Woohoo! We have been published in Well Wed! Many thanks to Nichole from Posh Pretty Parties for coordinating Alicia and Tony‘s wedding day. To view the full post on Well Wed’s blog click HERE.
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I cannot say enough good things about Cassie and Gerry. They are an amazingly beautiful couple inside and out. Cassie writes a blog, Life and other beautiful things, where she discusses and documents their home renovation project, preparation for marriage, relationship advice she has picked up along the way, “and other beautiful things” to quote her. I have literally laughed out loud and cried real tears while reading her blog, especially while reading about their love story.
Cassie and Gerry met before they could even talk. If you saw the post from their engagement session you have heard the story, but it bears repeating. They were two-years-old when Gerry stole her Cheerios, an event he actually remembers! Though they did not form a friendship until they met again in high school while working on student council and junior Prom. And even though they even went together to junior Prom, their romantic relationship still had not yet begun. I have to quote Cassie on the rest of the story because she tells it so beautifully…
“he mustered up the courage to ask me to be his date. From then on, Gerry silently and patiently pursued me for six years. While I always adored his friendship, I actually dated other people and went off to college in Ohio, and then moved away further when I studied abroad in Austria. All the while, Gerry waited on me patiently. He knew from the moment we met again in high school that he wanted to one day make me his wife. While I was in studying abroad in Austria during my sophomore year of college, I had a wave of overwhelming love for Gerry, and felt that God was nudging me toward him. It wasn’t until two years later, right after we both had graduated college that it was the right time for our dating relationship to begin on June 26, 2009. I had just left Boston, turning down a year long internship to come home and “see about Gerry.” When Gerry holds me, he is holding years of perseverance, patience, and prudence that have turned into reciprocated passion.”
Is this not a match made in heaven?
Three years into their relationship, on Gerry’s birthday, he took Cassie out to the same restaurant where they had their first date (other than the prom!). They had a lovely and relaxed day together which ended at their house (at that time, his house) which was under construction. Sitting in the room that is now their bedroom Gerry asked for something else for his birthday: for Cassie to spend the rest of her life with him! Despite all the signs and clues earlier in the day, Cassie was taken by complete surprise! She said yes and how did you do it? (meaning how did he surprise her) about as many times as she could. Cassie took in the moment and the sweet look on Gerry’s face as she accepted his proposal. Now they have completely finished construction on their home together and are husband and wife! Their wedding day was just as beautiful as the rest of their love story and we are so happy to be able to share them with you in this blog post. Cassie and Gerry we are so happy for you two, congratulations!!
*Carolyn
ps. If you are in the mood for a good love story and would like to read the full version Cassie wrote visit her blog here.
First Look & Portrait Location: Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ
Ceremony Venue: Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark NJ
Reception Venue: Highlawn Pavilion at Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange NJ
Hair Stylist: Edith Hair Salon
Makeup Artist: Gina M. D’Urso, Make Up Artist & Beauty Consultant
Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Bella Formals by Venus
Bridal Gown: Exclusive Gown from Russel’s
Florals: Mohn’s Flowers & Fancy Foods
Cake Artist: Gabe Giella
DJ: Eddie Boa and Mario Panicucci of DJs Unlimited
The father of the bride’s first glimpse at his daughter on her wedding day.
Cassie’s hair and makeup were done to perfection by the talented Edith Hair Salon and Gina M. D’Urso, Make Up Artist & Beauty Consultant
Cassie’s bridesmaids looked beautiful in their teal Bella Formals by Venus dresses
Gerry patiently waited for his bride to arrive at Branch Brook Park for their first look.
They decided to stand back to back for a minute to talk before the big reveal.
Gerry’s reaction to seeing his bride for the first time on their wedding day is priceless.
Cassie and Gerry walked down the aisle together at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ.
The celebration continued at the lovely Highlawn Pavilion at Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, NJ.
Eddie Boa and Mario Panicucci of DJs Unlimited had everyone celebrating with Cassie & Gerry on the dance floor.
The full galleries of photographs from Cassie & Gerry’s wedding are available to view and purchase by clicking here.
Want to leave Cassie & Gerry some love? Use the comment box below!
December 27, 2012 - 5:01 pm
SO beautiful!
