BC the Mag Occasions Fall/Winter 2015

FALL/WINTER 2015

OCCASIONS

CELEBRATIONS!

Stories and scenes from the latest Bergen County parties

FALL/ WINTERR 2015

JUST DESSERTS! HOUSE PARTY! www.bcthemag.com

Throw the party of a lifetime and never leave the house

Our guide to keeping the holidays sweet

WINTER WEDDINGS ARE THE NEW BLACK Make yours a white hot affair

We are committed to providing each We are committed to providing each client, friendmember and family client, friend and family with member with an unrivaled an unrivaled experience of a lifetime.

experience a lifetime.

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At The areeverything devoted making yourEstate, specialwe day to making your special day you dreamed it would be… and much everything you dreamed it more. We would love the opportunity to would be... and much more. be a We partwould of your beautiful beginning, love the opportunity your to wonderful journey and abeautiful day you be a part of your beginning, will remember for ayour lifetime.wonderful journey and a day you will remember 97 Rivervale Rd.for a lifetime.

River Vale, NJ 07675 P: 201-666-0444 | F: 201-666-3032 River Vale, NJ 07675 florentinegardens.com P: 201-666-0444 | F: 201-666-3032 florentinegardens.com

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devoted

to making your special day

everything you dreamed it would be‌

and much more

FALL/WINTER 2015

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PUBLISHERS SHARON & STEVEN GOLDSTEIN ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER BRANDON GOLDSTEIN EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROBERT GOLD DESIGN DIRECTOR DEANA IVORY MARKETING & SALES LINDA BARBA AMY SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SUZANNE AKIAN TARA DELORENZO ASHLEY JOHNSON LAURA PETROCELLI TESSA VIOLE DOMINIQUE WILSON CONTRIBUTING EVENT PLANNERS COUTURE CONCEPTS NY DREAMERS JOY EVENTS & DESIGN KRAFT EVENT MANAGEMENT NE OCCASION EVENT STYLING & DESIGN

BC the Magazine Occasions is published by BC the Mag Find us at www.BCtheMag.com For advertising and information, please call 201-265-2286 Copyright 2015. All materials are the property of Bergen County the Magazine, LLC., and may not be copied or reproduced without the written consent from the publishers.

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P UB L I S H ER’ S L ETTER

Many would say that the party scene settles down come this time of the year. We however, have learned that in Bergen County, the festivities never stop.

Whether it’s birthdays, mitzvahs, weddings or simply celebrating Christmas, this town has always been known for going above and beyond. Thus far, 2015 has been no different, and we don’t expect there to be a lull in the excitement any time soon.

In this, our 5th issue of BC the Mag Occasions you will once again see more than 10 outstanding examples of how the great residents of Bergen County can throw a bash like no other.

With Halloween coming up, we wanted to give you some spooky ways to entertain guests, as well as a dessert guide that will have your mouth watering right until it’s time to take down the Christmas tree. We take a look at some of 2015’s great trends, and give you some pointers on hosting the party of the year in the luxury of your own home.

We haven’t popped the champagne for 2016 just yet; so let’s make sure we end 2015 with a spectacular bang!

Cheers,

Brandon Goldstein

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FALL/WINTER 2015

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C ONTENT S WINTER/FALL 2015

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THE ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN PARTY Fright night favorites for a spook-tacular time

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HOUSE PARTY! The benefits of having an intimate affair in the luxury of

your own home

The Wedding of Samantha Lanzo & Matthew Albanese

WINTER WEDDINGS ARE THE NEW BLACK Embracing the unconventional for a white hot affair

LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD An imaginative review of the 2015 wedding season

The Bridal Shower of Amanda Daidone

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HANDMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS How to make your home holiday ready

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BE READY FOR ANYTHING Preparing your finances for marriage

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IT’S ALL ABOUT DESSERT! The 2015 Guide to Delicious Delights

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CELEBRATIONS Stories and scenes from Bergen’s best parties

C ELEB R ATIO NS : The Wedding of Jillian Cottiers & Jeff Schwind

The Engagement Party of Dionna Scirica & Christopher Cuneo The Wedding of Kristin Magala & Ryan Donde

Halle’s Sweet 16

The Wedding of Kristen Steitz & Matthew Lasala

Eva’s 2nd Birthday

The Bar Mitzvah of Isaac Oliff-Lieberman

The Baby Shower of Samantha Steimle Reinhold The Wedding of Jessica Zuckerman & Alesandro Tourtounis

Cover photo courtesy of Milton Gil Photography / Florentine Gardens

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C ON TEN TS WINTER/FALL 2015 FALL/WINTER 2015

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Throwing the

Ultimate Halloween Party Check out these fright-night favorites to throw a spook-tacular get together of your own It’s that time of year, and we couldn’t be more frightened! Halloween might have us frantically wondering what costumes to wear just days before October 31st, but that doesn’t mean you have to scramble looking for great entertainment ideas for monsters of all ages to enjoy.

How to Host the Perfect Spooky Gathering Halloween is the perfect time to throw on a costume and act like a kid. Of course, you want friends and family there to partake in the spooky fun, too. Here are a few tips to make sure your party is remembered long after the witches put away their cauldrons: •

•

•

Set a festive mood: Creepy Halloween decor, such as spider webs and Jack-O-Lanterns, can be placed around the house and yard to help get guests into the holiday spirit. Halloween-themed music, such as “Monster Mash” and movies, such as “Dracula” and “Frankenstein,” can help offset any down time, as can sharing scary stories.

Play some ghoulish games: Bobbing for apples is a Halloween tradition you can’t leave out. Halloween bingo or a pin the tail on the donkey-type game, such as pin the nose on the skull, can also add to the fun. Looking for something more Interactive? Try a treasure hunt for a ghost ship’s loot by scattering clues around the house that lead to ghastly goodies.

Vampires, ghosts and zombies, oh my: Add a costume contest to the mix and hand out prizes to some of the best. Try breaking the contest into a few categories or by age, and awarding prizes, such as most creative, judge’s choice and crowd favorite.

Bringing Watermelon into Autumn Before you start carving, check out a few helpful carving tips and tricks: • The whole watermelon should be at room temperate when you carve to make cutting and slicing easier.

Then, chill the watermelon after cutting and before serving.

• Cut a small, thin, flat piece from the bottom of the watermelon before carving. This will provide a flat base, making the watermelon more stable when carving.

• Draw the design on the watermelon rind with a fine/medium point waterproof marker or a sharp pencil before you cut.

• Use a sharp knife with a pointed tip – the sharper the knife, the easier and cleaner the cuts will be.

Head of Frankenstein What you’ll need:

Oblong shaped seedless or seeded watermelon Large kitchen and paring knives Melon baller Honeydew Green dry erase marker Straight pins or toothpicks

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Chocolate wafer cookies, large and mini sizes Black edible sugar sheets or construction paper Black licorice strings Pair of chopsticks Chocolate covered mini donuts Spooky decorations

Wash watermelon under cool running water and pat dry. On a cutting board, place the watermelon on its side and cut ½ to ž inch from each end, creating a sturdy base and top portion for carving. Stand the watermelon upright.

