WEDDING STYLE BLOG

Inspiration for the Long Island Bride

  • Date: Apr 24, 2020
  • Author: Long Island Bride and Groom
  • Category: Real Weddings   

Four images of Cori and Joes wedding photograpy by Silverfox Photography.

 

              View more Real Weddings - Longislandbrideandgroom.com 

  • Date: Mar 12, 2020
  • Author: Long Island Bride and Groom
  • Category: Real Weddings   

Multiple images showcasing Jill and Tony wedding.

  View more Real Weddings - Longislandbrideandgroom.com 

 

  • Date: Jan 13, 2020
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   
Dejan invited me to dinner at Grimaldi’s, our favorite pizzeria in Dumbo, but I hesitated at first because I had a terrible cold and it was a bitter January day. However, he was persistent and I gave in,” says Zorana. “While dressing for dinner, I noticed that he was acting a bit strange. He was being a little too nice for all the fuss I was making over what I should wear and I thought hmm, maybe he’s going to propose.”

While waiting on line outside of the restaurant, Zorana and Dejan felt the frigid wind blowing from the East River. “It was the most unforgiving winter night,” says Zorana. Half an hour later, they were finally escorted into the warm and buzzing restaurant. Zorana was happy to be there because Dejan had read that Grimaldi’s offered gluten-free pizza and Zorana recently learned that she could no longer eat gluten, so she was excited to be able to eat her favorite pizza again. However, when the waiter arrived to take their order he informed them that they must have been mistaken because they didn’t serve any gluten-free dishes. “I felt bad for Dejan because he looked completely gutted at the fact that his plan for our romantic evening was falling apart,” says Zorana. “We left the restaurant and started walking to the car, but Dejan stopped and asked if I wanted to take a walk to the carrousel since it was only
a block away and we didn’t 
get a chance to go to Dumbo often." At that point, Zorana was sure that he was planning on proposing, so of course, she agreed. When they got to the carousel, Dejan tapped Zorana on her shoulder and when she turned around she saw him standing behind her with a ring box in his hand. “I knew it was coming,” says Zorana. “After I said yes and kissed him, we ran back to the car and went to another Italian restaurant that served gluten-free dishes to celebrate.”

Zorana and Dejan decided on a traditional Serbian wedding, complete with a Kum and Kuma (the best man and maid of honor to the couple/godparents to their future children); a flag bearer; Cuture (wooden flasks) which wedding guests customarily drink Rakija (fruit brandy) from; and lots of Kolo (circle dancing). Zorana walked down the aisle in a Hayley Paige sequined gown, jewel-encrusted Manolo Blahnik heels, and sparkling jewelry from Two by London; and Dejan waited at the altar for her wearing a classic tuxedo and custom shirt. Instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, their bridal party consisted of three adorable flower girls and three charming ring bearers. After the I Do’s, everyone headed to Westbury Manor for the reception. The spacious ballroom was decorated in an autumn English country theme with centerpieces featuring blush, burgundy, and violet-hued flowers, along with small white pumpkins and votive candles on the tables.

Their celebration kicked off with a cocktail hour and an open bar that lasted throughout the night. “Westbury Manor gave us so many options to choose from while planning our reception menu,” says Zorana. After dinner, the couple cut a three-tier, vanilla wedding cake, from Francesco’s Bakery, with whipped cream icing and alternating raspberry cream and fresh cream-and-raspberry fillings. 

The guests danced to music played by DJ Spaz, a well-known Serbian-American DJ from Chicago whom the couple flew in for their party. Another great detail Zorana and Dejan decided on was having a photo booth. “It was a highlight of the event,” says Zorana. “We went back and forth on whether or not we should have one, but it turned out to be so much fun.”

“What I loved the most about that day was being able to share the night with all of our friends and family,” says Zorana. “I didn’t expect to be overcome with emotion seeing all the people we care about together in one room.”

{Read More...}
Dejan invited me to dinner at Grimaldi’s, our favorite pizzeria in Dumbo, but I hesitated at first because I had a terrible cold and it was a bitter January day. However, he was persistent and I gave in,” says Zorana. “While dressing for dinner, I noticed that he was acting a bit strange. He was being a little too nice for all the fuss I was making over what I should wear and I thought hmm, maybe he’s going to propose.”

While waiting on line outside of the restaurant, Zorana and Dejan felt the frigid wind blowing from the East River. “It was the most unforgiving winter night,” says Zorana. Half an hour later, they were finally escorted into the warm and buzzing restaurant. Zorana was happy to be there because Dejan had read that Grimaldi’s offered gluten-free pizza and Zorana recently learned that she could no longer eat gluten, so she was excited to be able to eat her favorite pizza again. However, when the waiter arrived to take their order he informed them that they must have been mistaken because they didn’t serve any gluten-free dishes. “I felt bad for Dejan because he looked completely gutted at the fact that his plan for our romantic evening was falling apart,” says Zorana. “We left the restaurant and started walking to the car, but Dejan stopped and asked if I wanted to take a walk to the carrousel since it was only
a block away and we didn’t 
get a chance to go to Dumbo often." At that point, Zorana was sure that he was planning on proposing, so of course, she agreed. When they got to the carousel, Dejan tapped Zorana on her shoulder and when she turned around she saw him standing behind her with a ring box in his hand. “I knew it was coming,” says Zorana. “After I said yes and kissed him, we ran back to the car and went to another Italian restaurant that served gluten-free dishes to celebrate.”

Zorana and Dejan decided on a traditional Serbian wedding, complete with a Kum and Kuma (the best man and maid of honor to the couple/godparents to their future children); a flag bearer; Cuture (wooden flasks) which wedding guests customarily drink Rakija (fruit brandy) from; and lots of Kolo (circle dancing). Zorana walked down the aisle in a Hayley Paige sequined gown, jewel-encrusted Manolo Blahnik heels, and sparkling jewelry from Two by London; and Dejan waited at the altar for her wearing a classic tuxedo and custom shirt. Instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, their bridal party consisted of three adorable flower girls and three charming ring bearers. After the I Do’s, everyone headed to Westbury Manor for the reception. The spacious ballroom was decorated in an autumn English country theme with centerpieces featuring blush, burgundy, and violet-hued flowers, along with small white pumpkins and votive candles on the tables.

Their celebration kicked off with a cocktail hour and an open bar that lasted throughout the night. “Westbury Manor gave us so many options to choose from while planning our reception menu,” says Zorana. After dinner, the couple cut a three-tier, vanilla wedding cake, from Francesco’s Bakery, with whipped cream icing and alternating raspberry cream and fresh cream-and-raspberry fillings. 

The guests danced to music played by DJ Spaz, a well-known Serbian-American DJ from Chicago whom the couple flew in for their party. Another great detail Zorana and Dejan decided on was having a photo booth. “It was a highlight of the event,” says Zorana. “We went back and forth on whether or not we should have one, but it turned out to be so much fun.”

“What I loved the most about that day was being able to share the night with all of our friends and family,” says Zorana. “I didn’t expect to be overcome with emotion seeing all the people we care about together in one room.”

