Jennifer and Robert met in 2002 through mutual friends, and it didn’t take long for certainty to set in. Their friendship turned into a loving relationship which led to a proposal at Robert Moses Beach, field 5, on April 18, 2008. “We sat down near the ocean, and Robert began to tell me how much he loved me. He started to put his jacket around me when he pulled a custom-made engagement ring from A & A Jewelers out of the pocket and kneeled in the sand and asked me to be his wife. I, of course, said yes and couldn’t wait to spread the news,” shared Jennifer.

With about two years until their big day, the newly engaged couple had plenty of time to plan their wedding. Jennifer and Robert called on wedding coordinator, Michelle from Classic Event Design to help ease any stress and to make most of the arrangements. She was available to answer any questions, refer vendors, and assist with keeping the two organized.

After months of planning, their April 9, 2010 wedding finally arrived. The ceremony took place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, which is conveniently located in Robert’s neighborhood. The couple liked the modern décor, open floor plan, warm and intimate feel, and how the pews wrap around the altar. Jennifer walked down the aisle donning a diamond white Casablanca gown that she described as “classic and elegant.” It was made of silk satin, had a sweetheart neckline, diagonal ruching along the top bodice, and a slight pick-up style skirt. She held a bouquet of white calla lilies, hydrangea, dendrobian orchids, with one white rose tucked behind to represent her Grandma Rose. The groom sported a Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a white shirt, diamond white vest, and tie. Robert reminisced, “Reciting our vows was my favorite memory of the day. We were able to write our own, which made the ceremony that much more special.”

The reception was held at the Venetian Yacht Club, chosen for its classic and quaint atmosphere and welcoming staff. From the gorgeous ballroom with windows overlooking the Robert Moses Bridge and sunset views, marble dance floor, to the overall décor of the facility, Jennifer knew this was the perfect facility to host her wedding from the moment she walked into the Venetian Yacht Club. In addition, the staff treated the couple like royalty.

Chris from LI Sound DJ had guests out on the dance floor all night. Not only did the couple like the selection of music and how personable Chris was, but he also set the mood by providing lighting that changed colors throughout the evening. The newlyweds shared their first dance together as husband and wife to “History In The Making” by Darius Rucker. They also participated in the traditional parent dances.

Guests enjoyed a multitude of food during cocktail hour, from passed hors d’oeuvres to a variety of stations of pasta, carving, and seafood arrangements. A choice of glazed Atlantic salmon, filet mignon, duck jubilee, lemon roasted chicken, or grilled vegetable lasagna was served for dinner.

Designed by The Rolling Pin Bake Shop, the wedding cake was four-tiered with a satin, dark purple ribbon on the base of each tier. Cappuccino, espresso, and after-dinner cordials were also served during dessert, in addition to petite fours, chocolate covered strawberries, and truffles. Robert commented, “My mouth still waters to this day when I think of everything I ate.” Jennifer added, “The food was excellent and the selection was never ending. None of our guests went home hungry.”

Throughout the day’s events, Dennis of Denisimo Photography captured the special moments in a photojournalistic approach. Dennis’ artistic eye and modern style allowed him to take many creative pictures, while still providing Jennifer and Robert plenty of time with their guests. The couple was also impressed working with JPI Films. “Our wedding video is going to be the most memorable thing from our wedding. Joe used new techniques that made our wedding video priceless,” noted the bride. “Our video not only makes me cry, but it brings me back to relive our wedding every time I watch it.” Following the reception, Jennifer and Robert escaped to the Riviera Maya, Mexico for a honeymoon in paradise.

Jennifer & Robert
April 9, 2010
Venetian Yacht Club • Babylon, NY

In The Spotlight:
Ceremony Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Celebrant: Father Bob Scheckenback
Reception Location: Venetian Yacht Club
Photographer: Denisimo Photography & Video
Videographer: JPI Films • Entertainment: LI Sound
Florist: Flowers by Brian
Limousine Service: Cruise Control Limousines
Cake Designer: The Rolling Pin Bake Shop
Bridal Salon & Veil: Village Bridal & Boutique
Shoes: Nina Shoes • Formal Attire: Ralph Lauren
Invitations: Classic Event Designs
Favors: Donation to the American Cancer Society
Hair Salon: Bella Sposa • Makeup Artist: Jill Harth
Jeweler: A & A Jewelers
Honeymoon Location: Secrets Capri- Riviera Cancun, Mexico

After John moved to Long Island, New York to start a new job at an automobile dealership, it didn’t take long for him to meet Erin. “John’s smile caught my attention immediately and I started asking my coworkers about him,” Erin shared. She introduced herself to him a few weeks later and even offered to show John around town. Following their initial meeting, the two began to spend time together and soon their relationship grew into love. On October 28, 2010, which marked their two year anniversary, Erin and John were walking on the Long Beach boardwalk with their dog, Casey. John got down on one knee and proposed at the location where their love began. With a little less than a year until their wedding day, Erin and John immediately began planning.

