What a blast this week has been. On Thursday, Janine and Sean’s wedding at The Tides Estate in North Haledon, NJ was one that will be memorable for YEARS to come. Their Harry Potter themed wedding was one I’d been looking forward to for so long…especially because I’m currently rereading the Harry Potter series! And as Janine put it, this was my first nerd wedding!!
If you remember their engagement session then you already know you’re going to see some silly and super fun pictures in this post. Wands, cloaks and all. The table were adorned with owl stuffed animals and decorated like the Hogwarts houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Their invitation suite read “reply by owl post” and referred to punny Harry Potter jokes. The entire wedding party, including Janine and Sean wore converse and the groomsmen all wore Hogwarts robes during the ceremony. In place of regular flowers, the bouquets were made of paper flowers from Harry Potter book pages and all the family members and wedding party carried wands. The rest of the guests were given wands and a “muggle dictionary” at the start of the ceremony which included all the Harry Potter terms that were used during their ceremony for the “Non-Potterheads”.
Janine and Sean met over 30 years ago when Janine and Sean’s sister Colleen were close friends. While Sean remained “ Colleen’s quiet little brother” for years, Janine found herself in need of a date for a wedding and asked Sean. They went out a few times before the wedding to get to know each other on more of a “you’re my friend’s brother” level and quickly realized that what each other had been looking for their whole lives had been right under their nose. Their first official date followed….. Movies and dinner at the Jefferson Diner.
They quickly became each other best friend and molded their passions together for the NJ Devils and Harry Potter.
And then the big planned started to take place. Sean was planning on proposing in Harry Potter World at Diagon Alley. Knowing what a self-described Harry Potter nut Janine is, Sean knew this would be the perfect place to “pop” the question. So, at just the right spot, at just the right time, he looked into her eyes and asked Janine to marry him. And of course, said YES!
After a beautiful and personal ceremony, complete with Harry Potter lingo, wands, spells and the like, we went off to a beautiful reception in the ballroom that was decorated in Hogwarts decor to the brim. They shared very special dances including a dance dedicated to Janine’s parents and an anniversary dance for Sean’s parents.
And then the party REALLY began when the NJ Devils mascot showed up to take pictures with everyone!! I mean honestly. Janine and Sean said they were going to have a fun, personal, and non-traditional wedding and they hit that nail right on the head. I absolutely loved how personal this day was and am so thrilled I got to be there to document this magical love story.
Janine and Sean, I hope you never stop laughing with each other and at each other. I hope your nerd continues to shine and your magical love continues to grow. It has been an honor documenting your love story and I wish you a lifetime of happiness. And in Dumbledore’s words: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Thank you to these incredible vendors who made the day possible!
VENUE: The Tides Estate
OFFICIANT: Laura Roy-Fink
FLORIST: WednesdayThursby
CAKE ARTIST: The Tides Estate
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Melissa Chiusano
HAIR ARTIST: Shear Energy
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE: The Wedding Store at Liz Clinton in Andover NJ.
BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER: Sweetheart Gowns
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: The Wedding Store at Liz Clinton in Andover NJ.
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