1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Jewish Wedding at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey

Rachael Grayson (26, a handbag designer) and Sean Grayson (29, a sales executive) met through JDate.com and had their first date walking on the Hoboke

Rachael Grayson (26, a handbag designer) and Sean Grayson (29, a sales executive) met through JDate.com and had their first date walking on the Hoboken, New Jersey Waterfront. Two and a half years later, Sean proposed in the same location. “Bystanders around us started clapping, and he had both of our families waiting for us at a restaurant nearby for brunch. It truly was the perfect day,” says Rachael. Over the next sixteen months, the couple planned a romantic wedding at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey. “Pleasantdale Chateau was the perfect backdrop for our fairytale wedding. Inspired by muted pastels and dusty grays, our wedding was a combination of romantic elegance with vintage and soft rustic touches,” says Rachael. The couple decorated their ceremony with pink ombre rose petals, black lanterns and a lush garden huppah decorated with vines, greenery, white roses, white ranunculus, hydrangeas in pink and white and a chandelier hanging overhead. After a traditional Jewish ceremony, Rachael, Sean and their guests entered the venue for a cocktail hour and reception. Family and friends were asked to sign puzzle pieces made from the couple’s engagement photo as their guest book. All enjoyed a plated dinner, dessert bar and night of dancing. “From our amazing family member’s heartfelt speeches to me and my dad breaking out into a choreographed dance during our father-daughter dance, the fun just kept on going,” says Rachel. “We wanted our guests to party on into the night, which we all did at our after party!” Each guest was given an organic flower ball in a personalized bag as their wedding favor.

The couple chose a custom black invitation suite with intricate and personal details. “I especially loved our ceremony programs, which included a velum page of our family member’s old wedding photos, going back to our great grandparents,” says Rachel.
Rachael found her beaded Lazaro wedding dress at Klienfeld Bridal. The strapless ivory ball gown was accented with an ornate mauve sash and layered chiffon skirt.
After looking at venues across the tri-state area, Rachael and Sean chose the Pleasantdale Chateau for their fairy tale inspired wedding. “There is truly something magical about being there and we were automatically taken in by its beauty,” says Rachael.
Rachael’s favorite part of their ceremony decor was the couple’s vine and floral huppag, she says. The garden arbor was decorated with a suspended chandelier, vines, greenery, white and pink hydrangea, white ranunculus and white roses. It was accented with lanterns and rose petals in different shades of pink set along the aisle.
Sean’s groomsmen and the couple’s fathers walked down the aisle in custom classic black tuxedos from Sebastien Gray Clothiers. For a personal touch, Sean's charcoal gray tuxedo had custom inscriptions stitched in, says Rachael.
Rachael and Sean’s First Kiss
Each bridesmaid wore a sleeveless gray chiffon dress by Monique Lhuillier and carried a pink ranunculus bouquet down the aisle.
Rachael and Sean’s dog, Riley, was also included in their celebration. “My sister walked her down the aisle and then we were able to ride off in the horse and carriage with her after the ceremony,” says Rachael.
Rachael carried a romantic bouquet of pink garden roses, white ranunculus, pink hydrangea, pink lavender, pink roses and white dahlias down the aisle. It was wrapped with lace from her mother’s wedding dress, she says.
Vintage Cocktail Sign with Stone Wall Backdrop
The couple decorated their reception with textured ivory linens, tall romantic floral centerpieces atop ornate glass candelabras and glass chargers.
Tall Ornate Glass Candelabra Centerpieces
Table Number with Fleur De Lis Holder
Engraved Gold Flatware with Message
Monogram Pink and White Macaroons
The couple had a tiered molten chocolate cake with a white ruffle design as well as a candy bar available for dessert.