Happily Ever After 2016 by The SandPaper

LONG BEACH ISLAND REGION OF THE JERSEY SHORE

WEDDING GUIDE 2016

2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Happily Ever After

The Pe

Ann Coen Photography

Jessica Erb Photography

Ann C

magine celebrating the beginning of your new life with friends and family all weekend long, at a beautiful oceanfront resort.

Our delightful oceanfront resort affords you and your guests the convenience of on-site accommodations and the luxury of waking to the calming sounds of waves meeting the sand with the stunning beauty of the sun rising on the Atlantic Ocean.

2012

The celebration could begin the evening before with a gathering at the Tiki Bar for a welcome party with festive drinks and a casual menu.

TH E I R E X P E R I E N C E Our wedding day was perfect, weather and all! The palm trees, the acoustic guitar player, the delicious food and partying until 2am are just some of the unique qualities The Sea Shell has to offer. Our friends and family are still talking about our wedding and how it was one of the best weddings they have ever been to.

T r g w w

— Laura & Neil 2015

On the beach • Centre & Atlantic, Beach Haven • 609

Happily Ever After – 2016

erfect Wedding We

Coen Photography

Ann Coen Photography

n the morning of your wedding your guests can enjoy fun shore activities like sunbathing, walking on the beach, collecting sea shells, volleyball, ﬁshing, shopping or miniature golf. If you have always dreamed of a beach wedding, you’ll be thrilled with the Sea Shell’s private beach ceremony area. With the ocean as your background, your wedding pictures will be amazing. THE RECEPTION A fabulous ﬁve hour reception is next. It begins with a pool-side cocktail hour with top shelf drinks and a delicious selection of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres including a fresh-shucked oyster and clam bar and mounds of jumbo shrimp. This is followed by a mouth-watering gourmet dinner custom designed to your taste.

S P E A K S L O U D E R TH

The setting was beautiful. The cocktail hour and reception were amazing. 3 months later and my guests are still raving about how delicious the food was and how organized and delightful the staff were. — Nicole & Ryan 2015

We exchanged our vows on the priva cocktail hour outdoors overlookin our reception inside in felt like we destination - the perfect ambiance perfect from start to ﬁnish. The food incredible, and our guests still talk a was and what a great time they had —Courtney

9-492-4611 ext. 312 • www.seashellresortandbeachclub.com. For further inform 2016 – Happily Ever After 3

Weekend Getaway

Ann Coen Photography

ext it’s party-time. Whether you have a band or DJ, you’re welcome to enjoy the celebration till the wee hours, the room is yours all night.

MORNING AFTER BRUNCH (Included with a Saturday wedding, optional for a Friday or Sunday wedding.) It’s not over yet, the morning after your guests awaken to a wonderful, hot brunch, prepared especially for your group. It’s the perfect time for farewells, warm wishes, hugs, and good-byes. Everyone leaves with rich, endearing memories that last for a lifetime.

TH A N O U R W O R D S

n the private beach, had our verlooking the ocean, and t like we were at a tropical ambiance. Everything was . The food and drinks were still talk about how great it they had. Courtney & Michael, 2015

Think no further in choosing your venue in LBI. Everything was more than perfect. The entire Hughes family was welcoming and fun. I hope to remain friends forever. I never dreamed I would have that much fun at my wedding. I would do it all over again in a second. — Jessica & Adam, 2015

nformation please contact us at Brittany@seashellresortandbeachclub.com 4

Happily Ever After – 2016

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

CONTENTS

ROAD SHOW BACK IN TOWN..............................................................................8 FLORAL DESIGN WITH URBAN EDGE ...............................................................12 YOUR MOST INVITING DAY ............................................................................. 18 THE ‘ANYMAN’ OFFICIANT..............................................................................26 LOVE IS ALWAYS IN SEASON............................................................................28 WHAT LOOK SUITS YOU BEST? .......................................................................34 A VENUE FOR EVERY VISION...........................................................................38 NEW LIFE BEGINS IN AN OLD CHURCH............................................................42

GUIDE TO ADVERTISERS ANN COEN PHOTOGRAPHY .............15 THE ARLINGTON............................15 BEACH HAVEN CATERING CO. ........39 BELLA DONNA SALON & SPA ........11 BIG APPLE BAKERY .......................13 THE BLACK PEARL........................21 BOAT HOUSE RESTAURANT ............................ BACK FOLDOUT BUCCANEER MOTEL ......................45 BUCKALEW’S RESTAURANT & TAVERN ....................................10 COUNTRY KETTLE FUDGE ..............10 CUISINE ON THE GREEN .................23 DADDY O RESTAURANT & HOTEL ..17 DEB WHITCRAFT WEDDING & CIVIL UNION OFFICIANT .....................21 DREAM HORSE CARRIAGE CO. .......13

DRIFTING SANDS OCEANFRONT MOTEL .....................................21 THE DUTCHMAN’S ..........................6 HOLIDAY INN OF MANAHAWKIN......33 ISLAND CATERING .........................31 JACK REYNOLDS PHOTOGRAPHY .....33 JUST BRAGGIN’ PROFESSIONAL SALON......................................19 LAVISH SALON ..............................13 A LITTLE BITE OF ITALY/FRANCIS’ .37 MALLARD ISLAND YACHT CLUB ............................ BACK FOLDOUT MARTELL’S WATER’S EDGE ...........43 MDS FLORAL DESIGNS.................39 OCEAN TENTS & PARTY RENTALS ..19 ORAL’S PLACE ..............................31 RED SAILS SALON .........................29

Happily Ever After – 2016

RUSTIC DRIFT ...............................43 RYAN MORRILL PHOTOGRAPHY ......37 SANDS OF TIME .............................45 SEA OAKS COUNTRY CLUB .....24, 25, BACK COVER SEA SHELL RESORT & BEACH CLUB ........................... FRONT FOLDOUT SEA SPRAY MOTEL........................29 SHEENA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY ........31 SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE............3 THE STATEROOM ....... BACK FOLDOUT A SWEET MEMORY .......................23 TASTE CATERING EXCELLENCE.......48 TOUCH OF ELEGANCE CATERING ....41 UNIFORMITY TUXEDOS ..................37

2016 – Happily Ever After

Looking For The Perfect Wedding Destination? Start with Our 8th Annual Wedding Road Show on Sunday April 17, 2016

The Jersey Shore's Premiere Destination Wedding Event! Spend the day planning your wedding on a self-guided tour of picture perfect venues ﬁlled with wedding professionals.

