Third Time’s

Third Time’sThe Charm

THE PANDEMIC MADE A NEW JERSEY COUPLE REVISE THEIR NUPTIAL PLANS— TWICE—BUT BLISS WON OUT IN THE END.

By Donna Rolando Photography by

Amy Rizzuto Photography

An old adage comes to mind when New Jersey natives Kate and Kevin Cox look back on their wedding, an adage about the third try bringing success.

Their plans changed first when they switched the ceremony from New Jersey to Florida. “It was fun to see people we hadn’t seen in over a year because of the pandemic,” Kate says. And that would never have happened if the pandemic hadn’t shut the door on their planned Sept. 26, 2020, ceremony, initially set for Jasna Polana, a country club in Princeton. COVID seemed to steer them toward Naples, Florida, where Kate’s parents have a second home—and where pandemic protocol didn’t frown so much on gatherings. And southwest Florida had always been a happy place not only for Kate, but also for Kevin, whose family too vacations there.

But when The Club at Mediterra (her parents’ country club) banned indoor gatherings itself, even the Sunshine State seemed to be raining on their parade.

“That one hurt because we thought we were finally in the clear,” says Kate, who had already booked most of her wedding vendors.

The couple understood, of course, that for many families, COVID had caused dislocations far more serious than a shift in wedding venues. But they hoped to stick with their second wedding date, April 24, 2021, keep the vendors and go ahead with the ceremony—safely—if they could. They happened to be in Florida when they got the bad news about Mediterra, and immediately began hunting for an alternate venue. The third venue was 10 minutes away at The Club at Olde Cypress, also in Naples.

“One of the reasons we’d wanted to get married at Mediterra was because the grounds are really spectacular,” Kate says. She gained “a little bit of both worlds” when Mediterra allowed access for a few photos.

Once the wedding day arrived, warm sunshine welcomed an outdoor ceremony with a string quartet and an open-air reception under the full moon. “All of their dancing was under twinkle lights,” says photographer Amy Rizzuto, and the bride notes that the dance floor was “packed the entire night.”

Another highlight of the occasion—not one for dry eyes—was when Kate, the oldest of three daughters, arrived by trolley and saw her dad. “It was a very emotional moment,” Rizzuto recalls.

For her special look, Kate wore a Caroline Castigliano beadand-lace gown with Jimmy Choo pumps and J. Vincent jewelry. She had met Castigliano at a Connecticut trunk show and they collaborated on the perfect dress.

The ceremony drew 120 guests, who had their choice of two cocktail hours, the indoor with a raw bar and a “fun twist”—The Vanderbilt Strings performing modern hits.

Of course, COVID shutdowns were unheard of when Kevin popped the question in May 2019 while the pair were in Maine hiking—one of many favorite activities these former bank-tech workmates discovered they have in common. Now the couple, in their 30s, live in South Jersey, where Kate is starting to love football almost as much as Kevin does.

Kate and Kevin pose for photos on the lush grounds of The Club at Mediterra in Naples, Florida. Blending well with the setting, Kate’s bouquet combines white and green florals such as orchids and rose lilies.

Clockwise, from left: Bridesmaids in sage-colored silk from Bec & Bridge; the newlyweds take their first walk down the aisle; time to relax with Champagne on the trolley; The Vanderbilt Strings; an official wedding welcome.

Clockwise, from left: Festivities at The Club at Olde Cypress, coordinated by Jonathan Amiel, the food and beverage director; the couple’s first dance as the Finesse Band played “Joy of My Life”; strawberry-and-cream cake; elegant place settings with green-and-white florals.