Oh Danielle and James, what a magnificent day. Danielle you planned this day flawlessly, from the minute we started working together, I knew it would be perfect. What’s even more perfect is how James looks at you. From your engagement session to your wedding, the look in his eyes was something so beautiful. My favorite image is of you coming down the aisle and his reaction. I am so thankful I was able to be a part of your day and celebrate with your family and friends for this incredible day! xo Janine
How and where did James propose?
James proposed on the Top of the Rock in NYC overlooking the Empire State Building at sunset on February 18th, 2017. James does not often plan things so I had a feeling it was coming because he had the entire weekend planned. It was one of those freaky weekends where it was 70 degrees in the middle of February. We shopped around the city in the morning and he rushed me to check in on our check in time at our hotel where he told me get ready for the night by 4:00. After he proposed we went right to dinner at Ruth Chris and saw Aladdin on Broadway. We FaceTimed my family from the middle of Times Square on our way to the play because they were afraid he chickened out! Sunday morning we walked around all of Central Park taking pictures of my ring (and us).
What made you choose your church and venue for your wedding?
The church was my childhood church. I was baptized there, received first communion, confirmation. I also attended school there, was active in the youth group, and worked there all throughout high school and college breaks. I had grown to gave a close relationship with our Pastor and would never dream of getting married anywhere else. It helps that he remodeled (for me 😉 ) to make the church such a beautiful place!
We initially looked at our venue out of obligation to my father. He had been going to golf outings (I think through a fundraiser through our church) for years. Every year he would come home and talk about how much he loved it and how great the food was. He would always say we should look there if we ever got engaged. So we looked there with little to go off because they do not have many pictures online but I knew my dad loved it. The manager is local to scotch plains and he used a lot of family businesses in the area for various components of the wedding (which I loved because I grew up in scotch plains). When we finally went to the venue, we fell in love. Everyone we met was so accommodating and we felt that we couldn’t say no because we got the most bang for our buck which included all we wanted and more! Based on the response from everyone who attended our wedding and how happy we were with the service I would say we made the best choice.
What did you enjoy about the planning process for your day?
There were two top things that I enjoyed. I really enjoy crafting and being creative, so I loved being able to make and create things for the wedding. I am a details person so I loved being able to create personal touches and combine everything I love into one day. I went thrift shopping regularly to get all the centerpiece containers, plates for table numbers, and mirrors for signs. From the bridesmaids belts, to the key favors and the place cards I created everything myself and I loved being able to see my vision come to life. I was fortunate to work with so many great vendors who understood my visions and ties together all the details to make it an absolutely perfect day.
My favorite part of the process of just being engaged was how nice, thoughtful, and happy everyone was towards us and how genuinely excited they were that James and I were getting married. I hope every bride gets to have the same experience during their engagement because the entire process leading up to the wedding was such a happy process. From my patients counting down to the day with me to friends and family checking in constantly to offer help and check in, I always felt so loved and supported. I’m fortunate to have had such a memorable year and a half leading up to our perfect day.
