Marta & Justin | Nanina’s in the Park | Belleville, NJ

"Timeless Atmosphere"

Justin and I met through a mutual friend on Facebook. I saw his photos and thought he was very handsome, but maybe too young. He would message me and I’d politely, but not encouragingly, respond. After a couple years of persistence on his part, my curiosity got the best of me. We began talking on the phone. He loved my accent; I loved the sound of his voice. We went on our first date to the Cheesecake Factory and discovered a shared love of movies, 80’s and 90’s music, Miami Vice, and so many other things. We both have careers in service. I’m a registered nurse and he’s a police officer. It was love at first sight.

Justin planned a trip to the Grape Stomping Festival at Benmarl Winery, which I’ve always wanted to do, and proposed to me two years into our relationship. He got down on one knee, began his speech, and only got halfway through before I said yes. I knew he was my soulmate.

From the very beginning, Nanina’s in the Park was our first choice. It has a timeless atmosphere, combining old and new elegance with a touch of enchantment. The spectacular gardens offer a picture-perfect setting for a mystical outdoor ceremony. They hold one wedding at a time to provide special attention to the bride and groom and their guests. We wanted an over-the-top menu that would appeal to my Polish and Justin’s Polish and Italian heritage, without sacrificing class or style. Nanina’s provided a professional service that met both our cultural and traditional needs.

Rather than a stressful planning schedule, Nanina’s provided us with an enjoyable process. Elizabeth Simonski, the office assistant, was our guiding light every step of the way. She helped us stick to our deadlines so nothing became overwhelming. When our pastor cancelled last minute, she came through with a stellar recommendation for another priest to officiate. Julian Reyes, the general manager, executed our plans to perfection, making sure we finalized all our details and that he knew our precise desires. Our guests were well fed, treated with courtesy, and entertained like they will never forget!

The rain poured itself out the day before our wedding, leaving a beautiful, sunny sky. The staff at Nanina’s in the Park worked hard from early morning to ensure the gardens were immaculate for our ceremony. While I was getting ready in the elegant bridal suite with my bridal party, being waited on by Giselle Santiago, our personal attendant, everything was being coordinated to perfection. We were having our hair and makeup done to relaxing music in a serene setting, anticipating a magical ceremony.

Our cocktail hour was lavish, with 20 different food stations and 13 passed hors d’oeuvres, including a Polish station with kielbasa and pierogies and a mac and cheese bar. Our favorite was the carving station, with a whole roasted pig and other succulent meats. Our signature drinks were a Mojito and the Snakebite. The ballroom décor was elegant and simple. Enormous floral arrangements in tall glass vases created a soft romantic look that complemented the clean look of the ballroom. The arrangements mixed ivory and pink roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and greenery.  Our reception dinner was cooked to perfection. Justin and I were excited to have the exotic red snapper as our fish entrée. Other entrée selections were chateaubriand, chicken sorrentino, and eggplant Napoleon. Everyone was happy with their choice! Our Viennese table was impressive, with a crêpe station, a chocolate fondue fountain, Belgian waffles, hot zeppole, creme brûlée, gelato, cannolis, and more! We were thrilled with this display! Our band stole the show with the performance of a lifetime. With 13 band members, three of whom were singers, they performed music for all generations and our guests were dancing for hours.

Words cannot express our gratitude to everyone at Nanina’s in the Park. We praise the owners on assembling an incredible team. Thank you to Julian and Elizabeth for your hard work and for taking such singular care of us and helping to create our romantic ambience. Thank you to our florist for your beautiful arrangements, to our photographer for capturing our day, to our band for taking our breath away, and to my hair and makeup artists. A special thank you to our officiant for reminding us that true love endures all things. To our bridal party, family, and friends, thank you all for traveling to be part of our celebration. Our wedding day wouldn’t have been the same without you!

Nanina’s in the Park, Belleville, NJ
973.751.1230, naninasinthepark.com