Their Story
My husband and I met while both attending Siena College. Although we crossed paths at a party freshman year, it wasn’t until senior year that we became friends and eventually admitted to having feelings for each other. We dated the end of our senior year, with both of us graduating in May 2016. We each moved home and took jobs in NYC. Luckily, we only lived around an hour away from each other with NYC being the perfect middle ground to spend together.
Will You Marry Me?
We got engaged in June 2021, which was our fifth year dating. We had already been living together in Jersey City for about three years. A few Siena friends were visiting that weekend and wanted to take me to brunch at Liberty House in Jersey City for my birthday, which was a few days prior. It was outside on the grounds with the City behind us that Sean proposed while my friends snapped a picture. The biggest surprise of all was that all of our closest friends and family were waiting at Zeppelin Beer Hall down the road to celebrate with us.
Details of The Day
We really wanted a classic wedding, and Felina was the perfect venue for this. This was our first venue tour and although we toured four other venues, I knew from the start this was the venue for us. In addition, their food was delicious—from the restaurant to the tasting to our day itself.
As avid seafood lovers we added their raw bar option, which was a huge hit and overall beautiful to look at.
The Look
Inadvertently we ended up leaning more and more into the vintage feel with myself wearing my grandmother’s fur cape and a smooth low bun and the groom’s emerald-green three-piece suit, butterfly bowtie and monk-strap Meermin shoes.
Everything was brought together with white roses and lucite candelabras to enhance Felina’s beauty.
First Dance
Since the start of our engagement, we wanted to choreograph our first dance, and Jersey City Ballroom was the perfect vendor to help us. We danced to Ane Brun’s version of “Make You Feel My Love” equipped with our new moves and a lift for the wow factor. Our ceremony was performed by my brother-in-law, who was able to craft a speech that really highlighted our relationship and made the ceremony feel that more personal and intimate.
Why Did you Choose Felina?
We fell in love with the stunning Neoclassical and Art Deco details. This venue perfectly married historical with contemporary details for the perfect classic wedding.
Favorite Moment
My favorite moment of our day was the first look and seeing my husband for the first time as well as showcasing my wedding dress.
Favorite Detail
Our photographers were amazing—they were so easy-going and made us both comfortable and brought such a great energy for us to have a fun time with our photos. One of my favorite details was our cocktail napkins and favor sign, both of which featured our cats to help us feel like they were there to celebrate with us.
Advice for Others
I had started my planning early and secured all my big vendors as soon as I had my venue and date. This took a lot of stress off of me to start working on our other details slowly over our one-and-a-half-year engagement. Planning early and slowly was a great tool for someone as Type A as myself.
Honeymoon
Immediately following our wedding we went to Punta Cana as a mini-moon to relax on the beach after wedding planning and partying. We went to the beautiful Excellence El Carmen Resort where we had everything we needed right at our fingertips. In September 2023 we decided to do a big honeymoon to the islands of Greece for a little relaxation and adventure sprinkled in. We visited the islands of Paros, Naxos and Santorini, where we went on a number of hikes, enjoyed a cooking class, shopped and relaxed on the beach while enjoying tons of fresh fish.
THE TEAM
Venue | Felina, Ridgewood
Photographer | Dream Street Photo
Florals | Lush Fleuriste
Deejay | Deejay Gary from Craig Scott Entertainment
Video | White Dahlia Productions
Cake | Palermo’s Bakery
Dress | Pronovias from Park Avenue Bridals
Groom’s Suit | DeCarlos Bespoke
Hair | @beyoutiful_bride
Makeup | @looksbykatiness
Spray Tan | 24K Glow
Dance Lessons | Jersey City Ballroom
Rings | Boston Louis Jewelers, Pequannock)
Bridesmaid Dresses | Bill Levkoff from Bella Bridesmaids
Groomsmen | The Black Tux
Invitations | Minted
Thank-You Sign | Ninety One Creations
Bride’s Shoes | Loeffler Randall
Groom’s Shoes | Meermin
Transportation | Ramstar Transportation
Bride’s Fur Cape | Grandmother’s
Bride’s Earrings | Mother’s (Traditional for weddings in family)
Honeymoon | Mindy from My Vacation Lady @myvacationlady
