A Margarita Truck, a Surprise Second Entrance, Two Dress Changes, and Crowd Surfing at Pleasantdale Château

Jordan and Lisa met in the basement of Parker House in Sea Girt. Four years later Jordan proposed to Lisa on the beach in Sea Girt before walking two minutes back to Parker House, where their families were waiting to celebrate. For their August 31, 2025 wedding, Lisa had always had one venue in mind: Pleasantdale Château in West Orange, the European-style estate she had driven past her entire life growing up. Photographed by Gabelli Studio and planned by Fred Fogg Productions, the celebration lived up to every expectation. There was a margarita truck and a tequila bar served in Himalayan salt glasses, a chuppah draped on all four sides in vibrant florals, a live painter capturing their first dance, a surprise second entrance the couple didn’t even know was coming, two outfit changes each, custom Golden Goose sneakers, and a packed dance floor that ended with both the bride and groom crowd surfing into the night.

Their Story

Jordan and Lisa’s love story began exactly where you’d expect a Jersey Shore romance to start: the basement of Parker House in Sea Girt. Both lifelong NJ natives, they had each spent countless summers down the Shore, fully aware of the unspoken rule: you don’t fall in love at the Jersey Shore.

But fate had other plans. Lisa was out with friends from her study abroad program, while Jordan was there with friends from home. As “God Bless America” played in the background, Jordan made his move, asking Lisa if she wanted a Michelob Ultra—simple, effortless and perfectly timed.

After a fun Friday night, they decided to run it back that Sunday for the group’s beloved summer tradition, “Track Suit Sunday.” Jordan and his friends arrived in full tracksuit fashion, and what began as a casual weekend plan quickly turned into something more. Just days later, Jordan and Lisa went on their first official date to see Zac Brown Band at PNC Bank Arts Center.

As summer faded, their connection only grew stronger when both returned to New York City. Huge sports fans at heart, they bonded over their shared love for New York teams: Giants Sundays, Knicks nights, and Rangers games becoming staples of their relationship. Since 2021, they’ve made it a tradition to attend New York Rangers opening night every year.

2022 was defined by travel and togetherness, beginning with their first trip to Siesta Key, FL. The year continued with visits to Boston, Asheville and Saratoga Springs, a spirited rivalry football game in Bloomington, Indiana—Lisa cheering for the University of Illinois and Jordan for Indiana University—and a trip to Denver, Colorado, before ending with a family getaway to Punta Cana.

In 2023, their love story unfolded through NYC nights, beach-town birthday celebrations, and a dream trip to London and Portugal. By February, Jordan and Lisa headed to Florida one last time as boyfriend and girlfriend, unknowingly closing one chapter and and preparing for the next.

The Proposal

That March, Jordan proposed to Lisa in Sea Girt, the very place where their love story began. Despite a steady rain falling all day, the proposal was nothing short of magical. On the beach, with the ocean behind them and a photographer quietly capturing the moment, Jordan got down on one knee. Completely surprised, Lisa said ‘yes’ through happy tears, proving that even a rainy Jersey Shore day can be absolutely perfect.

From there, the celebration continued somewhere especially meaningful: Parker House. After leaving the beach in shock, Jordan and Lisa ventured a quick two-minute walk over to Parker House, another surprise for Lisa, where they were joined by their families. They were at the place they first met, turning a casual summer meeting spot into the setting for one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Standing together as newly engaged fiancés, they had officially broken the one rule they never thought they would—falling in love at the Jersey Shore.

The celebrations continued back in New York City, where Jordan planned a surprise engagement party for Lisa at La Victoria in Chelsea. Surrounded by their closest friends, they celebrated their very first night as fiancés—marking the beginning of their next chapter, forever rooted in New Jersey, the Shore, and a love story that was always meant to come full circle.

Choosing the Venue

“From the moment we arrived at Pleasantdale Château, it felt as though we had been transported to a European estate,” says Lisa. “The villa-meets-château aesthetic was exactly what we envisioned: romantic, timeless, and effortlessly elegant, while still feeling warm and inviting.”

The venue also held a deeply personal significance, as it is located in Lisa’s hometown of West Orange. “Having grown up passing the Château countless times, getting married there had always been a dream, and it made the celebration even more meaningful while also being incredibly convenient for our guests.”

“The outdoor ceremony space was perfect for our Labor Day weekend wedding, set against lush, meticulously maintained grounds that felt both expansive and intimate. From serene pond views and storybook bridges to the refined pool room and luxurious getting-ready suites, every corner of the property felt truly picture-perfect. Exceptional cuisine was a top priority for us, and Pleasantdale exceeded every expectation—each course was beautifully presented, elevated, and unforgettable. Not to mention, the venue has a farm, and all of the food options were one of a kind, nothing you have ever heard of before at a wedding, let alone on a menu at a five-star restaurant.”