  • Date: Dec 06, 2019
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   
Antonio invited Nicole to a casual lunch as a ploy for his marriage proposal to her. "Antonio told me that one of his good friends was shooting a short video and asked us to be extras," said Nicole. "I said, 'No' right away because I'm too shy and hate being on camera, so he told me we would go to lunch instead." After arriving at the picturesque Cedarmere Park in Roslyn Harbor, the supposed lunch location, Nicole asked why they were there because there wasn't a restaurant in sight. Antonio kept up the charade and told her they had to walk over a bridge to get to the restaurant. "As we walked over the bridge, I saw a little husky puppy tied to a bench all by herself," Nicole said. "Then Antonio turned to me and said, 'She's yours! Go get her."' Nicole ran up to the puppy and right away Antonio asked, "What's her name? Check her nametag!" But, Nicole was "too excited about the dog to even check her tag." After Antonio asked her several times for the puppy's name Nicole finally looked at the heart-shaped tag on her collar that read "Will you marry me?" When Nicole turned around, "Antonio was down on one knee and of course, I said, 'Yes!"'

Nicole and Antonio sent out save the dates featuring an engagement photo of them with Stella, the husky Antonio gifted Nicole with when he proposed. They held a traditional church ceremony at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Deer Park surrounded by their closest family members and friends. "We didn't need to decorate much because the church was so pretty, so we kept it simple and added white tulle bows with baby's breath to the church pews," said. The bride wore a Blush by Hayley Paige beaded, fit-to flare gown with a cathedral-length veil and crystal-embellished light pink satin pumps. The groom wore a custom-made navy tuxedo. "As we left the church, our bridal party set off white confetti cannons, and we all drove away in a party bus," she said.

The reception was held at Larkfield in East Northport, with the ballroom decorated in a romantic and rustic theme. The alternating centerpieces featured white-and-gray rustic lanterns with pillar candles and baby's breath, as well as silver julep cups with roses, baby's breath, and votive candles. At the cocktail hour, guests were served a lavish spread of appetizers that included coconut shrimp, crab cakes, chicken and waffles, sushi, fried dumplings, sliders, Reuben sandwiches, a mac-and-cheese bar, pasta station, Mediterranean station and carving station. For the main course, guests dined on penne alla vodka, filet mignon, chicken marsala, shrimp scampi and rack of lamb. After dinner, the newlyweds cut the round, naked cake with flowers that matched the centerpieces. Guests were also treated to a Viennese hour with a variety of Italian pastries, cannoli, cookies, chocolate fountains, deep-fried Oreos, tiramisu, a Frappuccino station, and other decadent treats.

After the big day, Nicole and Antonio jetted off to a seven-night honeymoon at an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Antiqua. “One of our highlights of the trip was the floating pool tapas experience in the private pool that we received as a gift from my bridesmaids,” said Nicole. “We enjoyed tapas and champagne on a handmade, floating tray while watching a beautiful sunset.”

“The entire wedding day was incredible, but our favorite part was dancing and having a good time with our family and friends,” Nicole said. “It all came out better than we expected.”

{Read More...}
Antonio invited Nicole to a casual lunch as a ploy for his marriage proposal to her. "Antonio told me that one of his good friends was shooting a short video and asked us to be extras," said Nicole. "I said, 'No' right away because I'm too shy and hate being on camera, so he told me we would go to lunch instead." After arriving at the picturesque Cedarmere Park in Roslyn Harbor, the supposed lunch location, Nicole asked why they were there because there wasn't a restaurant in sight. Antonio kept up the charade and told her they had to walk over a bridge to get to the restaurant. "As we walked over the bridge, I saw a little husky puppy tied to a bench all by herself," Nicole said. "Then Antonio turned to me and said, 'She's yours! Go get her."' Nicole ran up to the puppy and right away Antonio asked, "What's her name? Check her nametag!" But, Nicole was "too excited about the dog to even check her tag." After Antonio asked her several times for the puppy's name Nicole finally looked at the heart-shaped tag on her collar that read "Will you marry me?" When Nicole turned around, "Antonio was down on one knee and of course, I said, 'Yes!"'

Nicole and Antonio sent out save the dates featuring an engagement photo of them with Stella, the husky Antonio gifted Nicole with when he proposed. They held a traditional church ceremony at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Deer Park surrounded by their closest family members and friends. "We didn't need to decorate much because the church was so pretty, so we kept it simple and added white tulle bows with baby's breath to the church pews," Nicole said. The bride wore a Blush by Hayley Paige beaded, fit-to flare gown with a cathedral-length veil and crystal-embellished light pink satin pumps. The groom wore a custom-made navy tuxedo. "As we left the church, our bridal party set off white confetti cannons, and we all drove away in a party bus," she said.

The reception was held at Larkfield in East Northport, with the ballroom decorated in a romantic and rustic theme. The alternating centerpieces featured white-and-gray rustic lanterns with pillar candles and baby's breath, as well as silver julep cups with roses, baby's breath, and votive candles. At the cocktail hour, guests were served a lavish spread of appetizers that included coconut shrimp, crab cakes, chicken and waffles, sushi, fried dumplings, sliders, Reuben sandwiches, a mac-and-cheese bar, pasta station, Mediterranean station and carving station. For the main course, guests dined on penne alla vodka, filet mignon, chicken marsala, shrimp scampi and rack of lamb. After dinner, the newlyweds cut the round, naked cake with flowers that matched the centerpieces. Guests were also treated to a Viennese hour with a variety of Italian pastries, cannoli, cookies, chocolate fountains, deep-fried Oreos, tiramisu, a Frappuccino station, and other decadent treats.

After the big day, Nicole and Antonio jetted off to a seven-night honeymoon at an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Antiqua. “One of our highlights of the trip was the floating pool tapas experience in the private pool that we received as a gift from my bridesmaids,” said Nicole. “We enjoyed tapas and champagne on a handmade, floating tray while watching a beautiful sunset.”

“The entire wedding day was incredible, but our favorite part was dancing and having a good time with our family and friends,” Nicole said. “It all came out better than we expected.”

  • Date: Dec 03, 2019
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   
Ever the romantic, Anthony wanted his proposal to Nikky to be meaningful and unique, so he decided to pop the question on a surprise vacation. “Anthony told me when we were going away, but not where,” said Nikky. “Two days before we left, Anthony told me that I didn’t need to pack a coat, hat or gloves,” she said. Anthony had told her to pack both summer and winter clothes to make it even more difficult to figure out where they were going. “When we arrived at the airport, we walked up to the departure gate for Miami and I realized he had been quietly paying attention when I mentioned that I hadn’t been to Miami’s Art Basel in years and wanted to go back.” Once in Miami, Nikky and Anthony checked into the Fontainebleau, a hotel that Nikky had always loved from afar. 

While heading out for dinner that evening, Anthony told Nikky that their reservation wasn’t ready yet and suggested that they take a stroll around the hotel and a walk on the beach. “I was appalled at the idea of getting sand in my expensive heels, but at this point, I knew something was up,” Nikky said. She thought that if Anthony was going to propose, it would be during dinner and he was stalling because the restaurant was still setting up the table for them. “So, I dilly-dallied, stopping to check out every little thing during our walk, not realizing that Anthony was in a panic because the sun was setting,”  she said. “When we finally got to the beach I saw a big, beautiful heart made out of red rose petals in the sand. Anthony pulled me into the center of the heart, got down on one knee and asked, ‘Will you spend the rest of your life with me?’”

