Maryellen, or Mel as most call her, and Jon met at a Super Bowl party hosted by Jon's football teammate back when they were in high school. Neither knew, of course, that fateful evening that this night would change the course of their lives. Eleven years later and the two would be, in the words of our couple, "officially signing on to forever together"!
And the proposal that led to this day was so special too! Mel was a little suspicious when Jon planned a trip for them to visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina since she's the one who usually plans their trips! On the evening that they arrived, they visited Jockey's Ridge State Park and watched the beautiful sunset. Mel was sure to eye Jon's pockets for the telltale outline of a ring box, but she didn't see one. And just as the sun set on the horizon, Jon got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. He had made sure to order a special, extra small ring box so as not to spoil the surprise!
Mel got ready on the morning of their wedding at her parents' home while Jon and his groomsmen, which included his two brothers as his best men, prepared at their reception venue. There, the guys dressed into classic black tuxedos, Jon standing apart from the guys in their charcoal neckties looking ever so handsome in a black bow tie, after they all enjoyed a nice cigar break!
The couple also took a little break from getting ready to read cards that they had exchanged. We loved that they chose the same card with the cute red string detail and when Mel read Jon's words, "I love you to the moon and back". Mel's card for Jon echoed his sentiments and added "I love you and I like you", as they both would also say to each other later during their beautiful ceremony.
Mel's sisters (her maid of honor and bridesmaids) helped her dress into her beautiful wedding gown. Her dress from Provonias was absolutely wonderful, with an A-line silhouette, a sweetheart illusion neckline and a lovely floral lace overlay with beautiful beadwork. She wore her lovely blond hair up and in a loose, wavy hairstyle and fastened a long veil edged in lace to the back. Mel was simply stunning!
Mel and Jon decided not to have a first look before the wedding and instead traveled straight to Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey for their ceremony. Mel's bridesmaids were so beautiful in their charcoal colored gowns and the flower girls and ring bearer, all the beautiful children of Mel's sister and Jon's brother, were so darling all dressed up for the ceremony. They celebrated a Catholic Mass and were led in reciting their vows by Reverend James Manos. After they exchanged rings, the two were soon pronounced 'husband and wife'!
We were over the moon to be filming alongside Paul Francis Photography for Mel and Jon's wedding event. Paul is a good friend of ours and he and his team have such amazing talent! Photo shoots were held at the church and by the lake at their reception venue, where their precious pup, Luna (as their 'dog of honor'), was in on the action too!
We were all ready then to enjoy Mel and Jon's fantastic reception at Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. Gorgeous tall floral centerpieces in white and watercolor peach and periwinkle adorned the guest tables and lush, green garland draped along Mel and Jon's sweetheart table, all from Flowers by Joan. And A Little Cake bakery created the fantastic four-tiered white wedding cake embellished with beautiful blooms, including those delicate white anemones. Everything looked amazing!
The couple of honor entered the ballroom of the Lake House, with its amazing water views, rustic stone fireplace and its bright and sunny interior, and danced a beautiful first dance together. Then touching parent dances followed and wonderful toasts were given by Mel's maid of honor and by Jon's best men. DJ Jared West at Premier Entertainment rocked the house with the all the tunes the guests loved to dance to all evening and the party continued well into the night!
This spectacular wedding event was so much fun and it was also so wonderful to visit Indian Trail Club for the very first time. Mel and Jon are such a sweet couple and we loved every minute working with them! Congratulations to Mel and Jon!
Photographer: Paul Francis Photography - Morristown, NJ
Floral Design: Flowers by Joan - Waldwick, NJ
Hair Stylist: Michelle Elise Artistry - Montclair, NJ
Makeup Artist: Michelle Elise Artistry - Montclair, NJ
Wedding Dress: Pronovias
Bridal Shoes: Bella Belle
Bridesmaids Gowns: Sorella Vita
Entertainment: Premier Entertainment - DJ Jared West - Elmwood Park, NJ
Cake: A Little Cake - Park Ridge, NJ
Stationery: The Write Occasion - Wyckoff, NJ
Officiant: Reverend James Manos - Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Church: Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church - Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Venue: Indian Trail Club - Franklin Lakes, NJ