The ceremony was held outside at dusk in the lush gardens of the Fox Hollow. Seeing Erin for the first time was the groom’s favorite memory of the day. Erin walked down the aisle in a trumpet-style Priscilla of Boston gown with a double layer of cascading fabric along the side of her dress. A vintage inspired brooch accented its natural waistband while a simple elbow length veil and a gardenia flower hair clip completed her look. John sported a black tuxedo with silver vest and black tie.

The couple was also pleased with their photographer, Tina from Bella Pictures. “She understood that we wanted a modern twist on classic pictures,” commented Erin. “Tina was able to adapt to our large wedding party and capture the best moments,” added John. Exhale Productions captured the wedding day from beginning to end on video. The bride and groom agreed they were treated with professionalism and patience and are happy with the finished product.

From the moment they stepped onto the grounds of Fox Hollow they knew it was the perfect place to host their wedding. They loved the Winter Garden Pavilion room which features a cascading waterfall, fireplace, and atrium ceilings with skylight windows. Additionally, they were pleased with the professionalism of the staff. “They understood the importance of being involved in every aspect of the celebration,” noted the groom. Cocktail hour immediately followed where guests enjoyed a variety of food from seafood fra diavolo and crab quesadillas to spanakopita and honey smoked Virginia ham. As they ate and mingled, music from contemporary to jazz played in the background. Dinner began with baked shrimp stuffed with Fontana cheese wrapped in bacon followed by lemon intermezzo. Guests had a choice of seven entrées including duck l ‘orange, land and sea duet, shrimp scampi, Chateaubriand, grilled salmon, or North Fork vegetables.

The ballroom was decorated flawlessly with the help of Pedestals Floral Decorators who designed centerpieces in silver bowls with deep purple hydrangea, purple lisianthus, blue bird roses, navy delphiniums, and green berries. Votive candles, flower petals, and handmade table numbers made by Erin and her mother topped each table perfectly for a romantic ambiance. Steve from LIDJ knew exactly what music to play throughout the course of the night. Guests danced the night away from classic Italian to Kanye West and with Steve’s energy the dance floor was never empty. For their first dance as newlyweds, Erin and John held the spotlight to “Sideways” by Citizen Cope.

Following their wedding day, Erin and John escaped to Maui, Hawaii for their honeymoon. When asked if they had any advice for any future couples planning their wedding, Erin mentioned, “Don’t get wrapped up in the wedding; it’s about the marriage.” John added, “It’s important for couples to plan their marriage and expectations while planning their wedding so you’re not in for a rude awakening when the honeymoon is over.”

Erin and John
September 9, 2011
Fox Hollow • Woodbury, NY

Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception Location: Fox Hollow
Officiant: Pastor Steven Milazzo
Photographer: Bella Pictures • Videography: Exhale Productions
Entertainment: LIDJ • Florist: Pedestals Floral Decorators
Cake Designer: Francesco’s Bakery
Bridal Salon & Veil: Priscilla of Boston
Headpiece: Etsy.com • Shoes: Touch Ups
Formal Attire: Joseph A Bank
Invitations: wedding paper divas • Favors: Kate Aspen
Hair Salon & Makeup Studio: Essa Salon & Spa
Jeweler: Anna Bellagio and Etsy.com
Honeymoon Location: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa― Maui, Hawaii

Megan and Jose’s wedding day began with a light snowfall on January 7, 2011, which was the perfect addition to their winter wonderland themed wedding. From the flawless white centerpieces set on crystal stands and ambient uplighting to the suspended snowflakes on the ceiling and snowflake patterns projected around the room, Megan and Jose’s wedding encompassed romance from the day they fell in love while on the ski slopes. When the couple began planning their wedding, they knew they wanted to host their celebration at the Fox Hollow- the location where they met and had worked together years before. Megan and Jose especially liked the warm fireplaces, holiday lights and decorations that provided a welcoming feel. Jose added, “The hotel next door made it convenient for all of our guests.” After the wedding ended, Megan shared advice for couples planning their wedding. “Enjoy every part of the planning process and make decisions together. It will make your day that much more special knowing that not only you both put your heart into planning this special day, but it’s everything you both wanted.”