Nikky and Anthony celebrated their nuptials with a fall wedding at an apple orchard and farm in Peconic, located in Long Island’s North Fork Wine Country. Nikky looked stunning in a Galia Lahav beaded-lace gown and a crystal-embellished, cathedral-length veil as she walked down the aisle with her father to a slow, acoustic version of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The bride and groom stood under a wedding arch decorated with flowers, lush greenery and small hanging glass vases with tea light candles perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean on the farm’s private beach.
 
 Nikky and Anthony kissing after they exchange their vows.
 
 
With the sound of the waves crashing in the background, they exchanged personalized vows in front of 180 close family members and friends.

The newlywed couple hosted their cocktail hour in the farm’s domed barn and guests mingled outside around firepits and a seating area set up with vintage furniture before heading to the reception, which was held in a vaulted sailcloth tent. Befitting the wedding’s “Night Under the Stars” theme, the orchard’s apple trees near the tent were lit up with fairy lights. Guests were seated at rectangular farm tables set with celestial- designed plates, gold chargers, gold-rimmed champagne glasses and table cards bearing the names of constellations, such as Ursa Major and Draconis. Low tea lights and tall candlesticks in amber glass bottles on the tables, along with hanging chandeliers, created a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Guests dined on a land-and-sea duet of grilled lobster tail with chimichurri butter and filet mignon over mashed and roasted baby potatoes, grilled summer corn and zucchini pappardelle gremolata. The couple displayed a faux wedding cake designed to match their celestial plates and served a creamy vanilla cake after dinner. In addition to the cake, as well as an assortment of freshly baked cookies and apple galettes, guests were treated to a gelato truck serving hazelnut, peanut-butter-and-jelly, mascarpone-and- fig, and malted-chocolate gelato flavors.

Seeing their guests enjoying themselves is one of the couple’s favorite memories of the reception. “Our band, Code Bleu, of Skyline Orchestras, was amazing,” Nikky said. “They did a phenomenal job of keeping everyone dancing under the stars the entire night!” 

{Read More...}
Ever the romantic, Anthony wanted his proposal to Nikky to be meaningful and unique, so he decided to pop the question on a surprise vacation. “Anthony told me when we were going away, but not where,” said Nikky. “Two days before we left, Anthony told me that I didn’t need to pack a coat, hat or gloves,” she said. Anthony had told her to pack both summer and winter clothes to make it even more difficult to figure out where they were going. “When we arrived at the airport, we walked up to the departure gate for Miami and I realized he had been quietly paying attention when I mentioned that I hadn’t been to Miami’s Art Basel in years and wanted to go back.” Once in Miami, Nikky and Anthony checked into the Fontainebleau, a hotel that Nikky had always loved from afar. 

While heading out for dinner that evening, Anthony told Nikky that their reservation wasn’t ready yet and suggested that they take a stroll around the hotel and a walk on the beach. “I was appalled at the idea of getting sand in my expensive heels, but at this point, I knew something was up,” Nikky said. She thought that if Anthony was going to propose, it would be during dinner and he was stalling because the restaurant was still setting up the table for them. “So, I dilly-dallied, stopping to check out every little thing during our walk, not realizing that Anthony was in a panic because the sun was setting,” she said. “When we finally got to the beach I saw a big, beautiful heart made out of red rose petals in the sand. Anthony pulled me into the center of the heart, got down on one knee and asked, ‘Will you spend the rest of your life with me?’”

Nikky and Anthony celebrated their nuptials with a fall wedding at an apple orchard and farm in Peconic, located in Long Island’s North Fork Wine Country. Nikky looked stunning in a Galia Lahav beaded-lace gown and a crystal-embellished, cathedral-length veil as she walked down the aisle with her father to a slow, acoustic version of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The bride and groom stood under a wedding arch decorated with flowers, lush greenery and small hanging glass vases with tea light candles perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean on the farm’s private beach.
 
 Nikky and Anthony kissing after they exchange their vows.
 
 
With the sound of the waves crashing in the background, they exchanged personalized vows in front of 180 close family members and friends.

The newlywed couple hosted their cocktail hour in the farm’s domed barn and guests mingled outside around firepits and a seating area set up with vintage furniture before heading to the reception, which was held in a vaulted sailcloth tent. Befitting the wedding’s “Night Under the Stars” theme, the orchard’s apple trees near the tent were lit up with fairy lights. Guests were seated at rectangular farm tables set with celestial- designed plates, gold chargers, gold-rimmed champagne glasses and table cards bearing the names of constellations, such as Ursa Major and Draconis. Low tea lights and tall candlesticks in amber glass bottles on the tables, along with hanging chandeliers, created a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Guests dined on a land-and-sea duet of grilled lobster tail with chimichurri butter and filet mignon over mashed and roasted baby potatoes, grilled summer corn and zucchini pappardelle gremolata. The couple displayed a faux wedding cake designed to match their celestial plates and served a creamy vanilla cake after dinner. In addition to the cake, as well as an assortment of freshly baked cookies and apple galettes, guests were treated to a gelato truck serving hazelnut, peanut-butter-and-jelly, mascarpone-and- fig, and malted-chocolate gelato flavors.

Seeing their guests enjoying themselves is one of the couple’s favorite memories of the reception. “Our band, Code Bleu, of Skyline Orchestras, was amazing,” Nikky said. “They did a phenomenal job of keeping everyone dancing under the stars the entire night!” 

  • Date: Nov 01, 2019
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   
There were instant fireworks when Brianna met Donato (Danny) at a Fourth of July party their mutual friend, Annie, invited her to. When Brianna pulled up to the party at Danny’s house, Annie and Danny went outside to greet her. “She stepped out of her Jeep and I was immediately hooked by her baby blue eyes and the way she blushed at meeting me for the first time,” says Danny. “We smiled at each other and walked into the party. It turned out to be one of the most memorable days of our lives.”

The Fourth of July was special to Brianna. In addition to it being the anniversary of the day she and Danny met, she loves the holiday more than Christmas, so it was a no-brainer for Danny to choose the celebratory summer day to pop the big question. About a month prior to the proposal, Danny asked Brianna’s mom for Brianna’s hand in marriage since her dad had passed away when she was 17. Her mom was over the moon and she and Danny planned a Fourth of July barbecue at the house Brianna grew up in. Brianna’s two sisters who lived in other states would come for the event and her entire extended family attended as well. Her mother was bursting at the seams to keep the secret.

“I thought nothing of the day,” says Brianna. “Actually, I was a little mean to Danny that morning because it was our 5-year anniversary and it seemed that he didn’t have a gift for me. Little did I know that a diamond ring was coming that afternoon.” In the middle of the barbecue, Danny stopped the festivities and asked for Brianna’s attention. “He called me over and he had something for me, says Brianna. “He handed me a red card and I thought he was gifting me a vacation because we had been talking about going on one for the past year.” But inside of the card read ‘Brianna, will you marry me?... P. S. Please say yes!’ When Brianna looked up he was down on one knee holding a diamond ring and Brianna said yes between happy tears.

