Their Boat Wedding on the Hudson Featured a Deck Dance Party, the NYC Skyline & the Statue of Liberty

Jada Montemarano and Eddie Murphy, who live in LA, planned their June 21, 2025 wedding from 3,000 miles away with the help of New Jersey planner Danielle Rothweiler of Rothweiler Event Design. They boarded the Atlantis, part of New York Cruises, for a Hudson River celebration with 220 guests, a dockside ceremony at Hyatt Regency Jersey City, food stations with mini lobster rolls and lamb lollipops, and a top-deck dance floor where every guest jumped and sang under the stars to Chappell Roan. All beautifully captured by Jeff Tisman Photography.

Their Story

Sometimes even a big city can feel like a small world. Jada Montemarano was a waitress in a Staten Island restaurant in the summer of 2013 when Edward Murphy came in with friends. She noted his “Boston Strong” T-shirt and asked if he was from Beantown. He said, “No, but I go to school there,” and she paused. “I do too.” The pair quickly learned that not only were they both Staten Islanders attending Boston University, but both were studying broadcast journalism. “The fact that we didn’t know each other at all was wild,” says Jada.

Summer flirting turned into a college romance—she became an anchor on his sports show; he carried her camera equipment to class. After they graduated, they moved to Los Angeles to pursue media careers. “Looking back, our families probably thought we were crazy,” Jada says. “But we knew.”

The Proposal

In January 2023, Eddie arranged to meet Jada at the restaurant Yamashiro in Hollywood. He stalled while other guests snapped pics of the stunning views, but he was ready with the ring. Two friends took photos of the proposal, and afterward, the couple celebrated “in big leather chairs in the lobby bar of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel,” says Eddie. “We drank tequila and whiskey, then called our friends and family.”

Long-Distance Planning

Eddie hoped for a California venue—maybe on the beach in Malibu. But Jada wanted to return home. Their compromise? A New Jersey-New York wedding on the Hudson. With the help of New Jersey-based planner Danielle Rothweiler, they prepared for their big day from 3,000 miles away.

A wedding aboard The Atlantis, part of New York Cruises. — Jeff Tisman Photography

Come Aboard

“My only vision was the city skyline in the background,” Jada recalls about planning. They briefly considered the Staten Island Ferry or Ellis Island. But it was the Atlantis—a boat with ample space and a helpful crew—that finally clicked. On June 21, 2025, they had a dockside ceremony at Hyatt Regency Jersey City and then set off on the Hudson River with 220 guests.

Wedding Day Attire

Jada chose a strapless Justin Alexander Signature ball gown with a floral bodice from Castle Couture. Later, she changed into a shorter dress and rhinestone sneakers. Eddie started in a classic tux and changed into a tropical-patterned shirt with shorts, boat shoes and a captain’s hat.

Menu Highlights

They didn’t want a sit-down dinner, so they leaned into food stations. Favorite bites included mini lobster rolls, chicken flautas, lamb lollipops, French dip and ahi tuna.

Party Time

The couple’s first dance was to “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Later, a DJ got the party started on the boat’s top-level dance floor. “‘Pink Pony Club’ by Chappell Roan was the song of last summer,” Jada recalls. “Every one of our guests was jumping up and down and singing under the stars and New York skyline.”

Favorite Moment

“His vows,” says Jada, were her fave moment. “He didn’t want to do public vows, but he is a beautiful writer. I said, ‘This is our one chance to show everyone our true love behind the scenes.’” Eddie adds: “Her dad shook my hand after the vows. It meant a lot.”

Advice For Other Couples

“Don’t try to force something that doesn’t fit,” says Eddie. “I had that warm fuzzy feeling when we found the boat…if you don’t have that, don’t do it.”