Happily Ever After – 2016

2016 – Happily Ever After

ETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers, Welcome to the 2016 edition of Happily Ever After, designed with the coastal bride in mind. Congratulations on your engagement! We’re thrilled you’re considering the Long Beach Island region for your picture-perfect wedding celebration. Let us help you navigate your way from the proposal to the Big Day. In this all-in-one pocket-sized guide, you’ll ﬁ nd helpful information about the area’s many wedding-related products and services, a directory of local municipalities and houses of worship, plus great recreation, dining and entertainment options for you and your guests to enjoy during your stay. With the Long Beach Island region as a matrimonial backdrop, certain elements are guaranteed: breathtaking natural beauty, sandy expanses and wooded retreats, lapping waves and fresh salt air. So, not only can you count on a lovely ceremony and unforgettable party, but also you can offer your guests the opportunity for a fun and rejuvenating seaside getaway. At a time in your life when many people may bombard you with questions and advice, we hope you’ll turn to this book as an indispensable resource and trusted companion you’ll carry with you through the entire planning process. Here on LBI, we have made great progress in restoring our shoreline to its pre-Sandy splendor and beyond. Happily Ever After is part of a community-wide destination weddings initiative, made possible by grant funding from the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, and a product of the joint creative efforts of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce’s Destination Marketing Organization and The SandPaper. We are eager to share all there is to do, see and love about the Long Beach Island region. Thank you for making us a part of your journey! May your love story continue to unfold as you and your spouse live happily ever after. Best wishes, Victoria Ford, editor and the entire HEA team

Happily Ever After – 2016

2016 – Happily Ever After

Celebrate new beginnings on the bay...

Surf City Yacht Club

weddings rehearsal dinners private parties seating for 120 guests

Surf City Yacht Club • 9th Street on the Bay Surf City, NJ 08008 • (609) 494-1532 8

www.scyc-nj.org Happily Ever After – 2016

2016 – Happily Ever After

The Schmid Family Presents

Featuring

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2500 East Bay Avenue, Cedar Bonnet Island, NJ 609.494.6910 For additional information, photos and more, visit us today at www.thedutchmans.com. Spicecatering.eventplanning@gmail.com 2016 – Happily Ever After

BRANT BEACH YACHT CLUB The gorgeous BBYC boasts amazing panoramic water views and can accommodate 200 guests. Its simple elegance makes it the perfect venue that will leave your guests wowed.

Photos by Ann Coen

For More Information: MyWedding@bbyc.net 609-494-4485 www.bbyc.net Facebook.com/bbycweddings 10

Happily Ever After â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

Brides-to-Be and Entourages Feast Their Senses

ave the date! For those envisioning nuptials on the Jersey Shore, the Long Beach Island Wedding Road Show is back for its eighth year – on Sunday, April 17 – to offer engaged couples a peek at the area’s dreamiest marriage-material venues. And, perhaps best of all, the event is free for all registered brides-to-be and their entourages. This year’s self-guided tour will showcase The Boat House, The Stateroom, The Gables, Surf City Yacht Club, Brant Beach Yacht Club, The Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club, Surf City Hotel, the LBI Historical Museum and the Holiday Inn Manahawkin, as well as various top-notch event-planning products and services. The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with local

wedding professionals for the past eight years to ensure that event participants have access to the region’s bridal best, and couples from throughout the tri-state area are already signing on for the 2016 installment. On the day of the show, registrants are asked to check in between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 2016 – Happily Ever After

one of three designated locations: Holiday Inn in Manahawkin, Tuckerton Seaport in Tuckerton or the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce in Ship Bottom. Brides and guests will receive a map and program with information on all the open houses. Doors open at showcase venues at 10 a.m., and the event concludes at 4 p.m. The event also includes popup DIY seminars, samples and giveaways, and dozens of prize drawings. The more venues a bride visits, the greater the chance to win a prize, which range from custom invitation designs to engagement sessions with highly regarded local photographers. LBI Wedding Road Show sponsors include the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, NJWedding.com, The Knot, Rock the Aisle Bridal, Celebrations, Volatile Media Management and B98.5 Radio.

Photographs by Jack Reynolds

Register for the event online at rocktheaislebridal.com. For more information, visit visitlbiregion. com, contact vox@vforvolatile.com or check out the LBI Wedding Road Show on Facebook and Instagram. —J.K.-H.

LBI Brides Promote Area Via Social Media Channels

he idea for the Instagram Takeover originated as a way to lure brides into and involve them further in the LBI Wedding Road Show conversation, according to Danielle Corso of Volatile Media Management. “Including a real-life perspective on wedding planning as inspiration for engaged couples is just as important to our social feeds as is bringing attention to the talented wedding professionals in the LBI Region.” Although our first guest instagrammer, Jessica Huch, is a local newlywed, LBI brides hailing from all over the country are invited to participate in the takeovers. Huch was a perfect fit as the first in the series, Corso explained, because: she fell in love with a local guy who shares her dreams for Bellarine Theatre Co.; their engagement began on the beach in Ship Bottom; they attended the Road Show as a Happily Ever After – 2016

couple; they worked together to confirm Road Show vendors; and they exchanged vows at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies. “Jess is also a fiery ball of energy, which is definitely a bonus!” Corso said. As a photo-sharing platform, Instagram is a go-to for bridal inspiration, right on level with Pinterest, she continued. A social presence is essential for the Road Show (as well as local businesses) for year-round engagement. Even though the majority of our weddings take place in the summer and fall months, still countless opportunities exist for couples to get engaged, celebrate, shop and wed every day of the year. “As the Southern Ocean County Chamber (of Commerce) works to redefine beach culture, the Road Show simultaneously works to redefine beach weddings,” Corso said. —V.F.

Say "I do" to Fudge Wedding Favors

9th & Bay Ave., Beach Haven, NJ (609) 492-2800 • www.CountryKettleFudge.com 2016 – Happily Ever After

Choose The Area's Most Professional & Complete Salon For All Your Wedding Services

Hair by Billie Make Up by Amy Photo by Enchanted Celebrations

2 Locations to Serve You 2400 N. Long Beach Blvd. Surf City 609-361-1777

31 N. Main St. Manahawkin 609-978-1414

www.belladonna-salonandspa.com bellasbrideslbi@gmail.com All Ever Locations Open Year Round After â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016 14 Happily

MDS Floral in Stafford Has Celebrity Wedding Smarts

ichelle Santanello of MDS Floral Designs has seen and done it all. For 10 years she was the head floral designer for Ed Libby and Company Events Inc. in Manhattan, doing big celebrity events all over New York City – at Cipriani’s on 42nd Street, the Rainbow Room and the Plaza Hotel. She designed wedding flowers for Usher’s wedding and Tara Banks, to name-drop just two celebrities. “We did top-of-the-line events with budgets of $500,000 and up on a regular basis for weddings, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs; those were even bigger. “Once I moved down here, I got right in with Bonnet Island (Estate) and Mallard Island (Yacht Club, both local wedding venues). I think I’m up to 60 weddings already,” said Santanello. “Being an event designer is a totally different thing than a florist,” she said. Santanello is

Happily Ever After – 2016

Photos by Ann Coen

designing a wedding event to make each bride feel like the star she always dreamed of being on her special day. “I think my moving down here worked well for the brides getting married at these shore venues because they are from New York or Philly. It’s great for them; they feel more comfortable choosing me rather than a ﬂorist down here because I was a designer in New York. That’s why I think I’ve done so well down here with my style, because of my background. “My style tends to be romantic, the softer colors, and I tend to attract brides with the same style. I like to use hydrangeas and garden roses that are very fragrant. And then there are brides who like bling, and I supply that, too.” Bridal bouquet styles haven’t changed that much in 10 years. Brides still like the hand-tied look of one or two types of ﬂowers with a few

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 2016 – Happily Ever After

Wedding Cakes for Bride & Groom Associated Pastries & Cookies Chocolate Covered Strawberries Bridal Shower Sheet Cakes Also Catering Fancy Sandwiches to Delicious Party Entrees for Your Special Event