Brianna and Danny had a traditional Catholic ceremony where a few of their family members did readings. Brianna walked down the aisle wearing a Paloma Blanca A-line gown and a cathedral-length veil. “I walked down the aisle by myself because I felt that no one could fill my father’s shoes on my special day,” says Brianna. “I carried a bouquet of flowers with a photo of my dad and a blue jay feather in it because I am convinced that he visits me via a blue jay.” After the ceremony, the newlywed couple dashed in a Rolls Royce to their reception at The Vineyards at Aquebogue on Long Island’s North Fork. The celebration started off with a wine tasting of local wines, followed by the cocktail hour with a farm-to-table station, raw bar, antipasto table, cigar table, and outdoor games. The reception began with the couple’s first dance and went right into everyone dancing to “Brick House” by The Commodores, Brianna’s father’s favorite song. “We asked that everyone dance to it and it was the perfect way to kick off the party,” says Brianna. After the first and second courses, the maid of honor, one of Brianna’s sisters, made a speech and toasted with Budweiser beer in honor of the way their dad always made his toasts. Then it was dancing all night long to the DJ and a saxophone player.

“The entire day was so memorable. It’s hard to pick just one of my favorite memories,” says Brianna. “But if I were to pinpoint my best part of the day it would be the hour we had together taking pictures alone at the farm. It gave us five minutes to enjoy being married, enjoying the moment, and enjoying each other. 

{Read More...}
There were instant fireworks when Brianna met Donato (Danny) at a Fourth of July party their mutual friend, Annie, invited her to. When Brianna pulled up to the party at Danny’s house, Annie and Danny went outside to greet her. “She stepped out of her Jeep and I was immediately hooked by her baby blue eyes and the way she blushed at meeting me for the first time,” says Danny. “We smiled at each other and walked into the party. It turned out to be one of the most memorable days of our lives.”

The Fourth of July was special to Brianna. In addition to it being the anniversary of the day she and Danny met, she loves the holiday more than Christmas, so it was a no-brainer for Danny to choose the celebratory summer day to pop the big question. About a month prior to the proposal, Danny asked Brianna’s mom for Brianna’s hand in marriage since her dad had passed away when she was 17. Her mom was over the moon and she and Danny planned a Fourth of July barbecue at the house Brianna grew up in. Brianna’s two sisters who lived in other states would come for the event and her entire extended family attended as well. Her mother was bursting at the seams to keep the secret.

“I thought nothing of the day,” says Brianna. “Actually, I was a little mean to Danny that morning because it was our 5-year anniversary and it seemed that he didn’t have a gift for me. Little did I know that a diamond ring was coming that afternoon.” In the middle of the barbecue, Danny stopped the festivities and asked for Brianna’s attention. “He called me over and said he had something for me, says Brianna. “He handed me a red card and I thought he was gifting me a vacation because we had been talking about going on one for the past year.” But inside of the card read ‘Brianna, will you marry me?... P. S. Please say yes!’ When Brianna looked up he was down on one knee holding a diamond ring and Brianna said yes between happy tears.

Brianna and Danny had a traditional Catholic ceremony where a few of their family members did readings. Brianna walked down the aisle wearing a Paloma Blanca A-line gown and a cathedral-length veil. “I walked down the aisle by myself because I felt that no one could fill my father’s shoes on my special day,” says Brianna. “I carried a bouquet of flowers with a photo of my dad and a blue jay feather in it because I am convinced that he visits me via a blue jay.” After the ceremony, the newlywed couple dashed in a Rolls Royce to their reception at The Vineyards at Aquebogue on Long Island’s North Fork. The celebration started off with a wine tasting of local wines, followed by the cocktail hour with a farm-to-table station, raw bar, antipasto table, cigar table, and outdoor games. The reception began with the couple’s first dance and went right into everyone dancing to “Brick House” by The Commodores, Brianna’s father’s favorite song. “We asked that everyone dance to it and it was the perfect way to kick off the party,” says Brianna. After the first and second courses, the maid of honor, one of Brianna’s sisters, made a speech and toasted with Budweiser beer in honor of the way their dad always made his toasts. Then it was dancing all night long to the DJ and a saxophone player.

“The entire day was so memorable. It’s hard to pick just one of my favorite memories,” says Brianna. “But if I were to pinpoint my best part of the day it would be the hour we had together taking pictures alone at the farm. It gave us five minutes to enjoy being married, enjoying the moment, and enjoying each other. 

  • Date: Oct 12, 2019
  • Author: Long Island Bride and Groom
  • Category: Real Weddings   

Multiple images from the day of  Ricardo & Lascena wedding.

Long Island Bride and Groom Vendors Used: Photography: Tony Lante Photography, Venue: Crest Hollow Country Club,
Limo: Camelot Specialty Limos, Cake Topper: 
Fairytale Affairs, Short Dress: Bridal Reflections

View more Real Weddings - Longislandbrideandgroom.com  

  • Date: Jul 16, 2019
  • Author: Long Island Bride and Groom
  • Category: Real Weddings   

Multiple images from Ashley and Franks wedding.

 View more Real Weddings - Longislandbrideandgroom.com 

 

  • Date: Nov 27, 2018
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   

While dating, one of Lindsay and Brent’s favorite things to do together was to watch The Bachelor and The Bachelorette every Monday night. This shared interest sparked Brent’s proposal to Lindsay. “Brent and I were going to dinner with my family to celebrate my birthday,” says Lindsay. “Earlier that day, I was out shopping with mom and grandma and we planned on meeting Brent at the restaurant afterwards,” says Lindsay. “When we arrived, the table was set for two extra people and Brent walked in with his parents and a rose in his hand.” Brent then asked Lindsay if she would accept his final rose—just like they do on The Bachelor. “He got down on his knee, opened a ring box, and asked if I would marry him,” says Lindsay. “I said YES!”

The couple held their ceremony at Curé of Ars Church in Merrick. The church’s beautiful long aisle, high ceilings, and stained glass windows made a perfect setting for their meaningful ceremony. “A votive candle was lit for our loved ones who had passed away and could not be with us that day,” says Lindsay. The bride and groom also wore charms - Lindsay’s in her bouquet and Brent’s pinned inside his jacket - which held photos of their grandfathers. Lindsay wore a sparkling Eve of Milady mermaid gown with a crystal-embellished, cathedral-length veil and carried a cascading bouquet with white roses and blue and purple orchids. Brent stood handsomely next to her at the altar in a charcoal-gray tuxedo from Foresto Tuxedo. Lindsay’s maid- of-honor and five bridesmaids wore violet chiffon dresses in coordinating styles and the groomsmen were also dressed in gray tuxedos to match the groom.

The newlyweds made it a priority to attend the cocktail hour. “This was important to us and we were able to greet almost all of our guests during this time,” says Lindsay. “This allowed us to really enjoy our reception. After all the work and planning, I wanted to have fun at my own party.” Guests were treated to 10 different food stations at the cocktail hour, ranging from taco and mashed potato bars to pasta and carving stations.

 

The reception was held in a ballroom decorated with tall, white orchid centerpieces that picked up the lavender uplighting. The floral centerpieces also included vibrant violet, blue, aqua, and green blooms. “We loved the symmetry of the room,” says Lindsay. “There were bars on both ends of the space and tables set up on either side of the dance floor.”

 

After dinner, the couple cut their 4-tier, round funfetti cake with purple-and white ombré buttercream frosting which was decorated with purple, blue and aqua edible wafer butterflies on the sides.

