Their Story
Ben, a police lieutenant in Mercer County, started his relationship with Selena in an unexpected way. “Selena’s daughter got into a little legal trouble, and Selena solicited my help,” Ben explained. “We began texting back and forth—a lot—and since there was a plethora of information to be shared, I suggested we meet for breakfast at Teddy’s Dinette in Cranbury, New Jersey. After that day, we never left each other’s side. We had drinks that night at Cranbury Station, I had about a 100-question survey to find all I could about this magnificent person, and first kiss. I knew right away.”
She was different: genuine, real, funny, heartfelt. The more I learned, the more I craved,” he added. “This was followed by seeing the movie Fault in Our Stars. Popcorn, Coke Zero, Snowcaps, Junior Mints, hand holding and tears. After, drinks and eats at Longhorn Steakhouse—it was close by.”
Will You Marry Me?
Ben’s proposal took place on Christmas Day. “I had Selena do a scavenger hunt; each present had a different clue to find the final gift of the ring,” Ben explains. “I did the proposal in the form of a poem, on one knee, and obtained the blessings of her children and brother first, as Selena’s parents are both deceased, sadly. I was very nervous, as the planning was for some time and her children were all present. So not only was I proposing to her, but to her children. The shrill in my voice during such, and the tears, probably said more than my words.”
I Do
Selena and Ben were married on Saturday, September 12, 2024, at Clark’s Landing Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. After a first look on the club’s dock, the couple headed inside to exchange vows in the gorgeous ceremony space overlooking the Manasquan River. A bagpiper set the mood and greeted guests as they arrived. After a heartfelt ceremony with lots of laughs and love—joining not only the couple but their two families—Selena and Ben escaped to the rooftop deck for breathtaking photos at sunset, while friends and family headed to cocktail hour.
The Menu
Their elaborate cocktail hour included a sushi chef, prime-rib carving station, raw bar, pizza, Cajun Creole station, antipasto, Mediterranean station and taco bar. For dinner, after a roasted pear and Stilton cheese salad, guests had a choice of Chateaubriand, Lady Di Chicken or a seafood trio. And then for dessert, a four-tiered wedding cake was served along with creme brulée, vanilla cheesecake, chocolate-chip lava cake, a Bananas Foster Station—and cannolis prepared on the dance floor.
Signature Cocktails
Ben’s signature cocktail was “The Lieutenant,” which was comprised of Old Forester Signature whisky, Domaine de Canton and orange bitters with an orange twist. Selena’s “The Sassy Lady” included Canadian Club with ginger ale, a lime, cherry and splash of grenadine. And their dog was honored with “The Oscar-tini”: gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and St. Germaine with soda water.
The First Dance
There were actually two! Ben had a custom song written for their first dance as a surprise for Selena and was going to have it played instead of the one they “chose.” But since Selena didn’t know, she had them choreograph their first dance. So Ben played his custom song after their “first dance” and gave a speech/intro to it in between.
Fun Touches for the Guests
Guests were treated to portraits by a caricature artist, along with a bottle of Crime red blend—a fitting favor considering Ben’s line of work.
Favorite Detail
“I love seeing my beautiful wife most, and how Lenny & Melissa captured her smile,” Ben says. “I get emotional and tears in my eyes thinking of it, reflecting on what they memorialized and created. I love how their pictures tell the story, invoke emotion, make my heart sing and are a testament to one of the greatest days of my life.”
Favorite Moment
The couples’ favorite part of their wedding was the blending of their two families. “We are both divorced,” Ben explains, “so the sharing of our love with all in attendance and the ability to be one entity as a force multiplier I look forward to. Then the Honeymoon!”
Advice for Others
Photography was an important detail for Selena and Ben. “Research and allow the photographs to touch your soul and tell a story,” Ben advises. “Don’t worry about price and packages, but concentrate on the emotion the photos illicit from you. This is what you will have to reflect upon for a lifetime; it’s not a time to count pennies. You want those raw moments captured. Look for what is not a boilerplate concept of photography, but nuances that set the photographer apart. [Our photographers] Lenny and Melissa are those professionals.”
Ben also advised to live in the moment and enjoy yourself. “This day is about you and your memories. Don’t stress trying to talk to everyone or worry about what you cannot fix,” he added. “No wedding is perfect, although ours was! Have fun, do things that are memorable and stand out. Your guests remember the food, the time they had and the music. Create that atmosphere you would want as a guest.”
The Team
Photo + Video | Lenny & Melissa, Woodbridge, NJ
Flowers | Narcissus Florals, Toms River, NJ
Hair + Makeup | Sarah, friend of bride
Bride’s Shoes | Christian Louboutin
Deejay | Xplosive Entertainment, Manalapan, NJ
Caricature Artist | Harringtoons Caricatures & Cartoons, Philadelphia, PA