595 East Bay Avenue Manahawkin, NJ 08050

609-597-7802 www.thebigapplebakery.com Since 1983

HAIR . NAILS . MAKEUP

Specializing in Weddings OPEN YEAR ROUND

115 SOUTH BAY AVENUE (LONG BEACH BOULEVARD) BEACH HAVEN, NJ 08008

(609) 492-9955 WWW.LAVISHLBI.COM FOLLOW US: FACEBOOK: LAVISH LBI INSTAGRAM: LAVISH LBI

Happily Ever After â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

Ann Coen

MDS FLORAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 smaller accents in colors. Others like a less formal bouquet, a hand-gathered wildﬂower look. Sometimes Santanello gets a bride who wants a cascade bouquet, and she is happy to do that as well. “I’m always looking for new flower and plant materials; I like a lot of different textures and colors that are not the norm.” Some of her bouquets have included anemones, renunculus, lizianthus, sweet peas, veronica, amaranths and succulents. “Another trend is doing brooch bouquets – jewelry brooches made into a bouquet. These

Happily Ever After – 2016

are great for a destination wedding. They can bring it with them in a suitcase and don’t have to worry about finding fresh flowers. I’ve also done bouquets with all shells. “You can use, like, your grandmother’s jewelry or heritage pieces. All the flowers or shells are on wires that are wrapped with florist tape and then gathered into a bouquet.” Flowers for the tables can be as extravagant as a budget allows. Santanello has the stands that push the centerpiece up to above the table so guests can see each other. Her biggest freestanding centerpiece was 4 feet high and just as big around for a wedding at Ashford Estate in

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 2016 – Happily Ever After

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2016 – Happily Ever After

Photos byAnn Coen

MDS FLORAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Allentown, owned by Chris Vernon, also owner of the Mallard Island and Bonnet Island venues. These flower showpieces can include dozens of garden roses, sprigs of orchids, peonies, tulips, sweet peas and other high-end blooms. Santanello does not buy chrysanthemums or daisies for her events. A new trend in centerpieces is custom-made beaded lampshades made on candelabra. “In the city we did gigantic ones,” she said. Popular colors for tablecloths and runners are rose gold and ivory. Outdoor ceremonies at the shore can pose a challenge, with the biggest challenge being the wind. For weddings on the beach, Santanello uses sand grabbers to hold the wedding arbor in place, and she usually will cover it with tulle that lets the breeze flow through. “We have all kinds of tricks of the trade.” MDS Floral Designs has a whole crew to handle a wedding at Mallard or Bonnet Island. “The flowers come in early on Monday or Tuesday, and we have two big, refrigerated boxes to put them in. We work on the designs during the week. On delivery day I have at least four or five people plus myself to set up the room. The crew goes back when the party is over to clean up.” Recently Santanello opened a storefront on Route 9 in Manahawkin. Besides needing a bigger space to store all the accoutrements a wedding requires – tablecloths, glassware, spe-

Photos by Ann Coen

cial furniture for the sweetheart table, etc. – she will have a boutique for the brides with all the things they need. “I asked all of my brides what they had a hard time ﬁnding or what they would like to see me have, and that’s what I have.” In particular were bridal robes, flowery robes for the bride and bridesmaids to wear while getting their hair and makeup done, plus all kinds of glittery hair accessories, and bridesmaid gifts. “I want to be the place brides go for all that bling.” MDS Floral Designs is located at 795 North Main St. Call 609-607-0467. — Pat Johnson 2016 – Happily Ever After

EAT, DRINK AND HAPPILY EVER AFTER Three unique settings for parties and celebrations

Brant Beach 609.494.1300 daddyohotellbi.com

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Happily Ever After â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

Beach Haven 609.492.2300 tuckerstavern-lbi.com

Embellished With C Care, Paper Goods Lend Flair

h i l e m a n y printed materials face ateriial als fa ace obsoleso cence, nce,, graphic nc grapphicc designerr ephaanie S om modi believ ves Stephanie Somodi believes al paper w e edding g invi itations real wedding invitations will never fall out of fashion. “I love paper,” she said. “The texture.” Somodi is a preferred vendor for developer/ business tycoon Chris Vernon’s Weddings of Distinction properties – Mallard Island Yacht Club, Bonnet Island Estate and the Stateroom. She graduated from Kean University (then King College) with a graphic design degree and moved to the area from North Jersey about 12 years ago. She designed the invitations for her brother’s wedding in 2001, and right away friends and family started telling her she should go into business. Her popularity grew quickly by word-of-mouth referrals. Now “it’s nonstop,” she said, keeping her busy with 60 to 70 weddings per year. “I’m already going into 2017,” she said. Her work has appeared in New Jersey Bride and The Knot magazines. Her claim to fame is last summer’s “American Chopper” wedding of Paul and Rachael Teutul at Bonnet Island. In addition to Vernon’s properties, she works for Clark’s Landing in Point Pleasant and Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange. Somodi’s work carries the bride and groom

Happily Ever After – 2016

ffroom the h earliest ear arli stagfrom ign es oof desi designing and plannning thee dday, right planning through h to thee thank-you th through carrds after afteer it’s all all said and cards But her heer job description de done. But also extendss tto o bein ng the br rid friend, also being bride’s psychologist, shoulder to cry on and just about anything else asked of her. “I love what I do; I love my brides,” she said. Most important, she helps them remember what the day is for: “After the party is over, all ya got is youse two,” she said with a laugh. The invitation is an investment, Somodi likes to tell her clients. As the guests’ ﬁrst glimpse into what the wedding will be about, the invite creates a feel, a vibe, a theme, a scheme, and gets everyone excited. Be it an “antique key” theme, vintage, nautical, country, rock ’n’ roll, the invitation is a sneak preview of the event. From there, the design or logo the couple envisions comes to life as a cohesive motif throughout the package. The process begins with a Save the Date. Then comes the invitation. Day-of items might include a printed itinerary, or bridesmaid’s timeline; a ceremony program or program fan; petal cups; escort cards; seating charts (also a lovely keepsake); table identiﬁers (names or numbers); hashtag signs (e.g., #RemyandMorgansBigDay, #FranknJulie4Eva); menu cards; bar signs,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 2016 – Happily Ever After

From Naturally Beautiful to Glammed-up Gorgeous Let us Customize Your Look for Your Special Day! Formal Hairstyling Flawless Airbrush Makeup Applications Hair & Lash Extensions Available On Location Services Available *mention this ad and receive half off your makeup trial! Follow Us On @justbragginhairsalon www.facebook.com/justbraggin

Manahawkin Plaza

Located Minutes Away From All Premiere Wedding Venues on LBI 712 East Bay Ave • Suite 11 Manahawkin, NJ • 609-597-2660 Mon - Fri: 9am - 8pm • Sat: 9am - 5pm

801 East Bay Avenue Manahawkin, NJ 08050 609-597-9788 (Manahawkin) Mount Holly Location: 1647 Route 38, Mount Holly, NJ 08060 800-507-4386 or 609-914-0600 www.oceantents.com We Specialize in Wedding Tent Rentals

Happily Ever After – 2016

Rentals of Tents, Event Furniture, Lighting, Event Drapery, China, Linens, Catering Equipment, Dance Floor and More!