Scoop out a good amount of red fruit from the top of the watermelon with a melon baller, also using the melon baller to scoop a generous portion of honeydew to make a fruit salad. Refill the top portion of watermelon with balls of watermelon and honeydew.

From ends that were cut off, draw a nose with dry erase marker and use a paring knife to cut it out. Attach to watermelon using straight pins or toothpicks.

For eyes: Peel two large and two small chocolate wafer cookies in half. Using sturdy toothpicks or straight pins, attach large cookies with white icing facing out from the watermelon and attach small black cookie portion to white icing to create Frankenstein's pupils.

Cut black edible sugar sheets or construction paper half-length wise then make zig zag cuts to create hair; attach this to top of the watermelon using straight pins.

Use straight pins to attach black licorice to create the mouth and stitches randomly on face.

Three-quarters down watermelon on each side of the face, insert a chopstick and attach a chocolate covered mini donut to each chopstick to resemble screws in Frankenstein's neck.

Complete the carving with additional spooky decorations of your choosing.

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Watermelon Glazed Meatballs Serves: 6 to 8

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 24-36 frozen prepared mini meatballs 1 cup watermelon puree (instructions below) 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce Heat oil in large heavy saute pan over medium high heat or electric skillet set on 325°F. Saute meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low.

To make the watermelon puree, remove seeds from fresh watermelon and cut into large chunks. Place in a blender and process until smooth and well pureed.

Mix together barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over meatballs and simmer for a few minutes. Serve hot.

Bubbling Witches Brew To make 5 cups, freshly squeeze 3 ½ cups mandarin orange juice and ½ cup lemon juice. Cover and chill.

When ready to serve, pour chilled juice into punch bowl or pitcher and stir in 1 cup chilled sweet sparkling soda and ice cubes.

Taste for sweetness.

Peel and slice mandarin oranges to make pinwheel shapes that resemble spider webs to garnish each drink. Use frozen red or black grapes as an additional optional garnish.

Spook-tacular Fruit Cups Cut off top 1 ⁄5 of an orange and use a paring knife to separate fruit from inside of an orange, being careful not to cut through peel. It’s not necessary to get all of the flesh out, just enough to fill with cut fruit.

Squeeze juice from removed fruit and add to Bubbling Witches Brew.

If necessary, shave small amount of peel off bottom so cups sit level, being careful not to create an opening in the base. Use paring knife to carve faces, and fill each cup with orange pieces, melon balls, grapes and blueberries.

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We pursue a single goal: to create settings for garden weddings warmed by timeless elegance and matched by a wedding reception with flawless service. From superb cuisine to lovely natural gardens and unparalleled staff, The Park Savoy is a wonderfully unique wedding facility. In keeping with our commitment to service, we cater to one wedding at a time so that we may focus our attention solely on you and your guests.

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HOUSE PARTY!

The benefits of having an intimate affair in the luxury of your own home.

By Ashley Johnson

T

is’ the season to celebrate! When it comes to planning any event, sometimes the comfort of your own home is best. Whether it be a birthday party, bridal shower, holiday function or a graduation party, sometimes it is best to keep it close to home, literally.

NE Occasion has had the pleasure of working with numerous clients who wanted their events simple, classic, and intimate. By having an event at your home, clients are able to incorporate their unique style into the party while enjoying the added bonus of reducing overall cost.

“It’s about being with family and friends,” says Nicole Montecalvo of NE Occasion. Having a party at home allows the host a chance to spend quality time with their guests and leave the rest up to the professionals. When looking to plan your next event, it’s always good to have an idea of what you do or don’t want to do. Set up a pre-party meeting with your trusted event planner to discuss all of the essential details and make sure all expectations are clear.

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The Event of a Lifetime

Celebrate your dreams in our elegant ballroom and stately lobby, set amidst lavish gardens and the historic homes of Rockleigh.

Our unsurpassed personal service and custom menus enhance the magic of your wedding day.

26 Paris Avenue • Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647 • Tel. 201-768-7171 • www.therockleigh.net FALL/WINTER 2015

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With the spring just months ahead, outdoor parties are going to become very popular again, and it’s not too early to start planning yours. Of course, there should be a contingency plan in the event Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. A great planner can control every aspect of an event except for the weather, so it’s a must to have alternative plans or a rain date. If your home does not have adequate space to move the party indoors last minute, consider including a rain date on the invitation.

The great part about having an event at home is that they are specifically catered to each client’s style, and can be uniquely tailored to them! Bridal Showers, Engagement Parties and graduation parties were the majority of in-home events on NE Occasion’s calendar for 2015, but the sky is the limit! Think of it as a venue no one else has! This allows for an unlimited level of creativity, abundant catering options and endless decor possibilities.

“We love meeting clients in their home to get a sense of their personal style. It is an opportunity for us to incorporate their unique interests and personality and cater the theme and décor to match!” – Montecalvo said about devising décor and themes of in-home events.

One fabulous event Montecalvo brought up in particular was an all-white graduation party. By utilizing all white décor, recycled farm tables,

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Where we make all your dreams come true!

1245 Belmont Avenue, North Haledon, NJ 07508 973-423-2283 www.thetides.com

Looking for your unique wedding invitations? Let us make your dreams come true with our vast collection of high-quality invitations at The Write Moment, located at The Tides Estate.

vintage books and classic calligraphy, her team was able to create a stunning, one of a kind event.

Renting items for in-home events is always a fun way to add some flair and change to your unique home.

“This party was my favorite event of the year so far! The client wanted chic, simple and white.

We took that idea and ran with it. The main focal point was the mantle over the fireplace. We found vintage white books and added black calligraphy to the front covers. Every single person that walked in could not stop raving over how “unique and beautiful” it was, said Montecalvo.

When planning your next event, remember where you have the party is almost as important as the event itself! Once you decide on having a party at home, you still need to be sure to pick the right space within. Make sure the location can accommodate all your guests, lends itself to the theme and makes your life, as the host, easier.

Tips to live by when hosting a party at your home: 1. Don’t make everyone stand.

Try to use anything that can be used as a seat. If renting chairs is out of the budget, use unique items as seating options; ottomans, outdoor benches or even wooden crates with cushions will still be a comfortable alternative to standing.

2. Always include a clear time frame.

At traditional venues, there are set time frames for the event. AT your home it doesn’t have to be a different story. Always include the hours you'll be entertaining guests on the invitation. This should help to avoid any time frame confusion, or guests staying well past their welcome!

3. Greet and Introduce Every Guest to Ease Them Into the Group.

The benefit of having a professional event planner is that it allows you to do this without worrying about logistics. This allows the host to take the initiative and introduce people who don't know each other. This helps everyone socialize and enjoy the party!

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NE Occasion is a boutique business that specializes in creative event styling and design that includes comprehensive party planning services. Whether you're looking for complete event design, a bit of inspiration, or help with crafting, NE Occasion provides as much hands-on creative direction and organizational service as the client desires. For more information please visit www.neoccasion.com.

Vendor Information from Photos: Vintage rentals: Dovetail Vintage Rentals Baked goods: Maggie's Bake Shoppe Calligraphy: Mary Kate Moon Calligraphy

Fresh Fish. Flown in Daily.

