Did you do any DIY Projects or create any handmade items for your wedding?
Our color palette was a beautiful mix of navy blue and dusty blue—elegant, but with a hint of softness.
We knew we wanted a winter wedding vibe, something that felt natural and elegant. Our theme featured soft candlelight and natural elements like wood and branches, paired with delicate glass bottles that added an ethereal touch.
One of our absolute favorite DIY projects was our seating chart ladder, which featured personalized wooden cut out names for each guest and tags guiding them to their table. It was something that I fell in love with once I got it out of my head and saw it in real life. We loved how it tied in with the cozy, rustic feel we envisioned.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
Cristina and I have been on a beautiful, winding journey for the past 30 years. Our love has always had a way of resurfacing, no matter how many miles or years came between us. We’ve had our share of “on and off” moments, but every time, we found our way back to each other — stronger and more certain that we were meant to be.
After all these years, I never imagined that Cristina would be the one to propose! But on January 2, 2024 in New York City, in front of the Gershwin Theatre (the perfect spot for a Wicked fan like me), she asked me to marry her. It was truly a magical moment, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect proposal. In that instant, I jumped in with both feet, eager to begin planning our dream wedding together.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
The day was full of moments we’ll never forget. One of our favorites was when our niece/goddaughter sang for us as we cut our cakes — one traditional and one (yes!) in the shape of a chicken. It was a fun, unforgettable touch!
We also had a wire sculptor who made personalized favors for each guest, which quickly became one of our favorite additions to the day.
We hired a violinist to play during the guest arrival, ceremony, and cocktail hour. The music added a special touch, making the night even more beautiful and memorable.
Our wedding was everything we dreamed of and more. It was a celebration of love, laughter, and the journey that brought us to this point. As we start this new chapter together, we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
We didn’t hire a florist. We did all of our centerpieces and décor ourselves. We purchased a hexagon arch for ceremony, DIY’d all of the flowers, purchased every piece for our 8 guest tables’ centerpieces – cylinder glass vase, blue light, glass balls, faux manzanita wooden branches, hanging glass globes, candles to go inside those globes, wooden round base, runner, blue glass bud vases, and hexagon wooden table numbers. We had piles and piles of boxes stored in our garage for a year!
We delivered everything to our venue the day before at rehearsal and our planner Vicki was able to set up everything just as we envisioned.
What was your biggest splurge?
Attire was definitely the biggest splurge moments.
As for fashion, our bridesmaids wore gorgeous dusty blue or navy blue floor-length gowns, while I wore the “Goddess” dress by Randi Fenoli. Cristina looked stunning in a custom-made dusty blue suit, and I truly couldn’t imagine a more perfect look for us both.
When Tonia learned that Randi Fenoli was doing a local trunk show, even though she already had a wedding dress, she decided to go and ended up buying a second wedding dress. Ultimately, this new Goddess dress became her real wedding dress, and the other dress became the outfit change dress for later in the evening.
Both Brides invested in Christian Louboutin shoes. Tonia wore Kate Strass pumps and Cristina wore black oxfords.
What was your favorite details?
We had a custom monogram designed for our wedding, which we carried throughout the day – on the menus, personalized cookie favors, and even projected on the dance floor by our amazing DJ.
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
Now that the day has passed, we have a few pieces of advice for future brides:
Hire a planner. When we started planning, I thought I could do it all myself. But now, I know our day wouldn’t have been as calm, stress-free, and organized as it was without our amazing planner Vicki Amar of Amarvelous Event. Ours truly helped make everything come together seamlessly.
The day goes by fast. It’s something everyone tells you, but it’s so true. Enjoy every moment and get as many pictures and/or videos as possible. You’ll treasure them forever and love looking back on your big day.
Prepare a shot list for your photographer. This was such a game-changer for us. Having a shot list made the photography process so much smoother, and we were able to capture all the important moments without feeling rushed.”
