“After debating a destination wedding, we decided a big wedding with family and friends was most important. We toured plenty of venues but once we saw The Brownstone we were sold.
“Their conservatory was easily the most beautiful place we had seen. With a spring wedding, rain is always a factor, and I knew I would be more than happy to have our ceremony there. Denise Limone, the banquet manager, was my go-to person. We immediately bonded and she made the experience so easygoing. She and Al Manzo, the owner, worked within our budget while encouraging all our ideas and making them happen. The process felt limitless!”
Their Vendors
Ceremony & Reception: The Brownstone, 973.595.8582, www.thebrownstone.com
Bridal Salon: Bijou Bridal
Bridal Cape: BHLDN
Tux: Biltmore Tuxes
Photographer: Adrienne Longo Photography
Cinematographer: PF Films, Peter Ferriero
Makeup: Makeup By McKenna, McKenna Burns
Hair: House of Excellence, Sandra Cipriano
Florist: LarkSpurk Botanicals, Lindsey Neff
Band: Nite Time
DJ: Spartan Sounds, Bobby Karounos
Dana: George and his younger son, Alex, came to eat at the restaurant where I waited tables. He wasn’t seated in my section, but my friend offered me the table and I snatched it up immediately. There was something about him. While chatting, I mentioned I had just finished film school, and luckily, he needed someone with my skills to document his solar projects. We worked together for a year and a half before admitting to ourselves that we’d been falling in love the whole time!
George: We spent our first four years together, traveling for both work and pleasure; along the way buying an RV to explore the country. We got to know each other’s families. My sons, who were my best men, welcomed Dana from the get-go, and she is very close with them. We’ve enjoyed life and never wanted to rush a moment.
Dana: George planned a magical weekend in New York to celebrate our fourth anniversary. We took in a play, a special dinner, and a popular magic show. George had asked the magician to work his proposal into the show, but the night of, I was feeling off. As always, George read my signals and adapted wonderfully, proposing in the intimate setting of our hotel room. The next day, the Super Bowl party where we were “just stopping by” turned out to be a surprise engagement party George had arranged. It was all perfect.
Dana: After debating a destination wedding, we decided a big wedding with family and friends was most important. We toured plenty of venues but once we saw The Brownstone we were sold. Their conservatory was easily the most beautiful place we had seen. With a spring wedding, rain is always a factor, and I knew I would be more than happy to have our ceremony there. Denise Limone, the banquet manager, was my go-to person. We immediately bonded and she made the experience so easygoing. She and Al Manzo, the owner, worked within our budget while encouraging all our ideas and making them happen. The process felt limitless!
George: Al made everything incredibly easy. He was extremely personable and gave valuable feedback to help us make informed decisions.The food choices and quality were amazing. We knew our guests would be eating well. Al went above and beyond, personally driving to Brooklyn to pick up our requested caviar and having a Yoda ice sculpture made for our “May the Fourth be with you” wedding.
Dana: I was so pleased with how The Brownstone created a personal, meaningful day. George and I were finally defining our love story to our loved ones after seven years together. His cousin Tommy officiated our ceremony and it was loving, heartwarming, funny; everything you could want.
George: Heading to cocktail hour, our guests found their seating cards with tickets to “bet” on the horses running in The Kentucky Derby an hour later. Al made it possible for everyone to watch the race in the ballroom. The winners won lotto tickets! Some of the hits during cocktail hour were the mozzarella bar, the caviar station, the octopus, and the raw bar; and we still get compliments on the pasta station! Dana is still dreaming about their coconut shrimp!
Dana: Our eye-catching centerpieces were gorgeous bonsai trees encircled by dark, moody flowers and brass candlesticks with black candles. It was an edgy bride’s dream.
George: Dinner began with a choice of warm goat cheese tart or tri-color salad, followed by penne alla vodka, bucatini spicy blue crab, and a choice of filet mignon, free range chicken savoy, pan-seared Chilean sea bass, or veal osso bucco. Our band played current music and a Greek DJ played Greek wedding songs. Our wedding was high energy and the room was big enough for people to dance or grab a cigar from the cigar bar and talk on the side. The headwaiter was attentive, the staff made sure everyone was comfortable, and Denise and Al constantly checked on us.
Dana: We had the most amazing wedding. To George’s sons and my sister, we truly appreciate your earnest and heartwarming speeches, and to his cousin, we loved our ceremony. We are so grateful for the love, kindness, and support of our parents. To Al and Denise, thank you for making our wedding memories at The Brownstone so awesome. To all our family and friends, thank you for celebrating our love story with us!
The Brownstone, Paterson, NJ, 973.595.8582, thebrownstone.com