The Oceanaire specializes in making all of your occasions — business lunches and dinners, company functions, special celebrations, holiday parties and more — unique and unforgettable with our exquisite menu and superior service.

Private dining for groups of 10-40 guests.

Buyouts available.

The Shops at Riverside • 175 Riverside Square 201-343-8862 • theoceanaire.com

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WINTER WEDDINGS ARE THE NEW

BLACK

Embracing the Unconventional Will Make Your Winter Wedding a White Hot Affair

By Tessa Viole When it comes to planning a local wedding, spring and summer are the two seasons that come to mind first. Warm weather, bright colors, and pretty flowers are the typical favorites when it comes to a wedding ceremony, but some couples play by their own rules, and bravely set their wedding date for the cooler winter months.

One such couple, Jacqueline and Brandon Caroprese, made the bold choice to have a December wedding.

Jacqueline opened up to us about her ceremony, reception, and ideas on how to perfectly wed in winter.

Her first words of wisdom: Just because your wedding is in winter, don’t let that determine your theme. A bride won’t have to make any real sacrifices; they just have to be prepared for snow!

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What made you and your husband decide on a winter wedding? Did you always envision yourself getting married in the winter?

First, it had a lot to do with when we got engaged.

We got engaged in September and in order to do a spring or summer wedding, it would have been only nine months away, but we didn't want to wait eighteen months, either. When we were thinking about a good time frame, a year and three months was the perfect amount of time to both enjoy the engagement and plan a wedding. That put us right at December.

I never imagined having a winter wedding at all. My mindset was always spring or summer, probably like most girls. However, I warmed up, pun intended, to the idea, and I am so grateful I did! Plus, there was a lot of availability for dates for the venue and all of the vendors.

Also, I find that once summer comes, people like to relax on the weekends because it seems like there are so few, but all of a sudden every weekend is filled with weddings and bridal showers. Winter didn’t have that problem. People are looking for a reason to get out of the house then. It gave people something to look forward to. We felt that it would be exciting and could make it more magical, rather than feeling like we were just another wedding in a long line of them, weekend after weekend.

What was your color scheme for dresses and decorations?

We were looking for a certain level of elegance, so we went with simple, black satin low back gowns with a narrow taupe ribbon around the waist. The bridesmaids wore beautiful satin arm length gloves, and the groomsmen were in black tuxedos with taupe vests and ties to match the ribbons on the bridesmaid’s dresses. The flowers were a bouquet of red roses with rhinestone pins set in each bouquet, with ribbon wrapped around the stems. Some of the bouquets had small picture frames pinned on of a family member who was with us in spirit.

Did your wedding have a theme?

Winter Elegance.

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What type of decor did you have?

In the church itself we had tall snow capped branches lining the pews, which really gave it the winter feel.

At the reception there were gold candelabras with red roses cascading down the centerpiece, and gold antique frames displaying the table numbers. The seating chart was displayed in a large antique frame as well. The beautiful fireplaces at The Park Savoy kept up a very intimate and cozy feel.

We also had a photo booth with lots of cute holiday themed props!

Who designed your dress? Did it have any wintery additions?

The dress was designed by Val Stefani. We added an embellished stone belt and I had a white fur muff and shawl.

Tell us about the reception.

It was definitely a cozy reception. The Park Savoy is amazing. It’s like renting a mansion for the night. They only host one wedding at a time. It’s like having the whole place to yourself. It really felt like we were hosting a big party for everyone we loved.

Since Christmas was approaching, there were beautiful Christmas decorations around the fireplaces and a big decorated Christmas tree by the front door. I think all of our guests used pictures from our wedding as their Christmas cards that year!

Outside, the venue offered heat lamps and fireplaces, and there is also a “man cave” in the basement for after-hours cigar smoking. The bridal party suite was upstairs in what used to be an old speakeasy.

The estate used to be owned by Lucky Luciano. It sits on a 150-acre farm and is famous for its 19th-Century architect and gardens. It’s a truly charming place, I think even more so in winter.

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What are your winter wedding do’s and don’ts Do embrace the beauty of winter. Our pictures came out absolutely beautiful, and there is so much you can do with the winter theme to really make it your wedding different and memorable. So many people expressed to me how refreshing it was to go to a winter wedding.

Don’t be afraid. Early December was beautiful, and the chance of snow was really slim. It is a beautiful time of the year with the holiday season approaching, and it was an amazing time for a honeymoon to Costa Rica that got us out of the cold for a couple weeks and back just in time for Christmas!

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Let Your

IMAGINATION Run Wild

A Wild Review of the 2015 Wedding Season

By Laura Petrocelli The beginning of the fall season usually signifies that the end of "wedding season" is right around the corner. As things slow down a little bit, it’s great to look back at all of the incredible weddings and events we were lucky enough to be a part of throughout the year.

As part of a company of dedicated event planners, it is our privilege to have the opportunity to work with a lot of couples that are truly out of the box thinkers. This allows us to create a custom event with each couple’s originality in mind, and I encourage you to find planners who will do the same.

Here are a few of my favorite weddings that our company, Couture Concepts NY, was able to be a part of this past year.

Chrystie & Moses’ Down to Earth Affair Chrystie & Moses both work in the nature conservation/ research fields, so throwing an “Enchanted Forest” barn wedding was a no brainer! The beautiful bar, accented with live moss, antlers, tree stumps, mushrooms, and lots of colorful wildflowers and greenery set the mood from the get-go. Their cake was made by Madison Lee’s Cakes in Brooklyn, and was stunning. Our team helped make all of the floral arrangements look as natural and whimsical as possible, complete with beautiful glass terrariums.

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Katelyn & Keith’s Beach Ball Katelyn & Keith had first met when Katelyn was swimming and got caught in a huge wave that swept her underwater. Keith saved the drowning damsel from what could have been a tragic situation, and it’s been love ever since.

Now, they are at the beach together every chance they get, and they knew that getting married on a beach was a must. Our team created a chic, "Surf Lodge" feel for their Fire Island wedding, with a lot of fun details. My personal favorite being their ceremony set up!

Photo Credit: Lana Rowe Photography

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Kevin & Louie’s Backyard Bash Kevin & Louie’s backyard wedding was as dreamy as they come. Their vintage travel theme complimented both how they met and what they do for a living. The vintage style boarding pass escort cards set the tone, created by the talented designers at Anthologie Press. Their "table numbers" were hand-stained pieces of wood that included a different country for each table, along with a photo of the couple in that country and a description of their experience there.

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BOT TAG R A RES TAU R A N T

WEDDINGS · SPECIAL OCCASSIONS · CORPORATE EVENTS À LA CARTE DINING

“OUR TEAM WILL CREATE A SPECIAL EVENT TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS, WITH CAREFUL ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL.” CARLO & ROB

WWW.BOTTAGRA.COM BOTTAGRA RESTAURANT 80 Wagaraw Road Hawthorne, NJ 07506 (973) 423-4433

Bonny & John’s Boho Barn Wedding This marriage was exactly what the doctor ordered! Being that both Bonny and John work in the medical field, we were able to incorporate different elements throughout the wedding to tastefully compliment their professions in a fun, vintage way.

