Jena and Tina met as sorority sisters in college and had been secretly planning Jena’s big day long before Vincent, a chief financial officer at a private equity company, even came into the picture. “That was always the running joke between us,” says Jena, a vice president of sales at BCBG. “The wedding itself was set and all I needed was for the groom to show up!” So when it came time to plan the June 26, 2010, event, Tina (also the matron of honor) knew exactly what her friend wanted: a traditional wedding with a modern flair.

A color palette of cream and beige with pops of navy and lavender was chosen to give the day the modern and sleek look Jena and Vincent hoped for. Another friend, Robin Kornett, designed the wedding-day stationery, which incorporated the couple’s “M” monogram, along with a subtle branch in the background. That branch motif was also featured throughout the reception, including as a topper on the wedding cake and as a placeholder on the escort card table.

Although the wedding would be held in New Jersey, they wanted to make New York City a part of their special day. “We lived there for three years, and Vincent is very much a New Yorker (he’s from Long Island; she’s from North Jersey), so we wanted to showcase the city in some way,” says Jena. The Hyatt Regency in Jersey City was chosen, largely because of its amazing views of the NYC skyline.

On the big day, Jena donned a modified trumpet Rivini gown with a bouquet of white calla lilies that also held a photo of her late maternal grandparents. The custom-made aisle runner showcased the monogram and branch theme. After the ceremony, the couple and their 175 guests were off to the Hyatt, where—despite a brief summer rain shower—the outdoor cocktail hour went off without a hitch. The menu included everything from fresh sushi and pasta to a variety of sliders and a specialty cocktail called the “Marinotini,” a fruit drink mixed with vodka. The night was topped off with a four-tier wedding cake from Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop.