Your Story
Kristina and Michael have known each other since high school. Kristina moved to Ridgewood, NJ, from Monroe, NY, her sophomore year of high school, and Mike went to Bergen Catholic from Ridgewood public schools his freshman year. “We never went to school together but we ended up in the same group of friends,” Kristina says. “After college we were at a Halloween party together and I followed him around until he paid attention to me. My family knew him as the pilot for quite some time before we officially started dating.”
Will You Marry Me?
“My mom gave Mike her diamond to use for my ring,” Kristina explains. “We had been talking about getting engaged and what shape I wanted, which wasn’t what my mom’s stone was. He tried to convince me that round was the best shape, but I wasn’t taking the bait so he finally told me that he had my mom’s stone. I obviously was thrilled and I really wanted to be part of the design process.”
The couple went to Arthur Groom in Ridgewood to design the ring together. “On Valentine’s Day, Mike got a call that the ring was ready to be picked up so he pretended that he was going back to Ridgewood to see his parents since they live in the same town as the jeweler. I tracked him on Find My Friends and saw that he was not at his parents’ house. When Mike got home, he immediately ran into the bedroom and I heard the safe pop open. After a couple of minutes, I told him I knew that he had the ring and that I wanted to just take a look at it. I tried it on and obviously did not want to take it off, so I just asked if I could keep it. He formally got down on one knee and proposed.”
Details of the Day
For their backyard wedding at Kristina’s parents’ house in Saddle River, NJ, they built the dance floor and reception floor over the pool. “It was a two-week long construction project,” Kristina says. “For theme and colors, I wanted something very simple, neutral and timeless. We did all-whites and greenery for the flowers and very basic with the stationery, signs, etc. The ceremony was in the front yard, the cocktail hour on the back patio and the reception over the pool in the backyard. The flow worked really well because we moved from the front of the house through to the back. For dinner, we did family-style Italian food, which was amazing. I liked the idea of everyone getting to try different things without having to get up and go to a buffet. Everyone was very complimentary of the food. Michelle’s Catering did an amazing job.”
Favorite Moment
Kristina’s favorite moment was being with everyone on the dance floor and sitting with Mike while eating dinner looking at everyone who were there for them.
Favorite Detail
“The DJ—Bobby LaFauci of SCE Event Group—was amazing and I got so many requests for his information,” Kristina explains. “I think you need good music to dance to and good food to eat. I think that’s what everyone remembers about a wedding.”
Why Did You Choose a Backyard Wedding?
“This is my parents’ house with a beautiful backyard,” Kristina explains. “I did not love any wedding venues in the area and wanted something unique to me. I toyed with the idea of going somewhere abroad and renting a villa, but I have such a big family that it wouldn’t work. My mom and stepdad are such great hosts and love having the family at their house. When I brought up the idea of a ‘small’ backyard wedding, they were thrilled.”
Advice to Others
“Backyard weddings are more work and money than any venue would ever be,” Kristina adds. “Especially when you have to build an entire floor over a pool and a deck off of that. I wouldn’t change it for the world, but I would never do it again. There is no way that I would have been able to pull this wedding off without my wedding planner, Danielle Rothweiler. She made such a complicated process manageable and fun. If you are going to plan a backyard wedding, hire a wedding planner like Danielle!”
Honeymoon
Kristina and Michael headed to France. “We did the first half in Corsica, which is a French island,” she says. “This part of the trip was very relaxing and we sat on the beach and did some boat excursions. We stayed at Hotel Marinca and they treated us like royalty. After that we went to Marseille for two days because Mike wanted to see the prison in the count of Monte Cristo. We also did a wine tour through the Rhone Valley with a company called Wine Safari. Mike (the tour guide) picked us up at our hotel and dropped us back off. He took us to the lavender fields and other historic monuments in the Rhone Valley and then took us to two wineries. After that we went to the French Riviera and stayed at Hotel Suisse in Nice. We bounced around there—did some hiking, beach and activities. It was a great time.”
The Team
Photographer | Dyanna LaMora
Event Planner | Danielle Rothweiler of Rothweiler Event Design
Flowers | Donna Graney of A Creative Touch
Tent | Sperry Tents
Catering, Cake, Rentals | Michelle’s Catering in East Hanover, NJ
Deejay & Ceremony Music | Bobby LaFauci of SCE Event Group
Officiant | Bobby DiPiazza (friend of family)
Gown/Alterations | Beloved by Casablanca Bridal from Aleana’s Bridal in Paramus, NJ
Ring | Arthur Groom & Co. in Ridgewood, NJ, customized by bride and groom
Bridesmaid Dresses | Bella Bridesmaids
Shoes | Stuart Weitzman
Hair | Jessica Greco and team from Golden Hour in Ridgewood, NJ
Makeup | Michelle Elise Artistry in Morristown, NJ
Groom’s Attire | Custom by MannaE
Signage | Etsy
Invitations | Minted
Videography | So Bridal Social
Lighting | JB Lighting Production
Honeymoon | Corsica and French Riviera
