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Mae and Owen at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club

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Mae and Owen at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club

How did you meet?
Owen & Mae grew up in the same hometown, Berkeley Heights. It wasn’t until their senior year in high school during English class that they eventually started to get to know one another. After Owen was initially sitting next to his friend in class, the teacher realized how much Owen loved to talk and consequently, moved him across the room to where Mae was sitting. After many ice cream dates, locker chats, and high school get-togethers, Mae & Owen went to prom together and decided to continue dating in college. Even though their colleges were 3 hours away, they made all the effort to see each other as far as learning how to drive a stick shift the day of to make a semiformal and taking 12-hour Greyhound bus rides. Throughout the sorority formals, VT football games, and rugby tournaments, they made it work long-distance. Eventually, they made their way back up to the NJ/NY area to start their first jobs and have been dating ever since.

How did you get engaged?
Owen’s first plan was to propose while they were on vacation in Edinburg, Scotland. They had plans to go to Scotland and England in March 2020. Of course with COVID, that was canceled, and as soon as quarantine was over, Owen surprised Mae with a trip to one of their favorite spots: Sonoma, CA. As they worked across the table from one another during quarantine, Owen was planning the whole itinerary — dog sitter, flights, restaurants, vineyards, where to stay… & a proposal. Mae, thinking that they were planning a vacation close by, was in complete shock when she opened their shared Google Doc titled “Surprise Trip” with every detail outlined. She always mentioned how she wanted to go back, so Owen planned the trip 3 years later on the exact dates they were there before. As they arrived at St. Francis winery before the tasting reservation, they strolled around the grounds since they had time to kill. Owen led Mae around the vineyard, got down on one knee, & asked “Will you marry me?” as a local photographer was there to capture the moment. Still in shock, Mae was led to the patio area overlooking the mountains & vineyard where everyone was clapping & the table was now “ready” for their tasting.

Details of the day!
Mae & Owen tried to incorporate both of their heritages — Filipino and Irish backgrounds. They had an Irish step-dancing performance as people were eating. They also had Filipino sponsors, which are people who act similar to godparents, and blessing of the coins, a Filipino tradition that represents equally contributing to your future. Their theme and colors were very neutral! Colors were taupe, black, white, silver. Favors were a Mr. Softee truck and it was a huge hit. There is often a Mr. Softee outside of Mae and Owen’s apartment on the Hoboken water, so they knew they had to have this as their favors!

Why did you choose your venue?
The moment Owen and Mae stepped foot onto Fiddler’s, they knew it was the place. Meg walked them through the grounds, and they ended up sitting in the bride’s area upstairs going over pictures of previous weddings as Meg spoke to us in more detail. Mae looked over at Owen, saw him tearing up, and as such, she started tearing up too! They knew they both could picture themselves getting ready here and celebrating with family and friends.

What was on your menu?
They had delicious crab cake, duck, and steak for their main courses. Their wedding cake was vanilla with a cannoli cream.

All about your gown!
Mae’s ceremony dress was a lacy mermaid dress by Enzoani. Her reception dress was an a-line from BHLDN

What was your favorite moment?
Their favorite moment was standing above the stairs at Fiddler’s and looking into the ballroom at all of their closest friends and family there together.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
The string instruments that played during the ceremony. Mae has always dreamt of having string instruments play at her wedding; and that dream finally came true. Also, the pictures of Mae’s grandmas that were attached to her bouquet.

Did anything go wrong?
The coin bearers didn’t walk down the aisle as they were supposed to! They missed the rehearsal dinner and had no idea they were walking in processional!

First dance song?
Conversations in the Dark by John Legend

Any advice for future brides?
Soak it all in. Take the time to just pause and think about the fact that today is the day that everyone you love is there to celebrate you and your husband.