Megan and Michael wed on December 7, 2024, at Olde Mill Inn.

Their Story

“Like many modern romances, our love story began with a swipe,” says Megan. “Mike says he swiped right after seeing my radiant smile, while I couldn’t resist swiping right when I saw a photo of Mike with his adorable cat, Snuggles—instantly knowing we’d have at least one thing in common.”

“A week of texts, video chats and phone calls led to our first in-person date on a snowy March night in 2022: bowling and dinner in Hackensack,” recalls Megan.

“The spark was undeniable, and soon we were spending nearly all our free time together. Confident in our connection, I even introduced him to my sister after just two weeks of dating—because I ‘had a good feeling about this one.'”

In June 2023, they took the next step and moved in together in Montclair, along with their four cats: Cleo, Snuggles, Mellie, and Olivia.

“While the cats were still getting used to one another,” says Megan, “Mike and I found blending our lives together to be far easier than we’d ever expected.”

The Proposal

On November 4, 2023, Mike asked Megan to marry him on a walk through Van Vleck House & Gardens, one of their favorite spots in Montclair.

He also surprised her with a professional photographer that captured a fun little engagement shoot throughout the beautiful park grounds afterwards.

Later that evening, Mike pulled out one more surprise with a celebratory dinner with their closest family members. “It was the perfect way to end a perfect day!” says Megan.

Choosing the Venue

The Olde Mill Inn was the first and only wedding venue that they toured.

“I had a few family members that got married there and raved about the amazing menu, attentive staff and stress-free experience so we knew it would be on our list of venues to tour and was the first appointment we booked just a week after getting engaged,” says Megan.

“We both instantly fell in love with the venue’s warmth and charm, and knew we would be in excellent hands after meeting with the Sales Manager, Lea,” says Megan.

“But it was seeing how the venue decorates for Christmas that sealed the deal for us, and ultimately also inspired the theme of our wedding!”

They also loved that the Olde Mill Inn provided a place for the reception, after party, lodging for all their guests, and brunch the next morning.

After confirming the Olde Mill Inn, they chose to have their ceremony at a church nearby with a family connection, Our Lady of the Mount in Warren.

Details of the Day

“Our friends and family say our wedding felt like stepping into a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life!” says Megan. “From the storybook inn brimming with Christmas charm to the white trolley wrapped in wreaths and garland transporting the wedding party to and from the church.”

The bridesmaids spent the morning in cozy Christmas pajamas, then slipped into pine-green dresses accented with holiday plaid scarves. The groomsmen added a playful touch with festive socks peeking out under their tuxedos.

All of the flowers featured seasonal greens, winter berries and white roses. The playlist sprinkled in beloved Christmas classics alongside the couple’s favorite hits.

Guests were greeted with jingle-bell place cards, and the cake was topped with the cutest pair of pinecone newlyweds.

Detail They Couldn’t Live Without

Most memorable of all was surprising their guests with a visit from Santa!

“He burst onto the dance floor with a sack of glow sticks and light-up necklaces, posed for photos in the photo booth, and filled the night with pure Christmas magic for everyone,” says Megan.

Favorite Moment

“Seeing our friends and families—many of whom had never met—blend together so naturally was one of the sweetest parts of the day,” says Megan.

Advice For Other Couples

“Our advice to other couples is to tune out the noise. With so many trends and ‘must-haves’ on social media, it’s easy to feel like you need to do everything,” says Megan.

“Focus on what feels true to you as a couple, and let the rest go. Your day will be more meaningful because of it.”

Honeymoon

Right after the wedding, they escaped to sunny Palm Beach, Florida, to soak in their first days as newlyweds in warmth and relaxation.

“While we knew we wanted a big European honeymoon, we didn’t want to juggle planning it alongside the wedding, so we waited nearly a year before embarking on the adventure of a lifetime,” says. Megan. “Over two unforgettable weeks, we explored Italy—from the Amalfi Coast to Florence to Rome—before ending our journey in vibrant Barcelona, Spain.”