Stephanie and Richard’s Tented Wedding at Home in Morristown

Posted on November 6, 2024
By Molly Gregor

Their Story

Stephanie and Richard met many, many years ago working together. They always had a great friendship, which turned into something more about seven years ago. “The saying about how the best relationships start with a good friendship is very true in our story,” Stephanie says. “We are two best friends who genuinely love one another’s company. The strong friendship is everything.”

Will You Marry Me?

“This is a funny story,” Stephanie says. “We were on a private plane flying from New Jersey to Boca Raton, Florida, on January 19, 2022—heading down to Florida to spend the winter there.” The couple had been dating for five years or so, and everyone was asking over and over when he was going to pop the question. “We always talked about it, but I never felt the pressure to get married right away and never pressured him about being engaged.”

It was still during Covid, and everyone was wearing masks. Stephanie was trying to get wifi on the plane to check in on work and noticed a text come in from Richard. “I thought, why is he texting—he is sitting across the aisle from me! The text read ‘Want to spend the rest of your life with me?’ I didn’t even look over at him and texted back ‘DUH.’

It wasn’t that unusual of a text from Richard at the time, and Stephanie was preoccupied on her phone. The next thing Stephanie sees is Richard getting up from his seat and coming toward her with the ring out. “I was stunned! The flight attendant gave us champagne. It was surreal and very cute. He had picked up the ring the night before from the jeweler and had no intentions of asking on that plane. He said he realized sitting on the plane how cool it would be—and how many people can say they ‘got engaged in the sky!'”

Details of the Day

Stephanie and Richard’s wedding was held on a summer evening in June at their home in Morristown, New Jersey. Close to 300 friends and family attended their ceremony on the lawn, with cocktails on the patio and the reception under a massive and gorgeous Sperry tent. The Brownstone catered the event. Anna Rose Floral was in charge of flowers, and Rich’s brother officiated the ceremony and married them, which Stephanie says was extra special. “All was planned by the best wedding planner, Maria Cucciniello Falzo of The Hip Event,” she adds.

Favorite Moment

Stephanie had so many favorite details throughout the day, but if she had to name it would probably be the first dance. “It was pretty surreal to feel everyone that you love and care about most, just watching us with such emotions,” she explains. “Some people were crying—the love was strong. It is a moment I will never forget.”

Favorite Detail

This is a very difficult choice for Stephanie. “Every aspect of the wedding was perfect,” she says. “Facilitating bringing the venue to your home for a 300-person wedding involves a lot! But with The Hip Event taking the lead, and all of the help leading up to the day, it was magical. I cannot recommend enough all of my vendors. I think if I had to choose the best one, it was the band: Silverpro Entertainment’s The Groove Shop. Our guests are still talking about how incredible this 14-piece band was.”

Advice for Others

“Hire a planner!” Stephanie emphatically says. “Especially if you are having a larger wedding. Anything can go wrong on the day of, and it is super helpful to have that support. I am sure I am like most brides—you put your heart and soul into making the day so special. I had person after person tell me leading up to the wedding: Enjoy it, take it in, it goes fast! I heard this for weeks before we got married. But, it is so true. The day flies by so quickly. You really want to try and take it all in and step away with your husband for a minute to just feel it all! I wish every day to relive our wedding!”

Honeymoon

Stephanie and Richard went to Greece. “We had a travel agent plan every detail, and it was amazing,” she says. “We stayed at the Cosme on the island of Paros for four days. Then we went to the island of Ios, where we stayed at one of the most unreal hotels called Calilo for three nights. We had a private yacht charter us from Ios to the final stop: Santorini. Canaves Oia was where we stayed for four nights. The trip was truly amazing from start to finish. The best hotels, the best food and restaurants, and the best time of year to travel to Greece.”