Mrs. December: Why This BOLI’s Venue Was the Perfect Romantic Vintage Vibe

In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Samantha talks about how her love of antiquing inspired the perfect touches for her wedding day.

While Samantha and JJ may have had a typical online meeting, their relationship took an unconventional turn quickly. This cross-country pair settled on Long Island and planned the perfect romantic winter wedding day earlier this year.

A Cross-Country Adventure

Samantha and JJ’s romance began in December 2016 when she joined Bumble with a friend on a whim. The pair hit it off, but when Samantha learned JJ was just visiting Long Island and he actually lived in Los Angeles, she told him she just wanted to remain friends. JJ’s persistence and charm won her over, however. “After a month of talking, he invited me on a trip with his friends to New Orleans,” she said. “I was in my early 20s, and I had vowed that 2017 would be my ‘yes’ year. So I went, and we had a blast.” They spent a year navigating a long-distance relationship, flying back and forth between coasts before JJ moved back to Long Island.

By March 2023, Samantha and JJ were ready to take the next step. “We had talked about how I wanted something simple when he proposed,” she explains. JJ proposed on Walker Beach in Bay Shore, a quiet local spot close to the Lake House, where their families were gathered for dinner. “He was so nervous,” she said, laughing. “I sort of knew he was going to propose, as he never wants to take random walks. And we had never been to this beach before.” The celebration continued the next day at their home, where a planned baseball kickoff party for JJ’s birthday doubled as an engagement party with all their friends.

• MORE: How Long Should You Date Before Getting Engaged?

Finding the Perfect Venue

When it came to planning, Samantha and JJ took a thoughtful approach. They spent a month discussing finances, guest lists and priorities before diving into venue searches. For Samantha, the venue was the most important piece. “I wanted a romantic vintage vibe and a team that could bring that vision to life,” she explained. For JJ, the focus was on music and making sure guests had an unforgettable time on the dance floor. Together, they agreed that the venue, food, DJ and photography were their top priorities, setting the foundation for a celebration that felt both seamless and joyful.

Their search led them to tour 13 venues in just a month, but the decision ultimately came by chance. “We were actually set on another venue, when my mom reminded me that we had an appointment at the Mansion at Oyster Bay, [a BOLI Preferred Venue],” Samantha said. “When I walked through the doors, I knew it was the one. It had the exact vibe I was looking for.” Within two hours, she and JJ signed with the venue, and it did not disappoint. From the maitre d’ to the bridal attendant, the staff exceeded every expectation and made the couple feel supported on their wedding day.

• MORE: Best Wedding Venues in Nassau County

Creating that Vintage Vibe

For Samantha, creating a romantic vintage vibe was at the heart of her wedding design. A lifelong lover of antiques, she leaned into warm winter tones—mauves, purples, and creams—and dressed her bridesmaids in velvet to heighten the cozy, romantic feel. She scoured estate sales and Facebook Marketplace for brass candelabras and unique centerpieces. One of her favorite details was a refurbished vintage phone chair she found online, which became the perfect setting for their phone guest book. “I actually donated it to the Mansion afterward so future brides could enjoy it,” she said. Other subtle touches included custom matchbooks at the bar, drink stirrers and a crest on the invitations—all designed to enhance the atmosphere without overwhelming it. The Mansion at Oyster Bay’s timeless elegance provided the perfect backdrop, making it easy to execute Samantha’s vision of a wedding that felt personal, romantic and beautifully vintage.

A Moment of Calm

Samantha and JJ exchanged vows at St. Joseph’s in Babylon, the church where both her grandparents and parents had been married. The pair waited to have their first look when Samantha walked down the aisle. After the ceremony and photos, the newlyweds were ready for their moment of quiet in their bridal suite – enjoying the delicious cocktail hour food the staff had put out for them. “That moment was so important,” Samantha recalled. “We finally sat alone, looked at each other, and said, ‘We’re married.’ Hearing the laughter outside while having that private pause was bliss. All the work was done, and now we could just enjoy ourselves and celebrate with our loved ones.”

Obviously, Samantha and JJ were thrilled with all of their vendors, but two stood out as truly exceptional. BOLI Preferred Vendor High Voltage, led by Anthony—who Samantha had first worked with at her sweet 16—kept the dance floor packed all night. From seamless communication to thoughtful extras like signage, guest book setup and even a surprise upgrade to their reception design, Anthony and his team went above and beyond. “Guests still rave about the playlist,” she said. 

Equally memorable was Kaela from Tower Flowers Nesconset, who brought Samantha’s romantic vintage vision to life with honesty and artistry. Kaela embraced her ideas, incorporating the candelabras into lush floral arrangements and creating everything from the boutonnieres to centerpieces with care. “She just listened,” Samantha said, noting that the results were perfect.

• MORE: Other centerpieces that aren’t flowers

Stay True to Yourself

Throughout her planning, Samantha leaned on Brides of Long Island as both a resource and a community. She looked for reviews to prepare herself for vendor meetings, and she asked questions that brought in dozens of helpful responses—from makeup recommendations for her bridal shower to ideas for her bachelorette theme. “Once you’re in it, you realize you don’t know how you survived without it,” she said, noting how invaluable the group became throughout the entire process.

Now, as a bride looking back, Samantha encourages others to stay true to themselves. “Take advice, but at the end of the day, do what you want for your wedding,” she shared. “Trends and social media can be overwhelming, but the most important part is marrying your person in a way that feels authentic.” For Samantha, that meant a romantic vintage celebration filled with candlelight and subtle personal touches. Her advice: do your research, trust your instincts and make decisions that reflect your vision—you’ll never regret creating a day that’s uniquely yours.

Vendors:
Venue: The Mansion at Oyster Bay, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photo/Video: Solaris Photo & Film, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
DJ: High Voltage, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Towers Flowers Nesconset
Hair: Emilie Does My Hair
Makeup: Makeup by Marisa
Dress: Ivory & Main, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Cake: Batter Up
Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Transportation: All Star Limo, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Piano Player: Inspire with Strings
Cigar Bar: Village Cigar Headquarters in Patchogue, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Day of coordinators: Meaghan & Katie of Three Sisters II Events
Dog sitter: Tracy of Love & Leashes, a BOLI Preferred Vendor