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Storm and Derek at The Estate at Florentine Gardens
Posted on June 29, 2020 by Ariana Baio
We both graduated from (different) colleges in 2013, and got involved in Mayor Cory Booker’s first campaign for U.S. Senate the following summer. After the campaign, we remained friends, and ended up working together again the following year in 2014. We quickly became very close, though we chose not to date as we work in the same field. Finally, in September 2015, we decided to stop denying our chemistry and date.
We moved in together summer of 2018, and an Italian restaurant down the block from us quickly became one of our favorites. In December of 2018, we went out to the restaurant (C. Greto’s). Derek called ahead to let them know he wanted to propose, and we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. During the meal, Derek got down on one knee and proposed, and of course I said “yes”!
Our day was absolutely perfect. We didn’t have a theme, but it was so “us”. From the gorgeous floral arrangements done by Michelle at the Flower Bar, to the impeccable service and food provided by our venue. Our goals were to have the setting be beautiful, have a lot of great food, and for people to feel like it was a party.
When we started doing venue research, we had no idea what we were looking for, but when we toured Florentine Gardens, the combination of the venue’s beauty, the incredible food menu, and the warmth of the staff launched it to a top choice. When we visited a second time with our moms, they fell in love, and that was that.
Our cake was red velvet with cream cheese frosting, and dulce de leche with cannoli filling. Our food menu was pages long, but some of our favorites were the mac-n-cheese bar, the raw bar, the wine and cheese bar, the baby lamb chops and the mini pierogies.
I loved the way my dress fit, and I loved that it had sequins all over it which made it sparkle once it got dark!
My favorite moment was walking up to him during our first look.
All of it! I loved every single moment.
Not a single thing- our day way perfect
“There She Is” by Frank Turner.
Trust your gut! The day is about you and fiancé(e), so just do whatever will make you and your future spouse happy. And don’t sweat the small stuff in the days leading up to the wedding, in the end, none it matters!
We haven’t gotten to go on our honeymoon. We did get to eat and drink our way through Nashville for our minimoon, though!
the details
Hometowns
Scotch Plains
Reception Location
The Estate at Florentine Gardens
Photographer
Officiant
Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Executive
Bride’s Gown
The Glamour Closet
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