Location: New Jersey, USA
Setting: Basking Ridge Country Club
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 18 months
The number of guests: 170
Wedding theme/style: Timeless, elegant, romantic.
Mikaela and Jack, high school sweethearts from Northern Jersey, bonded over their love for lacrosse and committed to playing at Bates College. Their friendship blossomed into romance during their senior year when Jack’s chivalrous gestures, like surprising Mikaela with her favorite chocolates, captured her heart. Their connection deepened over Christmas cookie decorating, leading to Jack formally asking Mikaela to be his girlfriend. With eager smiles, they attended prom, marking the beginning of their beautiful relationship.
Shortly after high school graduation, the couple transitioned into their life at Bates College, where they showed their academic and athletic prowess. Jack, a two-time All-American attackman, majored in political science with a minor in rhetoric. Mikaela, a defender and captain of the women’s team, majored in biology with a minor in philosophy. They studied abroad together in Copenhagen, Denmark, where they had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe. Their travel adventures were filled with laughter, curiosity, and everlasting memories. Soon enough, Jack and Mikaela learned that home was wherever the other was. Their relationship continued to grow and flourish as they graduated from Bates College and entered the next phase of life together: adulthood.
Both Mikaela and Jack accepted job offers to work in New York City. As they tackled the Big Apple, they went to Broadway shows, attended sporting events, and dove into the city’s multicultural cuisines. But little did they know, their world would change before their eyes during the pandemic. While everything around them seemed uncertain, their love for one another stayed constant. They welcomed an 11-week-old Jack Russell Terrier into their lives and named him Ollie. Their weekend activities included hiking, playing fetch, and learning about their furry companion.
It was a crisp Saturday morning. Jack had suggested they walk Ollie around a local pond and enjoy the evolving fall foliage. Jack suddenly dropped to one knee as they began their walk and popped the question. Mikaela immediately replied yes and swung her arms around Jack. They had so much to be thankful for during that year’s giving season- good health, great family, and true love.
Their beautiful wedding weekend commenced with a rehearsal dinner and welcome party on the second floor of Stirling Tavern. A personal beer tap selection, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres are available for guests upon arrival. A collage of photographs of the couple over their last decade of dating, curated by the groom’s sister, was displayed. Laughter filled the space as guests exchanged their favorite stories of the couple. Fortunately, the couple had the most genuine, heartfelt interactions from the night before the wedding, documented by their wedding photographer, Kelsey Jonvea, one of the top wedding photographers in the USA. The groom’s father delivered a heartwarming speech highlighting the couple’s achievements at the welcome party.
The bride wore an Amanda Uprichard original white mini dress. Her look was understated with freshwater pearl earrings, gold undertone jewelry, Badgley Mischka hot pink crystal buckle pumps, and a rose-beaded clutch.
The couple’s wedding invitation suite was graphically designed by the bride. The formal wedding invitation included a personalized initial crest embossed with gold foil and wrapped with delicately hand ripped mauve chiffon ribbon. Each envelope was lined with a gold floral design, which accentuated the floral detail of the gold wax seal. These invitations delivered a unique touch of style and character that highlighted the couple’s vision of curating an elegant event.
Mikaela wore designer Justin Alexander’s Estelle wedding dress, a luxurious Mikado A-line featuring a strapless neckline and bow positioned at her natural waistline with covered buttons that extend to the end of the chapel length train. Mikaela wore a simple fingertip-length veil with a brushed gold floral motif hairpiece. She honored the tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue,” with Jack gifting her a delicate bracelet featuring freshwater pearls and an aqua-colored diamond, symbolizing their love and sentimental value. Additionally, Mikaela wore her mother’s vintage-inspired champagne-colored pearl teardrop earrings as a tribute to her parents’ wedding. Completing her look were creamy white Vince Camuto heels and her grandmother’s pearl-studded ivory clutch, adding a touch of family history to her ceremony ensemble.
On the morning of the wedding, excitement and anticipation filled the suites of the respective parties as they prepared for the beautiful day ahead. Bridesmaids and Mikaela were dressed in silk mauve floral ropes, pampered, and styled with updos and makeup by My Makeup Artist Victoria.
The bride chose a simple yet elegant low bun hairstyle with a brushed gold floral motif hairpiece. Mikaela’s bridal makeup achieved a classic traditional look, emphasizing her hazel eyes through a slight shimmer of light pink and golden hues and soft-shadowed eyeliner.
She had a first look with her father. As her father opened his eyes, he was speechless. His little girl was about to embark on her next life milestone with her one true love.
Mikaela had also surprised her bridesmaids with her finished look. As Mikaela’s mother zipped her dress up, the bridesmaids filed into the room with their eyes covered. Each bridesmaid gasped at the beauty before them! Sharing many giggles and clapping with much-anticipated excitement for what would come next.
Meanwhile the groomsmen and Jack enjoyed lunch and shared a toast sipping Glayva, a Scotch whiskey liqueur.
Prior to the ceremony, the couple shared a private first look where they exchanged personal vows. This intimate moment was captured on film by Moss and Magnolia Media, who aim to create an endearing carefully curated film that displays the couple’s story- a young love that evolved into a beautiful love story. “She looked absolutely breathtaking and all of my nervous energy dissipated after seeing her”, Jack shares.
The bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses with various fabrics, colors, and styles. Each dress cultivated the unique beauty of each bridesmaid while allowing for a cohesive bridal party look. All bridesmaids wore shades of mauve and blush pink, while the maid of honor was distinguished through a mauve floret pattern. The groomsmen and groom wore super-fine Italian merino wool light gray suits paired with brown leather dress shoes and double knot-designed cufflinks. All groomsmen wore mauve neckties styled with white flowered boutonniere, while Jack differentiated himself by wearing a dark mauve necktie.
Gray’s Florist, a 5th-generation family business, provided lush, romantic floral arrangements for the event. The aisle was adorned with tall, matte black glass lanterns filled with greenery and roses. A blush pink welcome sign with gold lettering, crafted by The Jess Press, greeted guests. Rose petals were offered for a celebratory send-off at the end of the ceremony. Customized floral aisle markers led Mikaela to her groom amidst scattered white rose petals. The wedding space featured a stunning floral arbor with white hydrangeas, quicksand roses, carnations, and greenery, complementing the bridesmaid dresses’ colors.
The couple exchanged their vows on the manicured green golf course. During the ceremony, guests were greeted with a display of pomegranate champagne cocktails. As Mikaela walked down the aisle, there was no dry eye in the crowd; she looked radiant. Jam Music Events provided a pianist with stunning renditions of multiple genres, creating a tender ambiance. As the ceremony ended, they exchanged wedding bands, which Arthur & Groom, a luxury jeweler, personally designed. Jack performed a jaw-dropping dip of the bride halfway down the aisle, and guests threw rose petals at the couple with celebratory cheers.
This magical moment was skillfully captured by Kelsey Jonvea, who not only showcased the beauty of the moment but also reflected every emotion of the couple through her lens.
Following, the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the garden tent. The ability to have their favorite people from different parts of their life all together in one place was magical. The couple could not be more fortunate for their guests’ efforts to make their day as special as possible.
The trend of sophisticated decor continued into a cocktail hour as a gold baroque-style calligraphy welcome mirror and live jazz music greeted guests. The couple created a seating chart from a vintage gold baroque-styled frame. Each guest’s name was written in gold calligraphy with blush pink brush strokes and gold floral wax seals. The place cards for each guest were created with gold calligraphy and delicately ripped mauve chiffon. The reception tables were decorated with multiple gold mercury votives and gold candlesticks with ivory taper candles set around a floral centerpiece in a gold mercury glass pedestal bowl to produce a timeless romantic allure. The floral arrangements comprised white cremains, hydrangeas, quicksand, mauve, white, white lisianthus, and greenery.
Mikaela and Jack shared an intimate first dance to James Taylor’s song How Sweet It Is.
The couple completed first dances with their parents. Mikaela and her father danced to Stevie Wonder’s song Isn’t She Lovely, while Jack and his mother danced to Queen’s song Don’t Stop Me Now. “My dad and I had a lot of fun coming up with a dance that would encompass our goofy personalities”, Mikaela shares.
The night continued with perfectly delivered speeches from the bride’s father, best man, and maid of honor. Mikaela’s father generously welcomed everyone for attending. He offered a sweet sentiment about the love Mikaela and Jack have shared over the years while including his best wishes for the couple going forward.
Mikaela and Jack danced the night away with their guests. With the vast array of musical genres, decades, and styles played throughout the evening, guests belted the lyrics, and the energy became electric once classic pop-punk songs began. “Jack and I love dancing, so it felt fitting that we wanted our reception to be one big dance party,” Mikaela exclaimed. Their dance floor never had a dull moment. Each song played was belted louder than the last by the guests.
Following the ceremony, the bride transitioned into a playfully chic second outfit from designer Eliza J, a white sheath dress detailed with a feather-trimmed hem and a beautiful bow at the back neckline. The dress was accessorized with silver platform heels and pearl triple drop earrings.
Although the couple’s Jack Russell Terrier, Ollie, could not attend the wedding, they incorporated him into their wedding day details. They had personalized blush pink Ollie Koozies to be given out by the bartenders to their guests and created a signature drink known as the Ollie Espresso Martini. However, the couple further included their loving pet in their cake-cutting experience. Calandra’s bakery had designed their three-tier buttercream cake to include a personalized statue of Ollie taking a bite of the cake.
The bride’s friends hoisted her into the air for one final hurrah before the end of the evening, and a picture of the Bates College alumni was taken to celebrate the union between two fellow bobcats. Go, Bates!
Advice from couple:
• The wedding day had effortless execution due to Glass Slipper Weddings & Events, who supported the couple through the planning process and day of coordination. “We are forever grateful for her guidance and organizational skills,” said the couple.
• We wanted our wedding day to be an event where guests could relax and have fun! If our guests had sore feet and no voice the day after the wedding, we had achieved our mission of throwing an epic dance party. Our advice for future couples planning a wedding is always to remember the big picture- your wedding is a celebration of your love! Be present for each moment of the day because it will go by so quickly. Lean on your vendors for guidance and show them constant gratitude. They want what’s best for you and your significant other to make your day memorable. The next chapter of our forever started with our wedding, the best day of our lives!
PHOTOGRAPHY Kelsey Jonvea Photographer | WEDDING PLANNER Glass Slipper Weddings and Events | VIDEOGRAPHY Moss and Magnolia Media | VENUE Basking Ridge Country Club | FLORIST Gray’s Florist | HOTEL Westin Governor Morris | CALLIGRAPHY The Jess Press | ENTERTAINMENT Jam Music Events | BRIDAL DRESS I do I do Bridal Boutique | REHEARSAL DINNER & WELCOME PARTY Stirling Tavern | MUAH My Makeup Artist Victoria
