A Luxurious and Formal Wedding at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey

Elena Stavrakas (an Associate Director in life sciences management consulting) and Peter Allen (a financial associate in the maritime industry) met at a fundraising dinner in Times Square in May of 2010. “I had always thought that we had simply bumped into one another amidst the crowd of mingling young professionals, but Peter always describes the story much differently,” Elena says. “He says that he had noticed me early on in the night, wearing a sparkly gold cocktail dress, and strategically positioned himself on the dance floor so that he could introduce himself. After chatting for a few minutes, we quickly learned that we worked only a few blocks apart from each other and we exchanged phone numbers. A day later he asked me to go to a Yankees game with him (he’s a former college baseball player and sports lover). Thinking a game might be a bit much, I asked him to meet me at Grand Central Station for lunch instead. We took things very, very slowly at first. We were both so entrenched in the Manhattan culture of long hours in the office and the need to budget our sparse, precious free time. After a year and a half of ‘slow-brewing’ friendship, our feelings became more and more clear, and the summer of 2012 was magical for us. We explored every inch of Manhattan, met each other’s families and took a romantic trip to the Greek islands (where both of our families are from). Surrounded by ancient ruins, the soft textures of the Santorini sun, beach and waves, and our endless indulgence in freshly-caught fish, Nutella and daiquiris, we just knew. Six months later on April 13, 2013, one of the first gorgeous spring days in the city, we were strolling through Central Park and Peter took my hand, knelt down and asked me to marry him. Embarrassed of all the people staring, I said, ‘Get up, get up!’ and then, ‘Yes!’ Funnily enough, a tourist caught us on camera and shared the shots with us -- such a precious thing to have! The ring was just stunning. A beautiful round brilliant stone with a cushion shaped halo and diamond band -- what I had always dreamed of.”Elena and Peter originally wanted to have their wedding in Greece, but decided to have it locally since more of their guests could attend that way.“We searched exhaustively for a venue—probably every New York and New Jersey venue there was,” Elena says. “We imagined Northern New Jersey to be the perfect compromise—a sort of mid-way point from my family in Philadelphia and his in New York. My parents (who were the most amazing ad-hoc wedding planners a bride could ever be gifted with) visited Pleasantdale Chateau first to check it out for us. I remember getting a call from my mom, who said, ‘You have got to see this place… it’s the most stunning French Chateau with an unbelievable indoor pool area, acres and acres of rolling hills and the most gorgeous ballroom.’ Music to my ears. Peter and I went to visit as well and knew that this was going to be the perfect private wedding oasis experience. I could picture all of the people who had driven and flown just for us to arrive to this unexpected paradise. It was like inviting everyone to your private estate with gracious butlers and the best chef you could imagine. Romantic, dreamy and refined. Indoor and outdoor—everything I could have wanted. Plus, I’m a sucker for all things French-inspired. It was perfect.”