How did you meet?
Corey and I met at our job. I’m an analyst and Corey is an IT manager, so he helps employees frequently. One day I needed help with setting up my office phone and we started talking. We eventually became friends on different social media platforms where we would engage in more conversations. Eventually I asked Corey for his number and asked him to go on a first date, which also happened to be on his 28th birthday!
I’m a big Radio City Rockettes fan, so Corey surprised me with tickets to see the show on December 22, 2018. Before the show we went and saw the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!
I always imagined getting married in a ballroom and always loved Seasons Catering. I had been there for other events, but it had been a long time since I was there for a wedding. While Corey and I were dating, whenever we would pass by Seasons I would joke with Corey saying that’s where our wedding would be so after we got engaged. It just felt right to book our wedding with them. They treated us like family throughout the whole planning process, and the day of their whole staff performed exceptionally and blew our families and guests away with their service and food. Their Italian food is amazing! We had so many fish, meat/chicken and pasta options, and their cocktail hour is to die for.
I always imagined wearing an A-line type gown, but the stylist at Bijou Bridal pulled the Casablanca gown for me to try on. It is style 2376, “Karina.” I knew it was the one because when I put it on, it made me feel beautiful and there was something about this gown that just stood out from the rest I tried on. I’m a pretty indecisive person, in fact I tried on this gown three different times before committing to it. There was just something about it that I kept being drawn to. The gown is off-shoulder and it has sleeves that snap on and off. It also has a sweetheart neckline with floral lace swirls and crystals all throughout the fit-and-flare silhouette. I loved my experience at Bijou Bridal and all the staff was amazing, including my seamstress, Diana. She had so much patience and always had a smile on her face. She made the experience that much more enjoyable for me!
My favorite moment was our first look. Corey is an easy-going person who keeps to himself most of the time. When he turned around and saw me for the first time, he burst into tears. We also did the first look right in front of the waterfalls on Seasons’ property. It was a very romantic and happy experience for both of us that we’ll never forget!
One detail I couldn’t live without was the memorial charm of my aunt on my bouquet. I think all our vendors knew how much the memorial charms meant to me. One charm was of my aunt’s handwriting from a card she had written to me, and the other was of a picture of her. My aunt passed away on January 15, 2018, due to cancer. I wanted my aunt to be at my wedding more than anything because of how close she and I were. The way Dahlia Floral placed the charms on my bouquet and the pictures Authentic Photo were able to capture of the charms on my bouquet made me tear up; they did a beautiful job.
I can honestly say that nothing major went wrong on our wedding day. Many people warned me that things would go wrong. I even asked multiple people throughout the day if everything was ok and everyone laughed and said yes. That made me really happy!
“A Thousand Years,” by Christina Perri.
As a Covid bride, my advice to other brides would be to enjoy the moment, take a deep breath and relax. The day goes by so fast and I was sad once it was over. All the planning and frustration was worth it in the end because it was truly a beautiful day. Corey and I were so happy we were able to keep our original date, and cannot thank our family, friends and vendors enough for all their patience, help and guidance throughout the whole process.