Courtnei and Greelensky at the Manor

Their story: Courtnei Williams and Greelensky Charles met at a Christmas party in 2013, but it wasn’t love at first sight. They were both dating others, and he found her a little standoffish. But they became friends, developed a close bond and decided to give romance a chance. Courtnei, who is 33 and grew up in South Orange, loves Greelensky, 32, who was raised in Irvington, for being sweet, sensitive and family-oriented, and he makes her laugh. The couple, who own several small businesses together, share the same values and have opposite, but complementary, demeanors. “I’m an extrovert and he’s more laid-back and has a very calming quality about him,” she says. “He’s the yin to my yang. He knows how to soothe me.”

Will you marry me?: Greelensky popped the question during a trip to California and Las Vegas with their sons, ages 7 and 3, along with other family members. On Courtnei’s birthday, May 7, she was stuck in a Las Vegas hotel room with the boys while he was preparing for a surprise birthday dinner. Frustrated that she couldn’t enjoy the Vegas sites, she was overcome with joy that night when she was served a cake that read, “Will you marry me?” “I looked back at him, and he was on his knees with the ring out,” Courtnei says. “It was very emotional.”

Details of the day: The couple married in a lavish black-tie wedding on New Year’s Eve at The Manor. The venue became a chic winter wonderland, full of glitz and glam. “I wanted it to feel like a mix between Central Park after a fresh snow and an elevated pretty princess, ice queen castle,” Courtnei says. The event featured a range of blue, purple and silver with an abundance of crystals and bling. Courtnei stunned in two wedding gowns (one for photos and one for the ceremony) and later in a skirted Naeem Khan bridal jumpsuit with thousands of beads and jewels. Greelensky wore a velvet midnight navy jacket for the ceremony and a red jacket for the party. Toward midnight, they all counted down and the couple shared a New Year’s kiss as the guests added to the festivities with confetti poppers.

Favorite moment: Their first dance to a live rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” as faux snow fell on the ballroom. “It felt like it was just me and him,” she says. “We were finally able to breathe and begin our new life together. ”

Favorite detail: The event planning and design that brought Courtnei’s vision to life, created by wedding planner Jenny Orsini. “The look of the whole room was completely transformed,” she says. “It was perfect, a dream come true.”

Advice for other brides: Enjoy every moment and don’t sweat the small things. “Just remember, it’s about a union with the person you love,” Courtnei says. “Keep that in the forefront.”