Their Story
Rachel and Austin’s story began long before they even knew it. They both attended the same high school, walking the same halls and sitting in the same classrooms, but fate wasn’t quite ready for them yet. While Austin may have noticed Rachel back then, Rachel didn’t know him—at least, not yet.
Years passed, and life took the couple on different paths. Little did they know, those paths crossed more than once. “We lived 10 minutes from each other, shared mutual friends and even attended swim lessons at the same place as kids,” Rachel explains. “There were countless almost-moments where we could have met, but timing wasn’t on our side.”
Finally, in a twist of fate, they connected online. “What started as casual conversations quickly blossomed into something more,” she adds. “We realized that all those near-misses weren’t just coincidences—they were the universe’s way of bringing us together when the time was right. Now, we can’t imagine life without each other. Our journey has been one of unexpected turns and perfect timing, leading us to where we are today: ready to start the next chapter of our story together.”
Will You Marry Me?
Rachel and Austin got engaged at the Warwick Valley Winery in Warwick, NY. “We had been together a little over one and a half years at this point,” Rachel says. “Yes, I knew it was coming lol. It was a gorgeous day and later that night we had a small celebration at our house with friends. The following day, both of our families got together to celebrate. The day we got engaged was 4/20/2024 and ended up being 420 days to the wedding day!”
Details of the Day
Rachel envisioned an indoor garden party for their wedding on June 14, 2025, at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes in Mountain Lakes, NJ. Her bridesmaids all wore different colors, her mom was her maid of honor, and her best friends were her Something Blue.
Their cake was vanilla with vanilla creme, fresh strawberries and a buttercream icing. “We added fresh flowers, and our topper was two Polaroid photos of us earlier in the day,” Rachel says. “Our cocktail napkins had our dog’s face on them, and she had a signature drink at the bar.”
“I dedicated my bouquet to my mom,” Rachel adds. “My best friend since kindergarten did the flowers that were so gorgeous. Our table numbers were pictures of us at that age.” They also included small cards at each place setting with a QR code that linked to a digital ‘disposable camera’ on the POV app. The photos were then released to guests 24 hours later.
Why Did You Choose The Mansion at Mountain Lakes?
“The Mansion felt like us the moment we stepped inside,” Rachel explains. “It was absolutely beautiful and had everything we wanted—stunning spaces, an intimate atmosphere and the ability to have the entire place to ourselves to celebrate with the people we love most.” Rachel and Austin were also blown away by how many amazing food options there were and how every detail could be personalized.
“It wasn’t just a venue—it was the perfect backdrop for the best day of our lives,” Rachel adds. “Not to mention, my parents were married in the same building over 35 years ago. We had our first dances under the same chandelier!”
Dance Songs
Rachel walked down the aisle to “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” by Savage Garden. Their first dance song was to “Growing Old with You,” by Restless Road. Rachel’s dance with her dad began as “Butterfly Kisses” but turned into a choreographed dance to “The Routine” from the show Friends. “I am a huge Friends fan,” Rachel admits. “Austin and I also walked into the reception room to the theme song.” Austin and his mother danced to “Humble & Kind,” by Tim McGraw.
Favorite Moment
“It’s hard to choose just one favorite moment from our wedding day because it was filled with so many unforgettable memories,” Rachel reflects. “From getting ready and feeling the excitement build, to walking down the aisle and seeing each other, to laughing and dancing all night surrounded by people we love—it all felt magical. There were quiet little moments that felt just as special as the big ones. If anything, the best part was realizing throughout the day, over and over, ‘This is really happening—we’re getting married.'”
Favorite Detail
Their favorite detail was “hands down, Anthony Ziccardi’s photography,” Rachel says. “He captured every moment so perfectly and made us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. Our photos don’t just show what the day looked like—they show exactly how it felt. Having him there was one of the best decisions we made for the entire wedding. The flowers being done by my best friend was also so amazing because she crushed it and I got to brag about her all day/night!”
Advice for Others
“There is no way to please everyone, so don’t even try,” Rachel says. “Forget what the internet says you ‘have to’ do or ‘can’t’ do. This is your day. Make the choices that feel right for you and your partner. And most importantly…have fun. After the ceremony, my only goal was to enjoy every second, and I seriously had the best time. So many people came up to me saying they’ve never seen a bride have so much fun at her own wedding, and honestly, that was the best compliment I could’ve gotten. When you let go of perfection and focus on the joy, the day becomes everything it’s supposed to be.”
Honeymoon
At the end of August, the couple went on a 12-day honeymoon that included a Viking Voyage Cruise to Venice, the Adriatic and Greece. They flew into Venice and then went to Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Athens, Greece; and extended four nights in Athens after the cruise.
The Team
Photographer | Anthony Ziccardi Studios, Sparta, NJ
Venue | Mansion at Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes, NJ
Flowers | @the.sherwood.florist on Instagram
Deejay | Gemini Entertainment, Wayne, NJ
Bride’s Gown | Martina Liana from I Do…I Do, Morristown, NJ
Hair | Fern + Fox Collective; @shelbyweatherholtzhair
Makeup | Beauty on Location, Morristown, NJ
Bride’s Shoes | Santorini Sandal Shoes on Etsy
Bride’s Custom Converse | Adroitly Bee Corner on Etsy
Bride’s Wedding Band | Eternate
Groom’s Wedding Band | Manly Bands
Necklace + Earrings |Braunschweiger Jewelers, Morristown, NJ
Groom’s & Groomsmen Attire | Men’s Warehouse
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | Calandra’s
Seating Chart | Julie Hanan Design on Etsy
Invites | “The Florence” from Truly Engaging
Bridal Shower | Redwoods Bar & Grill, Chester, NJ