 

The band Code Bleu kept the party going all night. “There was never a moment then the dance floor wasn’t full,” says Lindsay. The couple also had a cigar roller and a photobooth with lots of props for funny photos, and, as a wedding gift, Lindsay’s mother hired a live painter. “Everyone loved this and now I have a beautiful Disney princess-like painted scene of our first dance to remember the moment forever,” says Lindsay.

 

While the bride’s favorite memory of the day was when she took a moment to look around the room and observed everyone’s happy faces enjoying the reception, the groom recalls the second the church door opened and Lindsay walked down the aisle. “Brent actually cried as I came in, which was a perfect reaction,” says Lindsay. “He was so happy it was infectious.”

{Read More...}

While dating, one of Lindsay and Brent’s favorite things to do together was to watch The Bachelor and The Bachelorette every Monday night. This shared interest sparked Brent’s proposal to Lindsay. “Brent and I were going to dinner with my family to celebrate my birthday,” says Lindsay. “Earlier that day, I was out shopping with mom and grandma and we planned on meeting Brent at the restaurant afterwards,” says Lindsay. “When we arrived, the table was set for two extra people and Brent walked in with his parents and a rose in his hand.” Brent then asked Lindsay if she would accept his final rose—just like they do on The Bachelor. “He got down on his knee, opened a ring box, and asked if I would marry him,” says Lindsay. “I said YES!”

The couple held their ceremony at Curé of Ars Church in Merrick. The church’s beautiful long aisle, high ceilings, and stained glass windows made a perfect setting for their meaningful ceremony. “A votive candle was lit for our loved ones who had passed away and could not be with us that day,” says Lindsay. The bride and groom also wore charms - Lindsay’s in her bouquet and Brent’s pinned inside his jacket - which held photos of their grandfathers. Lindsay wore a sparkling Eve of Milady mermaid gown with a crystal-embellished, cathedral-length veil and carried a cascading bouquet with white roses and blue and purple orchids. Brent stood handsomely next to her at the altar in a charcoal-gray tuxedo from Foresto Tuxedo. Lindsay’s maid- of-honor and five bridesmaids wore violet chiffon dresses in coordinating styles and the groomsmen were also dressed in gray tuxedos to match the groom.

The newlyweds made it a priority to attend the cocktail hour. “This was important to us and we were able to greet almost all of our guests during this time,” says Lindsay. “This allowed us to really enjoy our reception. After all the work and planning, I wanted to have fun at my own party.” Guests were treated to 10 different food stations at the cocktail hour, ranging from taco and mashed potato bars to pasta and carving stations.

 

The reception was held in a ballroom decorated with tall, white orchid centerpieces that picked up the lavender uplighting. The floral centerpieces also included vibrant violet, blue, aqua, and green blooms. “We loved the symmetry of the room,” says Lindsay. “There were bars on both ends of the space and tables set up on either side of the dance floor.”

 

After dinner, the couple cut their 4-tier, round funfetti cake with purple-and white ombré buttercream frosting which was decorated with purple, blue and aqua edible wafer butterflies on the sides.

 

The band Code Bleu kept the party going all night. “There was never a moment then the dance floor wasn’t full,” says Lindsay. The couple also had a cigar roller and a photobooth with lots of props for funny photos, and, as a wedding gift, Lindsay’s mother hired a live painter. “Everyone loved this and now I have a beautiful Disney princess-like painted scene of our first dance to remember the moment forever,” says Lindsay.

 

While the bride’s favorite memory of the day was when she took a moment to look around the room and observed everyone’s happy faces enjoying the reception, the groom recalls the second the church door opened and Lindsay walked down the aisle. “Brent actually cried as I came in, which was a perfect reaction,” says Lindsay. “He was so happy it was infectious.”

  • Date: Oct 06, 2018
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   

Music helped bring Ja’Nair and Lummie together. Ja’Nair, a marketing manager, met Lummie, a professional musician, five years ago when she was organizing a networking event for her employer. The owner of her company was a jazz enthusiast, so she searched for a dynamic jazz musician to play at the event. That’s how she found Lummie. “He and I then worked together on a charitable event that I organized and we both realized that there was something special happening between us as we became friends and fell in love,” says Ja’Nair. 

Lummie picked the perfect occasion to propose. Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Lummie had moved to New York to pursue his music career, but his mother and brother still lived in his hometown and hadn’t had the chance to meet Ja’Nair’s parents. “Lummie and I thought it would be a nice idea to host a Memorial Day barbecue so that my parents could finally meet his mom and brother,” says Ja’Nair. “It was going to be an intimate affair and everyone was excited to spend the entire weekend together.” Lummie helped Ja’Nair make sure that everything would be perfect for their guests. Lummie attempted to make drinks with two brand new blenders that kept breaking before announcing that dinner was ready and they should all say grace before eating. “Everyone gathered around in a big circle in the backyard and held hands as Lummie thanked our guests for coming,” says Ja’Nair. “Then he turned to me, looked me in my eyes, and began telling me how blessed he was to have me in his world and couldn’t imagine not having me by his side for the rest of his life.”

After Lummie got down on one knee, Ja’Nair started to cry and could hardly stand still long enough for Lummie to put the ring on her finger. “I said ‘yes’ and everyone clapped and cheered,” says Ja’Nair. “His brother even had his father watching it all on FaceTime.”

The wedding ceremony took place at the Second Baptist Church in Baldwin. “The ceremony was the most important part of our wedding day,” says Ja’Nair. “All of the religious elements we included had meaning to us.” Ja’Nair and Lummie decided on a traditional Baptist ceremony, along with a few special additions including an exchange of their own written vows, a solo sung by Lummie’s bother, Lindsey Spann and Lummie’s father Lummie Spann, Sr., a Methodist minister, closing the ceremony by pronouncing the newlywed’s man and wife.

After the ceremony, the bride, who wore a satin YSA Makino ball gown and cathedral-length veil, and the groom, dressed in a navy Joseph Abboud tuxedo, left the church in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, while the bridal party followed in a Cadillac Escalade stretch limo. 

 

Bride and Groom looking at each other while holding hands while next to limousine.
Photo: Déjà Vu Studios

The reception was held in the ballroom of Westbury Manor in Westbury, which was decorated in various shades of purple with gold accents. Each table was adorned with gold ruffled chargers, gold napkin rings embellished with the letter “S”, and alternating lush high-and-low floral arrangements.


At the end of the evening full of celebrating, the couple cut a three-layer vanilla wedding cake with raspberry-and-French Chantilly cream filling, covered in white fondant and gold wiring.  

“Lummie is truly the man of my dreams and those words we spoke to each other, witnessed by our friends, family, and clergy were sacred to me.” 

The next day, the couple hosted a post-wedding brunch and then left for a mini-honeymoon at a resort in New Jersey, which was a romantic getaway before their big Parisian honeymoon in the spring.

{Read More...}

Music helped bring Ja’Nair and Lummie together. Ja’Nair, a marketing manager, met Lummie, a professional musician, five years ago when she was organizing a networking event for her employer. The owner of her company was a jazz enthusiast, so she searched for a dynamic jazz musician to play at the event. That’s how she found Lummie. “He and I then worked together on a charitable event that I organized and we both realized that there was something special happening between us as we became friends and fell in love,” says Ja’Nair. 

