“Magnificent”
Our parents lived in Nutley, NJ and all went to the same high school. Years later, Anthony became best friends with my cousins and was considered part of the family. We had secret crushes on each other and eventually, when the timing seemed right, we went on our first to date to Del Posto. From that moment on, we knew we would get married.
Anthony proposed in a private room at The Rainbow Room, beautifully decorated for the special moment. A pathway of white rose petals led to Anthony, who was on one knee. There was a two-piece band, a photographer, and a table set up with champagne and caviar. I started crying happy tears. Our forever was beginning!
My father, Joe Maurillo, is a co-owner of Park Château Estate and Gardens. From the moment they built it, I knew I wanted to get married there. The pristine grounds and magnificent facilities are perfect for an extravagant affair. Park Château is wonderful at working very closely with each bride and groom to make their individual wedding dreams come true. We hired Pat Glenn Productions as our party planner and florist so we could focus on other aspects of the wedding. We were amazed at the outcome of the effort put in by the staff at Park Château and Pat and Glenn. They worked together along with all of us to give us the wedding of our dreams.
As guests arrived, they were escorted to the onsite chapel where they found champagne and their seating cards displayed on silk ribbons hanging from a custom-built tree. The gardens were enhanced with a long, lush aisle of white hydrangea, roses, and hybrid delphinium, ending with an extravagant ceremony arch where Most Reverend Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli officiated our ceremony.
Our cocktail hour was a two-hour formal reception. Throughout the cocktail rooms and outside on the grounds, live music from a trio of electric violinists and a quartet of Italian singers serenaded our guests. We had 16 different stations with our favorite foods, an upscale wine bar, tequila bar, and a martini bar set up in the cocktail rooms overflowing into the gardens. Joe Leone and his team made fresh mozzarella, homemade ricotta, and burrata cheese. We ended cocktail hour with a 15-minute fireworks display, choreographed with handpicked love songs.
Passing the grand staircase with cascading flowers from top to bottom, our guests entered the ballroom to be greeted by a chic, white palette. We added a white carpet and white acrylic dance floor over the existing one. Our sweetheart table had crystal candelabras at either end with coordinating flowers and a display of hydrangea and hybrid delphinium on the floor. We had alternating centerpieces of flowers, candles, and hanging tea lights. A tent off the ballroom in the garden allowed guests to wander and enjoy our bourbon and scotch bars. The dance floor was filled from beginning to end. It made us so happy to see everyone having such a great time. Looking at our photos, we were both smiling non-stop. When dancing to our first dance song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” we felt like we were the only two people in the room.
Dinner was as perfect as everything else. First course was a lobster and colossal crabmeat sabayon; second course was a roasted red and yellow beet salad, and our entrée options were bone-in filet mignon, pan-seared Dover sole, and a chicken roulade. Each entrée was accompanied by a truffle-scented seven-layer cake, roasted red pepper mousse, and grilled asparagus. Following the reception was a two-hour after-party in the veranda. We turned it into a nightclub with a boardwalk and diner theme. Our favorite station was the Luberto Fitness Station, which we had in memory of Anthony’s Dad. It offered different flavored smoothies along with specialty cookies. We used the original sign from the gym in Nutley, NJ, which added a special touch.
A very special thank you to our parents. Our wedding day wouldn’t have been possible without your support and love. Thank you to our family and friends for celebrating our new life together with us, and thank you to Park Château, Pat Glenn Productions, and all our vendors for making our day absolutely seamless! We love you all!
Park Château Estate and Gardens, East Brunswick, NJ, 732.238.4200, www.parkchateau.com
“My father, Joe Maurillo, is a co-owner of Park Château Estate and Gardens. From the moment they built it, I wanted to get married there. The pristine grounds and magnificent facilities are perfect for an extravagant affair.
