| About our wedding:
"I'm Minna and I approve this bio!"
All of these pictures were done by Roger at Engage Design. some are from table cameras, I will note that.
***please do not take any of my personal photos without permission*** thanks.
***If you are looking for a photographer in the NY/NJ area---Roger is AWESOME! www.engagedesign.com ***
Aside from a big storm on our day which made us relocate indoors and "the crinolin incident" everything was perfect! the day was truly amazing! I loved being the bride!
It flew by....I blinked and it was over!
All of these next pictures were taken by Roger at Engage Design-I will note the end of Roger's pictures.
It looks pretty, but the storm kept us inside. This is at the resort the day of our wedding.
My pretty dress
"What do you mean you didn't put my crinolin in the dress bag--I'm getting married in 1 hour!!!!" Thank God Kelly has a friend from college (Michelle) who came to my rescue and brought her crinolin for me to use--that is definately my "something borrowed"---
"Michelle--you saved me!" she saved the day with her crinolin!
Christina helping me with my pearls.
My sister (MOH) pinning my dress. It wasn't too big a week before the wedding. Take my advice--wait until the last possible moment for your final fitting!
My Christina, helping me with my shoes
My light blue shoes!
my little Mia, my gorgeous niece--she danced all night long---until 12:30! Not bad for a 2 year old! She is such a blast!
Who would have thought a crinolin would be so difficult?
more help with the crinolin!
I wish I could remember what I was laughing at! The whole day is a blur!
My gorgeous niece, Mia (FG). She is such an angel baby! She put her little arms out and said, "ooohhhh, Mia!" She liked how pretty she looked!
My gorgeous bouquet--pink peonies! There are also basil leaves at the base of the bouquet! It is PERFECT!
All the girls bouquets--so pretty!
First time seeing myself all ready-I am really looking like a bride!
Mia smelling her bouquet! I love that baby!
"No, Kel----it's a seam--it's not your nipple!" Keep in mind--the photographer catches everything!
Oh, Mia! Bubbles taste gross!
Chris with Joe (best man) and Bishop Joseph awaiting my arrival. I thought Christina was kidding when she said the Bishop was dressed like the Pope--she was totally serious!
The ceremony set-up before the guests arrived
Mia walking down the aisle with my sister (my MOH and Mia's mommy)
Here goes--I'm getting married!
We're getting married!
A shot of us during the ceremony--notice my pink aisle runner
Mrs. Amabile (Christina's mom) doing one of the readings.
The girls---they are so pretty!
Chris (DH) with his groomsmen.
MY pretty new ring :)
My rings together
The kiss!!!!
Me and my new Husband!!!
A nice shot of the BM dresses on my sister and Bonnie. Those dresses are great!
Chris and his mom during their mother-son dance. I love this picture!
My sensitive husband! I love him so!
Me and my sister--I love this picture!
A nice shot of Chris and his sister, Gina (BM).
The entire bridal party--what a great looking bunch!
A nice shot of one of the tables
A nice shot of one of the centerpieces
The table--set up. We did all white.
Our cake
The first cut!
Being bustled!
The finished product!
Chris (DH) and his step-dad, Joe (best-man)
Kimmy and Mia!
detail of one of the pins used for my bustle.
We did it, we're married!
My sweet Grandmother---she's 89
The menu cards and donation scrolls that I made
Chris and I laughing during Joe's speech!
Can you tell that I am so happy?
I love the bouquet>
Leaving at the end of our reception. what a great night!
END OF ROGER'S PICTURES (professional)>
A pic that I took of our signature frame guestbook
These pictures are from the table cameras.
dancing with chris' step-dad, Joe (best man). He was swinging me around the dance floor like a doll, I felt like I was floating--he is such a wonderful dancer. table camera)
our first dance. I love this man! (table camera)
Another shot of our first dance. (table camera)
My gorgeous sister, Kimmy (MOH). she looked so stunning (as usual)! I love her madly! (table camera)
Here is Kimmy again, you can get an idea of the girl*s bouquets. fuschia callas and apricot/ coral roses, so pretty! (table camera)
3 of my "HOT" bridesmaids. from the left--kelly, bonnie and christina. they all looked so beautiful! (table camera)
Me by our cake---great shot of my AMAZING bouquet!!! (table camera)
****** FOR SALE ITEMS ******
For Sale: Our placecards--love the shell.the color is ecru (pic looks pink-ish) (I have 95 left)
Our card box---SOLD! to knottie un-bride.
For Sale: My wedding shoes---in desert blue---which is a pale, light blue---my "something blue". size 8.--- sold to knottie FFBride.
For Sale: My wedding day purse! so fun!
HONEYMOON PICTURES---Rome, Positano and Capri, Italy! Our honeymoon was the trip of a lifetime!
My DH on the terrace in Positano--sooo beautiful! Positano was our favorite!
Positano!
Positano, again!
In front of the colloseum in Rome.
Dinner at The Hassler in Rome. This restaurant has the best view of Rome! Great food too!
This is Capri.
Capri!
We ate dinner in this restaurant which is an actual a lemon grove. delicious!
Us in the lemon grove restaurant.
Another restaurant in Positiano.
My adorable DH in one of the restaurants on Capri
Sunset
now, my planning, pre-wedding stuff.
Here we are! This is me (Melissa) and my handsome fi, Chris. These are from our "engagement shoot". Photos done by Roger at ENGAGE DESIGN. Roger is also the photographer for our wedding. more of our pics on rogers website at www.engagedesign.com.
Here is a recent picture of me and fi at a wedding in April 2004.
