Kristina & Christopher | Maritime Parc | Jersey City, NJ

“Beautiful Skyline Views”

Chris and I were told about each other by mutual family friends. I looked at his Instagram and thought he looked handsome in the few pictures I found amidst his many car posts. I was told he was a great guy, so I added him as a friend. Later that evening, he messaged me and we chatted all week. By the end of the week, we set up our first date.

We had so much fun at dinner that, even though it was late and snow was starting to fall, we went to a local dance spot next and ended our date at the diner to spend extra time together. We made it official a month later. Every year since, we go to that same restaurant to celebrate our “first date-iversary.”

Chris worked with Badis Jewelers of Montclair, NJ to design the perfect engagement ring. He proposed on a rooftop terrace on the 30th floor of a building overlooking Bryant Park, where he worked as Global Real Estate Professional. We were visiting NYC one afternoon and he asked if I wanted to see the view of the park from the building where he worked. When we got there, Chris proposed and our families came out from hiding with cheers. Chris arranged a party for us all to eat dinner on the terrace. It was the best way to share our engagement, with both our families while overlooking the park as the sun set on Manhattan.

Outstanding food was our number one priority in picking a venue. We also wanted beautiful outdoor views. Priscila Gruberman, Maritime Parc’s sales manager, gave us a tour. We loved the Aviary Room’s vaulted ceilings and giant windows and The Sky Room’s light-up ceiling tiles. Both floors have wraparound decks with beautiful skyline views. Priscila told us that their restaurant had the same entrées offered for weddings, so we booked a reservation and were so impressed with the food! The cocktails we tried became our all-time favorites and our signature wedding drinks: San Sabo and The Favorite 1898.

Finally, after seeing 10 more venues, we reached back out to Priscila and set our date. Working with Priscila was fun and easy. I would email her and when I called, we’d talk as if we’d been longtime friends. She was always accessible. The whole team, Alexis, the coordinator, Marc, our maître d’, and Rita, our captain, have all worked together for years and it’s obvious they really love what they do! Patricia was a fantastic bridal attendant on our wedding day!

Chris and I began marriage prep with Fr. Sebastian at St. Michael’s in Cranford. Our new parish, St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in East Rutherford, is where my mother’s family belonged when she was young. I lost my mother five years ago. Learning how to go through life without her has been difficult and planning a wedding without Mom was emotional. St. Joseph’s allowed Fr. Sebastian to marry us there, in my mother’s parish, now ours; it was an extraordinary gift. Our wedding mass was my favorite part of our wedding. It was emotional in so many ways.

We hired a jazz trio to play during cocktail hour. Sunset with skyline views and elegant jazz was the perfect cocktail hour vibe for our guests. One of our pasta options was ditalini with duck confit gratin, cognac, béchamel, berries, and caramelized onions. Amazing! The whole fish at the Mediterranean table was a favorite. Our guests loved the Asian fusion table, the raw bar, and the pasta station. Passed hors d’oeuvres included the chicken slider and seared strip steak. We continue to receive compliments about the delicious food and how much it stood out from other weddings.

Our florist made vibrant garden-style arrangements for our centerpieces and sweetheart table. The tall centerpieces had flowing greenery and drooping tulips. Each bridesmaid held giant fluffy peonies with greenery and accent flowers. Our DJ brought color-changing LED up-lighting for the walls and columns. Our flowers and lights gave us the garden-like, colorful, chic reception room we envisioned.

We needed a completely tree-nut and buckwheat free wedding. Maritime Parc was amazing in altering our menu to replace those ingredients. I requested bacon-wrapped scallops for my father, his favorite. Priscila delivered them to my father at cocktail hour and he was so happy! He loved sharing them and felt super special. Dinner options at Maritime Parc are so unique! The duo of beef is outstanding. I could eat the truffle mashed potatoes every day! The roasted garlic chicken breast was also a favorite.

I had my parents’ wedding picture made into a pin for my father to wear, so wherever he went that day, my mom was right with him. I also had my mom’s wedding gown altered and wore it to my bridal shower. It was so special.

We’d like to thank all our guests who made us feel so loved and supported on our biggest day. Our most sincere thanks to our parents, siblings, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and friends. The biggest thanks to Priscila and the Maritime Parc team for their exceptional service, food, drinks, and hospitality. And thank you to our vendors. We give them all the highest ratings.

Maritime Parc, Jersey City, NJ, 201.413.0050, maritimeparc.com