Home
Real Weddings
Valerie and Joseph at The Venetian

Home

Valerie and Joseph at The Venetian

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Corey Salva

{"hasCentered":"false","interventionImages":["https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi76-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi59-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi53-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi51-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi48-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi46-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi75-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi45-e1553540669450-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi41-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi37-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi33-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi18-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi29-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi67-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi24-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi61-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi20-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi11-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi9-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi4-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi2-2850153452.jpg","https:\/\/www.newjerseybride.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/intervention\/cache\/VLombardi28-2850153452.jpg"]}

How did you meet?
Joseph and I met at our junior prom back in 2006. He had gone with a childhood friend and I also had gone with a childhood friend as well. We spoke briefly that evening and decided to make plans to meet up. A few dates led into a relationship and we’ve been inseparable ever since!

How did you get engaged?
Joe always told me he’d never propose on vacation so when we planned a week getaway to Florida, I didn’t think anything of it. We enjoyed a romantic dinner at the Captial Grill in Palm Beach Gardens and at the end of the dinner, he got down on one knee and proposed. We then celebrated together with champagne and lots of photos at the Breakers in Palm Beach.

Details of the day!
I wanted a very romantic and plush feel to the day which is why I went with lots of blush and gold tones at the reception with hints of candlelight to set the mood. It was a black tie affair which made for a simply elegant affair. Bridesmaids were dressed in burgundy which went perfect for the time of year. We wanted our guests to feel pampered and special and having our wedding at the Venetian truly gave it that vibe.

Why did you choose your venue?
Once we had our first consultation at the Venetian, I felt excited about the venue. It was the first venue I actually got excited about (I’m talking heart pumping excitement- similar to how I felt meeting Joe!). We both come from large Italian families so we knew food would be number one on our list. The abundance of food that was provided was simply over the top and the room that we had was simply stunning. Our guests could not stop raving about the impeccable service- especially with the drinks that flowed all evening long.

What was on your menu?
Our menu consisted of a first course of burrata cheese and tomato tower with prosciutto di parma and baby arugula salad. Second course was penna ala vodka, a lemon intermezzo and main entree choice of chateaubriand, potato encrusted chilean seabass and chicken marsala. We had a full blown viennese hour with tons of pastries, cookies, popcorn, ice cream, donuts…you name it we had it! Our wedding cake was two flavors- strawberry shortcake and chocolate nocciola (each tier was a different flavor).

All about your gown!
My gown was designed by Ysa Makino and was a strapless sweetheart ballgown with a train. This gown was the one because it had such intricate work and was a true showstopper. It also fit my venue perfectly and was a “wow” dress. I loved the work and truly felt like a bride. It was the kind of gown you could only wear once in a lifetime and I’m so happy I chose it.

What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment of the day was the private moments we got to share alone in the bridal suite before heading down to join our guests at the cocktail hour. It was so great to be able to enjoy this time, just us two to really just treasure the time together during our first moments as husband and wife.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
I received a rosary with my late grandmother’s photo on it which I had attached to my bouquet. Even though she wasn’t physically there, having her on my bouquet and walking down the aisle made me feel like she was a part of our day.

Did anything go wrong?
One of our flower girls (my niece) was sick and couldn’t be in the wedding which was a really big bummer.

First dance song?
Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”

Any advice for future brides?
Enjoy the fruits of your planning labor that day! Not everything will go as planned but it will still be perfect no matter what!Try to have as few people get ready at your house as possible. I felt that I had too much chaos going on in the morning and if I had to do it all over again, I would have preferred my bridesmaids to come ready.
And also, if you have a wedding or two before yours, its always good to be extra conscious of what’s going on and what could be done better- it definitely can be useful for your own day!

Honeymoon Location
We spent two weeks in Hawaii in Maui, Oahu and Kauai. It was perfection!!!

the details

Hometowns

Brooklyn, NY

Ceremony Location

Saint Mark Roman Catholic Church

Reception Location

The Venetian

Photographer

Visual Image

Officiant

Deacon Phillip J. Ciani

Bride’s Gown

Ysa Makino

+ more

1/22
2/22
3/22
4/22
5/22
6/22
7/22
8/22
9/22
10/22
11/22
12/22
13/22
14/22
15/22
16/22
17/22
18/22
19/22
20/22
21/22
22/22

Hide Photo List Show Photo List

Valerie and Joseph at The Venetian

the details

Hometowns

Ceremony Location

Reception Location

Photographer

Officiant

Bride’s Gown

Bride’s Shoes

Bridesmaid Dresses

Hair

Makeup

Groom’s Attire

Groomsmen Attire

Flowers

Cake

Invites

Music

Videographer

Transportation

Favors

Rentals

Honeymoon

Brides Jewelry

Brides Accessories