[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/rachel-and-austin-at-the-mansion-at-mountain-lakes\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/rachel-and-austin-at-the-mansion-at-mountain-lakes\/","headline":"Rachel and Austin at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes","name":"Rachel and Austin at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes","description":"A garden-party celebration in Mountain Lakes at the same venue where the bride's parents married 35 years earlier.","datePublished":"2025-12-02","dateModified":"2026-01-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/author\/molly-gregor\/#Person","name":"Molly Gregor","url":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/author\/molly-gregor\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/47da4f5ce435757f134af9d46b74669474dd0bee2bfa69c2a08fe81cc550ccc5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/47da4f5ce435757f134af9d46b74669474dd0bee2bfa69c2a08fe81cc550ccc5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Wedding File","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/weddingfile-logo.jpg","url":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/weddingfile-logo.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AZS-S-83-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AZS-S-83-scaled.jpg","height":1707,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/rachel-and-austin-at-the-mansion-at-mountain-lakes\/","about":["REAL WEDDINGS"],"wordCount":1106,"articleBody":"Their StoryRachel 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\u2019t quite ready for them yet. While Austin may have noticed Rachel back then, Rachel didn\u2019t know him\u2014at 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\u2019t 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\u2019t just coincidences\u2014they were the universe\u2019s way of bringing us together when the time was right. Now, we can\u2019t 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 DayRachel 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\u2014stunning 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\u2014it 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 SongsRachel 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\u2019s 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\u2014it 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\u2014we\u2019re getting married.'”Favorite DetailTheir 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\u2019t just show what the day looked like\u2014they 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\u2019t even try,” Rachel says. “Forget what the internet says you ‘have to’ do or ‘can\u2019t’ do. This is your day. Make the choices that feel right for you and your partner. And most importantly\u2026have 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\u2019ve never seen a bride have so much fun at her own wedding, and honestly, that was the best compliment I could\u2019ve gotten. When you let go of perfection and focus on the joy, the day becomes everything it\u2019s supposed to be.”HoneymoonAt 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 TeamPhotographer | Anthony Ziccardi Studios, Sparta, NJVenue | Mansion at Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes, NJFlowers | @the.sherwood.florist on InstagramDeejay | Gemini Entertainment, Wayne, NJBride\u2019s Gown | Martina Liana from I Do…I Do, Morristown, NJHair | Fern + Fox Collective; @shelbyweatherholtzhairMakeup | Beauty on Location, Morristown, NJBride\u2019s Shoes | Santorini Sandal Shoes on EtsyBride\u2019s Custom Converse |  Adroitly Bee Corner on EtsyBride\u2019s Wedding Band | EternateGroom\u2019s Wedding Band | Manly BandsNecklace + Earrings |Braunschweiger Jewelers, Morristown, NJGroom\u2019s & Groomsmen Attire | Men’s WarehouseBridesmaid Dresses | AzazieCake | Calandra\u2019sSeating Chart |  Julie Hanan Design on EtsyInvites | \u201cThe Florence\u201d from Truly Engaging Bridal Shower | Redwoods Bar & Grill, Chester, NJ"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Rachel and Austin at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes","item":"https:\/\/weddingfile.com\/rachel-and-austin-at-the-mansion-at-mountain-lakes\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]