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Erica and Johnathon met during their junior year at college in South Carolina. And it was only fitting that Johnathon's proposal take place in that same state where they met and fell in love.
Johnathon told Erica that he was taking her from their home in New Jersey to his parents' beach house in South Carolina to add to the celebration of her birthday. Because there was a lot of traffic, Erica insisted they take the subway to the airport, which made Johnathon nervous because he was carrying the ring in his backpack!
When they arrived, Erica thought it was strange that there was no one else there (friends were supposed to be coming to celebrate her birthday). On that Saturday, Erica and Johnathon played golf, then Johnathon told Erica they were meeting friends on the beach, then going to her birthday dinner. Erica didn't notice her friends there as they walked across the sand and down to the ocean. When Johnathon told her he spotted dolphins, Erica turned to look and when she looked back, he was on one knee! Celebrations with friends and family were next, then Johnathon took Erica to a special dinner in Charleston before returning home.
On their wedding morning, Erica and Johnathon both got dressed and ready for their day in separate suites at their reception venue, Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey, one of our absolute favorites in the world. Erica and her very large bridal party had their hair and makeup perfected together at the resort. After a champagne toast to the bride in their cute matching floral pj's, her bridesmaids and maid and matron of honor dressed into their very chic, long black gowns.
Johnathon and his groomsmen had a beer, played some pool, and then got dressed in a suite at Pleasantdale. They all wore matching black tuxedos, looking spectacular together and with the bridal party all in black as well. And the bridesmaids' gorgeous floral bouquets in fuchsia, blush, bright pink and purple from Debbie's Designs looked incredible against their black dresses.
Then, Erica put on her amazing Caroline Castigliano bridal gown. It had a strapless bodice with subtle boning, a graceful full skirt and lovely lace appliques and sequined embroidery throughout the entire gown. The delicate buttons down the back were simply divine. She looked absolutely beautiful!
Erica had her first look with her father, and then with her bridal party, before their first formal photo shoot of the day. Once again, we were thrilled to work alongside the amazing Paul Francis Photography team for this event as those fantastic photos were taken. Then, the Rolls Royce arrived to whisk Erica and her father off to the church.
The couple's beautiful wedding ceremony was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in South Orange. Their ceremony was traditional, and they exchanged rings, recited their solemn vows and became 'husband and wife' before their family and friends. Afterwards, their family and friends saluted them with bubbles!
We all traveled back to the gorgeous Pleasantdale Chateau for the reception. This amazing venue truly transports you to old world Europe, with every detail echoing an authentic French chateau. It's such an amazing location for a wedding event. And what a gorgeous backdrop for those formal and candid photos.
Erica and Johnathon entered the ballroom and moved right to the middle of their dance floor for their first romantic dance of the evening. Then those lovely parent dances captured the spotlight.
After the parent dances came one of our favorite parts of the evening, the speeches. We heard beautiful and touching toasts from Erica's maid of honor, her younger sister, and from her matron of honor, her best friend, from Erica's father and from Johnathon's best man and cousin. There were definitely lots of happy tears!
A short dance set was announced for guests to get out on the floor and have fun before dinner was served. Then that dance floor opened back up for the rest of the party, and stayed packed all night! The Nick Campbell Band from Hank Lane Music just kept on playing the hits guests wanted to hear!
This wonderful event was meticulously planned by Kathleen Deo, and truly went without a single hitch. It was such a joyous celebration that we were so thrilled to be a part of capturing for Erica and Johnathon. Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Photographer: Paul Francis Photography - Morristown, NJ
Floral Design: Debbie's Designs - West Orange, NJ
Hair Stylist: Ash Rai Beauty Co. - Ashley Raibick
Makeup Artist: Beauty on Location - Morristown, NJ
Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano
Bridal Shoes: Loeffler Randall
Entertainment: Hank Lane Music & Productions - Nick Campbell Band - New York, NY
Cake: Pleasantdale Chateau Pastry Kitchen - West Orange, NJ
Wedding Planner: Kathleen Deo Weddings - Red Bank, NJ
Officiant: Rev. Father Andrew Lee - South Orange, NJ
Church: Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church - South Orange, NJ
Venue: Pleasantdale Chateau - West Orange, NJ