Emily and Anthony‘s wedding was a flurry of fun from the moment we stepped into their homes on Staten Island, through their fabulous party at the Estate at Florentine Gardens.
Getting Ready on Staten Island
Emily’s parent’s home on Staten Island was full of people and flowers and dresses and all manner of wedding day items. The day of coordinator they’d brought on, Patty, was a total delight. She immediately got us set up with Emily’s details which were exquisite! The invitation for their Estate at Florentine Gardens wedding was shimmery with pearl details, and allowed their gorgeous wedding rings to pop off the page!
But the real showstopper was her vintage inspired dress, and her mom’s wedding veil. The lace gown over the champagne bodice was intricate and ultra feminine. The illusion neckline gave way to beautiful off the shoulder sleeves of delicate lace. When Emily put it on, her mom had to take a moment to keep from crying.
Emily’s grandmother, Rose, knocked on the door and smiled sweetly at her bride of a granddaughter. It was a sweet moment. Out front, a vintage Rolls Royce had pulled up. Emily’s dad, Chris, was waiting by the door to let her in. He helped her into the car, and it was time to head to church!
Across town, Anthony and the guys were making sure their hair was perfectly gelled, Tony’s pocket watch was in place, and that the pin he had for his late father was lovingly attached to his jacket. He wore it as a medal of honor. He was all smiles when the limo picked everyone up for the ceremony, but he saved the best one for when Emily appeared at church.
The Ceremony on Staten Island
The ceremony which united Emily and Anthony in marriage was special in every way. Held at Sacred Heart, the family’s longtime parish, and officiated by the priest Emily grew up knowing at Sacred Heart school, it was a full circle moment for the family.
When Anthony took Emily’s hand, he couldn’t stop looking at her the whole time. Through the readings and the homily, his eyes were glued to her. We don’t blame him!
They exchanged their vows and rings, and sealed everything with one of the best kisses we’ve seen at a church wedding! They made their way out as husband and wife, and after a receiving line, exited to cheers and bubbles.
Then it was time to head over to the Estate at Florentine Gardens for the fun part!
Portraits & Reception at the Estate at Florentine Gardens
We made great time to the reception, and it gave us some wiggle room to wait out a light rain shower before stepping outside for portraits. Emily and Anthony lit up our cameras with their smiles and joy-filled love. Wedding party pictures were a blast and had us howling with laughter too. The sun even joined us briefly for a few pictures before letting everyone enjoy the incredible cocktail hour from the Estate at Florentine Gardens.
When it came time to get the reception started, the lights dimmed in the ballroom, and a bright spotlight hit the doors. Everyone came running in, but none to more applause than the new Mr and Mrs DiVincenzo! They launched into their sweet choreographed first dance to the delight of everyone. Emily and her dad shared a dance after this, and then Anthony and his mom.
Speeches came during the first course, and then there was plenty of time for dancing off some of the calories from cocktail hour as dinner was prepared.
After dinner, we snuck outside for some twinkle light pictures before cake cutting and the bouquet toss. It had been a wonderfully long day with these two and their friends and family, and we were sad to say goodnight. Congratulations to Emily & Anthony!
