In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Jess shares how she kept her wedding day calm, joyful and stress‑free, and the vendors who helped make it all feel effortless.
(Photo by Emma Lee Ann Photo)
Jess and Mike knew that having family officiate the wedding was a must. So rather than navigate the paperwork, they decided to make things simple: they headed to town hall on Halloween and made it official three weeks before their reception on Nov. 21, 2025.
From college acquaintances to husband and wife, these newlyweds went from spooky to classic romance, and created a wedding day that felt beautifully relaxed from start to finish.
Reconnection to a Sunset Surprise
Jess and Mike first met at SUNY Oneonta — she was in a sorority, and he was in the brother fraternity — but they stayed just friends long after graduation. “I graduated in 2016, and five years later, he messaged me on Instagram,” Jess says. That simple DM turned into daily conversations, a rekindled connection and eventually a relationship that felt easy and meant‑to‑be. “We reconnected and started dating, and it all just clicked.”
The couple got engaged on July 6, 2024, during what Jess thought was a casual dinner at Nicky’s on the Bay. “He was pacing and acting so weird,” she laughs. When a stranger offered to take their photo at sunset, Jess assumed it was just another picture — until Mike asked for one more, before dropping to one knee. “Everything went black. I don’t remember a word he said,” she admits. “I was so happy the woman kept snapping photos. She understood the assignment!”
Building Her Dream Team
Once the engagement was official, Jess and her mom kicked things off with dress shopping — and the very first gown she tried on ended up being the one. “My mom picked it out, and it wasn’t something I would’ve chosen,” she says. “But I put it on and thought, oh my God, I think this is it.” After seeing it at another bridal salon a few weeks later, she knew for sure.
From there, she made her “big five” list — dress, DJ, hair and makeup, photographer and venue — and moved fast. The Mansion at Oyster Bay, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, was the first venue she toured. And just like the dress, it clicked instantly. “I’m very decisive,” she says. “I walked in and said, this is it.”
With her date set, Jess dove into hair and makeup, the category she spent the most time researching. She combed through Instagram and used the Brides of Long Island Facebook group to narrow things down choices and read reviews. By November 2024, she had nearly everything locked in.
(Photo by Emma Lee Ann Photo)
Little Touches, Big Feelings
Jess didn’t follow a strict theme, but she leaned into a timeless, old‑romance aesthetic. Gold mirrors, gold candelabras, classic calligraphy and a soft, elegant palette were big parts of her decor.
The most personal detail came straight from the couple’s shared ‘nerdy hearts.’ “I walked down the aisle to a violin cover of a “Lord of the Rings” song,” she says. She found a musician who records custom covers and had her create a version just for the ceremony.
Mike got his moment too: a subtle, romantic “Star Wars” piece for his walk and the bridal party’s entrance. “It wasn’t obvious,” Jess laughs. “But it was perfect for us.”
The day itself was filled with moments Jess still talks about with emotion. Her first look with her dad was unforgettable. Riding together from her childhood home to the venue in an old Cadillac felt like a quiet, cherished pause. And her first look with Mike grounded her instantly. “I just wanted to see him. The second we were together, I thought, okay… now it’s our day.”
Her maid of honor’s hug before she tapped Mike’s shoulder, their choreographed first dance and Mike’s brother officiating all added layers of meaning. “It was truly the best day of my life.”
(Photo by Emma Lee Ann Photo)
Lighting the Way
The Mansion at Oyster Bay blew Jess away. “They were my Avengers,” she laughs. Her bridal attendant Shannon and maître d’ Mike handled every detail, from décor placement to accommodating her nana’s 400 candlesticks with patience and kindness. “I didn’t lift a finger,” Jess says. “They did everything better than I ever imagined.”
Wedding Day Calm
The Brides of Long Island Facebook group was one of her biggest planning tools. “I used it for everything,” she says. “I’d narrow vendors down to two or three, then search their names on BOLI and go by reviews.”
That instinct to simplify led inspired the couple to get legally married at town hall on Halloween, and a fun little ghost‑costume moment made their ceremony day feel relaxed and purely emotional.
Her advice to other brides is simple: remember who’s in the room. “Everyone there loves you,” she says. “You’re not performing, you’re surrounded by your people.”
She encourages brides to let go of perfection, trust the day and stay present. “If you’re marrying the right person, it’s going to be beautiful no matter what. I’d do my wedding a thousand times over.”
Vendors:
Venue: The Mansion at Oyster Bay, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer: Emma Lee Ann Photo
DJ: Tommy Tunes, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Majestic Blooms
Hair: Upsweep, Brittany McCabe
Makeup: Deanna Abraham
Dress: Bridal Reflections Massapequa
Transportation: Sir Oliver, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
(Photo by Emma Lee Ann Photo)