Christina and Will at Jumping Brook Country Club

Posted on October 04, 2022 by New Jersey Bride

How did you meet?
Will and I met in high school, sharing several classes and involvement on the track team. Romance first sparked with stolen glances across the room in physics class and we quickly became enamored with each other.

How did you get engaged?
I took the initiative and asked Will to my junior prom, holding a up a sign that read, “Prom?” at a track meet right before Will started a race. Will then asked me on an official first date on Valentine’s Day. At the age of 16 and 17, we did not think we were sitting across from our future spouses. We would go on to attend The College of New Jersey together as our love grew. After Will moved around for work and I had graduated, it was time for us to take the next step. Will proposed outside the front steps of the high school where we first met. As we walked past the school, Will dropped a paper that read “Wedding?” and insisted that I had dropped it. I said yes and now it is time for us to say “I DO!”

Details of the day!
The color theme for the wedding played into the fall season. Bridesmaids were in a variety of textures of burgundy, with flowers of burgundy, blush and white roses. Our favors were a large assortment of cookies made by the bride’s family. The bride’s family is from Pittsburgh, where it is a tradition to have a “Cookie Table.” The Bride’s friends and family together made 70 dozen cookies! Guests were able to take them home in bags designed using Zazzle.

Why did you choose your venue?
Our venue was affordable, which was something really important to us. Not only that, it was recently renovated and is stunning. The large open windows in the ballroom give you the perfect view and a gorgeous sunset.

What was on your menu?
Our wedding cake was from Chocolate Carousel. We chose almond cake and dark-chocolate cake with raspberry filling, a combination of both sets of parents’ wedding-cake flavors.

All about your gown!
I wanted something simple and classic with a little sparkle. I had always thought I wanted sleeves and a slim, form-fitting dress. However, once I tried the more full ballgown from Martina Liana, I was in love. The silk skirt gave me the simple and classic element, and the open back with lace and beading gave me confidence and a glow. With the amazing seamstresses at The Bridal Garden, they were able to add more details to make the dress one of a kind for me.

What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment of the day was walking out of the church after being pronounced husband and wife—turning to my best friend and seeing him as the 17-year-old boy I fell in love with turned into the rest of my life in an instant.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
We could not live without our guest book: a vintage phone where our friends and family could leave us “voice mails!” Being able to listen to everyone’s voice and sweet messages in the moment is a unique and wonderful experience we can relive over and over again! (Guest book from FeteFone.) Another element was the frame of my father and the beautiful garland holding his spot in the church. It was important to me that he had a seat on our big day.