“We wanted our wedding to reflect Manhattan. Maritime Parc, with its breathtaking city views, emphasized the New York vibe: unique, fabulous, modern, and romantic.
“Aside from the New York Skyline to be marveled from the river walkway, nearby there is a beautiful abandoned train station and brick buildings that offer stunning, creative backdrops.”
Their Vendors
Ceremony & Reception: Maritime Parc
201.413.0050, maritimeparc.com
Gown: Martina Liana, at Jahee Bridal Atelier, Englewood, NJ
Tux: Emporio Armani
Photographer & Cinematographer: Live Picture Studios, livepicturestudios.com
Makeup & Hair: Pink Comb Studio, Marena
Florist: VISIONS Events Flowers Decor, Sora Lee
Cake: Maritime Parc
Band: Elegant Music Group
Wedding Coordinator: Nicole Garcia
Photobooth: Elegant Music Group
I met Aaron at St. George’s University in West Indies, Grenada, in a study hall where we would steal glances at each other and smile coyly. One day the study hall was closed. As I was walking away from the locked door and he was approaching it, I told him we needed to find a new place to study. This marked the beginning of our relationship. Aaron will tell you our first date was in the dining hall during one of our 15-minute breaks amidst the constant studying. However, our true first date was Valentine’s Day. Aaron planned a surprise dinner on a private beach at sunset. He had prepared an entire picnic with blankets, wine, and six dishes he had cooked himself, timing it all to perfection.
For the last two years of medical school, the clinical years, we were both placed in New York. We moved into apartments walking distance from one another and began spending every day together. A year later, we shared our first apartment in Coney Island. This summer, Aaron and I are completing our medical training and graduating from our residencies, anesthesiology and psychiatry respectively.
Our engagement was a total surprise! Aaron’s friend invited us to meet his new girlfriend at Coney Island Beach. We’d since moved away and driving there, Aaron nostalgically pointed out all our favorite spots in the area. But instead of meeting his friend, when we reached the boardwalk, Aaron got down on one knee and proposed! He’d also arranged for my best friend to sneakily take photos of this special moment. We began our engagement by riding the Cyclone roller coaster, followed by a surprise dinner with our parents.
We wanted our wedding to reflect Manhattan. Maritime Parc, with its breathtaking city views, emphasized the New York vibe: unique, fabulous, modern, and romantic. Aside from the New York Skyline to be marveled from the river walkway, nearby there is a beautiful abandoned train station and brick buildings that offer stunning, creative backdrops.
Our interfaith ceremony honored Aaron’s Jewish and my Catholic upbringings. Led by a priest and a rabbi, we were married under a chuppah and said our own vows. Our cocktail hour featured Maritime’s wraparound terrace with panoramic views of the city and custom drinks, the “Marry Me Mule” and the “Mint to be Julep.” There were 10 passed hors d’oeuvres, a barbecue station, a grilling station, a charcuterie table; the list goes on! Our guests couldn’t stop complimenting us on how delicious the food was!
The illuminated ceiling in the ballroom, made to look like a starry night, is absolutely breathtaking. The large windows wrapped around the room provide a phenomenal view of the financial district, with the opportunity to enjoy the venue’s second outdoor wraparound terrace. Going for Hollywood-glam, we used black linens, white napkins, and amber uplighting for a subtle glow. Our centerpieces were tall fluted vases filled with red roses and hydrangeas on top of a mirrored base. From the vase hung crystal garlands and around the base were a trio of candlesticks holding floating candles, surrounded by votives. As part of our travel theme, each plate had a mini suitcase filled with Polish candies, to pay homage to my Polish heritage. Our tables were named after places we’d visited and all the beer options were Polish!
Our first course was heirloom tomato with burrata cheese, followed by an option of beef tenderloin or pan-seared branzino. Our dessert was a chocolate cake with peanut butter filling and a caramel sauce, accompanied by passed desserts and a platter of salted chocolate and caramel on each table. Our first dance was to “Fly Me to the Moon,” by Frank Sinatra. Our eight-piece band delivered an amazing party. Thanks to them, our guests let loose and danced the night away!
We are so thankful to all our vendors for exceeding our expectations. The staff at Maritime was absolutely perfect and always enthusiastic and available as they coordinated our ideas. Thank you to our bridal party for helping us make our vision come true. To our families and parents, thank you so much for being so endlessly supportive throughout our relationship and our wedding! We love you!
Maritime Parc, Jersey City, NJ, 201.413.0050, maritimeparc.com
