Real Weddings
»NULL

High School Sweethearts Go Glam at Their Park Château Wedding

Posted on August 13, 2024 by New Jersey Bride

Their Story

Robin and Michael wed on October 8, 2022 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Short Hills, followed by a reception at Park Château Estate & Gardens in East Brunswick. They were high-school sweethearts (attending different schools in Northern New Jersey) who met at a hockey game during their freshman year in 2003.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Photo: Charles Anthony Studio

They dated all four years of high school, but separated when they attended different colleges, and always remained great friends. They got back together in July 2020, 17 years after first meeting.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

The Proposal

Michael proposed in 2021 at their favorite neighborhood restaurant, Augustino’s in Hoboken, followed by a surprise photoshoot on the Hudson River. Both their families were waiting at their Hoboken apartment to celebrate.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

Choosing the Venue

The couple loved the Park Château’s elegance and beauty, both inside and out, as well as the menu offerings. The venue delivered on Robin and Michael’s hope for a formal, glamorous wedding.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

Details of the Day

For their October wedding, the couple chose a color scheme of shades of purple and silver. The bridesmaids wore dark plum and the groomsmen donned black tuxes. The reception was black tie optional and all the guests embraced the glamour. Robin and Michael offered a black and white photobooth during the reception and gave picture frames as wedding favors.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

The couple’s favorite Jersey Shore bar band, Pat Roddy Band, provided entertainment, with no shortage of Bruce Springsteen songs. The dance floor was packed the entire night.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

For cocktail hour, guests enjoyed everything from a martini bar to a boardwalk station to a mac and cheese bar. For dinner, there were four options: Chateaubriand, chicken Château, sea bass and eggplant Napoleon. There were also several dessert stations with a wedding cake by Palermo.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

The Bride’s Gown

Robin’s Sottero and Midgley Allen dress came from Seng Couture. The top was a boatneck style with three-quarter-length sleeves and an open back that was completely covered with Swarovski crystals and pearls. The bottom was a full ballgown with beautiful layers of tulle. She paired it with a cathedral-length veil that also had intricate beading at the bottom.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

Favorite Moment

Riding in a Rolls-Royce from the church in Short Hills to the reception in East Brunswick. It was the couple’s first moment alone as husband and wife and they drank Champagne and talked about how beautiful the day was so far and how happy they felt.

Robin and Michael's wedding
Charles Anthony Studio

Details They Couldn’t Live Without

Great food and great music.

Advice for Other Couples

Just go with it and have fun.

Honeymoon

They spent two weeks in Italy, venturing to the Amalfi Coast, Florence and Rome.

the details

Hometowns

Ceremony Location

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Short Hills

Reception Location

Park Château Estate & Gardens

Photographer

Charles Anthony Studio

Officiant

Msgr. Robert Harahan

Bride’s Gown

Sottero and Midgley Allen

+ more