“We debated having our wedding in New York or Europe, but once we discovered the Park Château Estate and Gardens, we knew it was the perfect venue to “marry” European aesthetics and a convenient location for guests. The Park Château emulates the magnificent beauty of a French château and the entire team is personable and attentive.
Devin, the sales manager, helped us coordinate all the details. From day one to the day of, the owners, wedding coordinators, and bridal attendants made us feel like family and guided us with care throughout the entire process. The impeccable service sets the tone for the day and the food is absolutely divine.
Their Vendors
Ceremony & Reception: Park Château Estate & Gardens, 732.238.4200, www.parkchateau.com
Gown: Allure Bridals
Bridesmaids: AmsaleTux: Wilvorst
Photographer: Dyanna LaMora, 814.360.2077, www.dyannalamora.com
Cinematographer & DJ: Eclipse Events
Makeup & Hair: Michelle Elise Artistry
Florist: Allure Floral Design
Cake: Palermo’s Custom Cakes & Bakery
Officiant: Anthony Testa
After spending a semester abroad in Italy, I met Joris, who had just been recruited for the tennis team from Holland. Joris and I ran into each other at our college library a few times after that before he finally asked me on a date. Our first date was to a sushi restaurant called Bonsai. After graduating, we began building our lives together in Manhattan, where I am a speech-language pathologist and Joris is an accountant.
Five years later, my parents spent the summer in Northern Italy studying language. Joris and I planned to surprise my father in Venice for his coursework completion ceremony. Little did I know, I was the one that was getting surprised. When we arrived at the gorgeous church, Santa Maria della Salute, Joris proposed! He hired a photographer to capture the moment and my parents were waiting nearby with champagne. Later that evening, I was surprised again when Joris’ family arrived at dinner to celebrate with us!
We debated having our wedding in New York or Europe, but once we discovered the Park Château Estate and Gardens, we knew it was the perfect venue to “marry” European aesthetics and a convenient location for guests. The Park Château emulates the magnificent beauty of a French château and the entire team is personable and attentive.
Devin, the sales manager, helped us coordinate all the details. From day one to the day of, the owners, wedding coordinators, and bridal attendants made us feel like family and guided us with care throughout the entire process. The impeccable service sets the tone for the day and the food is absolutely divine.
We got ready in the breathtaking bridal suite the morning of our wedding and had our first look that afternoon in the beautiful gardens. Father Anthony Testa, an ordained Catholic priest, conducted our ceremony at the on-site chapel. Readings were read by our family members and live music was performed by a pianist, cellist, and violinist.
Following the ceremony, we were given a private table in the bridal suite to get something to eat from our cocktail hour and to absorb our first married moments together. As a tribute to our summers abroad, we had a European carving station serving roasted turkey and an Italian pasta station with classics like penne alla vodka and orecchiette with sausage. Our passed hors d’oeuvres included everything from watermelon stuffed with mango and veal meatballs with chorizo to a roasted eggplant cannelloni chafing dish, and more.
The ballroom is elegant on its own with its high ceilings, gorgeous chandeliers, and intricate molding, so we kept our décor simple and romantic. Our high floral arrangements with hues of gold, white, sage, and blush complemented our color scheme. The DJ did an incredible job blending modern and classic music that kept our guests dancing the night away.
For dinner, guests began with a burrata salad followed by a choice of Chilean sea bass with soy ginger glaze, chicken saltimbocca, an eggplant tower, or my favorite, the chateaubriand in cabernet sauce. The incredible Viennese hour had an assortment of decadent dessert stations including a chocolate fondue fountain, made to order crème brûlée, and an international coffee bar.
Joris and his grandmother, Omi, shared a sentimental dance to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong as a tribute to his late grandfather, Opi. Omi and Opi would have shared the same anniversary date as us. The night concluded with a sparkler send off surrounded by all our guests along the cobblestone entrance of the Park Château Estate!
Our heartfelt thanks to our families and friends who joined in our celebration. Thank you to Devin and the entire staff at Park Château and to our incredible vendors for bringing our visions to life and making our wedding special. We are immensely grateful and we will forever cherish these beautiful memories from the magical day that began our life together!
Park Château Estate & Gardens, East Brunswick, NJ, 732.238.4200, www.parkchateau.com
