Allison and Eric

Asbury Park, New Jersey

Photography | Inspire Me Imagery | @inspiremeimagery

Ceremony Venue | The Asbury Hotel | @theasburyhotel

Restaurant | Porta | @pizzaporta

Floral Designer | Brandywine Floral Design | @brandywine_floral_design

Gown Designer | BHLDN | @bhldn

Veils and Headpieces | Dareth Colburn Designs | @darethcolburndesigns

Hair | Hot Mess Studios | @hotmessstudio

Invitations | Minted | @minted

Band | Silver Arrow Band | @silverarrowband

Beautiful wedding in Asbury Park with portraits on the iconic boardwalk and ceremony/reception at a restaurant known for their pizza.

Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette?

Eric and I didn’t want a large traditional banquet hall wedding, we actually wanted to elope. While out furniture shopping one day, the salesman was telling us about a wedding he recently went to at Porta. I was intrigued- I didn’t know they did weddings! We went to check out the room and we fell in love- it was the only venue we looked at! I loved the natural look of burlap/twine and the dark, burgundy color that will be in my bouquet and centerpieces.

Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception?

Eric and I decorated mason jars for the floral centerpieces (twine and gold paint).

How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.

I went out with a friend in New Brunswick and she introduced me to her friend Eric. We instantly hit it off, but there were a few hurdles in our way before we were able to go on a date. Everything fell into place, and well, 8 years later, here we are! Eric proposed at my nursing school graduation party. He wanted to do it in front of my large family!

What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

Definitely my father and uncle joining in to do a few songs with the band- they rocked it out!

Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?

Try to shop around for accessories on websites such as Etsy – my veil and hairpiece (both from Etsy) were significantly less expensive (and handmade!) compared to similar styles I’ve tried on at bridal stores. Don’t stress over minor details or try too hard for everything to be “perfect”. Also, when planning, don’t drive your fiancée crazy with wedding talk 24/7, give it a break once in awhile.