1. Real Weddings

Warm, Autumn-Inspired Wedding at The Brownstone in Paterson, New Jersey

When Tara Russo (29, a client services associate) first met Michele Torzilli (38, a financier), she was convinced that he was the only person in the o

When Tara Russo (29, a client services associate) first met Michele Torzilli (38, a financier), she was convinced that he was the only person in the office who didn't like her. "So you could imagine how surprised I was when he invited me out after work one night!" she says. "We had a great time that night, and the more we talked the more we realized we had an instant connection. We have been inseparable ever since." After three and a half years of dating, he surprised her with an engagement ring in her stocking on Christmas Eve. "And the rest is history!" she says. With the help of their planner, Jenny Orsini, Tara and Michele transformed their historic venue for their October wedding with a warm, autumn-inspired color scheme of orange and yellow accented with metallics, and rich shades of eggplant and burgundy.

Copper and Gold Custom Wedding Invitations
"I have really long hair and I wanted to wear it up on my wedding day. I wanted my look to be very romantic, but sturdy enough so that my hair would hold up throughout my entire wedding day," says Tara. "My hairstylist and I discussed a few options and decided on a low updo with the perfect balance of curls, twists and a braid. I felt as though this look was timeliness and showcased my hair perfectly."
Tara and Michele First Look Photos
Tara and Michele Emotional First Look
"I had the best maid of honor a bride could ask for—my sister —and that's all I needed," says Tara. She wore a charcoal color floor length gown by Alyce Paris.
"I really wanted a cascade bouquet with deep, rich autumn colors," Tara says. An overflowing arrangement of crimson roses, Charlie Brown cymbidium orchids, mini mango calla lilies, orange Mokara orchids, hypericum berries and red amaranthus captured the fall theme.
Red and Orange Rose, Calla Lily and Orchid Maid of Honor Bouquet
Tara and Michele decorate the ceremony aisle with a custom runner with lyrics from the Dashboard Confessional song "As Lovers Go."
St. Lucy’s Church Wedding Ceremony
"Since there was so much detail on my gown, I opted for a simple, no frills fingertip veil," says Tara. "It was elegant and matched my dress perfectly." Both Michele and his best man wore classic morning suits for the church ceremony.
Escort Cards in Metallic Gold Envelopes
"Being Italian, food was a very important deciding factor on where our wedding would be held," says Tara. "I also really wanted high ceilings. The Brownstone exceeded in both of these areas."
Tall centerpieces in birch-bark vases included green hydrangeas, red roses, sunflowers, hypericum, hanging red amaranthus and assorted seasonal blooms. Gold-rimmed champagne glasses, copper mercury glass vases and birch napkin rings with amber rhinestones completed the tablescapes.
Birch napkin rings embellished with amber rhinestones completed the autumn look on the place settings.
In keeping with the autumn theme, Tara and Michele served a apple spice flavored wedding cake. The four tier confection was finished with white lace fondant and amber ribbon.
Tara and Michele Wedding Reception at The Brownstone