Since it was also the reason they fell in love in the first place, it was a great mix in that their guests definitely got a kick out of. For example, their custom escort card display was created to look like antique prescriptions hung from a vintage box found at an estate sale. We then used a plant-able wildflower paper so that each guest could think of the couple when their beautiful flowers grew!

Photo Credit: Felix Studios

Although stressful at times, there is nothing that compares to the gratification, the challenge, and the excitement of being a wedding planner. It’s great to be a part of all of the behind the scenes moments that no one else gets to see, which culminates in a beautiful, personalized, and perfect day for the couple to enjoy with loved ones.

Although people often question whether they need a wedding planner, its best to think of us as “professional problem solvers” – often wearing many hats including a seamstress, set designer, hair & makeup artist, a photographer, your eyes and ears, and above all, your friend and confidante. A great planner will help you save time and money, oftentimes covering the cost to hire them to begin with. Most importantly though, if you’re looking to have the unique wedding of your dreams, don’t hesitate; the sky is truly the limit.

Laura Petrocelli is co-owner of Couture Concepts NY. For more information, visit coutureconceptsny.com

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Let us dazzle you with vaulted conservatories, hand-painted ceiling domes, a lavish ballroom, grand atrium, ornate fireplaces, fountains, and more picture-perfect settings for wedding photos than you can imagine. An ambience like no other, together with fabulous international fare by award-winning chefs and the finest wine, spirits and service, put The Brownstone— and your wedding reception—in a class of one.

351 West Broadway Paterson, New Jersey 07522-1978 Tel: 973-595-8582 Fax: 973-595-1141 1-800-464-8582 www.thebrownstone.com

Handmade for the Holidays A holiday-ready home is filled with small touches that celebrate the season. Welcome guests with these easy DIY projects that you and your children can do together, bringing holiday and giving your home that extra special feel.

Pompom Fur Wreath Crafting time: Weekend project Skill level: Some experience necessary

Supplies and Tools: Pompom makers: 2 1/2-inch, 3 3/8-inch, 4 1/2-inch Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn: Grey Heather, Taupe Grey, Natural (2 skeins each) Scissors Hard foam tubular 12-inch wreath Bernat Faux Fur Pompoms: Grey Lynx, White Rabbit (2 each) Hot gun and glue sticks T-pins or 2-inch pins with pearl heads Decorative ribbon: 2 1/2-inch-by-12-foot, blue-grey 1. Follow directions on pompom maker packages to create three different sizes of poms of various colors using chunky yarn. If desired, mix yarn to give some pompoms a speckled look. Make about 50-60, depending on the fullness of the desired look.

2. After making pompoms, place pompoms around wreath, varying sizes and incorporating fur pompoms, as well. The overall look should be a kind of hilly terrain look to give it depth.

3. Once desired placement has been achieved, glue them in place with hot glue. If needed, secure poms with T-pins or pearlhead pins.

4. Using blue/grey decorative ribbon, create a bow with trailing ends and glue in place with hot glue.

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ONCE IN A LIFETIME.

ARRIVING FALL 2015 133 MODERN GUESTROOMS & SUITES BV’S GRILL BY BOBBY VAN’S N Y A C K

400 HIGH AVE. | NYACK, NY 10960 WWW.THETIMEHOTELS.COM

RESERVATIONS: 866-451-3547 | SALES INQUIRIES: 347-201-7689 | ADDITIONAL INQUIRIES: NYACKINFO@THETIMEHOTELS.COM FALL/WINTER 2015

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Handmade for the Holidays Rose Gold Holiday Mason Jars Crafting time: 1-2 hours Skill level: No experience necessary

Supplies and Tools: Smooth Mason jars Jelly jars Rose gold spray paint Provided templates: Deer head, tree, snowflake Scissors Pencil Sharpie Detail paintbrush White enamel paint Gold acrylic paint Medium flat paintbrush Scrap strips of fabric Baker's twine 1. Lightly spray inside or outside of smooth Mason jars and jelly jars with rose gold spray paint. Allow each coat to dry completely.

2. Locate templates at your local craft store. If the outside of the jar was spray painted, trace the shape with a pencil. If the inside of the jar was spray painted, trace the shape on the glass with a Sharpie.

3. Fill in each design using a detail brush and white enamel paint. Apply additional coats as necessary.

4. Paint jar rims gold.

5. Apply a thin layer or dry brush gold acrylic paint on jelly jars for added texture and dimension.

6. Embellish jars by making bows and knots with scrap strips of fabric or baker’s twine around rims of jars. Fill with sprigs of dried flowers or branches or other seasonal decorations, or for jars painted on the outside, fill with candies or treats for an edible gift.

Find more ideas for DIY projects to spruce up your home this holiday season at joann.com or your local craft store.

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A Unique & Casual Italian Restaurant & Bar

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NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH!

Lunch Tues. -Fri. 11:45am-2:30pm • Dinner 7 Days!

TAKE OUT - 7 Days a Week FREE DELIVERY - Sunday - Thursday

23 Hardenburgh Avenue, Haworth, NJ • 201-384-1551 www.andiamorestaurant.net

Thin Crust Pizza • 30+ Pasta Dishes

100+ California & Italian Wines • Craft Beers on Draft

Prime Steaks & Chops • Fresh Fish & Seafood Daily

Creative Salads and Blackboard Specials

Prepare Your Finances For Marriage

N

By Suzanne Akian

ot too long ago, he went down on one knee, opened a tiny velvet box, slid a sparkling ring on your finger and proposed. In a single skipped heartbeat, the direction of your life changed: you went from single to engaged, from “I” to “we,” and from planning a movie night with the girls to planning an affair for one hundred and fifty.

Ever since the proposal, your head has been filled with thoughts of flowers and gowns and romantic settings for your nuptials. Orchids or roses? Mermaid or sheath, and what color will the bridesmaids wear? A cozy country inn or a seaside ceremony?

And when you have a moment to breathe in the midst of the wedding planning, you may find yourself picturing a cottage with a white picket fence on a tidy street and perhaps even a stroller parked on the front stoop.

Imagine away. It’s wonderful to dream about the new path your entwined lives will take now that you have committed to creating one together. But before you tie the knot, you should have an open, honest conversation about an important matter – a conversation that will likely set the tone for your entire married life: how you will approach finances as a couple.

Often, this is not an easy subject to broach. For some people, their finances are an intensely private subject.

Some people feel that discussing money is crass or taboo. Others have negative associations with the topic, particularly if they heard their parents arguing about money in the home. Some may be embarrassed to disclose bad financial habits or challenges.

Still, communicating openly and honestly about money is critical.

There are many aspects of finances to discuss. Consider making a spreadsheet. It could include, on the plus side of the balance sheet: Your assets. What are they? Will you co-mingle them, or keep them separate? Have either of you begun to save for retirement? Are you taking advantage of 401(k) plans at work?

Asset protection and insurance. Do you have adequate insurance, especially if children exist or are planned?

Make sure you note who the beneficiary is, and whether it is a former spouse, partner or parent.

And on the minus side of the spreadsheet: Your expenses. You should list all your anticipated expenses for mortgage/rent, transportation, food, entertainment, utilities, etc. And make sure to decide who will be responsible for paying the household bills.

