1. Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?

My inspiration for my dream wedding was simple, elegant and personal. I wanted my guests to walk into a candle lit room full of love, laughter and fun.

2. Let's talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

I wanted the day to feel magical. I incorporated large pampas grass going down the aisle to give the ceremony a whimsical vibe and something other than typical flowers, a bit different than the many weddings I’ve been to before. All the music during the ceremony was personal and meaningful to me. Songs that represented Brian and I and our families.

3. What were the florals like in your wedding? Did you use flowers in any of your design elements like the bridal bouquets, centerpieces or ceremony backdrop? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?

I absolutely loved my florals. The woman who designed my bouquet created exactly what I had envisioned. I explained to her that I wanted a variety of textures and a larger bouquet than normal and she created just that. My bridesmaids bouquets were also stunning, smaller versions of the one I carried.

4. Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

For those who don’t know, I am twelfth grade English teacher, so I wanted to incorporate quotes from famous authors that I’ve cherished over the years about romance and love. I wanted our guests to read them going up the stairs of the venue, welcoming them to OUR very own love story. I wanted the entire ceremony to feel personal. For me, that was extremely important. I desired for my guests to feel the love and understand our story. My cousin Vinny, who is so special to me, was the officiant, and he was absolutely perfect. He told our story and made the ceremony extremely meaningful and heartfelt. This was absolutely the most perfect touch to my dream wedding.

5. Let's talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.

Simple meets elegance. I wanted something timeless and beautiful.

6. How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.

Brian and I grew up together, he is my cousin Timmy’s childhood best friend, so we’ve known each other through all stages of life. We reconnected at Timmy’s wedding and the rest was history. Brian proposed a year later in our apartment, intimate with roses and candles everywhere. It was perfect.

7. What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

The most anticipated moment was the first look between my husband and I. The entire morning getting ready I felt nervous, wanting everything to be perfect. I’m quite the perfectionist and leaving my day in the hands of others is not the norm for me. I sat calmly getting my hair and makeup done but thinking and anxiously waiting for it all to start. I kept thinking of Brian. I just couldn’t wait to see him for the first time. The entire ride over to the park in the trolly I was nervous, but as soon as I saw him all my nerves went away. Brian has always calmed me and that’s one of the reasons I think I’ve always been drawn to him. At that moment, I knew this man would be my forever.