Their Story
Maura and Chris first met during their senior year of college at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. “It was truly remarkable timing as our paths crossed closely for years but we never were in the same place at the same time—we even lived in the same building freshman year,” Maura explains.
So it wasn’t until the start of senior year when Maura was invited to a friend’s apartment, having no idea they had a third roommate. “That roommate was Chris,” she adds. “We finally landed in the same place and then became almost inseparable.” Their relationship consisted of long nights studying and staying focused on graduation. Finishing up their senior year in the middle of the Covid lockdown really brought out the best in one another.
“As our relationship grew, I watched the caring and nurturing side of Chris come out more each and everyday, through helping care for my father,” she adds. Unfortunately, in 2020 Maura’s father lost his battle with cancer. The day of the funeral at the church, Maura—during her most difficult day with Chris—knew she would return one day to the same church for the happiest day of her life.
Will You Marry Me?
Chris proposed in 2023 on their third trip to California. “Even though I knew what I wanted early, he shocked me,” Maura says. “I thought I had to wait just a little bit longer. California was such a special spot for us because in 2020 it was our first vacation spot.” For their engagement he flew his parents, Maura’s mom, and his aunt and uncle out to surprise Maura and celebrate with the couple.
Details of the Day
Maura looked at the calendar the day after they were engaged and knew when their wedding date would be. “I wanted a Christmas wedding [and] that was non-negotiable, just like my parents,” she explains. “We picked the first Saturday of December to kick off what turned out to be such memorable holiday season for us.” Wanting their wedding to be similar to the bride’s parents’ wedding 40 years earlier, they stuck to very traditional ideas.
Maura had her late dad’s shirt sewn into her dress in the shape of a heart. “He passed of cancer and it was the shirt he wore anytime he had chemotherapy,” Maura explains. “This reminded me that his strength and comfort were close.” She also wore Chris’s great-grandmother’s pearls and carried the same handkerchief her grandmother used at her wedding.
The bridesmaids wore green velvet gowns from Azazie, while the groomsmen word suits with green ties. The maid of honor and best man were both their college best friends from when they first met at Fairleigh Dickinson.
Instead of having a First Look, Maura wanted the anticipation to build as she walked down the aisle. Her mother’s brother, John, escorted her. “In 2008, we lost John’s daughter and my cousin,” Maura explains. “I wanted to give him the honor that a father of daughter deserves to have, and so we took the healing walk both our hearts needed. We were met at the end of the aisle by my mom, whom I hugged, and she handed me over to Chris.”
After the ceremony, the couple took portraits in the church and then they literally ran across the golf course at Jumping Brook Country Club having so much fun taking more.
The reception at Jumping Brook Country Club was decorated with 12- and 8-foot Christmas trees and the fireplaces, poinsettias and florals added to the Christmas vibes.
Their bar had a sign with a name, Bernie’s Bar, after their dog Bernie, and everyone enjoyed their drinks with stirrers that had their mini golden doodles face on it. This was one of Maura’s favorite details.
The couple danced the night away and ended their reception to “Santa Claus is Coming To Town,” by Bruce Springsteen. Since Maura grew up in the area, they kept the Jersey Shore and Springsteen vibes alive by heading over to Asbury Park’s historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel for their after-party. “Chris had to convince me I couldn’t sleep in my wedding dress,” Maura adds. “I just loved it that much.”
Why Did You Choose Jumping Brook?
“We knew we were getting married at a local church in Monmouth Beach and wanted a golf course as a venue, as we both play,” Maura explains. “When we toured our venue, we were immediately drawn to the ambiance given by the fireplaces and knew it would make the perfect winter wedding setting. We also were very impressed by their extremely welcoming staff.”
Dances
Maura and Chris’s first dance was to “All My Love,” by Coldplay. “We did not practice at all—we truly focused more on being in the moment with one other than memorizing dance moves and allowed our natural connection to lead our first dance,” she explains.
Maura and her mom danced to “Have I Told You Lately,” by Rod Stewart. “Everyone was crying while my mom and I shared a special and emotional dance in memory of my dad, Jeff,” she adds. Maura also enjoyed watching Chris and his mom dance to “A Mother’s Song.”
Favorite Moment
It was hard for Maura to choose, but the best moment of the day for her was walking back up the aisle with Chris and greeting all of their guests at the back of the church. The most fun moment was flying their college flag above Maura’s head as she entered the ballroom to get a picture with all of their college friends.
Favorite Detail
“I put my heart into every detail, and I loved every single one I included,” Maura explains. “But our guests loved Chuckie and DJ Meatball from Fresh New Angle Events. Our whole team was from Fresh New Angle, and I highly recommend doing this if you are planning on your own. There wasn’t a blip in our day, it moved seamlessly thanks to them.”
Advice for Others
“Planning on your own is do-able and it will save you money!” Maura says. “We had the most beautiful wedding by just putting our hearts into our details and thinking about how to include the people we love most who got us to this day. On the actual week of and day, don’t stress the small stuff. You’re surrounded by the people who love you both the most. If there’s a blip, people won’t care and most people won’t even notice because no one knows your plans but you! We forgot the ring bearer pillows for church and no one even noticed until we looked back at pictures. It didn’t mess up our day and no one noticed! We also gave the wrong time for our transport buses, they still were willing to pivot for us last minute. Trust the vendors you pick—that’s why picked them. Vendors know the drill and know how to not mess up the day. The day will come and go so fast that the stress is not worth it. Just focus on being with each other and enjoying it together and everything will fall perfectly into place.”
Honeymoon
Maura and Chris spent their honeymoon in Croatia and Lake Zurich, Switzerland. “We went in May to celebrate half-year married, our honeymoon and our birthdays,” Maura explains. “We sailed with a company called Sail Croatia and spent two and a half weeks exploring, even taking a bus over to Bosnia. We decided to turn our Zurich layover into a four-day stay. Croatia was our favorite and we can’t wait to bring future children back to show them where we honeymooned.”
The Team
Venue | Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune, NJ
Photography | Bart from Fresh New Angle Events, Toms River, NJ
Videography | Kevin and Andrew from Fresh New Angle Events, Toms River, NJ
Deejay, Photobooth + Lighting | Chuckie + DJ Meatball from Fresh New Angle Events, Toms River, NJ
Flowers | The Rose of Sharon Florist, Tinton Falls, NJ
Church | The Church of The Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach, NJ
Trolley/Transportation | The Long Branch Trolley Company, Spring Lake Heights, NJ
Bride’s Gown + Alterations | Justin Alexander from Sew ’N Sew Bridal and Tuxedo, Lafayette, NJ
Bridal Purse | The Cupboard Shop Lafayette NJ
Hair + Makeup | Beauty By Gabriella Loren, Long Branch, NJ
Groom’s Tuxedo | Sew ’N Sew Bridal and Tuxedo, Lafayette, NJ
Rings | Golden Castle Jewelers, Sparta, NJ
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | The Chocolate Carousel, Wall Township, NJ
Signage + Seating Chart | Custom by the bride
Bridal Shower | Lake Mohawk Golf Course, Sparta, NJ
Honeymoon | Sail Croatia
Hotel + Afterparty | Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park
Invites | Nicole Christian Stationery Boutique, Lafayette NJ