Your debts and liabilities. These include student loans, credit card balances, and so on. Again, you must decide how these will be paid. Will you borrow from your parents? Will you pay it back?

It’s also a good idea to discuss your respective financial “personalities.” Are you both daredevils willing to take risks while young? Do you have money to invest and not touch for the foreseeable future, letting it accumulate slowly, riding out the market rises and falls? Does one of you have a trusted financial advisor with whom you are comfortable?

What are your individual priorities? Is putting money away for future children’s education more or less important than a vacation? How do you feel

about carrying debt? Can you work as a team? Are either of you accustomed to creating, and sticking to, a budget? Are you both willing to do so?

Finally, take a look at both your credit profiles, which will tell you a lot about each other, moneywise -- your individual credit score, whether you are an on-time or late payer, and whether you prefer cash or credit.

A conversation about joint finances should also include a discussion on spending patterns and beliefs. If one of you has been living paycheck to paycheck, is impulsive with spending, has no savings, and acquires every gadget, pair of shoes, or toy that money can buy, it could be a significant problem if the other is frugal or disciplined or simply believes it is important to save.

Which leads to the issue of a prenuptial agreement, a contract that basically ensures that any business or personal assets a spouse had when he or she entered into the marriage will be retained in the event of a divorce. The importance of a pre-nup cannot be overstated, particularly if one spouse-to-be comes from a significant amount of family wealth. Pre-nups are especially helpful for older couples or those who already have children, especially in the event one spouse has to go into a nursing home.

Along with a pre-nup, a revocable living trust can ensure that certain property or income is directed to someone other than your spouse. Or, couples can simply choose to retain separate bank accounts and keep real estate under their own names.

Whatever you discuss and decide before you tie the knot, it is imperative that you are open and honest, and that by the end, both of you know where the assets are, how they are titled, and how they are accessed.

The earlier in your relationship you have the “money talk,” the earlier you can set a foundation of trust and teamwork for your finances as a married couple.

Suzanne M. Akian, CFP, a resident of Hoboken, NJ, is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management at the firm’s offices at 1 Penn Plaza, New York, NY. She can be reached at 212-613-6773.

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It’s All About Dessert The Holidays are all about traditions: The seven fishes, the latkes, the gingerbread men.

But, if you’re looking to impress with something new this year, look no further than our 2015 Guide to Great Desserts for some quick, fun, and delicious recipes!

Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints Cook time: 12 minutes Servings: 3 dozen cookies 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 cups flour 1 cup cocoa ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 can (21-ounces) Cherry Fruit Filling (Lucky Leaf) ½ cup chocolate chips

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Heat oven to 350 F. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Mix until combined.

Roll dough into two-inch balls. Place on greased baking sheet or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press thumb into center of cookie to make well. Place cherries into each cookie.

Bake for 12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool.

Melt chocolate according to package directions. Drizzle over cookies. Let chocolate set and serve immediately or store in airtight container

Ornament Pretzel Treats Prep time: 1-2 hours Makes: 12 pieces 4 ounces Red Candy Melts Candy 4 ounces Dark Green Candy Melts Candy 2 ounces Bright White Candy Melts Candy Christmas nonpareils Gold sugar pearls Pretzel rings Granulated sugar Mini marshmallows Supplies: Parchment paper Cookie sheet 12-inch disposable decorating bags Food-safe scissors

Place pretzels on parchment paper-covered cookie sheet.

Melt red and green candy, separately, in disposable decorating bags according to package directions. Cut small point off tip of disposable decorating bag. Use melted candy to fill hole in pretzels. Allow to cool in refrigerator, about 10-15 minutes. Reserve remaining melted red and green candy.

Dip food-safe scissors in granulated sugar.

Cut 1/8-inch off the top and back of marshmallows.

Melt white candy in disposable decorating bag according to package directions. Use candy to attach marshmallows to top of pretzel ornaments. Allow to cool in refrigerator, about 3-5 minutes. Reserve remaining melted white candy.

Use the reserved melted white candy to pipe a line across top and bottom of pretzels. Add nonpareils. Use the melted red or green candy to pipe line across the center of ornaments.

Allow to cool in refrigerator, about 3-5 minutes.

Use melted green or red candy to pipe lines across top and bottom of pretzels. Use melted white candy to pipe line across the center. Add gold sugar pearls. Allow to cool in refrigerator, about 3-5 minutes.

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Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe courtesy of Julianne of BeyondFrosting.com

Cook time: 22 minutes Servings: 12 slices

1 box chocolate cake mix 2 large eggs ¾ cup milk ½ cup vegetable oil 1 jar (16-ounces) hot fudge sauce 1 can (21-ounces) Cherry Fruit Filling (Lucky Leaf) 2 cups heavy whipping cream or whipped topping 1 1⁄4 cups powdered sugar chocolate bar for shavings Heat oven to 350 F. Combine cake mix ingredients as listed on box. Beat on medium speed until well combined.

Bake cake in 9-by-13-inch pan for 20-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting toothpick into center of cake. If toothpick is clean, cake is done. Allow to cool 10 minutes.

While cake is still warm, use end of wooden spoon or another round object and poke holes all over top of cake.

Heat jar of hot fudge sauce in microwave for about 30 seconds, or until you can stir and thin it out.

You may need an additional 30 seconds. Pour sauce on top of cake and allow it to absorb. Let set until completely cooled.

Open can of fruit filling and pour over top of cake; spread evenly.

To prepare whipped cream, put bowl and whisk attachment in freezer for 5-10 minutes to get them really cold. In cold mixing bowl, pour in heavy whipping cream and beat on medium speed about 3 minutes. Add powdered sugar and increase speed to medium high. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over top of cake.

Chop chocolate bar into small pieces and sprinkle over top of cake. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

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Chocolate Cheesecakes with Figs and Port Makes: 12 mini-cheesecakes ½ cup finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies ⅓ cup finely chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 ½ cups stemmed figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice) ½ cup port ½ cup sugar 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 2 tablespoons water 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature ⅓ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs ½ cup sour cream 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adjust oven rack to middle position. Heat oven to 325 F. Line 12 (2 ¾-inch) muffin cups with paper cups.

In small bowl, stir together crushed cookies, nuts and butter. Spoon about 1 tablespoon crumb mixture into bottom of each cup, dividing evenly; press into even layer. Bake in middle of oven 5-8 minutes, until fragrant.

Cut about ½ cup figs into 36 thin, lengthwise slices.

Place in small heatproof container with lid; set aside. In small saucepan, bring port and sugar to a simmer over medium heat and stir for 1 minute to form clear syrup. Pour ½ cup syrup over sliced figs. Cool; cover and chill until serving time. Finely chop remaining 1 cup figs and add to saucepan with remaining syrup. Return to heat and simmer, stirring often, until liquid evaporates. Spoon about 1 tablespoon warm fig mixture over crust in each cup, dividing evenly. With back of oiled spoon, press into even layer.

Place chocolate and water in microwave-safe bowl.

Heat in microwave on 50 percent power for 2 minutes or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

Set aside. With electric mixer in large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy. Gradually beat in granulated sugar. On low speed, beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in sour cream, cocoa and vanilla.

Beat in melted chocolate. Spoon batter over fig layer in cups.