2016 – Happily Ever After

INVITATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 ladies’ and gentlemen’s amenity baskets for the restrooms; welcome boxes for guests’ hotel rooms (fully customizable “survival kits” loaded with snacks, water, gum, antacid tablets, you name it); “Do Not Disturb” door hangers. And don’t forget the thank-you cards! For many couples, the magic is in those details – the personal touches guests will always remember. “If you really want to make (your event) stand out, you go that one step further,” Somodi said. She also offers rental items such as table markers, easel stands, decorative seating chart frames and more. “It’s pretty much all hand-done,” Somodi explained of the items that sparkle and sheen – each individual crystal, ribbon and accent is applied by hand. Luckily she has a small staff of helpers that includes her parents, Lois and Frank Somodi; her nephew, Christopher Somodi; and Pat “Hands of Gold” Braunschweig. Without a helpful crew she might not be able to tackle a job like the 250-guest wedding she’s currently working on. “The feedback I get is priceless,” she said. The goal, of course, is tears. If the bride-to-be cries the ﬁrst time she sees the product, that’s a win. Some trends Somodi is seeing are boxed invitations. Imagine receiving a white damask fabric-covered tri-fold invitation that arrives in

Photographs by Ryan Morrill

its own elegant box, like a gift. In color news, rose quartz has been named the Pantone color of the year. In paper designs, she added, “lasercut

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 2016 – Happily Ever After

Drifting Sands Oceanfront Motel

119 E. 9th St., Ship Bottom • 609-494-1123 • www.dslbi.com

SPECIAL OCCASION PARTY CRUISES • Weddings, Bachelor/Bachelorette with DJ & Bar Packages • Wedding Officiates Available • Bridal Showers, Baby Showers & Rehearsal Parties

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609-978-9951

DEBORAH C. WHITCRAFT Mayor Emeritus Wedding Ofﬁciant NJ

Member of the National Association of Wedding Ofﬁciants

609-492-3645 home www.DCWhitcraft.com 609-226-3838 cell DebWhitcraft@gmail.com Notary Public State of New Jersey

On A Tight Budget? Get Married in the NJ Maritime Museum! Weddings also performed aboard The Black Pearl pirate boat; call for details. Available 24/7 at any location of your choice.

528 Dock Road – Beach Haven, NJ 08008 Ofﬁciant fees to beneﬁt the NJ Maritime Museum

Happily Ever After – 2016

INVITATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 is really hot right now.” Also, “beach badge” place cards for affairs with coastal flair are “so huge.” The possibilities for the lettering are stunning and varied: digital printing, metallic/glitter ink, foil printing, letterpress, and thermography (a printing technique in which a wet ink image is fused by heat or infrared radiation with a resinous powder to produce a raised impression). Nowadays brides are also getting cute about asking their best friends to be their maid of honor and bridesmaids, with “welcome packages” that are gift boxes ﬁlled with goodies to preview the celebration – champagne, sweets, color/fabric swatches. Somodi’s rates start at $10.50 per ensemble (say, a pocket folder containing invitation, RSVP, reception card, directions), but they can range considerably, depending on the vision, and can include just about anything the couple wants: for example, a “wedding highlights” card as a preview of the day. One order Somodi ﬁlled ran $55 per invitation – on Plexiglas. To add further elegance and cohesion, the

Photographs by Ryan Morrill

menus can be embellished with crystals, pearls or ribbon; plates can be wrapped in fabric, cinched with brooches. Everything is done to match the so-called “tablescape.” She works closely with Michelle Santanello of MDS Floral Designs to create a look that ties everything together. Somodi said eventually she would like to have a studio space/storefront, but for now she is comfortable working out of her home, where brides enjoy an intimate planning experience. Contact Somodi for more information at 609-812-1383 or visit stephaniesomodi.com. — Victoria Ford 2016 – Happily Ever After

From Sassy to Simple From Whimsical to Traditional A Sweet Memory has something for everyone! CUSTOM CAKES FOR ALL OCCASIONS Weddings Groom’s Cakes Showers Fresh Baked Scones, Cupcakes and Sweet Treats Available Daily

609.242.0153

1st Birthdays

Cookie Favors Cake Pops Desserts Bar Donuts & More

Cupcake Towers

Like us on Facebook for information about our specials, seasonal activities, cakes and tea room events

721 S. Main Street (Rt. 9) | Forked River, NJ | www.asweetmemory.net

Cuisine on the Green is the perfect venue for ~Showers ~Rehearsal Dinners

Celebrate Life’s Special Moments! Banquet Room Can Accommodate up to 80 guests Beautiful Outdoor Patio Seating and Gazebo overlooking the Atlantis Golf Course Visit www.cuisineonthegreen.com for Photo Gallery

Call 609.296.2137 for an appointment 261 Country Club Boulevard, Little Egg Harbor cuisineonthegreen.com 26

Happily Ever After – 2016

Where Elegance and Ex

We offer one of South Jersey’s ﬁnest banquet facilities and on-s Visit our Website at www.seaoakscc.com today to browse our 2016 – Happily Ever After

cellence Become a Reality www.SeaOaksCC.com

(609) 296-2656 99 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087

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ite overnight accommodations all within our 165-acre complex. photo gallery, and learn more about our wedding packages. Happily Ever After 25 *Photo courtesy of Dream Horse2016 Carriage Co. / Darci Doran Photography

Nowadays, Getting Ordained Is Just a Click Away

eddings are a time-honored tradition, but they don’t have to be conventional. Having the ceremony officiated by a friend or loved one can make the experience much more memorable. While a judge, court clerk, justice of the peace or any recognized member of the clergy can perform marriages lawfully in most states, the privilege also extends to individuals in New Jersey (and elsewhere) who can be ordained via the Internet. Stafford Township resident Joe Mangino, who is ordained as a non-denominational minister, has probably performed around 100 weddings, as well as a number of beach baptisms and one funeral, since obtaining his license over six years ago. “Even though all the research I did about the online certifications indicated it was legal in New Jersey and most other states, I chose to get ordained as a non-denominational minister by two different churches, the Universal Life Church and the Universal Life Church World Ministry, as a sort of extra protection. You can’t believe everything you read on the Internet,” Mangino said. His ordination is recognized in 48 states. Virginia, with the exception of Spotsylvania County, and Pennsylvania, excluding Bucks County, do not recognize ULC ministers, he noted. The certification process is rather simple. Many websites allow a person to be ordained for free through an online application with a printable receipt. The license recognizes the holder as a wedding officiant, who can also perform funerals and baptisms. The minister is allowed to form his or her own congregation as well. Certificates, handbooks and instruction materials can be purchased. Mangino decided to get into the business after learning about it on the news. “I thought to myself, ‘I can do that. Why let the mayors and judges hog all the work and have all the fun?’ Also, my dad was a deacon

