Claire and Keith at Rock Island Lake Club

HOW THEY MET

Young love really can last; that’s what Claire, 26, and Keith, 27, of Verona know for sure. The pair met and briefly dated in middle school—only to tragically part ways in the eighth grade and stay friends. The friendship lasted through high school and college, until one day after graduation in 2013. “We attended Oktoberfest at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona with friends and looked at each other and thought ‘why aren’t we together?’” says Claire. It was that simple; they have been together ever since.

ENGAGEMENT

September 10th, 2016 seemed like just a normal day when Claire met a friend for a manicure. But when she arrived home to a note stuck on the front door that read “turn each one over and read; I’ll see you at the end,” everything changed. Following the trail of ten notes, each of them telling a short story from her and Keith’s time together, Claire eventually reached her bedroom. “Keith was down on one knee waiting to ask me the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer,” she says.

DETAILS OF THE DAY

The couple tied the knot on September 15th, 2017, at Rock Island Lake Club in Sparta. Claire trusted Cindy at The Floral Gallery of Chester to bring her floral vision to life, using garden roses, dahlias, and natural wood accents to highlight the day’s earthy colors. “I love the look of full, non-circular bouquets with maroons, pinks and creams,” says Claire.The pair decided to think outside the box when it came to arranging their guestbook and seating chart, choosing a cornhole lawn game board for guests to sign their names and getting creative with a set of rustic shutters from Michael’s craft store. The scene at Rock Island exuded effortless rustic elegance.

MENU

Cocktail hour featured buffalo chicken eggrolls, mini crab cakes, and lobster tacos.For dinner, guests indulged in filet mignon with bordelaise sauce, chicken rossini, panko crusted salmon over warm couscous, and sundried tomato risotto. Later, everyone screamed for the make-your-own ice cream bar.

FIRST DANCE SONG

“Boxes,” by The-Goo Goo Dolls.

FAVORS

Guests were treated to hot slices of pizza as they exited the reception.

ADVICE FOR BRIDES

Don’t stress! “The show can’t start without you,” says Claire.

HONEYMOON

After a luxurious week at Sandals Negril Jamaica, the couple is home in Denville.