I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Samantha and Ricky last year when they booked me for their wedding and engagement photos. Fast forward to today and they’re finally married and I had the JOY of being a part of it! Samantha and Ricky’s Florentine Gardens wedding was a fairytale. Samantha chose a beautiful dress by Lazaro and her bridesmaids all wore Jim Hjelm gowns in a deep, fuschia pink. The fabulous florals were designed by Adam of Petals Premier and of course, they did not disappoint! Samantha was all smiles and so giddy the morning of the big day and Ricky was so excited to see his beautiful bride. After an intimate first look, Samantha and Ricky said “I do” under a beautiful floral arch with floating candles. Friends and family gathered and showed their love for this couple and of course, Platinum Entertainment kept the energy going all night long to celebrate the newlyweds.
Congratulations Samantha and Ricky, it was an honor and absolute pleasure being a part of your special day!
Read below to learn more about Samantha and Ricky’s wedding inspiration.
How did you two meet and fall in love?
I started working at an Italian Deli back in 2009. I was there for about a year when a boy in jeans and a white t-shirt walked into the store to start his first day at work. His name was Ricky and little did I know back then, he would be my future husband. At first, I didn’t think anything of him. We were both young, went to two different high schools, and both happened to be in relationships. But soon after, our relationships ended and our friendship quickly grew into something more. In January 2010, we went on a ski trip with mutual friends and during that weekend, I knew there was something special between us. On January 17th, 2010, Ricky asked me to be his girlfriend and every single year that has passed since then, I knew more and more how much I loved him and wanted to be with him for forever. I never would have thought that my co-worker at a Deli would be my best friend and now husband.
What was most important to you when planning your wedding?
The most important aspect when planning our wedding was to make sure it was executed exactly how I envisioned it since I was a little girl. From the biggest details, like my wedding dress, to the smallest details, like the dinner napkins, I needed to know that my fairytale dream wedding would come to life. I wanted our closest friends and family to be part of a celebration that they would never forget.
What was the inspiration behind your wedding theme?
My wedding was inspired from a mix of rustic and romance. I wanted décor that was whimsical and when I started my search, I fell in love with neutral woods, outdoor materials, and bright flowers. Since the rustic materials were a duller color, I wanted to make sure that the flowers popped. Seeing the pictures from my wedding with the décor, bridesmaids, and groomsman, the fairytale wedding that I’ve always envisioned came to life exactly how I had imagined it and the inspired theme behind my wedding definitely helped with that.
What is your favorite memory from your wedding?
I don’t even know where to begin about my favorite memory during my wedding day. To be honest, the entire day was the best day of my life. But, if I really had to narrow it down to one moment, it would be when my now husband saw me for the very first time in my wedding dress. It was the only moment during the entire night where it was just the two of us. Although we’ve been together for 7 years and plan to be together for much more, I know that I will never have that moment again where I will be completely dolled up in a wedding dress which made the moment so special. I never felt more in love then at that very moment and I couldn’t wait to meet him at the altar.
How will you describe the feeling you had on your wedding day to your children one day?
I don’t know if I could ever express the right words to describe exactly how I felt on my wedding day. But I would explain it to my children as the most magical day of my life. I felt like I was living a fairytale and the whole day still feels like a dream to me. My stomach had butterflies the entire day and my nerves were all over the place, but once I locked eyes with Ricky, it all went away. I have not one single thing that I would change about my wedding day and if I could relive it again every day for the rest of my life, I would.
Entertainment Company: PLATINUM ENTERTAINMENT // Videographer: ROB ADAMS FILMS // Venue: The Estate at the Florentine Gardens // Hair Dresser and Makeup Artist: HAIR ESSENTIALS // Wedding Gown: Lazaro // Bridesmaid Dresses: Jim Hjelm // Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Florist: ADAM LEFFEL PRODUCTIONS // Stationery/Invitations: TINA CONOWAY DESIGNS //Groomsmen’s Attire: CHAZMATAZZ FORMALWEAR
The Estate at Florentine Gardens Wedding by NJ Wedding Photographer, Vanessa Joy Photography
Luxury Wedding Photography