Lummie picked the perfect occasion to propose. Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Lummie had moved to New York to pursue his music career, but his mother and brother still lived in his hometown and hadn’t had the chance to meet Ja’Nair’s parents. “Lummie and I thought it would be a nice idea to host a Memorial Day barbecue so that my parents could finally meet his mom and brother,” says Ja’Nair. “It was going to be an intimate affair and everyone was excited to spend the entire weekend together.” Lummie helped Ja’Nair make sure that everything would be perfect for their guests. Lummie attempted to make drinks with two brand new blenders that kept breaking before announcing that dinner was ready and they should all say grace before eating. “Everyone gathered around in a big circle in the backyard and held hands as Lummie thanked our guests for coming,” says Ja’Nair. “Then he turned to me, looked me in my eyes, and began telling me how blessed he was to have me in his world and couldn’t imagine not having me by his side for the rest of his life.”

After Lummie got down on one knee, Ja’Nair started to cry and could hardly stand still long enough for Lummie to put the ring on her finger. “I said ‘yes’ and everyone clapped and cheered,” says Ja’Nair. “His brother even had his father watching it all on FaceTime.”

The wedding ceremony took place at the Second Baptist Church in Baldwin. “The ceremony was the most important part of our wedding day,” says Ja’Nair. “All of the religious elements we included had meaning to us.” Ja’Nair and Lummie decided on a traditional Baptist ceremony, along with a few special additions including an exchange of their own written vows, a solo sung by Lummie’s bother, Lindsey Spann and Lummie’s father Lummie Spann, Sr., a Methodist minister, closing the ceremony by pronouncing the newlywed’s man and wife.

After the ceremony, the bride, who wore a satin YSA Makino ball gown and cathedral-length veil, and the groom, dressed in a navy Joseph Abboud tuxedo, left the church in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, while the bridal party followed in a Cadillac Escalade stretch limo. 

 

Bride and Groom looking at each other while holding hands while next to limousine.
Photo: Déjà Vu Studios

The reception was held in the ballroom of Westbury Manor in Westbury, which was decorated in various shades of purple with gold accents. Each table was adorned with gold ruffled chargers, gold napkin rings embellished with the letter “S”, and alternating lush high-and-low floral arrangements.


At the end of the evening full of celebrating, the couple cut a three-layer vanilla wedding cake with raspberry-and-French Chantilly cream filling, covered in white fondant and gold wiring.  

“Lummie is truly the man of my dreams and those words we spoke to each other, witnessed by our friends, family, and clergy were sacred to me.” 

The next day, the couple hosted a post-wedding brunch and then left for a mini-honeymoon at a resort in New Jersey, which was a romantic getaway before their big Parisian honeymoon in the spring.

  • Date: Aug 22, 2018
  • Author: Ivette Manners
  • Category: Real Weddings   

At the suggestion of a good friend while on a beach vacation in Mexico, Kathleen reluctantly signed up on OkCupid to meet someone new. “She tried to persuade me by saying she was also online and there was no commitment if I didn’t like it,” says Kathleen. “At first, I told her I was totally against putting myself back out there and felt I was fine with being single for a little while longer, but once we returned from our vacation and the reality of being back in cold New York hit, I realized maybe I did want to see if there was any potential in the online dating world.” So, Kathleen made a profile, added her pictures, and waited. She received messages right away but was immediately uninterested. “I texted my friend to tell her that I had signed up, but it just wasn’t going to work out,” says Kathleen. When she told her she was only on it for 15 minutes, “she laughed and told me I clearly needed to give it more time.” Kathleen then went back to her computer and a minute later James messaged her. “The second the bubble came up with his photo and a message, I knew this was going to be something,” says Kathleen.

 

On one of their first dates, James took Kathleen to see her favorite singer Jason Aldean perform. “Going to country music concerts quickly became our thing,” says Kathleen. For their one year anniversary, James surprised Kathleen with a trip to Mohegan Sun to see Jason Aldean in concert. “We had front row  tickets to a VIP show before the concert!” says Kathleen. Prior to the VIP show, Jason’s assistant came around with index cards for a Q&A with Jason and his fans.

 

At the time, Jason and his wife Brittany were pregnant, so Kathleen’s question asked if they were going to find out the gender of their baby. “When Jason came out, I was standing right in front of him! He performed a few songs and when it was time for the Q&A they read my question.” Kathleen was so excited that she began recording it on her phone. Right after her question, Brittany came out on stage and told Jason she had a question, but needed his help to read it. They then read: “Kathleen, James wants to know if you’ll marry him.” Kathleen was so shocked that she had forgotten she was still recording. She rested her phone on the stage, turned and saw Jim down on one knee. “Of course, I shouted ‘yes’.”
 

Kathleen and James decided on a summer wedding, starting it off with their ceremony at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. Kathleen wore an ivory Badgley Mischka mermaid gown and James stood beside her in a navy tuxedo from Foresto’s. After the ceremony, the couple celebrated their nuptials at Larkfield in East Northport.


“Our DJ from Silverfox Entertainment did a great job starting out our night with songs from the Rat Pack, then played music from the 80s, 90s, and current remixes,” says Kathleen. “At the end of the evening, they closed the party with ‘The Time of My Life’.” The photobooth was a nice addition to the reception. “The props were so funny and creative,” says Kathleen. “Everyone had a great time making memories.”

 

Guests were greeted by a donut wall featuring a variety of chocolate and vanilla donuts, all with blush-colored frosting dusted with gold, incorporating the two colors from their wedding palette as they exited the reception.

 

“One of our favorite parts of the wedding was the sparkler send off,” says Kathleen. “Our bridal party met us in the garden and it made the wedding feel magical. However, my most treasured memory of the day was our first dance. It was the first moment that day that I felt as though it was just he and I together as a married couple.”

{Read More...}

At the suggestion of a good friend while on a beach vacation in Mexico, Kathleen reluctantly signed up on OkCupid to meet someone new. “She tried to persuade me by saying she was also online and there was no commitment if I didn’t like it,” says Kathleen. “At first, I told her I was totally against putting myself back out there and felt I was fine with being single for a little while longer, but once we returned from our vacation and the reality of being back in cold New York hit, I realized maybe I did want to see if there was any potential in the online dating world.” So, Kathleen made a profile, added her pictures, and waited. She received messages right away but was immediately uninterested. “I texted my friend to tell her that I had signed up, but it just wasn’t going to work out,” says Kathleen. When she told her she was only on it for 15 minutes, “she laughed and told me I clearly needed to give it more time.” Kathleen then went back to her computer and a minute later James messaged her. “The second the bubble came up with his photo and a message, I knew this was going to be something,” says Kathleen.

 

On one of their first dates, James took Kathleen to see her favorite singer Jason Aldean perform. “Going to country music concerts quickly became our thing,” says Kathleen. For their one year anniversary, James surprised Kathleen with a trip to Mohegan Sun to see Jason Aldean in concert. “We had front row tickets to a VIP show before the concert!” says Kathleen. Prior to the VIP show, Jason’s assistant came around with index cards for a Q&A with Jason and his fans.

