Will you marry me?: After meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party in 2014, the attraction for each other was undeniable. They dated for three years before Scott Holand, of Chappaqua, New York, asked Emma Rogers, of Ridgewood, to be his wife. And his proposal happened in a funny way. The day before leaving on a romantic trip to Antigua, he proposed outside of their apartment and then swept her away to a surprise engagement party with a dozen family members and friends. “But the best part was that Scott recruited two volunteers to secretly photograph his proposal,” Emma says. “His brother hid across the street in the bushes while a friend sneaked inside our apartment and climbed out a window to get aerial shots of the big moment!”
The venue: The following year, on August 18, 2018, Scott, a senior product manager, and Emma, an HR director, both 30, celebrated their wedding and reception with 175 guests at the historic Mansion at Natirar in Peapack-Gladstone. Known for its pastoral splendor and sweeping views of the countryside, the property offers 500 sprawling acres of lush scenery. “The moment my wedding planner took me to Natirar, I loved its traditional but modern feel,” says Emma. “During our tour, I instantly chose a room surrounded by huge windows as my indoor back-up space, just in case of rain.” That turned out to be a smart decision because it drizzled on that 90-degree summer day. “But the rain was okay because I loved that room and it was just as beautiful as the outdoor ceremony originally planned,” she adds.
The gowns: The bride’s simple Le Spose Di Gio gown with embellished back was a showstopper. To complement her elegant, organic theme, she chose stylish and comfortable Jenny Yoo bridesmaid gowns in three colors and gave each friend the option to choose her own style. To enhance Natirar’s natural vibe, lush florals in shades of coral and peach wowed throughout the entire venue. Guests arrived to a magnificent floral arch in the main entrance and that same style was echoed in the bouquets and tablescapes.
The details: The entire day was filled with special moments, including the participation of Emma’s brother who officiated. It was his first and only time to preside over a wedding and he “nailed it,” blending sentimental and humorous remarks. The Blaire Reinhard Band played during the ceremony, cocktail party and reception as everyone enjoyed great music that included crazy dancing after a sit-down dinner. The menu featured short ribs, ribeye steak, Chilean sea bass and all the trimmings. “Natirar was an amazing venue,” says Emma, who credits planner Stacey Sainato with making her wedding vision come to life. “She handled everything, so my mom and I didn’t have to fight,” she adds with a laugh. “She even found a dentist when Scott’s out-of-town aunt had a dental emergency before our wedding!”
Honeymoon: Following a trip to Maui, Kauai and Lanai, the couple now live in Manhattan’s financial district.
The Mansion at Natirar
Le Spose Di Gio from Mark Ingram Bride, NYC
Jenny Yoo, from Bella Bridesmaids, NYC
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