Serene Sophistication: Cathy and Kevin's White and Green Winter Wedding at the Park Chateau Estate and Gardens in New Jersey

In this article

Quick Facts:
How did you meet?
Tell us about the proposal.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding day?
The Dress
What was your favorite accessory?
Did your wedding have a theme?
What is your best wedding day memory?
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Want to see more from Issue No. 33?
Looking for more elegant wedding inspiration?
Vendors

Cathy and Kevin’s white and green winter wedding at the Park Chateau Estate and Gardens in New Jersey is featured in Issue No. 33!

The perfect match…

When Kevin was recommended the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel, he was skeptical until he met his person, Cathy, the woman who changed his life forever.

From the moment they connected, being together felt as easy as breathing. Their personalities fit together like puzzle pieces, and they both quickly realized they had found “the one.” Kevin shares, ”Our first date was effortless. We laughed, talked about everything under the sun, and felt a comfort with each other that made it seem like we’d known each other for years.”

The perfect proposal…

Kevin wanted the proposal to be nothing short of perfection. Under the guise of capturing their memories, Kevin hired a photographer to take photos of them at a beautiful resort by the sea. The last part of their photoshoot was on the beach during sunset. Against the golden rays of the sun dancing across the gentle waves, Kevin got down on one knee.

Kevin reminisces, “Cathy’s reaction was priceless….After a moment of stunned laughter, she finally said yes…. It was the perfect ending to our story that started with a simple swipe on a dating app—one that neither of us expected would lead us to forever.”

Saying yes to forever…

Led by Coterie Member Reverend Orsella, Cathy and Kevin’s wedding ceremony beautifully honored their families and cultures by including a candle-lighting ceremony. As they lit their candle in unison, following their mothers, Cathy and Kevin felt a special sense of support and togetherness as they started their new journey as one.

Complimenting their chic yet natural and serene wedding style, Cathy went full glam for her big day! Set against the gorgeous backdrop of deep greens and cream colors, Cathy’s dazzling custom-made couture gown by Coterie member Yemi Kosibah shined bright, exceeding her expectations! Cathy shares, “My wedding dress was REGAL! The detail, the train, the elegance in every stitch, I felt like a Queen, like the brightest diamond in the room.” Yemi ensured the dress would hug her curves in all the right places, eliminating Cathy’s worries as a bride and soon-to-be mother. Her wedding look was further elevated by her snatched bridal makeup done by Coterie member and celebrity MUA Felicia Graham!

Cathy and Kevin couldn’t have been more pleased with their choice of vendors: “Our wedding day would not have been as amazing as it was without the top-tier vendors that we had!”

See the exquisite details of their luxurious winter wedding below!

*Pre-order a copy of Issue 33 on our Muna Shop!

Couple: Cathy & Kevin
Occupations: Primary Care Physician | Medical Recruiter- Kevin
Wedding date: January 4, 2024
Wedding location: Park Chateau Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick, NJ
Photographer: PD Photography

Quick Facts:

Favorite item on the menu: At Park Chateau there is no item on the menu that isn’t delicious! The salmon and whole roasted pig were mouthwatering!
Wedding cake flavors: We had a three-tier cake: half yellow and half chocolate with buttercream icing.
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen gifts: We gifted both the bridesmaids and groomsmen with gift bags with customized items, including robes, socks, earrings, cigars, Starbucks gift cards, and our very own handmade soaps. We own a small business and wanted to gift them something uniquely made by us!
First dance song: “Nervous” by John Legend
Mother/son dance song: “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men
Father/daughter dance song: “Best of Me” by Anthony Hamilton

How did you meet?

I still remember the day my cousin told me about this dating app called “Coffee Meets Bagel.” I was skeptical, but my cousin insisted it was perfect for people looking for genuine connections. So, I signed up, not expecting much. Little did I know, that’s where I would meet Cathy, the woman who would change my life forever.

Our first date was effortless. We laughed, talked about everything under the sun, and felt a comfort with each other that made it seem like we’d known each other for years. Date after date, our bond grew, and I knew Cathy was the one.

