Fashionable and full of historic New Jersey charm, Gina + Alberico’s wedding is a knockout…A ceremony that took place in the church where the groom’s grandfather was a pastor, a vintage reception held at Jersey City’s Loews Theater all basked in big lights and a golden atmosphere. Just gorgeous. Don’t miss Gina’s beautiful description of their special day or her search for the perfect sleeved wedding gown called ‘Julianna’ from Christos. Gina said it best, “The cap sleeves have faux pearls and crystals that gives the dress just the right touch of timeless glamor while the tulle skirt gives the dress an ethereal quality.” Perfect!
Gina + Alberico | October 7, 2012 | New Jersey City, New Jersey
The Ceremony
We had a small, traditional ceremony at the Christian Apostolic Church of Kearny with our closest family and friends. My husband’s grandfather was the church’s Pastor after his family first emigrated from Italy to the United States so it was a powerful and beautiful moment for Alberico’s family to see us be married in a place that is so significant in their family history. The church itself was formerly a member’s house that was later donated and renovated, which created a very cozy feel. My father walked me down the aisle and there were tears all around, including myself! We kept the decorations and flowers to a minimum to preserve the church’s traditionally simple nature.
The Reception
Our reception was held at the Historic Loews Theatre in Jersey City, NJ. The Loews was built in 1929 and following the movie palace tradition of its day, is complete with marble columns that reach its high ceilings and is covered in gold leaf, bronze railings, rich red tapestries and plush carpets. Not only is it beautiful, charming and intriguing, it is also where Alberico took me to watch a Blues concert on one of our first dates. Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby all performed there, just to name a few of the many legends that graced its stage. We rented the lobby as the main space for our reception and hired a ’50s doo-wop band called ‘The Desire’ whose members grew up singing doo-wop on street corners of Jersey City and Harlem. They truly took our guests back in time, many of whom were Jersey City natives that had watched movies at the Loews in their childhood.
Gina’s Dress Search
I had originally wanted a gown with straps but found it difficult to find the perfect one because of the overwhelming popularity of strapless dresses. I had recently watched an award show’s red carpet and saw an actress wearing a cap-sleeved Reem Acra dress and fell in love with the style but never thought I’d find something similar within my price range. When I tried on my Christo’s dress, I came out of the dressing room smiling ear to ear –I knew it was my dress. I loved how simple it was while also being so elegantly and tastefully detailed. The cap sleeves have faux pearls and crystals that give the dress just the right touch of timeless glamour while the tulle skirt gives the dress an ethereal quality.
How Gina Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Ethereal, Romantic, Timeless
Why Gina Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I decided to sell my dress because I want another bride to feel beautiful in a dress that can do nothing but that. It is currently sitting in a box when it could be walking down the aisle turning heads and stunning a groom with how gorgeous his future wife looks.