My e-ring. I love it-and yes, the diamonds go all the way around the band :)
My wedding band--I am so spoiled!
The other love of my life---Minna.
Minna, my weiner-dog....aka weenie---dressed in her santa suit! I love her madly!
OHHH----The life if minna...the spoiled little weiner-dog baby. I think she's smiling in this picture
Here is my beautiful sister (my best friend and MOH) and my gorgeous niece, Mia (FG) and my newly born nephew, Michael--and me. I just adore them all.
Here is my handsome fi with my sister (MOH) and my gorgeous niece(FG) and my adorable new nephew.
This is me with FMIL and FSIL in south beach--jan. 2004
Me with FSIL, Gina--
this is a pic from my bachelorette party. From the left--Kimmy (MOH-sister), me, Kelly (BM) and Christina (BM).
The lobby at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa
Our china pattern--vera wang*s pink duchess
OUR CAKE---
Bellini's----our signature drink!
 Another thing I would like to try to make---paddle fan programs--especially good since our ceremony is outside and oceanfront
my DIY version of paddle fan programs.
Bouquet that I like for myself--with all light pink peonies. I will also try to incorporate fresh basil into this bouquet. thanks beachybride111 for the great peony bouquet pictures
Bouquet I like for the BMs
Similar to our centerpieces but without the wreath around the bottom--the flowers will be like those in the BM bouquet.
What our aisle will look like, but with a light pink runner---it will be outside at an oceanfront resort
My choice for BM dresses--by Dessy,#1993, in this color--rose
This is the dress that I got for my beautiful niece, Mia (flowergirl). It is baby pink and matches the BM dresses. The skirt is 5 layers and the bodice is 100% silk---it is an amazing dress.
my makeup trial with airbrushed makeup--I loved it. The makeup artist*s name is Cristina and her website is www.njmakeupartist.com
my makeup inspiration
updo that I like
This is how I'd like the back to be
My hair trial and that is my headpiece
Our invitations--so perfect, simple and elegant
My shower--at Doolan*s in Sring Lake, NJ. My "Hot" bridal party--from left--Gina (fi*s sister-BM), Christina (BM), (me)--Kimmy (my sister-MOH), Bonnie (BM) and Kelly (BM).
My BM, Christina--me with new cappuccino maker and my gorgeous niece-y, Mia (FG).
My sister, Kimmy (MOH) and my niece, Mia (FG)--note me---totally engrossed in unwrapping
My ribbon hat from my shower. shower was at Doolan*s in Spring Lake, NJ. Note the champagne--YUM!!!
I never thought I would want an ice sculpture, but I saw this palm tree and had to have it--it goes so well with our beach theme
Our honeymoon destination---Almafi Coast of Italy...Rome, Positano and Capri. Can*t wait!
we are donating to the ovarian cancer research fund in lieu of favors.
Finally--here is my gown.....
the back of my gown--I love it!
front view of my gown. ignore the goofy look on my face.
the back of my gown--the train will be lengthened by 15 inches.
I love, love, love this picture
OUR VENDORS AND REVIEWS
Ocean Place Resort & Spa. Long Branch, NJ--ceremony and reception---beautiful location. they didn't pay attention to my details. set up the placecards incorrectly, forgot to put out groom*s cake--then left it by my stuff to be brought to the car the next morning--sitting out---and it was a cheesecake that required refrigeration, lost our jordan almonds (2--5 lb boxes). didn't return my aisle runner which I had to special order. changed our room on us for the ceremony--we paid extra to have a rain backup room for the ceremony that was oceanfront. they set us up in another room that was corporate looking with no windows...I could go on. Needless to say---I'm not very pleased with them.
John*s Riverside Florist, Toms River, NJ--Flowers---my flowers were amazingly perfect! I would recommend John's to EVERYONE!!!
Piece O Cake, Shrewsbury, NJ--cake--the cake was very good. they left out the 4th layer even after my sister double checked everything the day before the wedding. kind of annoying!
Engage Design--NY, NY --Photopgrapher--We could not be more thrilled with our pictures. Roger is a very talented photographer as well as being extremely professional, friendly and unobtrusive. He gets an A++++++.
Best Friend's Pet Resort and Salon--plainfield, NJ--minna's boarding---awesome. they take such great care of minna. my mind is at ease when she is there because I know they take such good care of her. definately recommend them.
Classic Travel in Metuchen, NJ--honeymoon---our HM was perfect..evey detail was taken care of. He even checked on us during the HM to make sure everything was great! I will never use another travel agent. Bill and Nancy are fantastic!
Touch of Jazz--Band--fabulous! Exactly what I wanted, I can't praise them enough. The band was awesome and good God can that woman sing. we got compliments all night on the band! I recommmend them to everyone!
Cristina from MAC at www.njmakeupartist.com---airbrushed my makeup. I loved how it looked and she is a real sweetie! I highly recommend her!
Blue Nile---my center stone for my e-ring came from Blue Nile. the quality is amazing (the jeweler who appraised it said it is one of the highest quality stones he has ever seen), prices are great and customer service was amazing! I definately recommend them.
The Style Room, in Brielle---Liz did my up-do and also the BM's hair. This is a great salon--the only one I will go to. They are fantastic! A+++
David S. Diamonds--NY,NY--e-ring setting and both mine and DH's wedding bands---definately recommend them. gorgeous quality--wonderful prices--awesome customer service. they are great!
Nicole*s Boutique, Brick, NJ---wedding gown--great, I love my gown and the personalized service! will shop there whenever possible! Lauren is a doll!
Pearl's Place--online--BM dresses--wonderful service, BM dresses arrived on time and were perfect. Prices were great.
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