Michele and Alex’s Porta Asbury Park wedding celebrated the groom’s Greek heritage, incorporated the town’s vibrant murals and boasted a ceiling above the dance floor with multiple disco balls. Plus, the couple got ready at The Asbury Hotel, a super-chic spot for photos.

Their Story

The couple met online at the beginning of the pandemic, May 2020. We video chatted and talked on the phone for a few weeks before meeting for a socially distanced picnic.

Michele brought the sandwiches and Alex brought the rosé. The first date lasted for hours and they both realized that it was something special early on.

The Proposal

The proposal was around a year from when they first met and paid homage to their first date. Alex set up a perfect intimate picnic with a charcuterie board and wine and proposed during dessert with the ring sitting inside a macaron.

The couple went back to Michele’s house for a quick set of pictures. Then they went to dinner just the two of them to a northern Italian restaurant and back to Alex’s mom’s house for a champagne toast.

Their Porta Asbury Park Wedding

On May 13, 2023, the couple tied the knot at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean followed by a reception at reception was Porta in Asbury Park, a popular upscale pizza restaurant and event venue known for its eccentric atmosphere and moody-meets-vibrant decor.

The two loved the quirky vibes of the spot that matched their personalities. Michele chose vibrant colors for the florals – pops of pink and peach mixed among coral, mustard and pale yellows and seasonal greenery.

The couple got ready at The Asbury Hotel and took many photos at the chic spot, including the bar.

Bridal Style

Her dress was a breathtaking column style with a low, beaded V-cut in the front and open back.

Her low bun topped off her elegant look, and little details of pearls on her shoes and in her hair snuck in a feminine punch.The bridesmaids wore blush toned dresses.

The Menu

Porta is known for its pizzas! Guests dined family style on their popular pizzas – Margherita, The Chippy (ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, garlic, olive tapenade & rosemary) and the Spring Betty (goat cheese, spinach bechamel, artichokes, thyme, garlic and Pecorino Romano cheese)i, as well as cacio e pepe, meatballs, broccolli rabe, beer and more.

The cake flavors were chocolate and vanilla.

The Details

Since the groom is Greek, the couple implemented many Greek customs into their celebration. For example, Alex’s suit was custom made in Greece and was complemented by a Mediterranean-themed tie. Also, the favors were handmade by the groom’s Greek mother.

Keychain sized evil eye ceramics were tied to a pouch of jordan almonds, which symbolize the hope that the sweetness of life (the nut’s sugar coating) will be better than the bitterness (the almond). Traditionally, five almonds are given to represent health, happiness, fertility, wealth and a long life. Guests alternated between dancing the “sirtaki,” the traditional Greek dance where you move around the room in a circle with your hands placed on your neighbors’ shoulders, and to today’s hits under the many metallic disco balls.

Michele and Alex’s wedding was fun and heartfelt. Alex seeing his bride for the first time brought many tears, as well as the four toasts given at the reception. It was a wedding to remember, celebrating culture, family and love!

Honeymoon

Michele and Alex embarked on a European adventure in Italy and Greece.

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