Photos by MC Productions Photography and Video
Stephanie and Stephen got married at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey, in April 2026, after reading each other personal vows at a private first look. The dress code was black-tie optional, and the palette was soft blue, white and gold.
They met through Stephen’s cousin Lexie, one of Stephanie’s close friends from high school. Years later, at a family gathering after the COVID years and college graduation, an honest conversation turned into something more. Stephen proposed on a summer family trip to Bethany Beach, Delaware, at a beach house that holds a lot of meaning for Stephanie’s family and has been a place of comfort since she lost her dad.
A first look with vows
Before the ceremony, Stephanie and Stephen had a private first look and read their personal vows to each other there, away from the crowd. It gave them a few quiet minutes to take in the day before the family-heavy part started.
Soft blue bridesmaids and blue hydrangeas
The bridesmaids wore soft blue, which picked up the touches of blue hydrangea in otherwise white florals by Yumila’s Floral Designs. White and gold details kept it classic, Stephanie carried a bouquet of white roses, and the groomsmen wore black tuxedos. Invitations came from Minted, and Facez Bridal handled makeup.
A family-first Florentine Gardens wedding
Family was at the center of the day. Stephanie honored her late father and her grandparents, and celebrated the blended families, relatives and friends who’ve backed the two of them from the start. After the ceremony and portraits, the reception was all dancing, with POSH DJs on the music and dessert from Palermo’s Bakery.
Get the look
Editor picks inspired by this wedding, not what the couple wore.
- Birdy Grey Anne Matte Satin Dress in Dusty Blue, $129 at Birdy Grey. A strapless, floor-length corset gown in a soft blue close to this bridal party’s, and formal enough to stand next to black tuxedos at a black-tie optional wedding. The straps come off, so bridesmaids who hate strapless can wear them.
- ZICOTO Elegant Velvet Wedding Vow Books, His and Hers, in Black and Beige. Check the price at Amazon. For reading your vows at the first look the way Stephanie and Stephen did: a pocket-size pair with gold foil lettering, so nobody has to read off a phone. Write in them a week out, not the morning of.
The idea worth stealing
Read your vows at the first look instead of the altar. You get the emotional part in private, the ceremony still feels personal, and nobody has to watch you try to read a phone screen through tears. If you need a starting point, here are some wedding vows for him.
Wedding vendors
- Reception venue: The Estate at Florentine Gardens, River Vale, NJ
- Photography and video: MC Productions Photography and Video
- Floral design: Yumila's Floral Designs
- Makeup: Facez Bridal
- Invitations: Minted
- DJ: POSH DJs
- Bakery: Palermo's Bakery