Happily Ever After – 2016

Supplied Photos

in the Catholic Church, and he ofﬁciated my wedding,” Mangino said. “It was something that I was familiar with and thought I would

enjoy doing it.” The fi rst wedding he officiated was for his aunt in 2009. Since then, he has performed a handful of weddings each year for other family and friends, which “are always extra special,” he said. “My sister’s wedding was defi nitely the most emotional,” Mangino said. “My dad should have been the one doing it, but he passed away a few years before. Having to fill his shoes by walking her down the aisle, and then performing the ceremony, was an emotionally tall order.” After Superstorm Sandy left him without full-time employment, Mangino decided to really push his officiating services. He credits having a creative business card as well as help from Ann Coen Photography and LeAnna Theresa Photography for his quick expansion. Getting involved in the LBI Wedding Road Show, which he plans to attend this year, is also a “big boost to business.” “With the exception of one nightmare couple, I have enjoyed every wedding I’ve ever officiated,” Mangino said. One of his absolute favorites was a theme wedding he performed as Reverend Willy Wonka in a venue decorated as a chocolate factory. “There were even oompa loompas on hand,” he said. “I asked the couple how Wonka could I get? And they gave me the freedom to go full Wonka. I created a ceremony that contained many lines from the movie. It was an epic ceremony that everyone loved.” Mangino’s style is based on “energy, more energy and creativity.” He speaks loudly so everyone can hear. He likes to make sure the couple is the focus, but also tries to include their family and friends in the ceremony. “I’ve been to many forgettable weddings where ‘minister mumbles’ can barely be heard and his energy is so low that you begin to wonder if this is a wedding or a funeral. I try to be the opposite of that,” Mangino said. “When it comes to creating a wedding ceremony, I have very few rules. I’m up for almost anything. When I meet a couple for the fi rst time, the fi rst question I ask them is ‘How much God do you want in your ceremony? A lot of God, a little God or no God?’ Then we build off of that.” Although Mangino likes to share a rough outline of the ceremony with the couple, he prefers to surprise them. He encourages couples to write their own vows “because it makes the ceremony that much more personal.”

Supplied Photos

He once had an emotional couple’s vows read aloud by their guests at the Spray Beach Chapel. “It was the ﬁ rst time I ever tried this, and I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “The results were amazing. Everyone felt included, and I gave the couple a special moment they will never forget.” Mangino said there is “so much” he likes about the job because it is “an honor” to participate in such a special day. Getting invited to the reception is “a really nice perk,” too. “It’s something I take very serious,” he said. “I love to meet these couples who are about to embark on an amazing journey and craft a ceremony that everyone will remember.” Mangino said he really enjoys performing outdoor weddings such as at the beach and along the bay, as well as at parks, farms and even on rooftops. He is scheduled to perform a service on top of a Ferris wheel in Wildwood this summer. He plans to continue performing weddings and beach baptisms for as long as he can. “It’s too much fun to give it up.” — Kelley Anne Essinger 2016 Happily Ever After

Uncommon Dates Can Reap Unexpected Bene¿ts

emember when weddings were associated with the month of June, much like rain showers with April and flowers with May? “The old June bride cliché doesn’t hold true anymore,” according to Deborah Whitcraft. Whitcraft has been officiating at wedding ceremonies – many hundreds of them – for some two decades, first when she was mayor of Beach Haven in the 1990s and then as founder of Seaside Ceremonies NJ. “The wedding season has absolutely extended over the years,” she said. “I’ve had beach weddings in December. I did one when it was 20 degrees in Barnegat Light. And blowing!” Michael Smith, the hotel manager at Beach Haven’s Engleside Inn for five years, agrees the season has grown longer, and in both directions – earlier in the spring and well into autumn. The Engleside is often asked to block off rooms for wedding parties and guests, but most of those requests used to be for weekends in May, June and September (individual guests could rent rooms in July and August, but blocks of rooms were unavailable due to the crush of regular summer reservations). But Octobers have become more popular, and last year the Engleside had a wedding group staying at the hotel in November. “We usually have good weather here all the way through November, so I can understand that,” said Smith. “But what surprised me is this year we have rooms blocked off for weddings in early April.” “It varies every year,” said Sandy Goldsborough, the manager and banquet/wedding coordinator at The Gables in Beach Haven. “The fall tends to be busier than the spring, but this year May, between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, has been booked for a very long time. But we’ve had November weddings; we’ve had a December wedding.” Of course, weather can be fickle. Late October 2012 wasn’t a good time for a wedding, not with

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Happily Ever After – 2016

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WEDDING SEASON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 Superstorm Sandy bearing down on LBI. Nor was the first October weekend of 2015, when a nor’easter forced the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce to cancel Chowderfest for the first time in that event’s 27-year history. So as popular as beach weddings are, some couples prefer waterproof venues for “off-season” ceremonies – and, of course, receptions, places such as the area’s churches, yacht clubs, country clubs, restaurants, wedding palaces such as the Bonnet Island Estate and Mallard Island Yacht Club, the Museum of New Jersey Maritime History (where Whitcraft is the curator), the Long Beach Island Historical Museum and the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and the Sciences. It isn’t just a matter of keeping storms at bay; it can be a matter of ambience. Goldsborough said people sometimes want to get married during the Christmas season because The Gables has beautiful decorations. Even an earlier nightfall, she said, is an attraction because the restaurant/inn’s lights sparkle in the dark. There are practical reasons for off-season weddings as well. The earlier you go into the spring and the later you wait in the fall, prices drop significantly, not only for reception venues, but also for hotel rooms for guests.

Happily Ever After – 2016

Renting the entire Bonnet Estate (before catering) on a Saturday, including accommodations for 24 guests, runs $26,000 “in-season,” from May to October. That price drops to $20,000 from November through April. An oceanfront suite at the Engleside Inn runs $365

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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2016 Happily Ever After

WEDDING SEASON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 plus taxes per night on a weekend in June; in the first half of April and the last half of October, the rate drops to $165. It is also much easier to arrange a wedding and reception in the off-season on LBI. Many restaurants and hotels refuse to accommodate wedding parties in the height of summer (the middle of June, when schools let out, through Labor Day weekend) because they interfere with the regular rush. Therefore, fitting all the pieces of a rehearsal/rehearsal dinner/ wedding/reception together can be difficult. Even in the off-season, one must be careful not to collide with special occasions when planning an Island wedding. Restaurants are packed on Mother’s Day. Try finding a hotel room on LBI on Chowderfest weekend, or in early to mid-June, when the folks associated with the Lighthouse International Film Festival roll into town. The further you go into the off-season, be it early or late, the more accommodating venues can be. “We’re small,” said Goldsborough of The Gables, “so we can put a wedding together quickly. Two years ago we had a December wedding, and we only had two weeks’ notice.” “It’s a big economic boost to LBI,” said

Happily Ever After – 2016

Jack Reynolds

Whitcraft of the expanding wedding season. “They’ve really helped build up the shoulder season.” The “shoulder season” used to be thought of as June and September on LBI (remember hearing the rallying call, “It’s better in September”?) Now it is becoming April, May, October and November, at the least. The Long Beach Island economy, thanks in large part to weddings, is developing huge shoulders. — Rick Mellerup

