There are so many beautiful venues right outside the city, it’s no wonder many couples choose to wed near their suburban hometowns. The greenery and architecture are so romantically stunning, and being a stone’s throw from Manhattan still allows easy travel for city guests… Shelby and John’s wedding is a perfect example of a classically elegant celebration. It took place at the The Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, {a township in Essex County, New Jersey}, and is truly a feast for the ideas. Enjoy!
Venue: The Pleasantdale Chateau
Band: Savoy Stompers
Flowers: Crest Florist
Groom’s Cake: Pink Cake Box
Hair and Make-up: Vanity and Mascara
Dress: Oscar de la Renta
Shoes: Christian Louboutin {dyed blue}
Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston
From the bride: John and I met through my sister. She is a broker on Wall Street and he is a trader. We randomly sat next to each other at a Giants game {hence the reason the grooms cake was a giants helmet with tiers of blue, white and red cupcakes!}, and haven’t left each others side since. We truly had a fairytale wedding… There were so many personal touches that made the day extra special.
My father had passed away five years ago, so we did many things to honor him. When I was growing up, he always planted sunflowers outside my bedroom window, so I filled the ceremony space with sunflowers. Then my sister, who was the matron of honor, gave a “speech” in his honor half way down the aisle. When she was done, trumpeters played the “call to post” {the song before every horse race}. My father loved horse racing, so it was a touching tribute to him. Everyone was shocked and many tears were shed.
The Pleasantdale Chateau had amazing food – our cocktail hour was insane! We had a periogi station in honor of my Polish heritage and a Tuscany display and pasta station for John’s Italian roots. We had several specialty drinks named after the women in my family, but couldn’t leave out my brother, so we also had a station called “Richies Pigroast.” It was a nod to a fun roast he hosts annually for family and friends.
Instead of giving gifts, we donated to juvenile diabetes in honor of my cousin. Our menu cards read, “In the hope that everyone may be able to experience all of life’s sweetness, Shelby and John have made a gift to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.”
Our after party took place in a separate wing of the chateau. Guests had a great time enjoying a photo booth, as well as hand rolled cigars, mini cheeseburgers, french fries, cookies, pizza rolls and lots of other finger foods.
About the photographer: Danny Weiss , an ex-actor, stumbled into a photography class thanks to a birthday gift from his wife. To Danny, photography didn’t feel too far off from acting- he still continues to tell stories in a truthful, authentic and original way. He feels super lucky to be doing what he does… To learn more about Danny, please visit his Web site .
Photos courtesy Danny Weiss
