This Couple Got Married at The Same Venue Where They First Met

Nicholas & Marisa

Marisa and Nicholas wed at Pleasantdale Chateau on July 12, 2024.

Their Story

Marisa and Nicholas’s paths crossed at a wedding that they were both invited to.

In September of 2021 they were guests at a wedding at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange. “The bride introduced us, and the rest is history. Now, he’s my husband,” says Marisa.

What’s even better is that Marisa and Nicholas ended up getting hitched at the Pleasantdale Chateau, too!

A full circle love story.

The Proposal

Marisa’s friends suggested going to Laurita winery.

“Once there, we drank a bottle or two of wine and headed outside to take some pictures,” says Marisa. “It was then that he turned around and got down on one knee to propose surrounded by vineyards.”

“We headed back to his parents’ home to find more than 100 family members and friends there to celebrate with us,” she says.

Details of the Day

Their color scheme was black, white and gold. The overall vibe was modern and elegant.

Florals were draped everywhere with anemones and bright whites. There were mirrored gold tables with cascading floral arrangements and tall tiered candelabras throughout.

A custom black matte wood backdrop and black candles set the mood. All the details were custom made by the bride, who owns the wedding planing business, Guardian Angel Events (named in honor of her late parents).

Choosing the Venue

“We chose our venue because it is the same place as where we first met! We were set up at someone else’s wedding there, and when we got engaged it was the first place we called,” says Marisa.

“The minute we stepped back in that beautiful chateau, there was no changing our minds that this is where we would say ‘I do.'”

Favorite Moment

Their favorite moment was their reception walkout. With a room of 250 guests, the couple danced their way into the room and could feel the excitement.

“When the beat dropped, every single guest ran onto the dancefloor to join us. Not one person was in their chair and we could feel the love and the fun people knew was coming for the night.”

Detail They Couldn’t Live Without

“One detail I could not live without were the details stitched inside my dress,” says the bride. “Being an only child, and losing both of my parents (her mother suffered a heart attack, and her father passed away only three months later), it was very difficult to not share any of those special wedding moments with either of them.”

“I had a blue tie from my dad and a piece of blue floral from a pair of my mom’s jeans stitched into the inside of my dress so they could be my something blue and be with me all day.”

Advice For Other Couples

As a former bride and wedding planner, Marisa’s advice is to, “stay organized and enjoy the ride.”

“Planning a wedding is not easy and can be stressful, but if you keep organized through the process and keep everything together there will be less to do when the day gets closer.”

“When the wedding day comes, take in every single moment. It is the best day of your life surrounded by ones you love!”

Honeymoon

Their honeymoon was at Sandals, Grenada in St. George. They went for seven nights, and “loved every single moment.”

They soaked up the sun, sat by the swim-up bar, traveled through Grenada, saw monkeys, jumped off a waterfall, and explored the island. “A true paradise!”