A giant thank you to all my fabulous 2016 couples!
What was your favorite part of the wedding day?
Ashley: As soon as we sat in front of the priest during the ceremony I immediately felt like it was just me, Sean, and Father Jack. I loved the intimate feeling and the ability to be fully present in one of the most crucial moments of our adult lives. People always warn you that your wedding day flies by and you have to remember to enjoy the moment, it felt like the universe paused for a second and allowed us to take it all in. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.
Sean: We were a little nervous about not having a first look because of the time crunch. When Ashley walked into the church that day I immediately knew it was the right decision. It’s a once in a lifetime moment that I will never forget, a rush that I would recommend to everyone.
How does it feel different being married?
Ashley: Since it’s so recent I can’t say I speak from experience, but it does feel like we’re new at something. We’ve been together for 6 years, living together for a year and a half, so I felt like we were big fish in a small pond for a while. But something about being husband and wife feels like you’re starting again, but in a much bigger pond.
Sean: It feels like a journey, but with someone you know really well.
Thinking back to early in your relationship, when was the moment you knew you wanted to marry your spouse?
We got this question a lot during our engagement. We can’t really say there is one moment. It was more an accumulation of small adventures, compromises, and a ton of laughing that made the decision for us. We have always agreed that although it’s not one moment, it is a decision you have to be ready to make every day, even when it’s really hard.
Who proposed to who and how?
We rented a beautiful little home in Woodstock for a long weekend. After cooking dinner we sat in front of the fireplace with a couple of drinks. It was our anniversary so Sean went into the bedroom to grab my card. When he came out he handed me a card and asked me to be his wife. It was intimate, special, and the easiest decision I’ve ever been asked to make!
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Venue: The Liberty House Restaurant – Jersey City, New Jersey
Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal – New York, New York
Groom’s Attire: Indochino – New York, New York
Hair & Makeup: Up & Out – Hoboken, New Jersey
Flowers: Bridal Bouquets by Jill – South River, New Jersey
Wedding planner: Blush Events – Hoboken, New Jersey
Band/DJ: Pure Rhythm Entertainment – Queens, New York
Transportation: Romantique Double Diamond Limousines – Brooklyn, New York
New Jersey wedding photographer – Leslie Barbaro
Ashley & Sean were looking for a wedding photographer to capture the fleeting moments of their day as well as to create relaxed portraits that reflected their personalities. They describe themselves as “two laid back individuals that love to live life to fullest” and they were creating a celebration with an earthy, rustic, laid-back vibe. They contacted me after seeing the wedding photography I had done for a friend and I’m so glad they did!
What were you most excited about before your wedding?
Celebrating with all of the people who are most important in our lives.
What was the one thing you were most stressed about before the wedding and how did it turn out?
Ashley: Sean and I are known for being very easy-going and relaxed, especially when it came to planning our wedding. I was nervous about losing that sense of calm during the chaos of the day. Luckily, I have incredibly thoughtful and relaxed friends and family who fed off my energy and kept me centered.
Sean: Not being together in the morning was the most stressful for me. You spend a lot of your relationship making important days special for your significant other and I was just hoping that it was everything she dreamed of. Since the day went off without a single setback I know that it all turned out perfect.
Tell us about your gorgeous custom jewelry!
Sean and I love trying new stores and restaurants in Jersey City. I joke that he is actually the mayor because he knows every event, restaurant, and store that pops up in our neighborhood. Love Liesel was a new store and when I walked in I was only looking for a necklace for a party I was attending that evening. They didn’t have exactly what I wanted, but Heidi one of the owners, immediately offered to make it for me. About two hours later I walked back in to pick-up a gorgeous necklace that she made out of the poor description I had provided, I was in awe. I started looking around and noticed she also made wedding jewelry. They were gorgeous pieces, with amazing character, and a touch of vintage inspiration. I was in love! We ended up buying our wedding bands and all of the jewelry for my bridesmaids and myself. Because the wedding industry is such a machine, sometimes you feel like you’re just riding the assembly line. Heidi and Kerry, the Love Liesel owners, made designing and selecting our jewelry one of the most uniquely intimate experiences of the entire process. Their work is phenomenal and their energy is exceptional!