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From Traditional to New Trim Fit

f you’re a man used to dressing up, p, then ls and nd stepping out in the groom’s tux, tails no top hat will be cake. Even if you’re not, finding what suits you iss far from a drag. The rmalw we are dapper, snazzy, new styles of formalwear witho out the great guy in them. and that’s even without ne how w you would w d look. lo Just imagine Or how ng ass sur nautical in navy blue about appearing assuredly capt ca ptaain of her heart at the yacht and tan – the captain n? club reception? d ca For the good catch who like likes a low-key good look, there are relaxed-fitting, breezy, light suits age in bare feet. Wear what for the beach entourage fits the setting. tim me, e, grooms grrooms oomss were w bound by “Once upon a time, strict etiquette whenn it i comes coomes omes too their om t f formalwear: cutaways in the hee dday, ay, black ay bbl k or white w tie at night. While there is is something som somethin nng to be be said for tradition, we don’t ’t believe belie lieve you yoouu should s oul be bounded by anythingg as you decide de dec ecide cide on o your wedding formalwear,” ,” Carman Carm arman mann Puma, owner o of Uniformity, in Manahawkin, Manahawk ahawki awk wkin, kiin read from kin, f the catalog for customers. n fact, fact, we w want to empow ower you ower ou to follow “In empower yoour yyour ur heart heart art and and select selec the style styl that th hat sspeaks sppeak aks ks to you persona ly as a coup personally coupl ccouple. uple le. “W Wan ant the O Old-W ld-Wor orld r feel el off a m more ree traditr t di“Want Old-World tional look? loo ook? ok? Done. Don Done. Looking oki for a contemporary co con ontem nttemppo poorary style? No No proble probllem. Thinking about outt something somet some s meetth thing problem. outsidee th he box? he box We can an wo work with yo oou tto m make a the you it happen n.” happen.” sttorre in the the Manahawkin Manahaw Mart rt shopsh The store Mart ping plaza zaa at at 657 Ea assstt Bay Ave. iss a ddea aler in East dealer the Dan Tux uxxed edo byy Sarno S Sa Sarn arno ar arn rnn network. net etwork. Dante Zeller Tuxedo Dante Zeller advertises Dan advertis ertises isees es that it offers off oof th hhe most the styles es from om famous fam famou designers desig formalwear off any formalwear provider rovide on o the Eastern E Easter rn Seabo Seab oard. rd. Seaboard. ar updated with th all the thhe new styles. tyle We W “Wee are ttake ake the perso ona nall touch. tou h. W to We are a family-owned ow wned ed personal business; we take tak ke care c re of ca o you as being part par artt off our family,” saidd Puma. Puma ma. tim ime me in formalwear. formalwe Now is an exciting time Ralp Ra lphh La L uren designed ed a Skinny kin inny ny F Fit it tthat hatt is ha Ralph Lauren up-to-the e-minute.. The Th “shawl,” awl,” wl,” a new fashion fash fashi up-to-the-minute. in lapels, iiss ho hot. hot t A end d to make fo formal form Another trend

Happily Ever After – 2016

fun is a striped or colored suspender set, with or without matching socks. The man of the hour can top it with a hat to finish the standout statement. Hey, there are even camouflage-patterned vests for the woodsy wedding party. “Hunters bring their guns. We had a shotgun wedding,” Puma recalled, not kidding. Sportsmen have always had a place at the shore. And today, women may wear the pants, too – that order has been fashionably filled more than once. Colors range beyond the traditional black, white and gray, although those are always classic. New styles by Michael Kors, Ike Behar, and Savvi Black Label come in eye-catching hues such as regency purple and synergy sunflower. There are 13 shades in just the purple family alone. Matching the bride’s dress is accomplished. Sometimes just the vest is enough for a color splash; sometimes a more muted color such as burgundy, set off by a black lapel, is just enough hue. Speaking of the bride, the bride-to-be often does the speaking. Ask a lot of men who have been there, or ask the store owner himself, and they may say the fiancée told her guy what he would wear. “Some men are surprised by all the choices; some men know exactly what they want,” Puma said. “Others don’t care; they say, ‘it doesn’t matter, it will be what she wants anyway!” In any case, the stylebooks are there in the store to browse through,

and to be ordered from. The showroom also carries some styles in stock. “We can bring in samples of tuxes so they can try them on and see what each one looks like,” Puma noted. “That’s why you really want to shop local instead of going to th the big box stores.” He added, “Since we’ve been around a and are establi h in this area, we’re seelished ing people who wore their ﬁrst tux at their junior prom, and now are coming back and getting married. So they know our service and the quality and the time we spend.” Puma and his staff have specialized in personal service and a quality selection for 12 years. Fit, color and delivery are guaranteed for complete peace of mind. Feel free to ask the question “Should I rent?” “ A lot of people rent because you’re only going to wear it once; it’s cheaper t o r e n t ,” P u m a said. He added that their rental tuxedos are used onlyy a limited lim numberr of times. “You’re going to get a crisp-looking tuxedo.” Shoes, byy the d way, can also be rented. *** Uniformity will guide de the th grooms, all st men, m their best and the fathers of the he brides through the selection process.

Photographs by Ryan Morrill

he Here’s a primer from the store owner on the dern, various types of tuxedo fit: classic, modern, trim and skinny. The classic fit tuxedo covers a broad range boddy types. It is of styles and fits a variety of body vels of ccomfort omfort while tailored to offer superior levels yling. It’s typ pically paired providing distinctive styling. typically s, but it can be worn worn with flatwith pleated pants, lapell, fuller chest front pants. It has a standard lapel, and standard length. h a Modern fit: “Want to step it up? Know how tuuxedo or suit should fit andd add details det that define tuxedo your sense of style. Yo yo your You have many options when it comes to modern fit collection,” Puma said. A moodern fit will slightly taper to your body. The modern moodern fit coat can be paired with fl flat o modern at front or pleeated pa pant ntss. IItt fe feat atur ures es a llittle ittl it tle bi bitt more of a narpleated pants. features w lapel, slightly tapered jacket, slightly shorter row lenggth and fits narrow throughout the body. length The new trim fit: More than ever, the fit T mea ans everything, Dante Zeller customers means say. The T trim fit will hug the shoulders and be taper red to contour to the body. A trim fit coat tapered

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 2016 Happily Ever After

UNI NIFORMITY IFORMITY TY CONTINUED NTINUE UED D FROM FR PAGE P AGE GE 35 3 iiss paired ppaire redd with with flat-front att-front -ffro pants p andd shouldd be mea m ea ure forr a llittle ttle tt le bbrea measured break at the bottom off the pan ntl nt tleg eg The hee fit fea ffeatu apel, hig gher pantleg. features a slim lapel, higher rmh mho mh o narrower rrrow ow sleeve, owe ve, tapered tap ody and aan armhole, body orte ter err length. gtth th. h h. shorter “No Nooow a lo l of the tuxedos lot dos are ggoing in with the “Now ,” Puma pointed outt of the the contemposkinnyy fit,” ra cho oic iice c that some guys uys come mee iin n asking kin i for raryy choice after er tthey’ve y’v ’ve ve watched w awar ard r s show. sh a music awards “Skinny is i the most ost fashion-forward,” fashion-f fashio -f orw “Skinny Dante Zellerr lit lite li tes. A sk literature states. skinny fit will fit to your shoulders sh ssho hou be narrow narrow and will be throug the torso.. A skinny thr through s p fit coat iss paired with h skinny skkinny nny flat pants and shou ea should be m measured for veryy little break eak on thee bottom bo p of thee pants. It has a slimmer lapel, el,, a much m mu mucch higher hiigher armhole, arm le, very narrow sleeve, eeev very y tape ta apered bbo and a tapered body and shorter length. sta members can help hel elp answer answ nsw nswer sw wer Puma and his staff questi qu qquestions tions you didn’t did even know to ask, k, about ab ut fformal o ormal l shirt types, t ome for example. Shirts come in the ful full classic formalwear kind with the

