He Got Married Steps from Where His Great-Grandfather First Arrived in America

On one of the coldest days of January, with a snowstorm brewing, Joslyn and Dylan got married at Liberty House in Jersey City —and it was exactly as stunning as they’d imagined. The couple had envisioned something moody, stylish, and deeply personal: an all-black dress code for guests, swan motifs woven throughout as a symbol of lifelong partnership, and a candlelit ballroom that glowed against the winter chill outside. But the detail that stopped everyone in their tracks came during the speeches, when Dylan’s father shared that his great-grandfather had arrived in America through the very train station steps away from where they stood—a connection that gave the venue choice a weight and meaning no other venue could have matched. Photographer Alina Delfino captured every moment.

A Polished Start at the Westin

Joslyn got ready at the Westin Hotel in Jersey City. She wanted her portraits to feel editorial and fashion-forward, far from typical morning chaos. “I shot plenty in black and white to match her style and added flash photography for that crisp, high-end polish,” explains photographer Alina Delfino. “No formal bridal party, just her closest friends keeping the vibe relaxed and full of easy laughter.”

How Two Friends Fell in Love

Joslyn and Dylan met back at a 2014 New Year’s Eve party, thanks to his cousin who made sure they crossed paths. They hung out all night and clicked instantly. Their first date? A stroll through Central Park, a stop at the zoo, then Dylan cooking dinner.

They’ve grown up together since she was 19 and he 23. They’re now now 30 and 34. “That foundation showed in their Palisades Interstate Park proposal, where traffic delays led to a perfect trail moment overlooking the GWB,” says Alina. “Dylan, with his Italian roots, shares Joslyn’s love for The Sopranos, so we recreated that intense street stare-down photo at dusk. The fading light made the skyline behind them absolutely glow.”

Pushing Through The Cold For Iconic Shots

One standout feature of any Liberty House wedding is the waterfront spot with stunning NYC views, so Joslyn was set on outdoor first look and couple portraits, no matter the freeze.

“When we hit the venue, she was shivering with no hand warmers in sight,” explains photographer Alina. “I handed her mine, and that small gesture helped her power through. She had her heart set on the old train station in Liberty State Park, but the storm shut it down. I scouted nearby angles for Liberty State Park portraits that captured the station’s exterior just as beautifully.”

A Venue Choice Full of Meaning

Picking Liberty House as their wedding venue carried real weight for them. Both sets of ancestors were immigrants, and during speeches, Dylan’s dad shared how his great-grandfather stepped off at the Liberty State Park train station, just a short walk away.

The indoor ceremony space proved perfect for winter, cozy and bright with skyline glimpses keeping the energy up. Liberty House’s attentive staff made planning smooth, with flexible timelines that let us focus on the moments.

Candle-Lit Ballroom Comes Alive

The ballroom was filled with warmth, despite the chill outside. Guests in black, swan details everywhere, and endless candles created that stylish ambiance Joslyn envisioned.

They surprised everyone by bringing in Mr. and Mrs. Met for part of the night, a nod to their shared interests that kicked off wild dancing. The dance floor stayed packed, and the food lived up to the hype with creative cocktail hour bites and dinners that had guests buzzing. “It’s a classic Liberty House ballroom wedding strength, that mix of elegance and real energy,” says Alina.

What Made It Unforgettable

Joslyn and Dylan kept looking forward to celebrating with all their favorite people, and that shone through. “Those Manhattan skyline wedding backdrops and the venue’s flow gave us shots that feel alive and true to their story,” says Alina.