The pair met as freshmen at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, and in 2008, Christopher proposed at Disney World. But there was one catch:

Christopher was being deployed to Iraq just one month later. “We decided to get married before he left in a simple ceremony with just our parents,” Mauria says. “But we always knew we were going to have a big wedding when he got back.”

They finally wed on July 2, 2011, in Newark. But the road to the big day was a bumpy one. One of Christopher’s brothers, Matthew, was killed in Iraq, another, AJ, was deployed right before the wedding, and Mauria’s mom, Marilyn, passed away from cancer one year before the event. The losses made their wedding even more poignant. “It was our day to show how hard we worked for our love for one another,” says Mauria, who is from Colonia (the groom is from Rhode Island). The couple’s theme—“Kissing the War Goodbye”—was to be combined with some of the bride’s favorite things, including a 1940s feel, jewel-toned color palette, peacock feathers and butterflies. The couple turned to Tina LaMorte, owner of Oh So Fabulous in Maywood, to pull it all together. “Tina gave it a cohesive feel,” Mauria says. The couple married at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, then headed to the Newark Club, where they celebrated with five signature cocktails, music from the 1940s, and tables topped with candles and centerpieces that included Baccara roses, peacock feathers and butterfly adornments. Butterflies also adorned the chairs and the four-tiered cake.

One of the most memorable moments was when the deejay introduced Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Serio. “We had been planning that for three years,” Mauria says. They then danced to “Happy Days are Here Again”—the perfect tune to describe the day.

Resources:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Danny Weiss Photography, NYC, 646-957-7306; dannyweissphoto.com  

RECEPTION: The Newark Club, Newark, 973-242-0658; newarkclub.com

WEDDING PLANNER: Christy Stoehr & Tina LaMorte, Oh So Fabulous, Maywood, 201-981-7280; ohsofab.com

BRIDE’S GOWN: Lazaro from Kleinfeld, NYC, 646-633-4300; kleinfeldbridal.com

BRIDE’S SHOES: Ivanka Trump; ivankatrumpfootwear.com

BRIDE’S HAIR & MAKEUP: Ashimoto, Springfield, 973-379-8909; ashimoto.com

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Menswearhouse.com

DEEJAY: Platinum DJs, Danny Gee, 917-418-9001

FLOWERS: Floral Designs by Cindy, South Bound Brook, 732-563-0155; floraldesignsbycindy.com

STATIONERY: Elle Ette Designs, Hoboken, 201-526-4326; elleette.com

RENTALS: Party Rental, Teterboro, 201-727-4700

LINENS: Cloth Connection, NYC, 212-585-1284; clothconnection.com

CAKE:  Palermo’s, Ridgefield Park, 201-641-1654; palermobakery.com