Marisa Romeo’s friend was nudging her to be more open to dating when Dustin Poretskin walked into the restaurant. As she was leaving, he handed her his number written in crayon. Fast forward to October 18, 2025, they got married at Pendry Natirar in Peapack—the very same scenic spot on the 500-acre estate where Dustin had proposed one year earlier in 2024, with his kids waiting at the restaurant to celebrate. Their black-tie wedding was everything Marisa envisioned: candlelit, romantic, and awash in nude pinks, mocha, and brown—fall but unmistakably feminine. The day was beautifully photographed by Andrii Bondarets and planned by Stacey Sainato of Peony Events.
Their Story
During a night out on February 29, 2020, Marisa Romeo’s friend had just been encouraging her to be more open to dating when Dustin Poretskin walked into the restaurant with his two children. Marisa immediately thought he was cute and wondered, “What about him?” It turned out that he’d noticed her too. As Marisa was leaving, Dustin didn’t want to let her get away. He tapped her on the shoulder, gave her his number written in crayon and said, “My name is Dustin. You’re gorgeous. Call me.” It was love at first sight.
Soon after, they went hiking on their first date. As they became a couple, she eventually met his children. “We all clicked, and it’s really been amazing,” says Marisa. “[Dustin] is always trying to help, he’s funny, and he’s just a good person. He’s the whole package.” Marisa has loved seeing what a great dad he is, especially now that they are expecting twins later this summer.
The Proposal
Because they met on leap day, which comes only every four years, Marisa thought a proposal might come on that day in 2024, and she was right. The couple was at Pendry Natirar, and Dustin proposed at a scenic spot. “It was picture perfect,” Marisa says. “It was so beautiful, and the kids were waiting for us with our family at the restaurant.”
Andrii Bondarets
Details of the Day
The couple said “I do” at the exact same spot where they got engaged, at Pendry Natirar in Peapack, on October 18, 2025. “It was just a beautiful day,” says Marisa. Their black-tie wedding was elegant and romantic, filled with an abundance of beautiful flowers and flickering candles. “I didn’t want to go with traditional fall colors,” Marisa says. She chose nude pinks along with mocha and brown. “I wanted it to be fall but still feminine,” says Marisa. She stunned in a ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and pockets.
The wedding party was small: Marisa’s sister was the maid of honor, Dustin’s daughter was the flower girl, and his son was the best man. At the reception, towering floral arrangements and candle centerpieces adorned the tables, and the high ceilings featured lights and drapery hanging from the wooden beams. “It was transformed into a romantic, candlelit mauvey look,” says Marisa. “It was really pretty.”
Favorite Moment
The couple didn’t have a first look, so Marisa loved walking down the aisle to Dustin. “Walking out, getting to the altar and holding his hands, and finally getting to be with him was my favorite part,” Marisa says.
Detail They Couldn’t Live Without
Marisa’s something blue, which was an aquamarine pendant, “felt like it completed the look,” she says.
First Dance
Marisa and Dustin took secret dance lessons to prepare for their first dance to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. On the dance floor, she said she was nervous, but “you’re looking right at the person you love, so it was very calming.”
Honeymoon
After a honeymoon to Turks and Caicos, the couple is back home in Randolph.
Discover New Jersey’s Most Luxurious Wedding Venue: Pendry Natirar Nestled on 500 rolling acres in Somerset County, NJ less than an hour from New York City, Pendry ...
