Kasey and Jamie at Rock Island Lake Club

Their story: The first time Kasey Freund laid eyes on Jamie Griffiths was at an ‘80s-themed party where they were coincidentally decked out as Kelly Kapowski and Zack Morris, love interests from Saved by the Bell. She noticed him immediately in his hot-pink pants that night in 2008. “It was like the room stopped and all I saw was him,” says Kasey, 30, of Chatham. Jamie, 27, of Summit, had her laughing all night. They became good friends and began dating two months later. “It was special to have that friendship first,” Kasey says. “It was like falling in love with your best friend.”

New Jersey Bride Rustic Romance Kasey and James Real Wedding

Will you marry me?: In the spring of 2014, Jamie took Kasey fishing at one of her favorite childhood spots and asked if she could bait her own hook. She discovered an engagement ring attached to the hook, and found Jamie down on one knee for a proposal by the pond. “It was a total surprise,” she says.

Details of the day: The couple married on May 30, 2015, in a 4 p.m. ceremony, followed by a reception at Rock Island Lake Club in Sparta. The reception was romantic and beautiful, with a nod to nature. “I wanted something very, very romantic. Everything was very soft and light and bright and airy,” Kasey says. “Walking into the room, was like a breath of fresh air.”

Their location: Kasey didn’t like the idea of being in an enclosed ballroom, so they chose the Rock Island Lake Club for its rustic charm and its two outdoor decks and lake. “I loved the idea of being able to go outside whenever you wanted,” she says. “It was nice to see guests out on Adirondack chairs.”

Favorite detail: The flowers were very important to Kasey, and she relied on her floral designer to execute the idea of bringing nature inside. There were three different centerpieces, made up of springtime pastels and lots of green, including moss on the tables. “I wanted it to be very organic and natural, like you just stumbled across this place in the middle of the woods,” Kasey says.

First dance: “Love it All” by the Kooks.

Something that went wrong: An upbeat song mistakenly played while Kasey walked down the aisle with her dad, but it broke the tension for the nervous pair.

Favorite moment: The touching speeches given by the best man, maid of honor, a bridesmaid and Kasey’s father. “We both felt so loved,” the bride says.
Honeymoon: After a trip to Hawaii, they are at home in Basking Ridge.