Happily Ever After – 2016

quarter-inch pleats, and you can get a lay-down collar or a wing-tip collar that accommodates a bow tie. Another variety is made for wearing with tails. Add the cummerbund and be amazed at the man in the mirror. Puma says that in the shore area, there are two general categories of needs: those customers who are going allout for the formal wedding at a resort venue, and those who want a more casual beachside affair. Whatever your style, take some time to outfit the first day of the rest of your life. They don’t call it “that special day” for nothing; the wedding party wants to look good in the photos that will still be circulating around the family 50 years from now. “Since we are a shore area, a lot of them are doing more casual beach weddings, downsizing with no jacket,” Puma reported. “A lot of people come in and say, ‘I just need a pair of pants, a shirt, a vest and a tie.’ I tell them that’s great now because that’s the mentality you’re in now. But let’s go ahead 30 or more years and your son or your little grandson is looking through the photo book and saying, ‘Daddy, everybody is dressed up; how come you’re only wearing a pair of pants?’ It’s your special day – at least the pictures are there for you.” With all of this to be pulled together before the big day, how far in advance should the customer come into the store? “Usually, three months should be ideal,” Puma answered, “but we’ve had weddings where they came in Monday and we got them ready for Friday. They waited until the last minute or decided at the last minute to get married. Two years ago we had a groom come in on a Wednesday to get married on a Saturday because he was getting deployed. We were able to do that for him.” More commonly, though, it’s easier to leave litt time for the fitting. a little We’rre not a big box store where they say, W We “We’re ‘Herre’s your tux; t see you later.’ We try to gett our ‘Here’s w in advance, the Monday Mo Tuessday tuxes in way or Tuesday

before the wedding. They come in, they try it on, and we try to make sure everything ﬁts perfectly,” Puma outlined. “If we have to tweak it a little bit, if somebody came in early and they gained weight or lost weight, I can reorder a jacket; I’m not going to say, tough luck. You hear horror stories from other places about how they mis-measure. We take the time, we have sample try-ons where we have everyone in the wedding party try their pants on and their jacket on, and do the sizing, and that way we can dress them perfectly.” For more information, stop in or call 609597-6222. — Maria Scandale

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2016 Happily Ever After

Every Vision Needs a Venue, and We’ve Got Plenty

o sooner is the engagement on than the hunt for the perfect wedding venue begins. What’s the best ﬁt for your vision and time frame? On the beach, with lapping shore break in full view? On the bay, awash in the radiant colors of the setting sun? Perhaps overlooking the rolling greens of an exquisitely manicured golf course? Or nestled inside an elegant bed and breakfast or restaurant dining room, surrounded by an intimate gathering of close family and friends? The possibilities in the greater Long Beach Island region run the gamut. We asked the owners and managers of some of the area’s leading wedding sites to tell us what they feel sets them apart; their answers illustrate the diversity of the venues the region has to offer.

dream is and doing whatever we can to make that happen.” Since destination weddings tend to be multiday events, a wedding at the Shell means guests can park their cars Friday and forget their worries until Sunday. Owned and operated by the Hughes family since 1960, the venue considers itself the Island’s premier choice for beach weddings of all sizes, from 75 to 217 guests, from April to October. To get started, visit seashellresortandbeachclub.com.

Courtesy of tasteoﬂbi.com

Courtesy of seashellresortandbeachclub.com

The Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club, Beach Haven. Owner Tom Hughes has said the Shell’s biggest selling point is having everything under one roof – or sky, as it were. The bride and groom can welcome guests with a poolside party at the outdoor Tiki Bar; perform the ceremony on the private beach surrounded by live palm trees; hold the cocktail hour on the poolside patio and reception inside the banquet facility; include a day-after brunch; and put everybody up for the entire weekend in the 53-room hotel. Tom’s daughters Jaimee and Brittany provide in-house wedding planning services. “There are no preconceived ideas,” according to Hughes. “It’s just about whatever your

Happily Ever After – 2016

The Boathouse, Beach Haven. The classy-casual waterfront restaurant on the bay, elegant yet unpretentious with a sunset view, was designed with the idea of capturing “that Florida feeling.” Celebrating the sensation and smell of the salt air breezes, “our thought has always been: that really is the attraction to the Island,” according to owner Tony Baldino. He and his wife, Patti, own the catering company Taste, which can accommodate hundreds at various local venues, including The Stateroom and Mallard Island Yacht Club, two of Chris Vernon’s Weddings of Distinction Properties. Weddings are a core part of their business, he said. With Baldino’s engineering background, the bride and groom can expect a blueprint of the experience and rest assured no detail will be overlooked. For more info, visit boathouselbi. com and tasteoﬂbi.com.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

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WEDDING VENU CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

Courtesy of seaoakscc.com

Sea Oaks Country Club, Little Egg Harbor. Across the bay from Beach Haven, the 31-room luxury Inn at Sea Oaks sits on nearly 200 acres, making the country club a complete destination for weddings and other special events. Sea Oaks has long been a popular choice for weddings, given the intrinsic sophistication and traditional appeal of the country club atmosphere. A pre- or post-wedding golf outing adds an extra special element to the event. Rehearsal dinner and next-day brunch can be arranged in the club’s restaurants. The clubhouse’s ground-ﬂoor dining room, which has its own bar and can be closed off for privacy, is perfect for a reception for up to 120 guests. For a larger party, the upstairs ballroom can accommodate as many as 275 and overlooks the golf course, with views from the deck of both Atlantic City and Long Beach Island. Sea Oaks is available year ’round with ﬂat rates for January and February. Visit seaoakscc.com.

The Tuckerton Seaport, Tuckerton. A unique setting on historic Tuckerton Creek, the Tuckerton Seaport is a re-created maritime village with a boardwalk and the Tucker’s Island Lighthouse. Imagine saying “I do” on the lighthouse porch with the Seaport in the background, or boating up Tuckerton Creek to arrive in shipshape style. The unique reception

Happily Ever After – 2016

sites include the lighthouse and/or three other buildings and outdoor areas. The most popular venue option includes both indoor and outdoor space: the Lighthouse, Marshelder, Hotel DeCrab, Crest Fishery and the boardwalk, with a 20-by-20-foot tented area with a capacity for 150 guests. With additional tenting the site accommodates up to 300 people for $4,000. Catering and tent rentals are extra, but the Seaport can help direct couples to local businesses that have worked there in the past. Affordable options include a ceremony-only fee of $250 or rental of the Hunting Shanty for 59 people and four hours during the day for $250 or at night, $400. Ceremony rehearsal is included, and golf carts are available to bring guests from the parking lot. Seaport Deputy Director Brooke Salvanto is the contact person for all questions and to book a date. Call her at 609-292-8868 or email brooke@tuckertonseaport.org.

