Taylor and Shane tied the knot on October 8, 2023, at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

Their Story

“It’s one of those ‘when you know, you know’ stories,” says Taylor Faragalli-Melone, now 26, of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t long after meeting on Hinge in late 2020 that Taylor realized Shane Ford, now 32, of Camden County, was the one.

After discovering that they share the same work ethic, values, taste in music and affinity for waffles with ice cream, the couple was instantly smitten. “I love how she encourages me and hypes me up,” says Shane. “She sees in myself what I don’t see.”

Nine months later, they couldn’t wait a moment longer to spend the rest of their lives together.

The Proposal

On a September day in Longport, one of the couple’s favorite beach communities, Taylor found a display of rose petals, balloons and a heart carved into the sand waiting for her.

Taylor said “yes” to Shane and the heart-shaped diamond engagement ring—the “perfect symbol of love,” she says.

[RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Venues in New Jersey]

Details of the Day

For the couple, a Roaring Twenties-themed bash was always their vision.

“We pictured gold tones, feathers, fringe, flapper dresses, pearls, champagne towers, jazz music and plenty of dancing,” says Taylor.

The pair was wowed when they toured Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. The Dueling Pianos room was the perfect setting for their October 8, 2023, Prohibition-style affair, complete with Art Deco-style architecture that felt as though it transported them back in time to one century ago.

Incorporating ostrich feathers, pearls, ornate gold centerpieces, candelabras and birdcages tied the vision together. Taylor and Shane’s first dance song was “Black” by Dierks Bentley.

For favors, the couple opted for custom gold-and-black feather pens and cigars.

Favorite Moment

In lieu of a speech, Taylor’s maid of honor said a special prayer with the newlyweds at dinner.

Later, Shane danced with his mother to his parents’ wedding song, “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, as a way to honor his late father.

The Attire

Keeping with the theme, Taylor’s Cinderella Divine gown featured feather sleeves and sewn-in pearls. For the groomsmen, it was custom velvet jackets, bow ties and feather boutonnieres. Guests also got in on the fun. “Our guests truly blew us away with their Gatsbyesque attire,” says Taylor.

The Menu

Their signature cocktails—“The Flapper,” a Dirty Shirley, and “The Old Sport,” whiskey and Coke on the rocks—had the couple’s 120 guests imbibing like it was the Roaring Twenties, while passed hors d’oeuvres— like chicken parm sliders, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, chicken tostadas and coconut shrimp–kept them satiated before dinner.

Advice

“The decor, music, venue and all of the little details aside, the most important part is that you are marrying your best friend,” says Taylor. “We love that we make a great team, we support each other’s goals, and together, we have built our dream life.”

Honeymoon 

After one week spent taking sunset sails and candle-lit Italian dinners in Providence and Newport, Rhode Island, the Fords are at home in Margate City.

Sign up for our Something New newsletter for weekly wedding ideas, inspiration and advice from expert NJ vendors, New Jersey Bride’s editorial team and real couples—sent right to your inbox!