- Home
- Real Weddings
- Nicole and Nicholas at The Grove
Nicole and Nicholas at The Grove
Posted on May 14, 2018 by New Jersey Bride
How did you meet?
I was his sister’s roommate and we met at a surprise party my other roommate and I threw for her when we first moved in together at our new apartment in Manhattan. 5 years later we started dating. Nick asked me out right away but at the time, he was 22 and I was 28. His sister was also my friend and roommate! It was very weird for me. It wasn’t until I tagged along on a family cruise vacation in 2015 where I really got to know Nick. We have been inseparable ever since.
How did he ask?
Nick proposed on April 15, 2017 as we were walking along the water in Battery Park, Manhattan. Very romantic. Just the 2 of us. His original plan was after we got off the Staten Island ferry, we would take the 4/5/6 up to Grand Central and propose at the whispering wall. As luck would have it, the trains were shut down that weekend. He had to come up with plan B very quickly and without me noticing he was nervous at the same time!
Details of the day
I didn’t really have a “theme.” I wanted everything to look soft and feminine. Our colors were blush, champagne, and rose gold.
Our favors were a donation to a family friend. Their 1-year old son is battling a rare cancer and we donated money to their Go Fund Me page. Every place setting had the details of the donation and the link to the page so they could donate as well.
My friend winded up saying to me “the theme of your wedding is hiring someone, and then taking over the project because you are a control freak”
She wasn’t wrong. The issue I was facing was, I am a creative person. I wanted every single detail to tie back together. Nick gave me complete creative freedom with everything. He honestly had no idea what he was getting into, haha! I hired an illustration designer to create our invitations. Photos are attached. I had her use the flowers, colors, and even venue décor in the invites! I wanted the Grove’s chandelier in the invitation. She winded up NAILING it. The invitations were so unique and I feel like the wedding décor completely reflected the invites perfectly.
As far as the flowers, Pinterest became my best friend. I worked with our florist and gave her every single detail I wanted in the arrangements. Her first sample she showed us knocked our socks off. That’s when I knew Nick understood how involved I was. He said “did you know it was going to look like that?!?” Yes, of course, I am the creative the director of this wedding.
Why did you pick your venue?
We fell in love with the Grove as soon as we walked in. A must have for me, was high ceilings. The Grove’s ballroom took our breathe away. The cocktail hour room and ceremony room we equally as stunning. March 3rd was open, which is a date Nick really wanted. It was the day after his 30th birthday. We also really clicked with Jason and knew the Grove would be the home for us.
What was on your menu?
Cocktail hour was everything you could imagine from a slider station with accompanying root beer floats, to a Mexican station with made to order guacamole. We also had a sushi and raw bar with a presentation I have never seen before. Anything and everything was passed as well, from baby lamb chops to tuna ceviche. But, EVERYONE was talking about the after-hours food. Truffle fries, tomato soup shooters, egg and cheese wraps…people were FLOORED.
Favorite moment?
Our favorite moment by far, was our first look. We did it outside of the house…bridal party and parents looking on. We were so excited to see each other. The moment was surreal. Our photographers and the staff at the Grove put it together seamlessly. We are so grateful to have that perfect memory for the rest of our lives.
Something you couldn’t live without?
THE AFTER PARTY!! The Grove helped me decorate the after party as a “surprise 30th bday” They did a perfect job of keeping it a secret and we had A BLAST!!
Did anything go wrong?
The only thing that went wrong was I was an hour late. So we didn’t get to enjoy our time in the Bridal suite and relax before pictures. Hair and makeup ran over schedule. I consider ourselves very lucky because that was really the only thing we could say that “went wrong”
Favorite detail?
OUR ENTRANCE!! The Grove are serious professionals on how to put on a show! We came down the stairs and the staff followed us with champagne and sparklers. It was GRAND, to say the least
Where are you going on your honeymoon?
Vegas, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tahiti!
-
1/44
-
2/44
-
3/44
-
4/44
-
5/44
-
6/44
-
7/44
-
8/44
-
9/44
-
10/44
-
11/44
-
12/44
-
13/44
-
14/44
-
15/44
-
16/44
-
17/44
-
18/44
-
19/44
-
20/44
-
21/44
-
22/44
-
23/44
-
24/44
-
25/44
-
26/44
-
27/44
-
28/44
-
29/44
-
30/44
-
31/44
-
32/44
-
33/44
-
34/44
-
35/44
-
36/44
-
37/44
-
38/44
-
39/44
-
40/44
-
41/44
-
42/44
-
43/44
-
44/44
Hide Photo List
Show Photo List
