Estate at Florentine Gardens Wedding | Erika & Matt

March 25, 2024

On March 16th, I photographed Erika and Matt’s Estate at Florentine Gardens Wedding in River Vale, NJ. Erika & Matt had a romantic and classic black tie wedding with a color palette of white and greenery with a pop of lavender to welcome the new spring that is on its way. Their day began with the girls in the bridal suite and Matt and his groomsmen arriving in game day style! Once Erika had popped the champagne and was dressed she did a first look with both her father and brother before my happy couple had their emotional first look. Once they saw one another and shed a few tears, it was time for them to read their personal vows. Once portraits were complete they had a perfect ceremony underneath a gorgeously decorated chuppah while the sun set. And finally, their night ended with a lively reception with a live band, romantic first dance, a hora, sweet speeches, a photo dash with photos with each table, a tee shirt toss from the balcony, and a bride and groom who never left the dance floor! Keep scrolling to read their love story and to view my full recap of their day!

Erika and Matt first met at one of their high school intramural volleyball games in 2011. Erika’s best friend Steph introduced her to Matt. After that day, they became facebook friends. Erika says she can’t really pinpoint their first date because their story didn’t truly begin until the Spring of 2012. Erika was not looking for a relationship at the time and just decided it would be nice just to have a guy friend. It wasn’t until during the beginning of spring break that she and Matt were talking about what they had planned for the summer that things became real, Erika’s mom had planned to take her on a cruise to Bermuda for her 16th birthday that August, coincidentally, Matt was also going on that same cruise with his family! That cruise was a special time in their relationship, each night they would go off on the ship and hang out together. One of those nights Matt took her to the front of the ship and they gazed at the most beautiful starry night, to this day that is one of her favorite memories.

Engaged on 11/05/2022, the proposal from Erika: “I knew the proposal was coming soon, I just had no idea as to “when”. The day of the proposal I didn’t see it coming. A few days before Matt told me that his sister and her boyfriend were coming down for brunch. It was the warmest day in November (75 degrees) and I was so stressed because I had just put away my summer stuff and “had nothing to wear”. I remember crying a bit that day because I was just so upset about the selection of outfits I had. Luckily, I kept a maxi dress on hand which I ended up wearing. I remember he was extra sweet that day with his compliments. Once his sister and boyfriend came by we all just chatted for a bit, thinking back now I can tell the energy was just off between everyone. So Matt said we’re going to go walk down by the pier before brunch. So we get down to the pier and I notice rose pedals on the ground and the first thing that comes out of my mouth was “OMG, someone just got engaged!” (still not thinking it would be me). We decided we were all going to take turns taking photos. Once it was our turn to take photos I turn to put my bag down and before I know it he is down one knee. I was SO surprised! I always thought I would know when a proposal was coming and stressed to Matt I don’t want to see it coming. He delivered on a successful surprise proposal! Funny enough after I asked him if he put the rose pedals on the ground and he said nope! So he was so excited that they were there.”

Erika, a logistics specialist for a chemical logistics company and Matt, an attorney love to try new restaurants and local breweries when they weren’t planning their Estate at Florentine Gardens wedding. Now married, their dreams for their marriage is to continue to put each other first and remember that a friendship between the two of them is very important. They hope to purchase their first home and they hope to travel. Having a family is very important to them and they hope to start a family within the next few years.

Erika’s advice for couple’s planning is to start right away with the big stuff. Especially if you have at least a year until your wedding date. Yes, you have plenty of time to get things done but don’t procrastinate. In Erika’s experience, getting every big thing done within ten months before the wedding date has helped lessen the stress.