Priscilla and Michael at Park Chateau Estate & Gardens

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Allison Dupree

How did you meet?
Michael and I met 6 years ago at Blu Alehouse in Butler NJ. Michael was fresh out of the Marine Corps and I was still a college student. We stumbled upon each other at the bar and Michael’s sense of humor is what instantly captured my heart. He had me laughing within seconds. We met on February 13th so love was definitely in the air. Since we hit it off so quickly that same night he had asked me out on our first ever Valentine’s Day date. I had never gone on a Valentine’s Day date with someone I had only known for not even 24 hours, but he made it memorable. It wasn’t the fanciest of dates, dinner and a movie, but from that day on we became inseparable. We quickly found out how alike we were. We love all the same food, the same music, our love of animals is immense, and we are through and through family people. I think we both knew that it was beyond fate meeting that night and the rest was history.

How did you get engaged?
I quickly let Michael know early on how much I love fairytales and all things Disney. So Christmas of 2016 Michael surprised me with the most amazing gift ever, a trip to Disney World. He knew it was my dream to see Disney World at Christmas time so I had to wait almost a whole year for our trip to finally arrive. What I didn’t know was that he was planning a very magical proposal. Our trip finally came and I knew something was up when he protected his luggage with his entire life basically. If there is one thing everyone knows about Michael is that he is incapable of buying a gift for someone and actually waiting to give it to the person on the appropriate day, he just loves giving his gifts immediately. Thankfully, the second day we were in Disney was the special day. He started the day by taking me to the Grand Floridian Resort (my favorite resort) for the most magical breakfast. I just knew something was up because he just seemed so nervous. From there we took the monorail to Magic Kingdom and he insisted we take a picture right away right in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Midway through taking a picture he suddenly go on one knee and asked me to marry him! Of course, I said yes and it was the most magical day ever!!

Details of the day!
I have been planning my wedding day I think since I was a little girl and I knew it had to be straight out of a fairytale. Everything was light petal pink with ivory and silver tones. I wanted tall beautiful cherry blossoms and pink roses and peonies. I wanted it to feel like a perfect spring fairytale.

Why did you choose your venue?
I had found out about the Park Chateau when it was still being built and I saw the building plans. The minute I saw it I knew this was going to be my wedding venue. I wasn’t even engaged yet. When we started to plan the wedding this was the one and only place we toured. The Park Chateau is quite possibly the most magical wedding venue in all of NJ. The gorgeous gardens with a Chapel right on site were the perfect setting for our ceremony. The ballroom is breathtaking with stunning Chandeliers, that truly make you feel like a princess. I think though the most incredible thing about the Park Chateau is the SERVICE!!! WOW! The staff at Park Chateau should be the example of every single wedding venue. If you wanted to feel like a King and Queen this is your venue. This place goes ABOVE and BEYOND to ensure you and your families and your guests feel like royalty. There is not one thing they miss when it comes to your wedding and the entire planning process. I, unfortunately, was a Covid Bride and I had to postpone my wedding three weeks prior. It was supposed to be April 10th, 2020, and like most brides, I was crushed. This venue due to its popularity didn’t have many dates and I actually postponed my wedding 4 times! But I finally chose April 7th, 2021 and it was so worth the wait.

What was on your menu?
The Park Chateau has the most incredible food! We first started with an hour and a half cocktail hour, an extension requested by us. They have their signature cold displays of sushi, artisan cheeses, charcuterie displays, salads, and more. Then you are able to choose a wide variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, chafing stations, and action stations! The standouts were the seafood extravaganza with full lobster tails and colossal shrimp. My family is Cuban and Michael’s family is Italian so food is EXTREMELY important to us and our guests were left amazed and still cannot stop raving. For dinner, we had the burrata salad to start and table-side selections of either the Chateaubriand, Chicken Chateau, or Chilean Sea Bass. For dessert, since that is my favorite, I requested some actions stations, a zeppole and fried Oreo station, fresh gelato with Belgian waffles, a coffee station, and a variety of passed desserts. Our wedding cake was beyond gorgeous, made by Calandra’s Bakery. It was a 4 tier cake, with 4 different layers- cannoli, red velvet, raspberry, and double chocolate. Calandra’s cakes are BEYOND fresh and truly taste homemade.

All about your gown!
I always knew I wanted a ballgown for my wedding day. Bijou Bridal was our one-stop for my dream gown. I always knew I wanted a YSA Makino wedding gown as this designer will customize any dress to your liking. I knew I wanted satin ivory and it had to sparkle. I tried on 5 dresses and I ended up loving two dresses that I ended up combining them together. I took the waistline from one dress and the crystals and designs from another and the designer personally created my AMAZING wedding gown. It took almost a year to create but it was so beyond worth it!!! There is only one dress like mine now. I wish I could wear my princess gown every day!

What was your favorite moment?
My absolute favorite moment was our first look. Having a first look on the day of your wedding to me is so beyond special. Our wedding day was probably the most perfect spring day but it actually felt like summer, it was 85 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. So my dream of having the first look in the gorgeous gardens in front of the Chapel was able to happen. There is a long walkway to the Chapel and I walked the walkway to Michael. He is definitely not a crier but this moment made him cry!!! It was beyond perfect. We had been waiting for this moment for so long with 4 postponements and the stress of the last year it was like the biggest weight was lifted off our shoulders that our wedding was finally here and we could finally share this incredible moment together.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
Everything was perfect I have no idea what I couldn’t live without. Every single detail was so beyond perfect!

Did anything go wrong?
COVID!!! I was supposed to be married on April 10th, 2020 and I had to postpone my wedding 4 times until we finally decided on April 7th, 2021.

First dance song?
Whatever It Is – Zac Brown Band

Any advice for future brides?
Enjoy every single moment and don’t sweat the small stuff! This day flies by!! All I think about is how badly I want to relive our wedding day because it was just so beyond perfect!