 

At the time, Jason and his wife Brittany were pregnant, so Kathleen’s question asked if they were going to find out the gender of their baby. “When Jason came out, I was standing right in front of him! He performed a few songs and when it was time for the Q&A they read my question.” Kathleen was so excited that she began recording it on her phone. Right after her question, Brittany came out on stage and told Jason she had a question, but needed his help to read it. They then read: “Kathleen, James wants to know if you’ll marry him.” Kathleen was so shocked that she had forgotten she was still recording. She rested her phone on the stage, turned and saw Jim down on one knee. “Of course, I shouted ‘yes’.”
 

Kathleen and James decided on a summer wedding, starting it off with their ceremony at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. Kathleen wore an ivory Badgley Mischka mermaid gown and James stood beside her in a navy tuxedo from Foresto’s. After the ceremony, the couple celebrated their nuptials at Larkfield in East Northport.


“Our DJ from Silverfox Entertainment did a great job starting out our night with songs from the Rat Pack, then played music from the 80s, 90s, and current remixes,” says Kathleen. “At the end of the evening, they closed the party with ‘The Time of My Life’.” The photobooth was a nice addition to the reception. “The props were so funny and creative,” says Kathleen. “Everyone had a great time making memories.”

 

Guests were greeted by a donut wall featuring a variety of chocolate and vanilla donuts, all with blush-colored frosting dusted with gold, incorporating the two colors from their wedding palette as they exited the reception.

 

“One of our favorite parts of the wedding was the sparkler send off,” says Kathleen. “Our bridal party met us in the garden and it made the wedding feel magical. However, my most treasured memory of the day was our first dance. It was the first moment that day that I felt as though it was just he and I together as a married couple.”

  • Date: May 15, 2018
  • Author: Angela Ash
  • Category: Real Weddings   

Many love stories begin with a well-meaning friend who decides that two people would be perfect for each other. In this case, such an introduction a little over seven years ago finally culminated in Jessica and Fabrizio’s magical wedding celebration.

It seems that the element of surprise was a factor in this relationship, including the proposal. What started off as a regular day ended quite differently for Jessica? In her own words, “It was an early Friday morning, and I was getting ready to pick up my mom from JFK airport. Fabrizio started the day with what seemed to be his regular routine, going off to work. When I returned to our apartment, my mom went to run a few errands, and I went upstairs. When I opened the door, Fabrizio was down on one knee, with red rose petals scattered across the floor.”

 

Jessica was completely thrown off guard, but quickly answered with a resounding “YES!”, and the couple soon began to make wedding plans, starting with elegant black-and-white invitations.

Jessica and Fabrizio were wed at the Garden City Hotel, with day-of-wedding photos also taken in the streets of Garden City to capture a real local vibe. Jessica and Fabrizio were married by a family friend, Pastor Bob. The ceremony was packed with both family and friends and featured dim lighting, pillar candles and a fragrant flower wall made up of white orchids and hydrangeas.

Jessica was dressed in a satin mermaid-style gown designed by Ines Di Santo, boasting a sweetheart top, a long train and an open lace back. The simple white tulle veil fell symmetrically below the waistline, and her bridal bouquet included a combination of pink and white roses, embellished with subtle crystals.

 

The bridesmaids also wore mermaid style, off-the-shoulder gowns, in black. Fabrizio and his groomsmen wore black tuxedos with black ties, designed by a custom clothier. White rose boutonnieres completed this classic look.

 

The unforgettable reception followed the ceremony at the same venue, the Garden City Hotel. With 275 guests in attendance, the overall mood was one of romance and elegance. Jessica adds, “The amount of love, happiness, and energy we felt was even more than we could have imagined. All of our guests were dancing throughout the entire night, thanks to Unique Entertainment, and we must say that those were some of our favorite moments of the evening.” The décor for the reception was creative, with three different styles of centerpieces for the 26 tables —all filled with hydrangeas, plus pink and white roses, and draped with crystals to match the bouquets.

The cocktail hour started off with pasta, meats, an antipasto, and seafood. The full menu further included 10 different food stations, including pasta, seafood, carving and slider stations, and even Asian and Mexican fusion. Everyone was also delighted with the cake, a beautiful five-tiered cannoli  masterpiece set off with pink roses. To top things off, there was a specialty cocktail station, featuring Banana-Infused Jameson.

 

Fabrizio’s favorite memory of the day was seeing his bride for the first time, while Jessica’s was finally saying “I DO!”

 

The happy couple went on to have an amazing two-week honeymoon in Italy, where they visited Rome, Tuscany, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and even Fabrizio’s family in Durazzano.

 

For other couples planning their weddings, Jessica suggests that you just have fun with it, and all of the details will fall into place.

{Read More...}

Many love stories begin with a well-meaning friend who decides that two people would be perfect for each other. In this case, such an introduction a little over seven years ago finally culminated in Jessica and Fabrizio’s magical wedding celebration.

It seems that the element of surprise was a factor in this relationship, including the proposal. What started off as a regular day ended quite differently for Jessica? In her own words, “It was an early Friday morning, and I was getting ready to pick up my mom from JFK airport. Fabrizio started the day with what seemed to be his regular routine, going off to work. When I returned to our apartment, my mom went to run a few errands, and I went upstairs. When I opened the door, Fabrizio was down on one knee, with red rose petals scattered across the floor.”

 

Jessica was completely thrown off guard, but quickly answered with a resounding “YES!”, and the couple soon began to make wedding plans, starting with elegant black-and-white invitations.

Jessica and Fabrizio were wed at the Garden City Hotel, with day-of-wedding photos also taken in the streets of Garden City to capture a real local vibe. Jessica and Fabrizio were married by a family friend, Pastor Bob. The ceremony was packed with both family and friends and featured dim lighting, pillar candles and a fragrant flower wall made up of white orchids and hydrangeas.

Jessica was dressed in a satin mermaid-style gown designed by Ines Di Santo, boasting a sweetheart top, a long train and an open lace back. The simple white tulle veil fell symmetrically below the waistline, and her bridal bouquet included a combination of pink and white roses, embellished with subtle crystals.

 

The bridesmaids also wore mermaid style, off-the-shoulder gowns, in black. Fabrizio and his groomsmen wore black tuxedos with black ties, designed by a custom clothier. White rose boutonnieres completed this classic look.

 

The unforgettable reception followed the ceremony at the same venue, the Garden City Hotel. With 275 guests in attendance, the overall mood was one of romance and elegance. Jessica adds, “The amount of love, happiness, and energy we felt was even more than we could have imagined. All of our guests were dancing throughout the entire night, thanks to Unique Entertainment, and we must say that those were some of our favorite moments of the evening.” The décor for the reception was creative, with three different styles of centerpieces for the 26 tables —all filled with hydrangeas, plus pink and white roses, and draped with crystals to match the bouquets.

The cocktail hour started off with pasta, meats, an antipasto, and seafood. The full menu further included 10 different food stations, including pasta, seafood, carving and slider stations, and even Asian and Mexican fusion. Everyone was also delighted with the cake, a beautiful five-tiered cannoli  masterpiece set off with pink roses. To top things off, there was a specialty cocktail station, featuring Banana-Infused Jameson.

 

Fabrizio’s favorite memory of the day was seeing his bride for the first time, while Jessica’s was finally saying “I DO!”

 

The happy couple went on to have an amazing two-week honeymoon in Italy, where they visited Rome, Tuscany, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and even Fabrizio’s family in Durazzano.

