In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Jen talks about the most important things she was looking for on her wedding day.
(Photo courtesy of Duet Photography & Video)
Jen and Omar got engaged at the end of 2022, but they bought a house before diving into wedding planning. With just about 10 months to plan, Jen and Omar focused on what was important to them – a smaller wedding surrounded by friends, family and good food.
A Traditional Proposal
Jen and Omar met at Queens College in 2015, as she was earning her post-master’s degree and he was finishing up his undergraduate degree in music. They were both leads in the opera Così fan tutte by W.A. Mozart – Omar as the tenor role and Jen as the soprano. “We actually met in our German diction class, and started rehearsing together,” said Jen. “By the end of the year, we were officially dating.”
Omar proposed on New Year’s Eve in 2022. They had rented an AirBNB for the night, and he was down on one knee in the living room when she came out for dinner. “It was nice that it was just the two of us,” she said.
The following year, the pair focused on getting a house. “Once we closed on the co-op, we started wedding planning in February of 2024,” Jen says. “We were very traditional though, so he didn’t move in with me until about a month before the wedding.”
Food and Photography
Knowing they wanted a smaller wedding, Jen says that their initial searches for a venue were a little difficult. “We knew we didn’t want a huge venue, so at first we started looking at non-traditional venues, like steakhouses,” she says. In addition to a smaller venue, Jen and Omar wanted a venue that would serve Caribbean cuisine. “Omar and his family are from Jamaica, so it was important for us to have multicultural food at our wedding,” Jen says.
They found their perfect venue when they walked into Westbury Manor, a BOLI Preferred Vendor. “When we walked in, the staff was so welcoming,” she says. “The owner, Jerry Scotto, made us feel like part of the Westbury Manor family and he told us that they could have a Caribbean food station at the cocktail hour.” They booked their Nov, 9, 2024 wedding in the small garden room. “I was thrilled because it was a Saturday night.”
MORE: Brides Are Treated Like Part of the Family at Westbury Manor
Once they locked in their venue and church (St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church, where they both sing in the choir), Omar and Jen focused on finding a photographer. “Because we’re an interracial couple, it was important to find a photographer that could capture us well – to make sure everyone could be well-lit and look great,” Jen says. They chose Duet Photography & Video, who did not disappoint. “What I loved about them was when we met with them, they showed photos from other interracial couples they photographed, which were beautiful,” Jen says.
The rest of the vendors fell into place pretty quickly, including hair and makeup, and, of course, her brow girl Lacey from Arch Brow Suite. “I need to give a shoutout to Lacey!” Jen says. “She’s been doing my eyebrows for years, and she got me perfectly set up for my wedding.”
(Photo courtesy of Duet Photography & Video)
MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue
A Duet to Remember
On their wedding day, Omar and Jen were married at St. Dominic’s by Father Chris Heller. Jen had worked with Father Heller for a few years before he transferred churches, so it was special that he returned to marry the couple. While the pair kept it traditional and didn’t have a first look, Jen did have a first look with her father. “It was so special to me because my father and I are very close,” she says.
Because their reception was later in the day, their photographer made sure to get special photos at the church in the daylight. “He was able to capture that golden hour light in the fall foliage, which is exactly what I was looking for,” she explains. During the reception, Jen and Omar performed a duet, “Fra gli amplessi in pochi istanti,” from the same Italian opera where they met.
Jen says that all of her vendors went above and beyond. From the amazing photos and videos to the service at Westbury Manor, everything was exceptional. She says that her hairstylist, Bri and her assistant, were amazing. “Bri immediately saw my dad’s hair was crazy that morning, so her assistant helped get him looking his best,” she says. “Her assistant was also amazing with my 9-year-old niece who had trouble explaining how she wanted her hair. She was patient and made her feel like a princess.” And the Caribbean food? “It was a hit! Everyone loved it,” she says.
(Photo courtesy of Duet Photography & Video)
Roll With the Punches
Jen loved using the search bar on the Brides of Long Island Facebook page. “I loved reading all of the reviews – the good and the bad,” she says. “Everyone is so honest, and it was so helpful in finding the perfect vendors for our wedding day.”
MORE: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Now that the stress of buying a house and planning her wedding are behind her, Jen wants other brides to know that what’s going to happen is going to happen. She urges them not to sweat the small stuff. “I considered myself a chill bride, but I did get hung up on some little details toward the end of planning,” she says. “I got mono about a month before our wedding, which was pretty stressful, but there was nothing I could do but focus on getting better.” Being sick actually helped her decide on some last minute items – like favors – pretty quickly. In the end, she says the day is about you and your future spouse and starting your lives together. “Just roll with the punches, and everything will turn out amazing.”
(Photo courtesy of Duet Photography & Video)
Vendors:
Venue: Westbury Manor, a BOLI preferred vendor
Photographer/Videographer: Duet Photography & Video
DJ: DJ Body Rock
Florist: N.T. Designs
Hair: BChic Hair Boutique
Makeup: Makeup by Vic
Brows: Arch Brow Suite
Photo Booth: Ovation Photo Booth
Dress: Lotus Bridal in Mineola
Cake: Francesco’s Bakery
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse
Transportation: All-Star Transportation, a BOLI preferred vendor