Their Wedding Day: Florentine Gardens NJ Wedding
Amy & Sam’s Florentine Gardens NJ wedding was the most JOYFUL day! It’s a day I can’t stop thinking about and wish I could relive over and over! Amy & Sam are the sweetest couple. They each radiate their fair share of sunshine, and when they’re together, it creates a contagious atmosphere of love and happiness.
When Amy first reached out to me about her and Sam’s wedding, she told me about their vision for their day. She said, “We have big, fun, happy families that we’re very excited to party and take pictures with. Our color scheme will likely be gray and blue with gold accents and we want our day to feel intimate despite the size. A great party was my number one priority and everything I’ve seen suggests Florentine can really deliver. So fun and chill with a modern/classic combo!” I’d say that the vision came true to a T! Their day was so special with thoughtful personal details, and incredibly sweet emotional moments. The party was AMAZING! And all their guests had the most fun time! I’m so excited to share so many favorite photos from their wedding day at Florentine Gardens! But first, their love story!
Their Love Story
When I asked Amy & Sam to share with me one thing they love about each other, they gave such thoughtful answers. Amy said, “Oh goodness one thing okay. How sweet he is. He always gives me a hug and a kiss when we leave for work and when we get home and he builds me back up when I’ve had a bad day.” Sam said, “Everything! But one in particular is how goofy she is, goofier than me even, though she hides it sometimes. I also love how she wants to spend time with me even when I’m grumpy. And how even though she’s really smart, she never makes me feel stupid. I love that I always feel comfortable with her. She’s my favorite person in the world.”
Amy & Sam love to spend date nights exploring new local restaurants near their apartment. Amy said, “We chat the whole time (it will never cease to amaze me that we always have tons to talk about, we spend so much time together already), laugh over a drink or two, then typically go for a walk. The night usually ends with us cuddled up together with a good movie! But honestly, every outing with Sam can feel like a date. He loves holding my hand, giving me quick kisses, making me feel loved. I didn’t know that kind of love existed, and could last. Everyone keeps asking us when our honeymoon phase will end and I hope it never does.”
How They Met
Amy & Sam have that soulmate kind of love. And it all started when they connected on Hinge! Sam told me, “There were multiple times that I thought Amy wasn’t going to reply to me on Hinge so I was just really excited that we got to a first date lol” Sam invited Amy out to rooftop drinks, and as Amy tells it, “We met at a restaurant that didn’t have the promised rooftop, so after a few drinks, I brought him to one down the street with a great view of the Empire State Building (or as Sam called it, “the Eiffel Tower”). Six hours and many drinks later, we left the rooftop and agreed to spend the fourth of July together for date #2! (Which is a whole other story. I met his parents on that date! XD)”
The Proposal
“I knew it was coming and I still cried.” Amy tells their proposal story best. It’s so sweet! She said, “Sam had booked us a belated three-year-anniversary glamping trip (glamping in the broadest of terms; the toilet was a bag and so was the shower) and would not stop talking about it. He kept asking if I was excited, if I liked the spot he chose, if I had a guess about the surprise dinner he’d be bringing. We often go actual camping, which we both very much enjoy, but I could tell that this was special.”
“We got to the spot (“after driving through the second cornfield, make a left”), a small, secluded section in the woods, and I thought either this is where he proposes or this is where he murders me because no one would ever find my body. As we were setting up camp, he asked me to unpack the surprise dinner and tell him what it was. As I was describing the food, he, unbeknownst to me, set up his phone to take a video, then grabbed the ring from the tent. I heard him get down on one knee behind me and knew that was it! It was short and sweet (and he cried first, don’t let anyone tell you different) and we got to spend the rest of the weekend in engaged bliss, wandering through cornfields in the dark surrounded by fireflies, going on nature walks to learn about the local birds, holding hands and smiling hugely at each other with no one else needing to know why.”
To the Newlyweds
Amy & Sam, where do I even begin!? I just love you guys. I couldn’t be more grateful for you both, and so happy to have been a part of your wedding day. It was the most amazing experience and truly a highlight of my year getting to celebrate you two! I can’t wait to see all the adventures you two take on in this next chapter of your love story! Congratulations you two!! xoxoxox
Vendors
2nd Photographer: Ryan Hardin
Photo Assistant: Barbara Marcella
Venue: The Estate at Florentine Gardens
Planning + Event Design: Amanda Rae Events Styling Co
Hair: Shannon Sara Bridal Hair
MUA: A Beauty by Amanda
Florist: Dahlia Floral + Event
Rentals: Nuage Designs
DJ: Tony Gia
Videography: Sal Travis Entertainment
Invitation Suite: Creationari
Dress Designer: Paloma Blanca Bridal
Dress Boutique: I Do.. I Do..
Bride’s Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes
Bracelet: Zales
Rings: Braunschweiger Jewelers
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Biltmore Tuxedos
Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan
Cufflinks: Muujee
Groom’s Wedding Band: Bleu Royale
Cake: Palermo’s Bakery
Dance Lessons: The Dance Collective
Live Painter: Watch Maggie Paint
Transportation: Ramstar Transportation Inc.
Wedding Cornhole: Wedding Woodworks Co.
Wedding Cornhole Bags: Embroidery by Zevotek