Tell us about the proposal.

When it came time to propose, I wanted it to be perfect. I planned a professional photoshoot at a beautiful resort, and Cathy thought it was just another fun way to capture our memories. We posed, laughed, and enjoyed every moment, completely in the moment. Little did she know, I had something much bigger planned.

As we made our way down to the beach for the last set of photos, my heart was pounding. The setting was perfect—the gentle sound of waves and the golden sunset behind us. I took a deep breath, turned to Cathy, and got down on one knee.

Cathy’s reaction was priceless. She laughed, her face a mix of shock and joy. “Are you serious?!” she said, half-laughing, half-crying. I couldn’t help but smile, holding the ring out as I waited for her to process what was happening.

After a moment of stunned laughter, she finally said yes, and we sealed it with a kiss. It was the perfect ending to our story that started with a simple swipe on a dating app—one that neither of us expected would lead us to forever.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding day?

On our wedding day, we wanted to do something special that honored our families and cultures, so we decided to include a candlelighting ceremony. This moment was one of the most meaningful parts of our day because it symbolized not just our union but also the love and support of our families.

When it was time, our mothers were the first to participate. Each of them stepped forward, holding a lit candle that represented the light, wisdom, and love they had given us throughout our lives. Watching them together, side by side, was a powerful reminder of the guidance they had provided and the unbreakable bond between mother and child.

They lit two smaller candles, handing one to each of us. As I held mine, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of all the memories, traditions, and lessons passed down through generations. Cathy and I then stepped forward together, and with a shared glance, we lit the larger unity candle in the center. The flame grew brighter as our individual lights came together, a perfect symbol of our new life as one.

We both have Caribbean roots, Trinidadian and Jamaican. Having reggae and soca play at the reception was a must!

The Dress

The dress wasn’t just about the day itself—it was a symbol of everything this moment represented: love, commitment, and the start of a new chapter, both as a wife and soon-to-be mother. My dress was a couture gown custom-made by Yemi Kosibah.

As I stood in front of the mirror on my wedding day, I couldn’t help but marvel at the dress that had exceeded all my dreams. It was regal and elegant, with intricate detailing that made me feel like a queen. The gown flowed beautifully, long and graceful, hugging my curves perfectly—even my growing belly. I had worried about finding the right dress, especially with the pregnancy, but this dress was everything I could have hoped for and more.

The fabric was luxurious and soft, and the way it draped over me felt like it was made just for me. Every detail, from the delicate lace to the subtle beading, added to its timeless elegance. The way it shimmered under the soft lighting made me feel radiant like every step I took was part of a fairytale. The train followed behind me like a gentle wave, flowing effortlessly as I moved, adding a touch of drama that was just right.

I felt beautiful, confident, and ready. The dress fit perfectly, and so did the moment. I knew that no matter what, I was exactly where I was meant to be, wearing the dress of my dreams, with my heart full and my future waiting.

What was your favorite accessory?

My favorite wedding accessory was my headpiece. From the moment I saw the headpiece online I knew it would be the one I wore on my big day. It shined bright!

Did your wedding have a theme?

We wanted a natural and organic theme for our wedding. We had all-white florals with greenery. This combination created a sophisticated and serene atmosphere. We asked our guests to wear earth tones of formal wear which complemented the entire theme nicely.

What is your best wedding day memory?

Our favorite memory from our wedding was the ceremony! We decided to announce our pregnancy during the ceremony. It was a moment filled with joy and love. I included the announcement in my vows; the guests cheered in excitement as Cathy rubbed her belly.

We also included our puppy son Cafe in our ceremony. Cafe has been in our family for many years, and it was so important to include him in our day. Seeing him come down the aisle brought us so much joy. It was as if all the little details of the day fell into place with his adorable entrance.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?

Hire, hire, hire! Please outsource your tasks. There are plenty of knowledgeable and amazing vendors that will make your life and wedding experience so much easier! Our wedding day would not have been as amazing as it was without the top-tier vendors that we had!