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A Friendship Caught Fire // Patrina + Charlie

Patrina and Charlie were simply meant to be!  The two met in high school and remained friends through their college years.  They each spent some time studying abroad in London and even ran into each other on the street one day! Patrina’s acting career blossomed after college which led her to go a national tour, but after this year apart, they reconnected once again on the night before Thanksgiving.  That’s when things changed.  And after the kind of New Year’s Eve kiss story that you only see in the movies, their relationship turned from a sweet friendship into a beautiful love story.

A few years passed and the two had just signed a two-year lease on a new apartment in NYC.  They were excited to begin making those changes to make their new place all their own, including painting the walls.  Charlie got into their new apartment a day earlier than Patrina and when she arrived, she saw that he had painted, “Patrina, will you marry me?” on the wall!  She was in shock but overjoyed and painted, “Yes” on the wall in response!

And that day finally arrived in the beginning of October!  Patrina got ready for her wedding event at her parents’ home in Westfield, NJ while Charlie prepared at the church where their ceremony would soon be held.  We loved the fun socks that all the groomsmen wore and were glad we were there to film Charlie’s parents as they helped him with his final touches as he got ready.  Patrina and her bridal party had such a great time toasting and posing for photos in their lovely floral robes!  And after hair and makeup was finished by Beauty on Location NJ and Bruce Dean’s Arrive Beautiful, respectively, Patrina was almost ready to put on her gown.  But first, Patrina and Charlie each read aloud such wonderfully penned love notes for each other and exchanged such thoughtful gifts (like concert tickets!).

What a beautiful, graceful bride Patrina was!  Patrina’s dress was a gorgeous Eve of Milady fit and flare gown with delicate beadwork on a lovely lace overlay that joined an amazing, full tiered skirt.  She wore a dazzling hair brooch and added a long veil attached to the back of her hair for the ceremony and formal photos, many of which were taken on the beautifully landscaped grounds of their reception venue.  She carried a bridal bouquet in white with bright red pops of color while her beautiful bridesmaids carried coordinating bouquets that perfectly matched their deep red gowns with blooms in reds and pinks, all from Crest Florist.

Patrina and Charlie chose not to see each other before their ceremony, but Patrina did have a very special first look with her father once she was all ready to go.  It was impossible not to tear up watching his reaction and their embrace!  We also loved his emotional hug after he walked Patrina up the aisle at First United Methodist Church Westfield to meet Charlie.  After a wonderful message from Rev. Dr. David Mertz, the two recited traditional vows and were presented to the church as the new Mr. and Mrs.!

The newlyweds were treated to a bubble salute from their family and friends as they exited the church and prepared to leave for their venue for photos.  We were so thrilled to be working again with the amazing talent of Paul Francis Photography!  He’s so fun to work beside and such a terrific artist. Be sure to check out Paul and his assistant’s photos of Patrina and Charlie’s wedding day on his blog!

Then it was time for their reception at the Park Savoy to begin!   The reception ballroom was decorated beautifully with tall, cascading centerpieces in white and burgundy and the bride and groom’s sweetheart table overflowed with a romantic garland with massive blooms.  Another centerpiece/work of art, their white, four-tiered wedding cake from Palermo’s Bakery, was adorned with bold blooms in that gorgeous deep burgundy and white.

Patrina and Charlie were introduced and ran through the arms of their bridal party to enter the ballroom for their first dance together as a married couple.  After a beautifully choreographed first dance, touching, emotional toasts from Patrina’s father, Charlie’s brother and best man and Patrina’s sister and maid of honor, followed with the dinner courses.  Hank Lane Music’s Frank Simmons Band brought their ‘A’ game as usual and thrilled guests with terrific renditions of new and old hits! And the big surprise for the evening was an amazing rendition of a Les Mis classic by Patrina’s theater friends!

This was such a wonderful wedding event from start to finish and we can’t thank Patrina and Charlie enough for allowing us to be a part of capturing their day.  Congratulations and best wishes to Patrina and Charlie!

Photographer:  Paul Francis Photography – Plainfield, NJ

Floral Design:  Crest Florist – West Orange, NJ

Hair Stylist:  Beauty on Location NJ – Morristown, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Arrive Beautiful – Bruce Dean – New York, NY

Wedding Dress:  Eve of Milady

Entertainment:  Hank Lane Music – Frank Simmons Band – New York, NY

Cake:  Palermo’s Bakery – Little Ferry, NJ

Officiant:  Reverend Dr. David Mertz – Westfield, NJ

Church:  First United Methodist Church Westfield – Westfield, NJ

Venue:    Park Savoy – Florham Park, NJ