Lori & Matthew | Northern Valley Affairs | Closter, NJ

An Awe-Inspiring Dome at Northern Valley Affairs at Temple Emanu-El

Matt and I met on the bus. I was stressing about graduate school and wasn’t paying attention. When I snapped out of my thoughts, I was standing close to a very handsome man, Matt. I apologized to him for the creepy way I was standing so close to him. He replied, “I thought I just smelled good today or something.” From the bus, we took the same subway and talked the whole way. He asked for my number and we went on our amazing first date several days later. I’m a social worker for the Children’s AIDS Society and Matt is an account executive for Fox.

Football season is one of Matt’s favorite things, so I wasn’t surprised when he mentioned he was in a new fantasy football league. He explained that after this league’s draft, all the wives and girlfriends meet up with the guys for a night out on the town. The weekend of the draft, I met Matt in a suite on the 18th floor as instructed, but I didn't hear the sounds of a party. Matt slowly opened the door, and as I entered the beautiful suite I saw a trail of rose petals on the floor. Matt proposed to me and after many tears and beautiful words, we were drinking champagne and floating on air.

We were eager to find the place for a spectacular and memorable wedding. Temple Emanu-El was the first and last place we went! The awe-inspiring stained-glass dome in the temple literally took our breath away. The ballroom was just as nice and exactly what I always dreamed it would look like at my wedding. But the real icing on the cake was Northern Valley Affairs. The owner, Les Friedman, explained everything with such exquisite detail, it was impossible not to feel like you were in the best hands right away. It was a complete pleasure to work with Les and the general manager, Marty Maged. You could not find another caterer with more integrity, passion about their work, good taste, and attention to detail.

Our ceremony was flawless, filled with meaning, laughter, personality, and love. The incredible flowers, from the chuppah to the centerpieces, were everything I wanted and more.

While Matt and I were reeling that we were officially married, the amazing spread for the cocktail hour was unveiled. Everything was delicious, from the outside Romanian barbeque and soup station to the passed hors d’oeuvres, caviar bar, and enormous sushi bar. People are still talking about how much food there was and how each dish was better than the next! It was obvious to every guest that Northern Valley takes great pride in every single detail down to each ingredient in their food.

Our incredible dinner started with a quartet of lovely appetizers and then entrées of chateaubriand, ponzu sea bass, chicken rollatini with mushroom pate, and grilled eggplant stuffed with julienne vegetables accompanied by portobello ravioli! For dessert we had tiramisu, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and an awesome candy bar with cheesecake lollipops, fried oreos, and everything else you can imagine. Our band literally rocked the house. People who never dance at weddings were on the dance floor all night!

From the bartenders to the wait staff, everyone at Northern Valley Affairs was friendly, competent, and a pleasure to interact with. Les and Marty truly made all our dreams come true. They treated us like family and put on the party of a lifetime. Thanks to Northern Valley Affairs, our vendors, friends, and most of all our parents, it was the best day of our lives!

Northern Valley Affairs at Temple Emanu-El 
180 Piermont Road, Closter, NJ 07624
201.750.0333
northernvalleyaffairs.com