Bake in middle of oven 15-20 minutes, until set.

Cool in pan on rack. Chill for 6 hours or up to 2 days.

To serve, arrange 3 slices of reserved figs in port syrup on each cake and drizzle with about ½ teaspoon syrup.

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Makes: 10 dozen cookies (60 actual cookies)

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3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract (Wilton) ½ teaspoon Imitation Almond Extract (Wilton) Silver Color Mist Food Color Spray Gold Color Mist Food Color Spray Buttercream icing Silver Sugar Pearls Gold Sugar Pearls Heat oven to 350 F. In medium bowl, combine flour and baking powder.

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In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and extracts; mix well. Gradually add flour to butter mixture, mixing to make smooth dough. Do not chill.

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Place dough into cookie press using an 8-petal flower disk and press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool cookies on pan on cooling grid 2 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on grid. You will need two cookies per treat.

Use silver or gold Color Mist food color spray to spray cookies. Let dry, about 3-5 minutes. Turn cookies over and spray underside. Let dry, about 3-5 minutes.

Prepare buttercream icing or use premade buttercream icing. Use tip 12, cut disposable decorating bag and icing to pipe elongated beads on bottom of one cookie, following cookie shape. Sandwich two cookies together.

Use tip 4, cut disposable decorating bag and icing to pipe a dot in center of sandwich cookie. Top dot with either silver or gold sugar pearls.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate & Sugar Cookie Candy Spoons Makes: 4 cups

4 cups milk 1 cup Dark Cocoa Candy Melts Candy 1 â „4 teaspoon Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate (Wilton Treatology) In large saucepan, cook milk on medium heat until hot; remove from heat. Whisk in candy and flavor concentrate. Continue whisking until candy is melted and mixture is smooth. Serve immediately.

Spoons:

Makes: 24 spoons Sugar Cookie Candy Melts Candy (12-ounce bag) Christmas Candy Spoon Mold (Wilton) 12-inch Disposable Decorating Bags Break 12 candy wafers in half and place in cavities of mold. Place mold in microwave and microwave at half power or defrost setting for 1 minute. Gently jiggle and lightly tap mold to smooth melted candy. Continue to microwave and tap at 30-second intervals until smooth and completely melted.

Alternate melting method: Melt candy in disposable decorating bag according to candy package directions.

Snip a small tip off end of bag and gently squeeze bag to fill cavities with melted candy.

Chill filled mold until candy spoons have hardened, about 10-15 minutes. Place mold on flat surface and gently push on bottom of cavities to release candy.

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Cookie Butter Cheesecake Prep time: 30 minutes Total time: 6 hours, 30 minutes (including refrigerating) Serves: 12 1 package (7.7 ounces) European-style cookies for coffee (speculoos cookies), divided 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese (Philadelphia), softened ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 ⁄4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 ⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 eggs 1 ⁄4 cup European-style cookie butter (speculoos cookie butter) Heat oven to 325°F. Reserve 6 cookies. Finely crush remaining cookies; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

Beat cream cheese, sugars, vanilla and spices in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each, just until blended. Pour over crust.

Bake 1 hour or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate the cheese­cake 4 hours.

Crush remaining cookies coarsely; sprinkle over cheesecake just before serving. Microwave cookie butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 seconds or until heated through; stir. Drizzle over cheesecake.

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Fig and Bourbon Pecan Pie Serves: 8 1 refrigerated pie crust 1 cup stemmed, chopped figs (Sun-Maid California) 1 cup packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons bourbon 3 large eggs ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup light corn syrup 1 ½ teaspoons finely grated orange zest 1 1½ cups chopped pecans, toasted sweetened whipped cream Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Heat oven to 375 F. Coat 9-inch glass pie plate with vegetable oil spray. Fit piecrust into plate, flute edge. Chill until ready to bake.

In medium saucepan, combine figs, brown sugar, butter and bourbon. Stir over medium heat until butter and sugar melt. In medium bowl, whisk eggs and salt until well blended. Whisk in corn syrup and orange zest. Stir in fig mixture. Sprinkle nuts evenly over bottom of crust. Pour fig mixture over nuts.

Bake 35-45 minutes or until center is set, shielding crust with foil after 30 minutes. Cool. Chill until serving. Served with whipped cream.

Note: Pie can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated. (Reheat at 300 F for 10-15 minutes.)

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CELEBRAT ION S

The Wedding of Samantha Lanzo and Matthew Albanese

By Tara DeLorenzo

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One chilly December afternoon in 2013, Matthew Albanese, a 28-year-old machine operator for PSE&G, brought a winter wonderland to the porch of his 27-year-old girlfriend Samantha Lanzo’s parent’s house. While she ironically was attending the bridal shower of a friend, Matt, her boyfriend of 5 years, was setting up for a surprise Samantha would never forget.

Driving home, Sam knew her life was about to change forever. As she drove home, she passed a digitally illuminated construction sign. Commonplace throughout Bergen County’s streets, this particular sign was still out of the ordinary, with the message flashing on and off in blocky orange letters reading: “I LOVE YOU, SAM.” As she approached her parent’s home, snow, as if on cue, began to fall and sparkle to the ground. Sprinkled around the yard, on a red carpet, which spanned from the road to the porch, were hundreds of balloons and Poinsettia plants.

But what caught Samantha’s attention most were the gold, shimmering letters strung across a clothesline that spelt out “Marry me.”

“When Matt met me at the car and opened my door, I was in shock,” Samantha said, “It felt like my legs didn't work. It was breathtaking. We walked down the candlelit red carpet to the door where Matt got on one knee. Family, friends and even my neighbors were all cheering from the street, drinking champagne and wearing pins on their shirts with our picture on it. Christina Perri's A Thousand Years was playing via violin. It was amazing.”

For Sam, the obvious answer was yes. Five years together with Matt had not only

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solidified her belief that he was “the one,” but she knew Matt also had the love and admiration of her entire family.

From that moment on, they pulled on their cowboy boots and started their plans for a country chic wedding – a theme that was inspired by the couple’s love for country music and for all things rustic and Southern.

To capture that Southern charm, the lovebirds looked at The Park Savoy to host their special day. The venue had every perfect rustic detail they could hope for, from the beautiful fireplaces and the natural wood bar, to the stunningly kept grounds. Mix in The Park Savoy’s incredibly accommodating staff, and Samantha knew her wedding would go off without a hitch.

That’s not to say she wasn’t prepared for the worst.

“The planning process was a breeze,” Samantha said. “I am a teacher, so I am super organized, ready for anything. I just did a little at a time throughout the year and a half that I had to work with. The biggest challenge for me was getting those response cards back! I wish you could just send a text reply,” Samantha said with a laugh.

Even so, her wedding was more than she could have ever imagined.

“I know everyone says their wedding was awesome, but I just don't think awesome does mine justice,” Samantha expressed. “Every aspect of it took my breath away and I will forever be grateful for my parents and the amazing vendors who made my dream come true.”

To capture this charming wedding and to keep the party going throughout the night, Sam tasked some of her favorite vendors, who she had met attending other various events. The MPW Media Group, which Samantha called her “paparazzi and loves” made sure the memories made that night will live with Samantha and Matt forever. It was DJ Joe Zisa from DJ Express Entertainment who helped make those memories that evening, ensuring every guest was up and dancing through the night.