 

For other couples planning their weddings, Jessica suggests that you just have fun with it, and all of the details will fall into place.

  • Date: May 07, 2018
  • Author: Angela Ash
  • Category: Real Weddings   

In 2010, Frank and Jennifer met at what they thought would be a regular birthday party for a mutual friend. When it came time to leave the party, Jennifer sat on Frank’s lap in the taxi to “make extra room.” They stayed in touch and became good friends, but it was nearly a year before they realized that this taxi ride was the beginning of such a significant relationship.


Nearly five years later on Saturday, October 1st, 2016, Frank and Jennifer made plans with Frank’s sister, Cristina, and her husband, Joe, to go into the city. While they were en route, Cristina “canceled” their plans, and they decided to go on alone. While walking across the Brooklyn Bridge it was a little chilly and Frank took off his jacket and asked a tourist if they could take a photo. As she backed up to snap the shot, Frank dropped to one knee, and Jennifer answered with a resounding “YES!”

 

And just like that, less than two years later, Frank and Jennifer sent out save the-date bookmarks, utilizing photos from their engagement shoot with Tony Lante Photography. The invitations were a classic taupe with a chandelier design.

 

The ceremony was held at Saint Isidore Church in Riverhead, New York. The procession included seven bridesmaids and nine groomsmen, along with one flower girl. Jennifer’s father escorted her down the aisle to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and Jennifer’s godmother played all the procession songs on the violin. Father Gregory Rannazzisi, a close friend of Frank’s, officiated the ceremony.

 

Jennifer was dressed in an A-line Anna Campbell dress, handmade in Melbourne, Australia. Her white cathedral style veil was from Village Bridal & Boutique, and to complete the look she wore silver Badgley Mischka shoes. Her jewelry was made by her father-in-law, and her bouquet consisted of cascading orchids with white and ivory roses and eucalyptus.

 

The bridesmaids wore different styles of Bill Levkoff dresses in petal pink, champagne, and cashmere. The maid of honor wore a Hayley Paige pink dress with rhinestone straps. The groomsmen wore navy-blue suits, while Frank wore a darker blue and all with white polka-dot and navy-blue ties.

 

The wedding reception was at Giorgio’s, for 215 guests. The 19th-century French style inspired their “Phantom of the Opera” vs. “Beauty and the Beast” theme. The color scheme included pink and ivory, plus gold and white accents. The style was minimalistic, with different centerpieces of cylinder candles, Sahara roses, and eucalyptus, along with repurposed books as table numbers.

 

The favors were olive oil with rosemary, all shipped from Frank’s family olive farm in Italy. The cocktail hour included short ribs, along with sushi and mashed potato bars, followed by the full reception menu of filet mignon, pistachio crusted salmon, parmesan-crusted chicken, and Long Island Duck. Signature cocktails included a twist on both the Cape Cod and the Old Fashioned. The wedding cake was 4 tiers, each tier with a different mix of vanilla cake, chocolate fudge, chocolate cake and vanilla pudding, topped with vanilla buttercream.

 

The first dance was “Sparks” by Coldplay, followed by an evening full of dancing, along with a custom photo slideshow. In addition to the DJ from Vivo Entertainment, the couple also hired a Frank Sinatra singer. Frank is a first-generation Italian, so they were sure to incorporate classics like “Ti Amo” by Umberto Tozzi and “L’Italiano” by Toto Cutugno. They arrived and departed in a coach bus from M&V Limousines.

 

Four months later, Frank and Jennifer took an 11-day European cruise for their honeymoon. They went on to Italy, France, Spain, and Gibraltar. For other couples who are quickly approaching their wedding days, Frank and Jennifer suggest that they do their best to live in the moment, forget about what could go wrong and just breathe.

{Read More...}

In 2010, Frank and Jennifer met at what they thought would be a regular birthday party for a mutual friend. When it came time to leave the party, Jennifer sat on Frank’s lap in the taxi to “make extra room.” They stayed in touch and became good friends, but it was nearly a year before they realized that this taxi ride was the beginning of such a significant relationship.


Nearly five years later on Saturday, October 1st, 2016, Frank and Jennifer made plans with Frank’s sister, Cristina, and her husband, Joe, to go into the city. While they were en route, Cristina “canceled” their plans, and they decided to go on alone. While walking across the Brooklyn Bridge it was a little chilly and Frank took off his jacket and asked a tourist if they could take a photo. As she backed up to snap the shot, Frank dropped to one knee, and Jennifer answered with a resounding “YES!”

 

And just like that, less than two years later, Frank and Jennifer sent out save the-date bookmarks, utilizing photos from their engagement shoot with Tony Lante Photography. The invitations were a classic taupe with a chandelier design.

 

The ceremony was held at Saint Isidore Church in Riverhead, New York. The procession included seven bridesmaids and nine groomsmen, along with one flower girl. Jennifer’s father escorted her down the aisle to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and Jennifer’s godmother played all the procession songs on the violin. Father Gregory Rannazzisi, a close friend of Frank’s, officiated the ceremony.

 

Jennifer was dressed in an A-line Anna Campbell dress, handmade in Melbourne, Australia. Her white cathedral style veil was from Village Bridal & Boutique, and to complete the look she wore silver Badgley Mischka shoes. Her jewelry was made by her father-in-law, and her bouquet consisted of cascading orchids with white and ivory roses and eucalyptus.

 

The bridesmaids wore different styles of Bill Levkoff dresses in petal pink, champagne, and cashmere. The maid of honor wore a Hayley Paige pink dress with rhinestone straps. The groomsmen wore navy-blue suits, while Frank wore a darker blue and all with white polka-dot and navy-blue ties.

 

The wedding reception was at Giorgio’s, for 215 guests. The 19th-century French style inspired their “Phantom of the Opera” vs. “Beauty and the Beast” theme. The color scheme included pink and ivory, plus gold and white accents. The style was minimalistic, with different centerpieces of cylinder candles, Sahara roses, and eucalyptus, along with repurposed books as table numbers.

 

The favors were olive oil with rosemary, all shipped from Frank’s family olive farm in Italy. The cocktail hour included short ribs, along with sushi and mashed potato bars, followed by the full reception menu of filet mignon, pistachio crusted salmon, parmesan-crusted chicken, and Long Island Duck. Signature cocktails included a twist on both the Cape Cod and the Old Fashioned. The wedding cake was 4 tiers, each tier with a different mix of vanilla cake, chocolate fudge, chocolate cake and vanilla pudding, topped with vanilla buttercream.

 

The first dance was “Sparks” by Coldplay, followed by an evening full of dancing, along with a custom photo slideshow. In addition to the DJ from Vivo Entertainment, the couple also hired a Frank Sinatra singer. Frank is a first-generation Italian, so they were sure to incorporate classics like “Ti Amo” by Umberto Tozzi and “L’Italiano” by Toto Cutugno. They arrived and departed in a coach bus from M&V Limousines.

 

Four months later, Frank and Jennifer took an 11-day European cruise for their honeymoon. They went on to Italy, France, Spain, and Gibraltar. For other couples who are quickly approaching their wedding days, Frank and Jennifer suggest that they do their best to live in the moment, forget about what could go wrong and just breathe.