Bryan and I met in high school, when he was 16 and I was 15. After almost a year of (best) friendship and hearing all about a “mystery” girl he had a huge crush on, Bryan made his move. He asked me to be his girlfriend in the summer of 1999.
How did you get engaged? On November 18, 2016 Bryan proposed and it seems like everyone was in on it but me!
After work my sister asked me to join her for Happy Hour. Little did I know this invite was meant to keep me busy while Bryan “set the scene”. On our way home she asked if we could stop at our mother’s house to pick something up. Upon arrival at our mom’s as we walked through the backyard to enter the house I noticed new lanterns leading up to the back porch, but just assumed she got some new décor for the coming holidays, at that same moment I noticed my sister beginning to hang back a bit. As we turned the corner I was greeted by Bryan, who was standing on my mother’s back porch, the exact spot where in 1999 he had originally asked me to be his girlfriend. The whole porch was draped in white sheets, candles and lanterns were providing the lighting and flowers were everywhere. My mother’s boyfriend hid in the bushes taking pictures as Bryan got on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Within moments, 30-40 of our family and close friends were at my mother’s to help us (finally) celebrate.
Details of the day! There was no set theme but we wanted to make sure everything was classic and romantic and “us”. The bridesmaids wore a dark plum dress with lace detailing on the top and the groomsmen wore matching plum ties. Mercury glass and lace candle holders and tall arrangements of greenery decorated the tables in the reception. A trolley took the bridal party to and from the ceremony where hurricane glasses with a lavender wreath base lined the aisle at the quaint historic chapel.
A string duet entertained guests and played All You Need Is Love – By The Beatles as the bridesmaids entered the chapel. The ceremony was fill with lots of love and laughs and even a Bob Marley quote or two. We took photos with our families in the historic Allaire State Park before the bridal party boarded the trolley and headed to Asbury Park, where there are no shortage of amazing photography backdrops. Each guest/couples name and table number was printed on handmade paper ripped with a rough edge and then tied, with lace, around miniature vintage glass bottle with sprigs of greens in them. The guests brought their bottle to the table to add a bit of decoration and them took them home as their favor.
The DJ played the bride and grooms favorite tunes and guests enjoy the signature drinks – Bride Drink “Gin(ger) and Tonic” a play on the bride red hair and the Grooms Drink – “Here for the Boos” a play on the couples last name Boos (pronounced Bose), which led to tons of fun in the photo booth.
Why did you choose your venue? What’s not to love about Asbury Park?! It has a little bit of everything, historic architecture, beautiful beaches, funky murals hidden all over town. We just died over The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel immediately. Their mezzanine area with the checkerboard floor and beautiful windows was enough to sell me. The beauty of the ballroom and the fact that the this venue would allow us to keep the elegant romantic feel of our big day while still having access to everything Asbury had to offer made the decision for us. We knew we wanted September and were thrilled to learn they had one date still open 9/22, my mother’s birthday!
What was on your menu? Falco’s catering was amazing. ALL of the food was outstanding, cocktail hour was so filling! For dinner guests were served a Caesar Salad to start, followed by Surf & Turf – a Dry Rubbed NY Sirlion with a Port Wine Demi Glaze and Crabmeat Stuffed Gulf Shrimp with Lemon Beurre Blanc Accompanied with String Bean Amandine and Smashed New Potatoes. (Vegetarian options available)
All about your gown! I didn’t have a “vision” of my dress, but I knew that I wanted to be comfortable, find the most flattering cut I could for my curves and to be able to dance! My dress was a strapless lace sheath dress in champagne by Maggie Sottero. I was drawn to the level of details in the lace flower appliqués, which almost looked 3-D and the romantic buttons down the back. But I was sold when I tried it on and felt how soft and comfortable the material lining made the dress.
What was your favorite moment? Bryan and I both waited a long time for this day! We loved ever minute, surrounded by family and life long friends, many of which we have known individually since kindergarten and as a couple since high school. There was a special moment while taking pictures as the whole bridal party was walking down the boardwalk that a man preforming with steel drums began to spontaneously play “Here Comes The Bride”. But one of my favorite moments was orchestrated by our maitre d’ Lisa. Lisa was amazing from the moment we met but during cocktail hour she ushered us back to the bridal suit where she had plates for each of us with our favorites from the passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations. She then left us there to enjoy a few calm and quiet moments as newlyweds, before the party started!
One detail you couldn’t live without? The photos!! I am a photo person and I LOVE Kella’s style. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day and a creative photographer who hunted out a variety of awesome spots for us to capture our day! I love our photos and they are one of the only thing that we spent money on for the wedding that we get to keep and enjoy forever!
Did anything go wrong? I would love to say no. I had no stress that day and we had a great time. But … we were married at the Historic Chapel at Allaire. It is a lovely small chapel, but does not have a front room for the bride to hide a bit before coming down the aisle. As the bridesmaids entered the chapel I was hiding behind the trolley with my partners. We were giving the girls a moment to get settle, waiting for the music to change and ready to enter as a large box truck cuts between the trolley and the chapel! This happen out of no where and completely blocked the guests view, who were looking out the door waiting for our entrance. It completely cut the nerves and gave everyone a good laugh right before we made our “grand” entrance..
First dance song? Everything – By Michael Buble
Any advice for future brides? Day of, don’t sweat the small stuff! Only you, and maybe a handful of people, know all your details. If something is off just roll with in and enjoy the moment. Sometimes a box truck rolls by … but it makes for a funny memory!
Honeymoon Location We had an amazing, once in a lifetime, honeymoon in Greece. We began in historic Athens and moved to spectacular Santorini and ended of with a little party time and Mykonos! It was the perfect ending to the start of our life as husband and wife. Breathtaking sights, unbelievable food and took many pictures to even count!
