Nanina's In The Park

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

And isn’t it just so pretty to think / All along there was some / Invisible String / Tying you to me? -Taylor Swift

We both agree that our first meeting was through our mutual friend Katlyn after Gabbie returned from studying abroad, just in the final weeks before junior year ended. We briefly crossed paths before going our separate ways for the summer. Fast forward to August of our senior year, and we reconnected again through Katlyn. Neither of us was actively seeking a relationship, but there was this inexplicable pull bringing us closer. We found ourselves hanging out with friends and chatting in group chats. Then came the infamous "toga" night at Aunchies, where a little liquid courage led us to express our mutual interest and decide to exclusively date.

Shortly after, Mike asked Gabbie to be his girlfriend on September 22, kicking off the wild ride we've been on for the past 5 years.

While we initially believed our first encounter occurred in June of 2018, it turns out our paths crossed even earlier. Back in June of 2015, leading up to our freshman year, we found ourselves in the same orientation group. Funny enough, neither of us remembered each other until a run-in with our Orientation Leader and a glimpse at some old photographs brought back forgotten memories. On top of that, Mike was already friends with Fran before he even met Gabbie.

On one of our early dates, Gabbie was eager to share a bottle of wine she had brought back from Italy with Mike. We whipped up some pasta and enjoyed the delicious wine. Fast forward to Thanksgiving 2022, and Mike asked Tino for permission to marry Gabbie while sharing a glass of Blue Label (a nod to Mike's dad's favorite drink, another tie binding us together). With Tino's enthusiastic approval, he raced upstairs to share the special news with Maryann.

*This picture was from the Thanksgiving, Mike asked Tino for Gabbie's hand.

Shortly after, Mike enlisted Maryann and Fran's help in ring shopping. Meanwhile, Gabbie was thrilled to plan our next vacation, which started out as just the two of us but evolved into a family trip to Florence, Italy. Gabbie couldn't wait to show Mike and Fran where she studied and why she fell in love with the city. Little did Gabbie know; Mike had his own plans brewing for the trip. He spent bi-weekly zoom calls with Maryann, Fran, and Lauren Quinn planning the most magical engagement Gabbie could ever dream of.

Mike proposed to Gabbie at Castello della Paneretta, just outside Florence, with a photographer capturing the magic and a private dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. Gabbie was stunned and overjoyed, but secretly, she’d always hoped for a proposal in her favorite city.

In hindsight, we (mostly Gabbie, but Mike has agreed to use "we" here) believe Taylor Swift had it right—there was always an invisible string tying us together, waiting for the perfect moment to pull us together. And on September 22nd, 2018, it finally did.

Our Story

Photos

Fran Garcia

Vinay Malhotra

Sydney Ajamian 

Rishie Malhotra

Katlyn Carr

Nick Camacho

Allie Salomone

Taylor Matsuyama

Bari Moslowitz

Aakash Malhotra

Harley

Elijah

Wedding Party

Q + A

Hotels to Book

Best Western Plus Fairfield Executive Inn

216 Route 46 E 234, Fairfield, New Jersey&nbsp;07004&nbsp; Please call (+1) 973-575-7700 and ask for the Garcia/Malhotra room block to make your reservation.

Courtyard Lyndhurst Meadowlands

1 Polito Avenue Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071 Please book through our room block here: <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1715004238083&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Courtyard Marriott Room Block</a> You may also call +1 201-896-6666 and ask for the Garcia/Malhotra room block.

Shuttle Service

Shuttles will be available at the Best Western to the wedding venue. Once the reception has ended, shuttles will be available to bring you back to your designated hotel. Timing will be available closer to the wedding.

Lodging

Travel

Restaurant inside the Best Western (About 30 minutes from the Marriot)

Cucina Calandra

Seafood restaurant (about 20 minutes from the Best Western &amp; Marriot)

Halcyon

Bowling and Restaurant (About 20 minutes from the Best Western &amp; Marriot)

Pinstripes

Brunch spot (about 20 minutes from the Best Western &amp; Marriot)

The Brunch Box

Need hair &amp; makeup services? Feel free to book an appointment at Pretty Moon Salon located in Verona, NJ. (About 20 minutes from the Best Western &amp; Marriot) Use the website link to make an appointment.

Gabriella & Michael

Gabriella & Michael

G&M

Wedding Day