The Couple: Jennifer and Orlando

The Wedding: 9.16.12 – Stone House at Stirling Ridge – Warren, NJ

What three adjectives best describe your wedding day? ahhmazing, creative, completely and utterly us

Was there a decor theme that ran through your wedding? What was the inspiration for that particular idea and how did it reflect you as a couple? We are both in love with all things vintage but didnt want it to be so much of a theme that it would hit people on the head the moment they walked in. At the same time, we really wanted the decor to reflect our personalities and be anything but typical. I actually found it really stressful at first to plan a wedding in New Jersey, until my husband suggested to simply just do what we like to do and stop worrying if it all goes together. That is when we tried to weave in a lot of what we liked, from the quirkiness of the apothecary jars filled with mushrooms and old books and clocks adorning the tables, to homemade jam as favors for the guests. I guess it could have ended up not flowing together but luckily it totally worked!

What were some of the different ways you used decor elements to create the beautiful, cohesive event you were envisioning? We used apothecary jars filled with succulents and mushrooms along with moss, vines and muted hydrangeas on top of the tables to create an interesting focal point for our guests. We also used a lot of my grandfathers pre-WWII Polish books and some old clocks to create a more personal centerpiece that was reminiscent of an older time. Since each setting was a little different, it inspired an almost museum quality and felt like an exploration as guests wandered around to see each one. We also handmade miniature milk cartons complete with polka dotted or striped straws and used them as escort cards. Guests identified their tables with handmade table numbers made out of vintage-themed paper. Lastly, guests took home homemade jam labeled with an old fashioned tag that read Thanks for jammin out with us.” They totally added the personal flavor we were looking for.

Where did you choose to hold your wedding, and how did the location influence your decor decisions? We fell in love with the Stone House the moment we walked in. We loved how open it was and its huge windows. The cocktail space was also a big draw for us. With its exposed beams, multi-level floor and tucked in corners it resembled more of a cozy place to chat than an event space. The mirrors out front and the huge red doors presented the best opportunities for hamming it up for memorable photos which is something that was really important to us. Since it wasnt set up like the typical catering hall venue, its uniqueness and blend of stone and wood allowed us to be creative with our decor and really let our personalities come through.

Looking back, do you have a favorite project or successful decor idea from your wedding? Honestly, I loved it all. If I had to pick a project that was near and dear to me though it would have to be the jam favors. My husband and I wanted guests to be able to take home something that was not only tangible but also yummy. Making 160 jars of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, peach and apricot jam was definitely a challenge, but they looked adorable sitting on top of the tables bundled with fabric, twine and an oversized tag. It was also incredibly fun to make the jam together, which made it so much more personal than an item we could have purchased and given out. Even now, 6 months after the wedding, family and friends are still asking if we have any more jam. It was delish!!! I secretly do, but some of it is for us!

The Wedding Team

Photographer: Kate Connolly, Off BEET Productions
Ceremony Venue: St.Theresa Church
Reception Venue: Stone House at Stirling Ridge
Videographer/Film Maker: Off BEET Productions
Officiant: Father Grippo
Invitation Designer: Minted
Florist: The Little Flower Shoppe
Cake: Rudys Pastry Shop
Wedding Dress: Michelle Roth
Bridal Accessories: Tejani Wedding Jewelry
Bridesmaids Apparel & Accessories: Alfred Sung
Groom & Groomsmen Apparel and Accessories: Vera Wang
Hair & Make-up: Maggie Makas at Forever Young Salon
DJ: Denny Testa of Off BEET Productions
Transportation: Stardust
Rings: The Clay Pot

Thank you for sharing your whimiscal, vintage wedding with us Jennifer and Orlando!

Readers, for more wedding inspiration like this, be sure to check out the photos of purple wedding decor in our image gallery!