Courtesy of cuisineonthegreen.com

Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis, Little Egg Harbor. Wedding packages for up to 125 guests are now available in the banquet facility at Cuisine on the Green, which is located on the Ocean County Golf Course at Atlantis off Radio Road. The Banquet Room at Cuisine on the Green can accommodate up to a party of 125 guests. The room is beautifully appointed with a chic décor designed to complement the setting for any event. Adjacent to the Pub, the venue provides seamless transition from a cocktail setting to formal dining area. Large windows provide sweeping views of the golf course, and a door leads out to the bistro-like patio and comfortable couch seating area. A beautiful gazebo surrounded by attractive foliage and landscaping is a wonderful backdrop for memorable photos. A variety of wedding menus is available, from “classic” and “grand” plated, to “contemporary” and “traditional” buffets, in addition to a “regal cocktail reception” menu and “wedding enhancements.” Contact Banquet Manager Frank Gruber to get started: fgruber@mail.ocvts.org.

Courtesy of lbimuseum.com

Long Beach Island Historical Museum, Beach Haven. The original sanctuary of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, built in 1882, the museum is complete with a wooden, vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows. The open auditorium is decorated with hundreds of historic LBI items, and can seat up to 170 people. It can also be heated or air-conditioned and is handicap accessible. Separate areas are open for bride preparations, and the 75-foot covered porch is available for pictures or light fare. Located in the heart of the Queen City’s historical district, the Victorian building is just blocks away from the beach, restaurants, quaint bedand-breakfasts and accommodating motels.

Courtesy of bbyc.net

Brant Beach Yacht Club, Brant Beach. BBYC hangs its hat on its spectacular view of the bay and the setting sun. The club’s location, spread out along seven bayfront blocks lined with sandy beaches, enables the nuptial couple to have their private ceremony onsite, and the sweeping bay vista is even easier to appreciate from the spacious back porch, which includes an outdoor bar for cocktail hour. The facility itself is adaptable to almost any decorating scheme and can comfortably accommodate 150 to 200 guests. Check out bbyc.net.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Touch of Elegance’s latest acquisition, the Ballroom at Greenbriar Oceanaire, is the perfect setting for your Wedding, Party or Special Event. Nestled on a Championship 18-hole, Arthur Hills Designed Golf Course, we are located less than a mile oơ of Exit 69 on the Garden Sate Parkway. Touch of Elegance is also a Preferred Caterer to many of the Jersey Shore’s private homes, fashionable Yacht Clubs, Victorian B&Bs and Guest Houses. Owner & Chef, Joseph Dringus and Executive Chef Lawrence Puzzello will assist and discuss menu selections customized to meet your personal taste, style and budget. Our concierge staơ will ensure that every detail and aspect of your big day exceeds your highest expectations. Complete with on-site coordination and maître de service, we guarantee your big day will be perfect. Contact our Wedding Coordinator Rebecca Reilly to discuss how we can add a Touch of Elegance to your Special Day!

Info@touchofelegancenj.com 1 Heritage Circle, Waretown, NJ (609) 693-8811 • TouchofEleganceNJ.com 2016 Happily Ever After

Imbue the Day With Historic Charm

Courtesy of manahawkinbaptistchurch.org

Courtesy of wikiwand.com

he Old Manahawkin Baptist Church, located at 120 North Main St. (Route 9 South) just north of Manahawkin Lake Park, was originally built sometime prior to 1758. It lasted through the American Revolution and more than a century before a new ﬂoor and new walls were needed within the original frame in 1867. The original pulpit, pews and steeple bell remain to this day. The Stafford Township Historical Society has owned and operated the church since 1980 and has been promoting the venue for weddings for the last four years, according to society board member and wedding coordinator Caroline Scales. The society would love to see the number of weddings increase from the current two or three per year. Booking the church is as simple as ﬁlling out and submitting a use agreement, along with a $150

Happily Ever After – 2016

fee. The use agreement, along with the current schedule, is available on the Historical Society’s website, staffordhistory.org. All wedding fees offset the costs of church upkeep and maintenance. With a rustic and simple look inside and out, the church is the ideal venue for a couple seeking a classic vintage atmosphere for the wedding ceremony. “It isn’t right for everybody,” Scales said, “but people who appreciate history and historic buildings usually see the inside of the church and know right away they want to have their ceremony there.” The church seats 100, and plenty of parking is available in the lot just to the north of the building. Couples may use the ofﬁciant of their choice. Rain insurance is a great option for anyone

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The all new Martell’s Waters Edge with spectacular water views from every seat in the house and food to match! One wedding at a time to ensure our bride’s get the special attention they deserve.

125 Bayview Ave., Bayville, NJ 08721 www.watersedgeonthebay.com • 732-269-3000 Due East of Buoy 37 by Boat

Hand-built rentals and vintage props for beach ceremonies, rustic outdoor weddings and extraordinary receptions

732-208-7065

2016 Happily Ever After

HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS PUBLISHED BY

THE SANDPAPER • THE BEACHCOMBER • THE LEADER SANDCASTLES • R EGIONAL DIRECTORY... Courtesy of njchurchscape.com

BAPTIST CHURCH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 who has booked the Manahawkin Pavilion in the lake park or any other outdoor venue as Plan A for the ceremony, Scales added. For $150, the church can serve as a backup plan, and if it ends up the weather cooperates and the church isn’t needed, $50 will be refunded. “I did get a panicked call one Monday last fall from someone who had booked the pavilion for the following weekend – the weather forecast called for a nor’easter that Saturday. They held their ceremony in the church. Although it was too windy to open the shutters, it was a lot nicer and drier than the pavilion would have been.” After the ceremony, children in the congregation, or the newlyweds themselves, are invited to go up to the balcony to ring the church bell and make a joyful noise to spread the happy news throughout the land.

WEDDING VENU CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

1816 LONG BEACH BOULEVARD, SURF CITY, NJ 08008

609-494-5900 • FAX 609-494-1437 WWW.THESANDPAPER.NET Supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel & Tourism.

www.visitnj.org

And after the wedding is over and a baby comes, keep the church in mind for baptisms and ceremonies for other happy occasions. For more information, call the historical society at 609-597-5947. — Victoria Ford views of the Island makes a wonderful backdrop for pictures. Visit scyc-nj.org. Other local yacht clubs to explore are Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven (lehyc.org); Spray Beach Yacht Club in Spray Beach (spraybeachyc.org); and High Bar Harbor Yacht Club in High Bar Harbor, off Barnegat Light (hbhyc.com).

Courtesy of scyc-nj.org

Surf City Yacht Club, Surf City. Enjoy a beautiful bayside wedding in the club’s Warren Room, complete with a spacious dance ﬂoor, service bar and newly renovated kitchen. Banquet tables and chairs are provided, and the couple may choose their own caterer. An automated lift accommodates disabled or handicapped guests. A deck with expansive

Happily Ever After – 2016

Courtesy of oceanacrescc.com

Ocean Acres Country Club, Manahawkin. Couples can begin the festivities by

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Perfect House for Wedding Guests

“Big Blue” Recently updated & well appointed 6 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths. View at vrbo.com/789544 Sleeps Available for long weekends throughout 16! the year, weekly during the summer months

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, April 17 • 12-3pm 5 W. 17th St., North Beach Haven Sands of Time • 610-299-1918

Buccaneer Motel ON BEAUTIFUL LONG BEACH ISLAND • Bayfront Efﬁciency Suites with Whirlpool Tubs • Beautiful Sunsets For Your Wedding Photos • Comfortable Motel Rooms • Reasonable Family Rates • Heated Pools

(609) 492-4582 On the Bay, www.buccaneermotel.com Spray Beach 2016 Happily Ever After