We wanted a non-traditional wedding venue that could accommodate our 200 guests and provide great food. After looking at several venues, we decided The Vineyards at Aquebogue offered everything we were looking for in a romantic, fall vineyard wedding. We worked with Kate Wiggins, sales director, and Russ Moran, general manager, on every aspect of planning. Lessing’s bought The Vineyards during our wedding planning and I was thrilled with all the improvements the new team made. They were attentive and made us feel as comfortable as possible.
Their Vendors
Ceremony & Reception: The Vineyards at Aquebogue, 631.722.3200, www.lessings.com
Gown: Karen Sabag
Bridesmaids: Hayley Paige
Tux: Samuelsohn at Mitchell Stores
Photographer: Natalie Loizzo Photography
Cinematographer: Cocktail Hour Productions
Makeup: Makeup by Rada
Hair: Gina Marie Luxury Hair
Florist: Flowers by Brian
Cake: Cakes by Joni Petrocelli
DJ: DanceJock Productions
Wedding Planner: Couture Concepts
Kenny and I met while working at the same payroll company. Our office had a candy bowl with bite-size candies and one day Kenny asked me which was my favorite, so I told him Butterfingers. Later that day, I had a huge Butterfinger candy bar on my desk with his phone number on the back. We dated for 10 years on and off and now I am a registered nurse and he is police officer. After deciding we wanted to stick together for the long haul, we moved in together. A few months later, we got an exciting surprise that I was pregnant! That winter, we hosted our family at a restaurant for a gender reveal, which to my surprise, also turned into a romantic proposal! We made our unity official with a small justice of the peace ceremony before our baby boy was born, but planned to have a wedding celebration afterward.
We wanted a non-traditional wedding venue that could accommodate our 200 guests and provide great food. After looking at several venues, we decided The Vineyards at Aquebogue offered everything we were looking for in a romantic, fall vineyard wedding. We worked with Kate Wiggins, sales director, and Russ Moran, general manager, on every aspect of planning. Lessing’s bought The Vineyards during our wedding planning and I was thrilled with all the improvements the new team made. They were attentive and made us feel as comfortable as possible.
Our ceremony was held in the beautiful courtyard with rustic décor. The aisle was decorated with custom made signs and lanterns. I entered the wedding through antique white custom doors with flowers spilling over the tops of them. After being pronounced husband and wife, Kenny and I boogied down the aisle to Barry White’s “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything,” as our guests threw petal offerings. We had a huge array of food at our cocktail hour; anything you wanted, we had it. Butlers passed delicious hors d’oeuvres and we had several food stations, including an elaborate pizza station with a variety of toppings that our guests are still raving about! A Frankie Valli tribute band also gave an unforgettable performance that blew our guests away.
I wanted the ballroom décor to highlight the rustic look of the vineyard while incorporating the gold and burgundy colors of our fall theme. Amber uplighting and our floral arrangements set a romantic vibe and made the whole room sparkle. The tables were adorned with burlap linens and three different kinds of centerpieces: mini trees overflowing with flowers from the bottom up, tall antique candelabras with gold gemstones surrounded by candles, and low bowls with burgundy taper candles. Other special additions were my gold charger plates to accent the china, our handmade menus, and our flower wall behind our sweetheart table.
Coming from a big Italian family with a father who is a food critic, food was one of the most important details of our wedding. The chefs at The Vineyards certainly delivered. My father and our guests are still talking about how good the food was! Dinner began with a garden salad and penne alla vodka. We offered four choices for the main course: chateaubriand of filet mignon bordelaise, chicken marsala with a mushroom and cabernet sauce, salmon teriyaki, or vegetarian bouche in a petit pastry shell blossom. We were on the dance floor the whole night! Our DJ provided the real party atmosphere we wanted. For dessert, we had our wedding cake and a Viennese display complete with a chocolate fountain and gelato bar.
Our wedding would not have been possible without the hard work of our wedding planner, Laura Petrocelli, and Kate Wiggins and Russ Moran at The Vineyards, tending to every last detail. Thank you to our photographer and cinematographer for capturing the best details and moments of our wedding. Thank you to our friends and family for sharing our special day with us.
The Vineyards at Aquebogue 978 Main Road (Route 25), Aquebogue, NY 11931, 631.722.3200, www.lessings.com
