The guests all wore black to this chic monochromatic lakeside wedding

Chris and I have one of those stories where trying to pinpoint when exactly we met is pretty much a lost cause. It's like there's been this invisible thread pulling us towards each other way before we even thought about dating. We grew up just a few blocks apart, ended up chatting in lines at local summer fairs when we were in middle school, and slowly got closer during our high school years. It all clicked into place on October 30th, 2011. That was right before Chris headed off to start his adventures at Fordham University, while I was still navigating the maze of being 16 and in high school. Thanks to a housing crunch at Fordham that left out-of-state students scrambling, Chris ended up staying closer to home than planned. What started as just crossing paths turned into something way deeper, almost overnight. Chris and I got engaged on October 29th, 2021, the day before our 10-year anniversary, and surprisingly enough I never saw it coming. Chris had planned a sneaky surprise. He said we were going to hang out with my niece and nephew at our local preserve before grabbing dinner, our usual Friday night routine. As we wandered through the park I quickly realized how strangely empty and quiet it was. When I turned back, there he was, down on one knee. After that, it's all a bit of a blur–lots of happy tears and flashbulbs popping.

We envisioned our wedding as a timeless affair, something that we could look back at for years to come and constantly fall in love with. Yet, we still wanted to infuse it with elements of modernity and current trends. With the luxury of a "wedding weekend", we had the perfect opportunity to experiment with various designs and themes. Saturday was all about romance and elegance. We adorned the venue with lush greenery accented by classic black and white details. The motif of botanical florals, from the save-the-dates to the invitations and throughout the wedding, provided a consistent and captivating theme. As the barn at Cedar Lakes Estate underwent its magical transformation, it truly became a scene out of a fairy tale, radiating with love and beauty.

We kicked off our planning journey at Cedar Lakes, and let me tell you, it was love at first sight. They couldn't have been more accommodating. The level of excellence and individuality was clear from the first time we met. Choosing Cedar as our venue was a total no-brainer. When we envisioned our ideal wedding, we knew we wanted more than just a fleeting few hours to reminisce about. We wanted a weekend where our nearest and dearest could truly bond, soak in the love, and create lasting memories together. Our goal was to craft an utterly unique wedding experience, and after scouring countless options, one venue kept popping up as the top contender. And let's not forget, coming from an Italian American background, fantastic food was a non-negotiable.

After we finalized our dream venue we knew we had to formulate the perfect team to support us through the planning process. We quickly fell in love with Kristin at Eventful Days and knew she and her team had to be part of our wedding planning process. From suggesting the perfect vendors to align with our vision to setting clear deadlines and scheduling while being a constant therapist and voice of reason, we truly could have never done any of this without them. Our vendors are the reason we look back at our wedding as the best weekend of our lives.

Finding my dream wedding dress turned out to be quite the journey, far more challenging than I had anticipated. There's so much excitement surrounding that one special gown, and let me tell you, they're all breathtaking! Amidst the sea of stunning options, narrowing down my choice proved to be quite the task. However, despite the uncertainty, there was one thing I was absolutely sure of, my admiration for the beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of Galia Lahav dresses. Despite the back-and-forth deliberation over various designs, my heart kept returning to the enchanting Nadia dress. What truly set Galia Lahav apart was its incredible customization options. With their expertise, I was able to tailor my dress to perfection, bringing my vision to life in every intricate detail. From adding layers for comfort to crafting customized straps, and even hand-placing additional florals for that extra touch of elegance, my dress became a true reflection of my unique style. On the day of the wedding, slipping into that one-of-a-kind piece was nothing short of magical. It was a gown that not only looked exquisite but made me feel absolutely radiant, embodying the essence of my dream wedding day. My second dress was all about the SPARKLE. Runway Couture in Merrick, NY gave me the ultimate custom party dress. From hand-selecting the material and drawing up the exact fit desired I was able to truly be a part of the design from the very beginning. The moment I put that dress on I knew it was time to PARTY!

When it came time for my husband to choose his tuxedo, we initially assumed there wouldn't be much variety. After all, "a tux is just a tux," or so he thought. But Mario from Knot Standard quickly proved us wrong! He opened our eyes to a world of options, from different fabric types to fit styles and add-on details, allowing my husband to create a tuxedo that was truly one-of-a-kind. With Mario's guidance, my husband personalized his tuxedo in ways we hadn't even considered. He added our wedding date to the collar, tucked a heartfelt note from me into his inner pocket, featuring a quote that held special meaning to us and was part of our vows, and even incorporated some playful detailing on the inside. It was such a delight to embark on this experience together, turning what could have been a routine task into a memorable and enjoyable journey.

Despite meticulous planning, there's one aspect of the wedding that was entirely beyond anyone's control: the weather. With our wedding weekend heavily reliant on outdoor celebrations, the looming threat of rain had been a constant worry ever since we settled on our date. The morning of our wedding dawned beautifully, with clear skies and the perfect weather for our planned pool party. However, just as we were gearing up to say our vows atop the picturesque mountain, a storm began to brew. Our vendors sprang into action, swiftly rearranging plans to salvage our outdoor ceremony. Ivie Joy, our florist, worked her magic, ensuring that we were covered by a canopy of blooms as we stood at the altar. Meanwhile, Stephanie at Cedar and our wedding planners at Eventful Days orchestrated a clever pre-ceremony cocktail hour by the lakeside, giving us a chance to wait out the rain while still keeping the mood festive. And then, as if on cue, just as we said "I do," the sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the scene. It was like something out of a movie, a moment we'll cherish forever.

Following the ceremony, we retreated to the barn for a private viewing and our first dance as a married couple. Walking into that transformed space, surrounded by flickering candlelight and lush greenery cascading from the ceiling, was nothing short of magical. It was the culmination of all our planning and dreaming, and a moment we'll treasure for a lifetime. Dancing alone to Cafe Wha's rendition of "Just the Two of Us," surrounded by the warmth and beauty of the barn, was pure bliss. It's a memory that still brings a smile to our faces, a testament to the unforgettable magic of our wedding day.