Timeless Elegance Meets Rustic Charm at This NJ Wedding

Rob and Faelen first crossed paths during a magical sunset happy hour at Hotel Hugo in SoHo, New York. He introduced himself, and they instantly clicked, chatting effortlessly as if they had known each other forever. But just as the evening seemed to be unfolding into something special, Faelen and her friends had to leave. When Rob invited them to join his table, she politely declined. Luckily for her, Rob is nothing if not persistent. Just as she was about to step into the elevator, he stopped her me and asked her to put her name in his phone. “That night, we texted back and forth and made plans for our first date the very next day. We met at the Kimberly Hotel rooftop, shared drinks and laughter, and from that moment on, we were inseparable.”

Rob completely surprised me with his proposal at my family’s farm, Bally Bridie, in Lambertville, NJ. He had me convinced that we were heading across the river to New Hope for dinner and drinks with friends at River House at Odette’s—just to ensure I wasn’t dressed in my usual farm attire! The farm is my happy place, making it the perfect setting for such a deeply personal moment. Just the two of us, surrounded by nature, Rob got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. After I said yes, my entire family emerged from hiding, and we celebrated together—with my beloved pet pigs, Miss Piggy and Lady Bird, by our side.

Faelen & Robby’s wedding was a perfect reflection of timeless elegance against the rustic beauty of Bally Bridie and HARMONY HOLLOW FARM. Working with wedding planner KRISSY CAMPBELL, every detail, from the stationery to the florals, was carefully curated to bring their vision to life. The gorgeous bride shares with us, “The ceremony was officiated by my Godfather, Rev. Father Timothy Mulder which made it all the more personal and special. We had close family and friends read out their intentions for us at their seats giving us the feeling of truly being enveloped by love. For the first time in a month we had some wet weather so our guests were gracious enough to use the umbrellas and shawls provided to allow us to have the outdoor ceremony in front of the barn doors that I had envisioned.”

LITTLE BLACK DRESS PAPERIE in Morristown, NJ, created a custom embossed design featuring spray roses, inspired by my floral vision. This design was later used to craft our bespoke ring dishes with MudGirls Studio, serving as both place settings and guest favors. The stationery reflects the ivory and champagne tones we used throughout the design details of our wedding.

As a former classical ballet dancer, I wanted my wedding attire to exude the romance and elegance of a tutu. Working with PNINA TORNAI at KLEINFELD’S, I combined elements from three of her stunning designs to create two looks: a satin mermaid gown with a square neckline and low back, paired with a full tulle overskirt, which I removed after our first dance—much to Rob’s surprise!

TWISTED WILLOWS FLOWERS, alongside our incredible planner KRISSY CAMPBELL, brought my vision to life. Inspired by the timeless beauty of New York City’s Lincoln Center, we chose various shades of white with lush greenery as our pop of color. The ceremony florals were later repurposed to frame the stage at our reception, adding a cohesive elegance to the evening.

My Godfather, Rev. Father Timothy Mulder, officiated our heartfelt ceremony, made even more special with family and friends sharing their intentions from their seats. A little drizzle didn’t stop us from having our outdoor ceremony in front of the barn doors I had always envisioned.

Cocktail hour was held in the loft of Harmony Hollow’s barn, featuring a menu by 15 LANSDOWNE Catering & Mercantile that paid homage to my Italian-American heritage. Our signature drinks—Rob’s LI-Tini (a dirty martini with blue cheese olives) and my Lady Bird (Tequila, Sparkling Rosé Prosecco & Blood Orange Juice)—were a hit!

For entertainment, we had the incredible STEVE JOHNSON BAND, a favorite of my family, as they had performed at both my siblings’ weddings. They played everything from classic rock to Bruce Springsteen, keeping the dance floor packed all night. Later, DJ Mark Tiernan of Basis Music Group took over, and we ended the night dancing on stage until the lights came on!

We postponed our honeymoon until December, as fall is a busy time for Rob’s business. When the time came, we escaped to the breathtaking island of St. Martin, staying at the luxurious La Samanna Hotel. Our days were filled with French pastries, snorkeling at Creole Rock, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters—an unforgettable way to begin our new chapter together.