Joining this country party were some unexpected guests, as well. During dinner, entertainer Antonio Valenti waltzed out as Frank Sinatra and crooned a few songs. Later, too, to add some thrill to the dancing, a Michael Jackson impersonator from MJXpressions moon-walked onto the floor and got all of the happy couple’s

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guests up and doing the iconic “Thriller” dance.

Of course, nothing compliments the bride on her wedding day like her dress. To complete her ensemble for this feel-good celebration and to allow her to keep up with the non-stop party, Sam searched relentlessly for a wedding dress that truly felt like it was the one for her. When she found her Hailey Page gown at Jae Hae Bridal in Englewood, it was the one that took her breath away.

“As they were showing me the 4 dresses [that I had asked for], the sweetest girl, Bojana, who works there, told me that the one dress was flown in just for me – nobody else had requested it. It was a sign,” Samantha exclaimed. “It was the fourth dress I tried on, and I was bawling crying. It was meant for me.”

Excited for her wedding and not at all superstitious, Samantha allowed her groom to see her stunning gown before the wedding, during their “first look.” This allowed them to really take in every rustic, charming detail of their Southern bash without the stress of having to run to take pictures or rush everything on the big day.

Further creating their own tradition, the couple decided to add a Unity Sand Ceremony, something that was very important to the bride.

“I wanted to make sure the ceremony didn’t

take a back seat to our reception. After all, it’s a very important part of our day, and that seems to be forgotten sometimes,” the bride said. “The Unity Sand Ceremony is so symbolic, blending your and your husband’s sands together to make one. The grains of sand symbolize all the dreams, laughs, hopes, blessings and tears in your lives.

And then when you mix the sand together, it can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, just like our marriage.”

Even now, there is nothing Samantha would change. Her wedding was everything she could have dreamt of. To future brides, she advises them to take everything one day at a time and to enjoy what is happening, every part of the way.

“Don't try to do too much at once,” she said.

“Spread everything out over the time of your engagement. A little bit goes a long way when you have a year or so to do it. Also, at some point during your wedding, you and your husband should step back and take a look at all of your guests having the greatest time on the dance floor, at their tables, wherever. It will truly make you feel like all of your hard work and planning has paid off. It is an amazing feeling knowing that all of those happy people are there to celebrate you and your husband.”

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THE DETAILS: Photography & Cinematography: MPW Media Group Entertainment: DJ Express Entertainment Floral Designer: Crest Florist Garden Cake Designer: Palermo’s Custom Cakes & Bakery Gown: Hailey Paige Suit: Men’s Warehouse Favors: Personalized Mason Jars Hair: Roseanna Gallo from Eric Alt Salon and Dana Sellitto from Vincenza’s A Cut Above Salon

Makeup: Jillian Emma Makeup and Bernice Irizarry from MAC Riverside Square Jewelery: Gala Fine Jewelry Photo Booth: Amazebooths Additional Entertainment: Michael Jackson Entertainer from MJXpressions Frank Sinatra Entertainer- Antonio Valenti Honeymoon: Hyatt Regency Aruba

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CELEBRAT ION S

The Wedding of

Jillian Cottiers and Jeff Schwind

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Although they were not high school sweethearts, Jill and Jeff were first introduced through a mutual friend who played baseball with Jeff at Bergen Tech. The two lost touch when Jeff went out to sea while attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy, but they realized upon Jeff’s returned that they hadn’t skipped a beat.

While Jeff finished out his 3 years at the Academy in New Haven, Jill would go up and visit him as much as she could – almost every weekend. From there, they moved down to Virginia Beach together, where they await Jeff’s first deployment in November of 2015. Before that though, Jeff, a Lieutenant of the United States Coast Guard, and Jill, tied the knot on September 12th at Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg, NJ. 58

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THE PROPOSAL (AS TOLD BY JILL)

While still stationed in New Haven, Jeff kept telling me on the phone all week that he had something special for me before he moves down to Virginia Beach to station there. I figured it was just a little stuffed animal of some kind. By the end of the week, I raced up to New Haven to see him. We were going to go out to Prime 16, our favorite restaurant in town, but I found it weird that he wouldn’t let me out of the bedroom until I was done getting ready completely. When I finally opened the door, a Coast Guard Pillow Pet sat on the chair immediately in front of me.

For some reason, I flipped it over, and there was a beautiful hand written note wrapped up in the Pillow Pet telling me how much he loved me. On the back of the note, it read “I’m done bothering you, now ask me what your real gift is.” As I turned around, Jeff was getting down on one knee. It was the most amazing evening – not to mention a great gift!

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THE DETAILS: Planner: Silje Karlsen – Crystal Springs Photography: Kathie Austin Photography Cinematography: George Street Photography Band: Drop Dead Sexy Floral: Petals Florist

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Giving Back As party favors, on behalf of all their guests, Jillian and Jeff will be making donations to the Monmouth County NICU and the Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Foundation.

Cake: Ballyowen Golf Club Gown: Justin Alexander Suit: Vera Wang Invitations: Wedding Paper Diva Hair & Makeup: Elements Spa in Minerals Resort Photobooth: Majestic Events

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CELEBRAT ION S

The Bridal Shower of Amanda Daidone On a gorgeous summer Sunday, Amanda invited her closest friends and family to her home away from home, The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, to celebrate her upcoming “I Do� to Michael Miraglia.

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THE DETAILS: Event Planner: Christine Figliuolo - Creations by Christine Photography: Milton Gil Photography Entertainment: Sal Travis Entertainment Floral: Broderick’s Flowers Cake: Palermo’s Bakery Invitations: elle ette designs Makeup: Beyond Beauty by Evelyn Abanto Favors: White Pashminas

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CELEBRAT ION S

The Engagement Party of Dionna Scirica & Christopher Cuneo

Dionna and Chris headed to Macaluso’s in Hawthorne this past July to celebrate their engagement, and look forward to saying “I do” in July of 2016.

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THE DETAILS: Photography: Studio Uno Photography & Video Cinematography: Eduardo Duran Entertainment: Mirage DJ Entertainment Floral: Jude Anthony Florist Cake: Carlo’s Bakery Invitations: Set the Date Favors: Super Wholesaler Hair & Makeup: Facez

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CELEBRAT ION S

The Wedding of

Kristin Magala and Ryan Donde

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Even though Kristin and Ryan attended high school in the same small town, and went to the same college, they had never formally met. Leave it to the birthday party of a mutual friend, a first date a week later, and they’ve been inseparable ever since, tying the knot at The Rockleigh Country Club on August 22, 2015.

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THE PROPOSAL

(AS TOLD BY KRISTIN) Ryan’s family owns property in the Catskills, which are a very special place for the Dondes’. After spending years rebuilding an old farmhouse with his family members, Ryan took me up there to show me the progress and clean up the house for a 4th of July party we were going to host just a few days later. On July 3rd, while I was cleaning up, I heard Ryan up to no good on the front porch. When I went to check it out, there he was, down on one knee, flowers all around, with our favorite bottle of wine sitting on the table.

He asked me to marry him and I didn’t hesitate a second to answer.

