A Celestial-Themed Wedding at Addison Park

Gillian’s passion for astrology sparked the couple’s celestial-themed wedding at Addison Park, which featured a moon arch, newspaper-format programs titled The Celestial Times, and navy and gold accents to fit the mood. Another special detail was their “getaway car” photo shoot, which featured some of their favorite photos. The classic car that Gillian’s dad restored was a white 1975 Buick Riviera convertible with a red interior.

Their Story

Eric Banos and Gillian Kuhlman met on Bumble in 2019 and, according to Gillian, it was love at first sight. For their first date they “had dinner and drinks, he walked me back to my car, and we had our first kiss,” she says. “It was instant butterflies, and our love only grew from there.” Enduring a global pandemic just a year into dating could have been a challenge for a new couple. However, after moving in together during Covid-19, these two quickly learned they were meant to be. “Our relationship is built on friendship at its core because Eric is absolutely my best friend in the entire world,” says Gillian.

The Proposal

Exactly three years after they met, Eric proposed to Gillian on the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, overlooking the ocean. “He hired a decorator with a stunning floral arch and neon sign and a photographer to capture it all,” she gushed.

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Their Addison Park Wedding

On October 8, 2023, Eric and Gillian tied the knot at Addison Park in Keyport in front of 170 guests. “We fell in love with the garden ceremony space decorated with florals and wisteria,” says Gillian. Her passion for astrology also sparked the couple’s celestial-themed wedding, which featured a moon arch, newspaper-format programs titled The Celestial Times, and navy and gold accents to fit the mood. The astrological details were perfect for Eric, who is a Leo, and Gillian, who is a Sagittarius—two fire signs with impeccable taste. Aside from the decor, Gillian loved their first look. The harpist for their ceremony and cocktail hour was outside practicing. “The music and the moment brought my husband and I both to tears,” she says.

Bridal Style

After trying on more than 50 gowns, Gillian committed to a gorgeous Calla Blanche gown with a long train. “[It] had very intricate beading but also beaded straps, which really stuck out from a lot of other dresses I tried.” She also wore a royal length veil with rhinestone details. “The drama is exactly what I was looking for on my wedding day.” Spoken like a true Sagittarius!

Special Moment

“My absolute favorite part of our wedding was our personalized vows,” says Gillian. “They truly were heartfelt, and so many of our guests told us they could feel our love radiating from the words we spoke to each other.” The couple plans to create an art piece with those sentimental vows. Another keepsake is their “getaway car” photo shoot, which featured some of their favorite photos. The classic car that Gillian’s dad restored was a white 1975 Buick Riviera convertible with a red interior.

Advice

“Don’t lose sight of why you’re getting married, and do whatever you can to try to stay in the moment and find a little fun in all of the little activities,” says Gillian.

Honeymoon

After their unforgettable big day, the Banoses went to Saint Lucia for 10 days, staying at the luxurious Serenity at Coconut Bay. The couple enjoyed a private butler and a pool and went on adventures like zip-lining through the rainforest, horseback riding on the beach and enjoying a sunset catamaran ride. The newlyweds are at home in Old Bridge.

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