Working with Fred Fogg Productions further confirmed that Pleasantdale Château was the right choice. “Fred’s impeccable taste, thoughtful planning, and extraordinary attention to detail brought our vision to life seamlessly, creating an experience that felt effortless, intentional, and unforgettable from start to finish.”

Details of the Day

Lisa and Jordan’s wedding day was inspired by a vision of colorful wildflowers, which were exotic, free-flowing, and unapologetically joyful. The floral design felt organic yet elevated, setting the tone for a celebration full of movement and color. Lisa carried a dramatic cascading bouquet of purple orchids, while her bridesmaids were styled in rich shades of pinks, each holding complementary blooms.

Dressed in elegant purple gowns, the bridesmaids framed a breathtaking chuppah designed on all four sides, layered with a vibrant mix of florals and textures. Instead of traditional arrangements for the ceremony aisle, florals were planted in tree stumps at varying heights, creating a whimsical, sculptural walkway leading to the chuppah: an aisle that felt both artistic and immersive.

The celebration began with an over-the-top outdoor/indoor cocktail hour complete with a margarita truck, a tequila bar ft. Himalayan salt glasses, sushi, a raw bar with an ice sculpture, suckling pig, tomahawk steaks, and more. As guests entered the ballroom, they were greeted by three distinct centerpiece designs across 20 tables: lush floral trees, modern geometric vase arrangements, and overflowing vases cascading with orchids.

Dinner was equally elevated, beginning with watermelon carpaccio, followed by a choice of braised short rib, boneless branzino, herb-roasted chicken breast, or vegetable primavera risotto. Dessert featured a Funfetti and Oreo cake, adorned with florals repurposed from the chuppah and a custom cake topper.

A live painter captured Lisa and Jordan’s first dance to “Everlasting Love,” as the dance floor filled with smoke. Later on, the Cyro Girls began w/ smoke guns into the crowd alongside the lightshow, hats were given out, and guests made their way through the rest of the chateau for an afterparty with an open bar, late night bites ft. a pizza truck, all accompanied by a live piano player performing 2000s hits. The videographer did BTS all night of guests sentiments.

Favorite Moment

“Our favorite moment was our second entrance,” says Lisa. “After we cut the cake, I snuck up to the bridal suite to change from her Lee Petra Grebenau Harmony Gown into her Galia Lahav Hazel short dress.”

The entrance included the dance floor being lined with their guests, while Marcus Reid’s band came onto the dance floor, with trumpets on the floor as Lisa and Jordan made their way through the crowd. This recharge moment was incredible—the guests loving the interaction from the band, the horns playing “Narco” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet, all while making a dramatic dress change moment special and unique.

The best part of it all? This was a Fred Fogg Production special—Lisa and Jordan were just as surprised at this second entrance as the guests. The team planned it and kept it a secret throughout the planning process, and it was the most amazing moment to feel that type of love that late in the night. A packed dance floor, amazing horns, and a special moment for the bride and groom.

This special moment led right into their second favorite moment where Lisa and Jordan both took turns crowd surfing. They hopped on stage, danced the night away, while jumping into their friends holding them up.

Wedding Day Attire

Lisa wore a Lee Petra Grebenau Harmony Gown, with Caroline Bride Manolo Blahnik shoes. She changed into a Galia Lahav Hazel dress, and custom golden goose sneakers.

Jordan wore a custom Paul Smith tuxeo, with Magnanni black loafers. He later changed his jacket to an ivory Armani Shawl lapel jacket for the rest of the night, with custom golden goose sneakers.

The men wore black tuxeods, mostly rented from Tuxedo Junction in Brick.

The ladies wore shades of purple dresses, full of texture, mostly from Saks. The mother of the bride wore a custom gold gown from Hartley.

Advice For Other Couples

“HAVE FUN!!! Weddings are deemed stressful with all of the planning and potential drama, but the day is the only time you will be with all of the people you love,” says Lisa. “If you want a funfetti cake with oreo, do it. If you want to change into a second look, do it. Whatever is going to bring you joy and make you have fun throughout this emotional rollercoaster of a day, you have to follow that.”

Honeymoon

The newlyweds went to Greece for 14 nights, directly after the wedding. “We first went to Athens for two nights, touring historical sites. Then we began our island adventure starting in Milos, exploring beach after beach. Then we had a few nights in Mykonos where we were able to let loose, enjoy being married in the beautiful, spirited island, with lots of great food. Our last island was Santorini, where we relaxed, had wine tours and boat days. Our favorite part was Milos, and highly (!!!) recommend the Domes White Coast hotel.”