Megan and Jose
January 7, 2011
Fox Hollow • Woodbury, NY

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: St. Frances de Chantal Church
Officiant: Father Lito • Reception Location: Fox Hollow
Photographer & Videographer: Sherwood-Triart Photography
Entertainment: Elegancia Entertainment • Florist: Perfect Wedding Planner Florals
Limousine Service: Royalty Limousines
Cake Designer: Francesco’s Italian-American Bakery
Bridal Salon: Helen’s Private Collection • Headpiece & Veil: Barron’s
Formal Attire: Helen’s Private Collection & Tuxedo Park
Hair Salon: Debbie’s • Makeup Studio: Lola Loves Makeup
Invitations: Zazzle.com • Favors: Gold Mark Promotions
Jeweler: Else Wedding Jewelry • Lighting: Studio 4
Live Entertainment: Long Beach Irish Step Dancers
Honeymoon Location: Sandals, St. Lucia

“Exquisite Ambiance, Superb Service and Gourmet Cuisine.” The wedding every bride dreams of and no one ever forgets. As one of Staten Island’s Premier Wedding Venues, Grand Plaza invites you to experience the uncompromised beauty and elegance of the Grand Plaza.

The Grand Plaza offers everything you could dream of to create your perfect wedding day. From the moment you arrive, you will receive the personal service you deserve, as we only cater one wedding at a time. While you are waited on hand and foot in your private bridal suite, your guests will be welcomed by our courteous staff and enjoy cocktails in our new separate Crystal Club Room named after the decor accents of its beautiful crystal chandelier and private bar trimmed in dark wood and brass sconces. Your first dance will take place under the twenty foot vaulted ceilings which boasts our signature Grand Chandelier in our Plaza Ballroom where the tone will be set for great wedding memories that will last a lifetime.

The Grand Plaza’s culinary trained chefs will create a world class dining experience for you and your guests to savor. The Grand Plaza is proud to prepare and serve a unique blend of continental cuisine with a strong foundation in classical Italian recipes and techniques. Food is always prepared to your exact specifications and will consistently exceed your expectations both in quality and flavor.

Click HERE for more information on Grand Plaza

Grand Plaza

23A Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY
718-967-4034

Laura and James
February 19, 2011
Colony Hall • Staten Island, NY

Laura and James were seniors in college when had their first date on December 31, 2005. They met as students at Fordham University and shortly after their New Year’s Eve date they officially became a couple. About four years later, Laura and James were spending the day together, and after a romantic dinner they found themselves under the Brooklyn Bridge. James then asked Laura to marry him and she couldn’t have been more thrilled. “I thought it would be an unforgettable moment and perfect complement to starting our life together in Brooklyn,” James reminisced.

The couple set the date for February 19, 2011 and immediately began planning their classic-modern celebration. “We wanted timeless with a twist of today,” said Laura, who chose dark grays, black, deep purples, and magenta as the color scheme for their winter wedding. When it came time to choose a reception location, family members recommended Colony Hall. According to the bride, she and James wanted somewhere truly unique that was fit for a big party; Colony Hall was just what they were looking for. “It was the perfect space to accommodate our tastes and vision,” she commented.

The morning of the wedding began early for Laura and her bridesmaids, who had a lot of prepping to do before the 3:00 PM ceremony. Matt from Cozmo’s Hair Salon and Design Studio and Jeanine from Jeanine Mangan Makeup Designs arrived at Laura’s parents’ house at 6:30 AM to get the girls ready for the big day. “Jeanine is truly an artist. I have never felt more beautiful, thanks to her. The makeup lasted the whole wedding without a worry,” noted the bride. Once everyone was ready, First Class Limousine Service took Laura, her parents, and the bridal party to The Shrine Church of St. Bernadette, James’ family’s parish. Laura wore an off-white strapless trumpet-fit LaSposa gown with ruching and an A-line train with a hair comb from her mother-in-law and a plain floor-length veil. James waited at the altar in a wool tuxedo with a classic black bow tie.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their wedding party braved the cold February winds for photos taken by John Arcara Photography, who also filmed the wedding. “John and his team are pros. Their ability to be everywhere and capture everything in the most beautiful way will never cease to amaze me. These are photos we will cherish forever,” Laura commented. After pictures everyone gathered at Colony Hall for an extravagant cocktail hour, which featured some of the couple’s favorite foods. In addition to numerous passed hors d’oeuvres, guests also enjoyed a baja taco bar, a raw bar, and snacks like truffle oil popcorn and pretzel bites at the bar and cocktail tables. The entree was a modern take on traditional surf and turf: a beef tenderloin and crab cake combination served with cheddar potato gratin and corn pudding. “We got rave reviews on the food for months after the wedding! It was truly gourmet,” said the bride. Mother Mousse designed the couple’s wedding cake, which was white with cascading black, gray and purple dots. The white chocolate raspberry-filled vanilla and chocolate cake was served for dessert with espresso drinks, cordials, and trays of cookies.

