If you ask me, this wedding is the perfect intersection of contemporary and classic. With a design concept of pure white, fresh greenery and accents of black and gold, the groundwork was laid for a gorgeous day and it’s all thanks to Wile Events. They translated the couple’s personal style to a wedding worth obsessing over, and we’ve got it all from the lens of Christina Lilly Photography.
From Wile Events… New Jersey natives Marisa and Marc met in Hoboken where they both reside, Marisa a professional in the fashion industry and Marc the owner of a popular neighborhood restaurant. When Marc proposed on the same street corner where Marisa first said “I love you” and considering the life they shared was here in Hoboken, they knew they wanted to commemorate their marriage in close proximity, choosing to marry at St Ann’s – a stone’s throw from Marc’s restaurant and to celebrate in neighboring Jersey City.
This classic couple shares a personal aesthetic that leans towards a neutral palette and clean lines – from the way they dress to the way they decorate their home and work spaces. It was this same understated elegance that inspired their event design concept of pure white, fresh greenery and accents of black and gold. Sharing an Italian heritage, it was important to both the bride and groom to celebrate their background with subtle accents throughout their event.
Invitations designed by Wile Events arrived in ecru envelopes with custom matte black liners. A simple “M” monogram adorned the letter pressed invitations, as both bride and groom share the same double M initials.
The ceremony was held at St Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, a traditional, beautiful space requiring only a few lush garlands of greenery to accent the pews. The bride wore a Carolina Herrera gown in a classic silhouette and a simple floral cuff in place of a traditional bouquet, and the groom a Giorgio Armani Collection tuxedo.
Battelo, a chic waterfront restaurant and event space in Jersey City, was the perfect backdrop for their cocktail hour and reception, with white walls, exposed beams and brickwork, a massive reclaimed wood bar and breathtaking views of Manhattan. Greeting guests at cocktail hour was an eight-foot custom designed escort board in matte black adorned with a grand garland of greenery and white blooms, accented with classic white pillar candles. Guests sipped on Aperol spritzes and white negronis while enjoying antipasti.
Transitioning to the reception space, guests were seated at rounds dressed in white linens with natural bentwood chairs and greeted by hand-lettered table numbers on Lucite and matte black letter pressed menus tucked into white linen napkins with a sprig of greenery. The Wile Events floral design team created several floral vignette variations to create a layered look within the space. Some tables were adorned with glass compotes of seasonal white, high petal count blooms with accents of greenery, some with a trio of petite arrangements of single varietals, and some featured floating candle holders in elegant, footed glass holders and gold julep vases. Italian accents such as the Tuscan-style urns with olive branches atop the bar and traditional favors of five gilded dragées in Lucite boxes – each signifying a wish for the happy couple – were subtle reminders of the couple’s ancestry.
The bride’s one piece of advice for brides-to-be? “Enjoy it and trust the people you hire. You hired them for a reason so let them work their magic while you enjoy the excitement of it all!”
Photography: Christina Lilly Photography | Floral Design: Wile Events | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Wedding Invitations: Wile Events | Ceremony Venue: St Ann Church | Reception Venue: Battello | Shoes: Paul Andrew | Hair + Makeup: Salon Gatto | Tuxedo: Giorgio Armani | Veil: Twigs and Honey | Wedding Planners: Wile Events