Her Coworker Gave a Patient Her Number—Five Years Later They Had a Timeless Black and White Weddings at The Estate at Florentine Gardens

When Alyssa and Tom chose The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale for their July 31, 2026 wedding, the venue matched their vision from the very first visit—timeless, romantic and elegant without being fussy. Beautifully photographed by Michael Romeo Creations, their summer celebration was built around one central idea: candlelight. White florals and black accents set the tone, but it was the warm, flickering glow of candles throughout the reception space that created the intimate, sophisticated atmosphere Alyssa had always imagined—carried through every detail from the menus and welcome sign to the centerpieces and table accents.

Their Story

“Tom was a patient at the hospital where I work when my coworker thought we would be the perfect match,” says Alyssa. “She gave him my number, and we met on what was essentially a blind date. Five years later, that unexpected introduction led us to our wedding day and the beginning of forever.”

The Proposal

“On Christmas morning, Tom surprised me with the most unforgettable gift not something wrapped under the tree, but a promise to spend forever together,” says Alyssa. “Surrounded by family he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the most unexpected and emotional moment, and saying yes made that Christmas one we’ll never forget.”

Choosing the Venue

“We chose The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale because it felt like the perfect place to bring our vision to life,” says Alyssa. “From the beautiful grounds and elegant atmosphere to the incredible service, we knew from the moment we saw it that it was where we wanted to celebrate our wedding. It felt timeless, romantic and truly like us.”

Details of the Day

“Our wedding day was elegant, romantic and timeless, with a classic black and white color palette. We wanted candles to be the centerpiece of our decor, creating a warm, romantic glow throughout the reception,” says Alyssa. “The candlelight, paired with the white florals and black accents, created the intimate and sophisticated atmosphere we envisioned. We carried the them through our menus, welcome sign, and other details making sure every element felt true to our timeless romantic vision.”

Favorite Moment

“Our favorite moment was seeing each other at the altar and finally realizing the day we had dreamed about was here. But the celebration that followed was just as special dancing, laughing, and celebrating all night with our family and friends. Being surrounded by everyone we love made the day truly unforgettable.”

Wedding Day Attire

“I wore a beautiful timeless ball gown designed by eve of milady. Tom wore a custom tux by Joseph Abboud. Groomsmen wore classic tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse. The bridesmaids wore long black dresses from Dessy Group.”

Advice For Other Couples

“Our advice to other couples is to make your wedding day about the two of you and what you truly want,” says Alyssa. “Don’t let other people’s opinions influence your vision or decisions. Most importantly, try not to stress over the little things. The day goes by so quickly, so enjoy every moment and soak it all in!”

Honeymoon

“For our honeymoon, we headed to Hawaii for an unforgettable two week adventure! We flew into Oahu and spent a couple of nights in Waikiki Beach before heading to Maui for four nights. From there, we made our way to Kauai for six nights to relax, explore, and enjoyed everything the islands had to offer as newlyweds.”