Michael and Anthony from Eclipse Entertainment worked with the groom to create a playlist that kept guests up and on the dance floor. The couple agreed that they were incredibly impressed by the team from Eclipse, who was flexible and accommodating. Laura and James’ first dance, “When I Saw You” by The Ronettes, was followed by traditional parent dances, with Laura and her father’s dance ending in their favorite dancing pastime, “The Twist.” After their big day, the newlyweds escaped to Antigua for their honeymoon. Laura and James felt their wedding was exactly how they envisioned it and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They are looking forward to starting their life together as a married couple.

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: The Shrine of St. Bernadette • Officiant: Monsignor Casserta
Reception Location: Colony Hall
Photographer and Videographer: John Arcara Photography
Entertainment: Eclipse Entertainment LLC • Wedding Coordinator: Guide the Bride
Limousine Service: First Class Limousine Service • Florist: Flowers by Bernard
Cake Designer and Favors: Mother Mousse
Bridal Salon, Veil and Headpiece: Wedding Atelier • Formal Attire: Jack Silver Formal Wear
Invitations: Holland Designs
Hair Salon: Cozmo’s Hair Salon and Design Studio
Makeup Artist: Jeanine Mangan Makeup Designs
Jeweler: Gerald Peter’s Goldmine and Sassy Chic Boutique
Honeymoon Location: Antigua

To read more about Laura and James’ big day, pick up the latest New York edition of Contemporary Bride Magazine!

“A Royal Estate of Affairs.” A Castle to call your own…with just one wedding a day, OHEKA CASTLE is the perfect setting to host your wedding. Exclusive and unforgettable, from the historic estate and formal gardens to the elegant rooms, meticulous intuitive service, and award winning cuisine, OHEKA is one of the finest wedding venues in the world, just an hour from Manhattan.

Upon entering the gates of OHEKA CASTLE you and your guests will feel as though you have been transported back in time to an era well known in American history as the Golden Age. Inspired by the Chateau’s in France, the estate offers European ambiance, service and sophistication.

With just one wedding a day, OHEKA CASTLE is the perfect setting to host your wedding. Exclusive and unforgettable, from the historic estate and formal gardens, to the elegant rooms, white-glove service, and award winning cuisine, OHEKA is one of the finest wedding venues in the world. Inspired by the Chateaux in France, this historic Gold Coast mansion, situated between New York City and The Hamptons, offers European ambiance, golf and tennis, and 32 guest rooms and suites where guests can sleep like royalty.

Click HERE for more information on Oheka Castle Hotel and Estate.

OHEKA Castle Hotel and Estate

135 West Gate Drive, Huntington, NY
631-659-1400

“Celebrating One Fairy-Tale at a Time.” Long Island’s premiere wedding and catering-event facility, The Inn at New Hyde Park celebrates one fairy-tale at a time. Turn of the century elegance, entire bridal floor, lush gardens, extraordinary cuisine, unmatched splendor, and uncompromising service. The Inn at New Hyde Park has just completed a grand transformation turning the old inn to an elegant, turn-of-the century, catering-event center and gourmet restaurant. No expense has been spared and no detail overlooked to create this new showcase for the finest dining and upscale receptions on all of Long Island. From magnificent interiors to lush gardens and walkways for outdoor cocktails, a perfect environment has been created to ensure the most memorable experience.

Imagine a place where dreams come true. A place of elegance, romance, and unmatched splendor. Built for the most discriminating brides. A place to experience the finest weddings and highest level of service on all of Long Island. At The Inn at New Hyde Park, the staff caters to one wedding at a time. From the moment you arrive and throughout your entire day our professionally trained staff will attend to your every need. From your own spacious bridal floor and personal bridal attendant to a lush garden chapel and grand ballrooms with a server at every table, The Inn at New Hyde Park is sure to provide you with an extraordinary wedding experience to remember.

The Inn at New Hyde Park offers you wedding ceremony location choices. Choose between the enchanting indoor wedding chapel, or, weather permitting, enjoy the lush garden gazebo. Both will uniquely set the tone for your special day. Enter the grounds of The Inn at New Hyde Park and you are transported to a world of “Civilized Grace” and “European Charm”. The stress of modern life melts away as you survey the idyllic surroundings of our gracious courtyards with stately stone walls, brick walkways and meticulously landscaped gardens. In the spring and summer, picturesque flowers and formal gardens add a rainbow of colors while deep crimsons and ambers of the autumn leaves provides a natural backdrop to surely warm the heart.

Click HERE for more information on The Inn at New Hyde Park.

The Inn at New Hyde Park
214 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY
516-354-7797