December 30, 2012 - 4:51 pm
I had a great time at your wedding. It was very beautiful. You both are 2 of the nicest people I ever met. Best of everything to you both! love and hugs LoConte
February 5, 2014 - 7:17 am
[…] second inspiration that didn’t allow much time to move around and find a better spot. So when Cassie and Gerry chose this image for their wedding album I knew that I had to find a way to clean up some of the […]
I love how the holidays have a way of making us remember the things that are most important: love and family, and the joy and peace they bring to us. And with a big Italian family like ours you are always surrounded by family! We have been soaking in the goodness of the season with two family weddings – one I posted about last week and one this past weekend where this photo was taken. We hope that no matter what your holiday, you are able to put all your to-do lists aside and fully enjoy this joyful time of year of togetherness and love. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
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*Carolyn
ps. A big thank you to Darren and Taylor at Aevum Studios who took good care of Anna and Andrew on their big day!
Natalie and Anthony are simply adorable together. They met when they were just teenagers in high school, and even though Natalie was an underclassman while Anthony was in an older grade, they developed a friendship and their relationship began. Natalie and Anthony have been together ever since, all through the rest of their time in high school and college, and now they are preparing to make a commitment to each other at their wedding next year! Natalie and Anthony it was an honor to photograph your engagement session, congratulations!
*Carolyn
Leave Natalie & Anthony some love in the comment box below and let them know which are your favorites!
January 7, 2013 - 7:02 am
[…] from our amazing couples. Here is one we just received from Natalie and Anthony after photographing their engagement session. Our couples are the bestThanks, Natalie & Anthony, we are looking forward to photographing […]
March 11, 2013 - 8:36 pm
I loved them all! You two are so beautiful!
March 19, 2013 - 8:30 am
[…] Second Place: Natalie and Anthony […]
-We love marriage just as much as we love weddings. Take a moment to prepare not just for the wedding, but for the marriage –
It has been over a year since we started writing “Monday Marriage Moments” and I went back today to read the first one I wrote in September 2011, entitled “Advancing His/Her Preferences” and I felt like I was really writing it for myself, I really needed the reminder! So I am sharing this post again with you today, but with a new title “How to Get Back That Lovin’ Feelin'”
Click HERE to go the original post. Or you can simply read it below:
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Paul said he wanted to relax and watch a movie and asked, “What do you want to watch?” Paul jokes that I only like movies that end with rainbows and puppy dogs – which is not true. But really, is there anything wrong with liking happy movies? I didn’t think so. So I’d normally say a romantic comedy, but rather than offer another movie like What Women Want, I said “Whatever you want.” You have to understand, I don’t usually say this. And its not because I’m a selfish control freak… well maybe a little. But really Paul’s taste in movies is very different from mine. I lean towards romantic comedies, while Paul leans towards historical war movies. So while I want to watch Sleepless in Seattle, he wants to watch Band of Brothers. We do enjoy each other’s movies at times, but it’s definitely a sacrifice.
Paul, being the wonderful husband that he is, tried to pick a movie that, while not being my style, I would still enjoy. (I also really love movies that are complex and interesting, but I’m almost never in the mood for those because I usually watch movies when I want to relax and not think.) Paul picked out The Count of Monte Cristo, and refused to tell me anything about it except that it starred Jim Caviezel. I had a hard time getting into it at first, but I have to admit I LOVED it. I loved it so much that I’m writing about this today, weeks after this actually happened.
To get to my point, I didn’t let Paul pick so that I would be surprised by a great movie, I let him pick because I wanted to do something for him. Rather than pick what I want, again. I bit my lip and said “whatever you want”. It was an act of kindness. A gesture of love. A sacrifice for my husband. I may sound a bit dramatic, but sometimes the smallest of sacrifices are the most difficult. If someone asked you to jump in front of a car to save your fiance(e)’s life, would you do it? Of course, in a heartbeat. If your fiance(e) asked you to watch a guy or girly movie on your night off, would you do it? Maybe not as easily. But these are the little things that let your other half know “I love you”. I believe that continuing to advance the other’s preferences helps our marriage immensely. When Paul lets me have the last bite of his ice cream cone, orders out a meal so I don’t have to cook, or advances my preferences in some way, I feel loved. I feel like we’re dating again. I feel like he doesn’t just love me, but he likes me. And that’s important to me in marriage.
How have you advanced your significant other’s preferences? We would love to hear suggestions from you.
*Carolyn