Venue: The Liberty House Restaurant – Jersey City, New Jersey
Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal – New York, New York
Groom’s Attire: Indochino – New York, New York
Hair & Makeup: Up & Out – Hoboken, New Jersey
Flowers: Bridal Bouquets by Jill – South River, New Jersey
Wedding planner: Blush Events – Hoboken, New Jersey
Band/DJ: Pure Rhythm Entertainment – Queens, New York
Transportation: Romantique Double Diamond Limousines – Brooklyn, New York
New Jersey wedding photographer – Leslie Barbaro
About the couple:
We both work in the world of sports. Mike is a broadcast producer and director. Jennifer is a lawyer at a sports agency. Our first date was on October 30, 2014. Without the leap year…our wedding is exactly two full trips around the sun since the date we met.
How did you meet?
We both swiped right… (i.e., we met on Tinder). Surprised we did not meet sooner as our careers cross over and we have been at numerous events together, but never met.
Who proposed and how?
I have a special spot in Central Park where I sit after my runs. It has been my rock, literally and figuratively, since I moved to New York. On May 27, I had no idea why Mike wanted to go for a walk in our neighborhood, let alone why we were walking straight toward my rock. We sat down and Mike asked me to marry him, He surprised me and he made my rock forever our rock.
What was your favorite part of the wedding day?
My favorite part of our wedding day was exchanging our vows under the chupah. The exchange of vows is the reason everyone was there to celebrate, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I will never forget those few minutes when our world paused.
My favorite part of our wedding day was exchanging our vows under the chupah. The exchange of vows is the reason everyone was there to celebrate, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I will never forget those few minutes when our world paused.
Tell us about your cake…
Our cake was from City Cakes in Chelsea. Chef Benny makes cakes that taste as delicious as they look! Mike’s favorite part of the planning was the cake testing. We chose alternating layers of decade chocolate and heavenly vanilla with dark chocolate ganache. The icing was buttercream with a deep purple ribbon.
Tell us about your dress…
Before I went with my mom to find my dress, I went to a few salons to get an idea of what style I wanted because I was scared of being overwhelmed or not finding any options. I fell in love with the first dress I tried on, but my mom and I still went around the city the following week in search of the dress. And after all the worry, I ended up with the first dress I tried on! Thank you, Amsale and Kleinfeld!
How did you choose your wedding venue?
City Winery was the gem of all of the places we visited. Both of us love wine, and City Winery is the only working winery in Manhattan. After meeting with the Emily, we knew immediately that the venue would provide a happy, easy-going and celebratory vibe.
Venue: City Winery – New York, New York
Dress Shop: Kleinfeld Bridal – New York, New York
Dress Designer: Amsale Bridal
Suit: Paul Stuart
Hair: Lauren Berrones – New York, New York
Make-up: Meagan Schmitz – Los Angeles, California
Flowers: Flowers by Richard – New York, New York
Cake: City Cakes – New York, New York
Invitations: Unique Unusuals – New York, New York
Officiant: Rabbi Roger Ross – New York, New York
Band/DJ: Doug Sounds – New York, New York
NYC wedding photographer – Leslie Barbaro
A few portraits from Jennifer & Mike’s wedding! More from their lovely ceremony and reception at New York’s City Winery coming soon!
Venue: City Winery – New York, New York
Dress Shop: Kleinfeld Bridal – New York, New York
Dress Designer: Amsale Bridal
Suit: Paul Stuart
Hair: Lauren Berrones – New York, New York
Make-up: Meagan Schmitz – Los Angeles, California
Flowers: Flowers by Richard – New York, New York
Cake: City Cakes – New York, New York
Invitations: Unique Unusuals – New York, New York
Officiant: Rabbi Roger Ross – New York, New York
Band/DJ: Doug Sounds – New York, New York
NYC wedding photographer – Leslie Barbaro