusters of deep pink and raspberry blooms, chocolate linens and pink votives. Place cards were arranged upon manzanita tree branches adorned with hanging crystals and surrounded by hot-pink candles. A candy buffet was super chic with champagne linens, gold chargers and pink lighting, while a cigar bar honored the memory of the bride’s father.

The bride’s hand-tied bouquets featured ivory roses, white cymbidium orchids, stephanotis with rhinestones and white mini calla lilies with chocolate ribbon and mink accents. Maids’ bouquets were similar, but in—what else?—pink.

Signature cocktails (hers a French martini and his a kir royale) flowed during the reception that featured passed hors d’oeuvres, pasta and carving stations and entrees of porcini crusted Chilean sea bass and grilled filet mignon.

After a night of dancing, the couple hopped on a party bus and headed to their hotel with wedding guests who didn’t want the night to end. Heather and Tony departed the next morning for Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.