Cobalt Tuxedos, S’mores by the Fire & a Blended Family Wedding at the Woolverton Inn in Stockton

When Kait and Matt set out to plan their wedding, they had one clear priority: keep it intimate, keep it personal and do it entirely their way. Their October 21, 2025 celebration at the Woolverton Inn, a historic bed and breakfast nestled in Stockton, beautifully photographed by Dean Michaels Studio, was exactly that. The day unfolded at a pace most weddings never allow: a morning walk, a leisurely breakfast, getting ready side by side, and a ceremony rich with meaning, honoring lost loved ones with a candle lighting, presenting their mothers with wooden flower bouquets, and sealing their new family with a sand-pouring ritual that included Matt’s son, Benjamin. He also brought up the rings and, adorably, handed them to the wrong people. The evening ended with a private candlelit dinner in the inn’s beautifully renovated barn, a Sinatra-inspired playlist, and s’mores around the fire under the stars—followed by breakfast together the next morning with everyone still on site.

Their Story

“Our story began three years ago, a classic case of opposites attracting,” says Kait. “I was an NYC resident, initially hesitant about dating a divorced man from New Jersey with a young child. Matt, looking to settle down, was equally wary of an ‘anti-suburb’ city girl. On paper, we seemed completely mismatched, yet our connection was undeniable. We quickly realized we shared the most important things: core values and a shared vision for the future.”

“Since then, I’ve officially traded my city life for the Garden State, embracing my new identity as a Jersey girl (though I’m still resisting Matt’s attempts to turn me into a gardener and bird watcher!). Our three years together have forged a beautiful blended family with his son, Benjamin. Through scary health episodes and three surgeries—one right before our wedding—Matt has been my rock. We’ve emerged stronger, deeply grateful for our journey, and excited for every chapter yet to come.”

The Proposal

“Matt and I are big game people,” says Kati. “In fact, most nights after dinner, you’ll find us deep into a round of cards or a heated Scrabble match. We’re both intensely competitive, and bragging rights in our house are a serious business!”

“One ordinary night, Matt suggested a game of cards after dinner. After losing the first round, I was hungry for redemption and insisted on a rematch. As Matt began to shuffle, I stepped into the kitchen to grab dessert. When I returned, the second game began.”

“I reached for a card and, absentmindedly, I saw it was the Ace—the exact card I needed for a winning move. I was just about to play it when I noticed something written on the face of the card. I read the inscription: ‘Kait, Will you Marry Me?'”

“As the message finally registered, I looked up to see Matt on one knee beside me, a ring box opened in his hand. I guess you could say he dealt me a winning hand! It was the most perfect, intimate, and personalized proposal. Now, that Ace is a beautiful keepsake, permanently displayed in our home—a sweet reminder of the night we decided to upgrade our game for life.”

Choosing the Venue

“We knew we wanted a truly intimate ceremony,” says Kait. “While we considered eloping, we ultimately wanted our parents and Matt’s son to share in the moment, so we began searching for a private yet deeply meaningful location.”

“A common pleasure Matt and I share is exploring charming small towns and staying at cozy bed and breakfasts. We were strolling the streets of Lambertville when the idea struck us: ‘What if we got married somewhere around here?'”

“Our search led us to the Woolverton Inn, a beautiful, historic bed and breakfast nestled in Stockton. The moment we stepped onto the property, we knew it was special—starting with the complimentary cookies!”

“The inn was instantly captivating: from the renovated barn that doubled as a restaurant to the unique, charming rooms, the scenic views, and the wonderfully warm staff. We immediately knew this was where we would get married. The deal was sealed when we had a meal at their on-site restaurant; it was, quite simply, the best we had ever tasted.”

Details of the Day

“Our vision was realized on a beautiful, sun-drenched Tuesday in October, Matt and I checked into the Woolverton Inn the night before, ensuring a leisurely start to our wedding day,” says Kait. “We enjoyed a relaxed morning walk followed by a delicious breakfast together. We began getting ready side-by-side as our vendors arrived. It may be untraditional, but we loved doing it our way—Matt needing me to fix his tie, and me needing him to zip my dress. After taking some intimate portraits and formals with our parents, we immediately transitioned to the ceremony, which was rich with personal touches.”

“Matt and Benjamin walked down the aisle first to our favorite song, ‘Bloom’ by The Paper Kites, followed by my father and me. Our service was unique and deeply personalized. We began by honoring those we have lost—grandparents and an uncle—with a quiet candle lighting ceremony, a special and emotional way to invite our guests to participate. Next, we honored our Mothers by presenting them with wooden flower bouquets. My grandmother and aunt then shared two meaningful readings we had selected. Benjamin joined us, bringing up our handwritten vows and, adorably, confusing which ring went to which person! The ceremony culminated in a sand-pouring ritual where Matt, Benjamin, and I each poured sand into a vase, symbolizing the blending of our new family.”

“Following the service, Matt and I observed a ‘Quiet 10,’ retreating to a private room to simply take in the moment. The celebration continued outdoors with a cozy cocktail hour featuring apple cider, champagne, an antipasto selection, and gourmet bites like lobster mac and cheese cups and mini grilled cheeses. The evening proceeded to the beautifully renovated barn, which was closed just for our party. Our private, dinner featured lobster, short ribs, and apple crisp.”

“We ended the the night eating s’mores outside by the fire. All of our guests stayed in the charming cottages on site, allowing us to share breakfast together the next morning.”

Favorite Moment

“My absolute favorite moment of the day was our intimate celebratory dinner,” says Kait. “We remained on-site at the Woolverton Inn and took over the beautifully renovated barn, which, for one perfect Tuesday evening, was closed and made completely private just for our group.”

“The atmosphere was stunning: the barn was warmly decorated with greenery and candlelight, and a soft, Sinatra-inspired playlist filled the air. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering scenic views, the setting was magical. But what made it truly special was the intimacy of sharing that meal with our closest family.”

“The night didn’t flash by. I felt completely present, able to relax and savor the moments of the day, reminiscing with the people who had just shared in our joy. It was the perfect, unrushed conclusion to our wedding ceremony.”

Wedding Day Attire

“I wore a beautiful fitted sheath gown from Bijou Bridal & Special Occasion, which featured exquisite boning and ruching details that I adored. At the last minute, I decided to elevate the look with a sophisticated touch: a Nadine Merabi pearl bodysuit worn under the dress. It was the perfect complement, adding a layer of classic, elegant sophistication.”

“My husband and his son, Benjamin, were handsomely coordinated in matching cobalt blue tuxedos, which they rented from Tuxedo by Sarno Menswear & Suits.”

Advice For Other Couples

“When planning a wedding, there is often immense pressure—from friends, family, and tradition—to do what is expected or what has been done before. Our biggest encouragement is to resist that pressure.”

“Don’t be afraid to make your celebration personal and special to you, even if that means celebrating in a completely untraditional way. Prioritizing authenticity over expectation ensures that on your wedding day, you can be truly present and savor every moment.”

Honeymoon

“We deliberately separated our honeymoon from the celebration, ensuring we had distinct moments to savor and enjoy without everything blending together. For our honeymoon this January, we chose the enchanting city of Quebec.”

“Quebec City is the perfect winter escape for us. It offers enough to do without ever feeling rushed or exhausted. Our itinerary is perfectly balanced, mixing adventure and relaxation: one day we’ll be dog sledding, and the next, we’ll be indulging in a serene spa day. It’s the ideal way to start our married life together.”