I’ll never forget how beautiful it was there, the porch overlooking a grassy field and pond, with the forest off in the distance. We spent the rest of the night drinking wine and listening to our favorite tunes. It was the perfect evening.

THE DETAILS: Ceremony: St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church Photographer: AnyaFoto Cinematography: Digital Memories Entertainment: Craig Scott Entertainment – Matt Friedman and the Uptown Sounds Floral: Lee Vazquez Floral Design Cake: A Little Cake Gown: Casablanca Bridal Suit: Robert’s Tuxedos Invitations: RSVP to me Favors: Pretty Sweet Candy Buffets Hair & Makeup: Michelle Surgent from Pink Comb Studio Jeweler: John Pierre Jewelers Wedding Signage: A Sign of Endearment Cocktail Hour Music: Mark Sganga Honeymoon: Peter Island Resort & Spa, British Virgin Islands

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CELEBRAT ION S

HALLE’S SWEET 16 On April 17, Halle’s friends and family joined her at The Terrace at Biagio’s in Paramus to celebrate her sweet 16 in sparkling style.

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THE DETAILS: Planner: Laurelwood Designs Photography: Look Sharp Photography Entertainment: Premiere Entertainment Floral: Laurelwood Designs

Cake: My Daughter’s Cakes Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas Hair & Makeup: The Fountain Photo-booth: Premiere Entertainment

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CELEBRAT ION S

THE WEDDING OF KRISTEN STEITZ AND MATTHEW LASALA

KRISTEN SWORE SHE’D NEVER MEET ANYONE AT THE GYM, BUT THAT ALL CHANGED WHEN MATT WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR OF FITNESS FACTORY IN EDGEWATER. THEY SOON REALIZED THAT A LOVE FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS WASN’T THE ONLY THING THEY HAD IN COMMON. FAST-FORWARD TO THIS PAST SEPTEMBER, AND THE COUPLE HAPPILY TIED THE KNOT AT IL TULIPANO IN CEDAR GROVE. 72

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THE PROPOSAL

(AS TOLD BY KRISTEN) Usually girls have a pretty good idea of when their significant other is going to pop the question. I have to admit, I had no clue it was coming.

I had planned a birthday party for Matt in New York City. We were going to start with brunch, then have a city-day, just the two of us. Our friends were going to meet us later on that night, and we were going to stay over at the Refinery Hotel so we knew we could really celebrate. Matt’s birthday is in June, and the weather was perfect. When we first arrived, our room wasn’t ready, so we decided to begin the party. We went to brunch and then headed straight up to the hotel’s rooftop bar.

After a few minutes, Matt started asking me all these serious questions about “us.”

“Why do you love me? Why should we be together forever? Why do we make such a good pair?”

Of course I’m wondering why he’s asking me all of this. Then, suddenly he says, “Now let me tell you why I love you so much, and why I think we should be together forever.”

Still completely clueless about what is unfolding, he pulls out a red box, opens it up and asks me to marry him. Naturally, I started crying immediately – after I said yes!

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THE DETAILS: Photography: Jenny Grant Photography Cinematography: Gregory Riccardi Entertainment: Mystical Entertainment – John Macaluso Floral: Christine Fox – Fox Event Planning and Floral Design Cake: il Tulipano Gown: Casablanca Suit: Theory Invitations: Jaclyn Frohn – Impressed, Inc. Hair & Makeup: Jen Da Silva Honeymoon: Greece

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C E LEB RATIO NS

eva’s 2nd birthday WHAT’S A 2ND BIRTHDAY PARTY WITHOUT THE COOKIE MONSTER? EVA DID NOT WANT TO FIND OUT. ON APRIL 12, EVA AND HER FRIENDS TRANSFORMED KIDS U IN PARAMUS INTO THEIR VERY OWN SESAME STREET. THE KIDS TUMBLED AROUND ENJOYING AN ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE FURY VIPS MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE DOOR, AND STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE ASSORTED COOKIES.

THE DETAILS: Cake Designer: The Little Cake Cookies: SweetTweets – Etsy.com

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The Bar Mitzvah of Isaac Oliff-Lieberman

Family and guests took a stroll in the sand as Isaac took over The Terrace at Biagio’s in Paramus, transforming it into prime beach-front property complete with boardwalk games, sweet prizes, and of course, tons of delicious food.

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THE DETAILS: Photography & Cinematography: Abbey Photography Entertainment & Carnival Games: Total Entertainment Floral & Lounge Furniture: Daniel Florals and Events, Inc. Invitations: Cohen Printing Favors: What A Tee Makeup: Limor Chernichaw

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The Baby Shower of Samantha Steimle Reinhold Before welcoming little Christopher Joseph into the world, Samantha made sure to celebrate in style, inviting guests to The Graycliff in Moonachie to enjoy a day of great family, great friends, great food, and presents galore!

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THE DETAILS: Event Planners: Jacqueline and Kathleen Steimle Photography: Karen T Photography Floral: Handmade Cake: Bake Zone Invitations: Kristen Kipilla Favors: Mom’s Custom Cookies Hair & Makeup: Studio G

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THE WEDDING OF JESSICA ZUCKERMAN AND ALESANDRO TOURTOUNIS It was the early days of social media, back in 2007, when Alex sent Jessica a friendly Myspace message.

Although she didn’t know Alex, she noticed they had a few mutual friends, and sent out some feelers to get the inside scoop. After hearing only great things, Jessica decided it was worth messaging him back. What started with a few brief messages back and forth soon turned into talking every single day. After a few months of dating, they moved into their first apartment together, and well, the rest is history!

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THE PROPOSAL

(AS TOLD BY JESSICA) It must have been the coldest day of Winter, 2013. It was early February and Alex wanted to take me to Bear Mountain in New York.

We had been saying for years that we wanted to take a day trip there, but hadn’t gotten around to it. I wasn’t too sure why he chose today of all days to finally do this.

It was freezing there, only made worse by the wind. I had just bought a camera a few months before, so we were going to finally test it out and get some good shots; it’s really beautiful up there.

While there, we decided to go ice-skating. Alex told me I needed to take a video of him doing a trick he learned when he was a kid – I should’ve known something was up. He skated off, and then turned around and started skating towards me. He dropped to one knee and slid the rest of the way, proposing while I was taking the video. It was the happiest day of my life, besides of course, my wonderful wedding!

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THE DETAILS: Venue: The Terrace at Biagio’s Planner: Majestic Moments Event Planning Photography: Leandro Da Silva Photography Entertainment: Premier Entertainment Floral: 13th Avenue Florist Table Décor: LilyVevents Design Suite Cake: A Little Cake Gown: Maggie Sottero Invitations: Krystal’s Wedding Papery (Etsy) Favors: Rob’s Desserts Hair: Jolene Cerniglia from Salon Glam Makeup: Priscilla DiStasio Jewelry: Gallo Jewelry Ceremony Guitarist: Charlie Torre Limo: John Peters Professional Limousines Honeymoon: Sandals Grenada

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ches & Jewelry at W st ne Fi e th of rs le ea D ed iz Author

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.collectionltd.com FIND US ON FACEBOOK AT www.facebook.com/TimepieceCollection FALL/WINTER 2015 83

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