How did you meet?
Nick and I met in college at Rutgers University. We lived in the same dorm and started dating three months into school. Our families happened to live 30 minutes away from each other and we went to high school ten minutes away from each other. We dated through college, did long distance while he went to Penn State for his Ph.D in Chemistry and I went to Northeastern University for law school. After I graduated, I moved in with Nick for his last year of graduate school and we have been on the move ever since. He proposed 9 years after meeting me!
How did you get engaged?
Nick wanted to propose around my birthday in October in this beautiful flower garden in his home town. However, the ring, which he designed and was having specially made, was three months late and he ended up proposing at the end of January in our shared home. No cameras or family or flower gardens, but it was perfect.
Details of the day!
Our theme was garden party. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were all in grey because we wanted the peach florals to be bursts of color all over. The bouquets and boutonnieres were pinks, oranges, peaches and yellows. The bridesmaids were all in different color shoes and dresses that were all from the same online shop (Azazie) so they were all the same grey color but different style dresses. The groomsmen wore charcoal and all different light grey ties from Tie Bar. My mom used to be a wedding florist so we made a flower canopy from silk hanging branches and, though we weren’t able to use it for the ceremony because of the rain, it became a backdrop for the guests during the cocktail hour when it stopped raining for a bit.
My dress reminded us of a Grecian style, instead of fairy princess, so we decided to go with a unique veil style, one that had two combs and looped under my updo. Because we couldn’t really find it for a reasonable price, my mom and I chose to go find fabric and she would make it. It turned out stunning and fit with garden party because delicate appliqué flowers ran down the length of it.
Why did you choose your venue?
We chose our venue because it was a blank canvas. There were floor to ceiling windows in the ballroom so it was like having the wedding outside but with a roof! They also were extremely accommodating for everything we requested (i.e. my mom was the florist but also the mother of the bride so we had to really strictly plan out our day-of timeline!) The reviews for Ramblewood raved about the service and the food and we were not disappointed.
What was on your menu?
The menu at Ramblewood was very accommodating as well. We had the typical passed appetizers, buffalo chicken egg rolls, phyllo with brie and fig jam, but then we also had a mac and cheese bar! We decided on a buffet package with special orders for people who were either gluten free or dairy free (allergies, etc.). There was an Italian station, a salad station, and a carving station. Everyone raved about each dish they had. Guests were actually coming up to us during dinner, unprompted, to tell us about how good the food was. After dinner is finished, the separate room where the food is kept is closed up and they set it up for dessert, the chocolate indulgence room!
Our cake was four tiers and it was a raspberry swirl pound cake from Isgro Bakeries with a vanilla buttercream (no fondant here!) We wanted a unique flavor because Ramblewood offers a chocolate indulgence room for dessert where there are tons of chocolate desserts to choose from. We also had an ice cream bar!
All about your gown!
I am 100% one of those people that thought it was ridiculous that you would “just know” when you put on the dress. But I was definitely wrong. I’m a romantic at heart I guess. I tried my dress on at 6:00 on 6/2/17, exactly one year before I walked down the aisle in that dress! It was the first dress I tried on but I tried on several after that before I chose my dress. It had beaded straps, an illusion back with buttons up the spine and a jeweled “belt” (it was part of the dress) at my natural waist. The rest of the dress was a loose, free-flowing skirt. I had very few requirements for my dress when we went to look. I knew that I needed something that would be comfortable when I sat and ate but I also wanted it to be lighter than the average wedding dress so when I danced, I wouldn’t be tired from holding it up!
What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment was when Nick read his vows to me in front of our 200 guests and made everybody cry.
My favorite non-sappy moment was when my dad accidentally almost walked me down the side of the ceremony instead of down the aisle.
One detail you couldn’t live without?
The flowers. All of them. The ones cascading down my cake. My bright gorgeous bouquet. The flower canopy that hung above the pergola. They made everything brighter.
Did anything go wrong?
We had to switch the wedding from outside to under a pavilion and the gorgeous flower canopy, handmade by my mom, couldn’t be switched over. The venue was still beautiful though. Also, my dad tried to walk me down the side of the wedding instead of the aisle… you have one job, dad. It broke the tension and made everything that much more amazing.
First dance song?
Our first dance song was a remake of Simply the Best, performed by Noah Reid. We are obsessed with Schitt’s Creek and when I heard it, I started crying and knew that was it.
Any advice for future brides?
My first point is the point that brides probably hear most often. Brides and grooms tend to get caught up in the need to make the day perfect but no matter what, the people around you watching you get married to the love of your life are going to have a wonderful time and will have no idea what went on behind the scenes to make it happen. A friend of mine had to switch venues three months before the wedding (after the invites went out). You handle it. Her wedding was wonderful and so much fun for her and the groom and every attendee. The second is that you should USE YOUR BRIDESMAIDS! There is no reason to freak out because those other women are there for you. Just don’t go overboard with the requests!
Where did you honeymoon?
We went to the Manchebo resort in Aruba! We also went back this January!
Middletown
Ramblewood Country Club
Ramblewood Country Club
Danielle Salerno Photography
Family member, Laura Stasi
Venus Bridal Gown
+ more