A Romantic, Vintage-Inspired Wedding at the Liberty House in Jersey City, New Jersey
Ashley Suarez (30 and a shoe designer) and Alejandro Maldonado (32 and a patient-care coordinator) knew from the get-go that views of the New York City skyline was a must for their wedding. The couple crossed paths in the iconic city, and the majority of their families and friends were located nearby. Jersey City quickly became a point of interest for the pair after exploring the area one weekend afternoon, and before long they came across the Liberty House. Offering unobstructed, panoramic views of New York City, pristine gardens and a variety of event spaces to host each part of the day’s festivities, the couple were instantly won over by the venue. “The Liberty House has become one of our favorite places,” Ashley says. “We go there for dinners and lunches all the time. It brings back amazing memories from our wedding day.” The couple took advantage of the flexible space, hosting the ceremony outdoors in the gardens, then moving to the tented pavilion and ballroom for the cocktail hour and reception. Modern romance with a subtle vintage-inspired flair guided all the couple’s design decisions. A soft color palette of blush rose, champagne and antique gold softened the seemingly modern space, while pastel arrangements of full blooms created by Petals Premiere infused both the ceremony and reception decor with an undeniably romantic feel. On the surface the wedding was all elegance and sophistication, but Ashley and Alejandro didn’t forget about having a little fun. Gemini Productions and a live percussionist got guests on the dance floor with their lineup of energetic beats; a roaring bonfire complete with s’mores offered guests a fun way to kick back and relax. Food was a major focal point of the evening, with Ashley and Alejandro serving everything from mini po'boy sandwiches to crab cakes and a pasta station during cocktail hour and filet mignon and stuffed sole for dinner, all of which went over big with guests. A tip from Ashley: “Enjoy the ride—it goes by so fast. Take a deep breath and take a moment to enjoy all the precious moments leading up to the big day. Life is too short to get stressed out. Surround yourself with positive family members and friends, and keep the energy alive. Everything comes together in the end.”