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This Couple’s Dog Played a Special Role in Their Stunning Natirar Wedding

Posted on August 12, 2024 by New Jersey Bride

Their Story

Cassandra and Louis tied the knot on November 12, 2022 at the Mansion at Natirar. They initially met each other in 2017; their dads were friends and his father had invited Cassandra’s family over watch a boxing match.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

“We spent the night talking about dogs, which we both have a love for, and both of our jobs,” Cassandra says.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

They kept things casual at first, as both weren’t ready for a relationship, and began officially dating in May of 2018. “From then on, it has been nothing but bliss,” she says.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

The Proposal

Louis popped the question at his father’s house on Lake Hopatcong in February of 2021. The couple had been out at Windlass Restaurant celebrating her birthday, but once they got back to the house, “I noticed the candle-lit dock,” Cassandra says, that was ripe for his proposal.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

When Cassandra looked back up at the house, she saw their families “cheering on the balcony.”

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

Choosing the Venue 

They chose the Mansion at Natirar “because of how different this venue was compared to other New Jersey venues. We wanted a place where it didn’t look like your typical wedding venue when arriving,” Cassandra says.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

The view from the top of the hill, overlooking Natirar Park, is breathtaking.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

Details of the Day

Stunning florals and candles created a “beautiful and magical” atmosphere for the wedding.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

“Our biggest detail of the day was our dog George that was part of the wedding party,” says Cassandra. “He was there during our first look and walked down the aisle with Louis at the ceremony. He had his own tuxedo and everything!”

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

The Bride’s Gown

Cassandra had a specific gown in mind, from Allison Webb, which she’d found online. After contacting the designer to find out where in New Jersey it was sold, Cassandra traveled over an hour to Laura and Leigh Bridal to try it on.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

It made me feel like the most beautiful bride-to-be. The dress’s fabric has a beautiful pattern on it and the entire back and neckline were lined with pearls.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

The best part was the bow on the back of the dress. It was big enough to be noticed and small enough to keep on during the reception.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

My second dress was from Bronx and Banco. Also, I did a complete hair change for the reception. I started with my hair in a half-up hairdo and switched it to a beautiful low ponytail with crystals added to my hair.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

Favorite Moment 

The couple walked out to “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC, “which was so much fun and so different than what guests thought it was going to be. It was definitely an entrance that got our guests ready to celebrate all night.”

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

Detail They Couldn’t Live Without

“We definitely couldn’t have gone through with the day without our dog, George, there with us,” Cassandra says. His trainer, Elena Miller from Dogs Unleashed K9 Training, brought him.

Photo: Lauren Kearns Photography

Advice for Other Couples

Invest in a wedding planner. Cassandra says her wedding wouldn’t have been possible without Rebecca of Rebecca Grace Events and her team.

the details

Hometowns

Morganville

Reception Location

The Mansion at Natirar

Photographer

Lauren Kearns Photography

Officiant

Andrea Purtell

Bride’s Gown

Allison Webb

+ more