Courtney and Matt got married on November 25, 2023, at The Mansion on Main Street.
Matt slid into Courtney’s DMs on Instagram. “We slowly started talking on Instagram, realizing we had so much in common and it was just so easy!” They bonded over their love of Frank Sinatra, Disney and sports.
The first time they met in person was a Labor Day weekend in Atlantic City. Courtney was there with her friends, twin sister and brother-in-law. “Matt came by himself to meet me and meet all of my people,” says Courtney. “We had the best day bar hopping, playing mini golf, eating pizza—and everyone loved him.
Matt proposed to Courtney where they live in Ocean City on Mother’s Day weekend of May 2022. “At the time, he owned a tiki cruise business and his plan was for the boat to pick us up where we live along the bay and propose on the boat while it takes us to dinner where our families were waiting.”
But Mother Nature had other plans. It was down pouring so he had to shift gears. Family had flown in and drove many hours so he had to make it work in their living room. “My sister and brother-in-law walked in and whipped out their cameras and before I could process what was happening Matt was pulling me in close to propose.”
“All I really remember is Matt saying, ‘I knew from the moment I met you I was going to marry you…’ and the rest was a blur out of shock and being overly excited!” Their dog, Winnie, was there wagging her tail in approval.
Then, they went to the restaurant, The Crab Trap, where their family was at a table waiting covering their faces with menus. “Let’s just say I screamed and was SO happy to have them all there to celebrate,” says Courtney. “We toasted, hugged, opened gifts and had an after party at our house and it was just the best night ever!”
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November 25 was a special day as Courtney’s great-grandparents got married on this day in 1926. Courtney and Matt got married at a church in Cherry Hill—the same church Matt’s parents got married in, which made it very meaningful.
Details included baby’s breath on the pews with dusty pink and ivory roses throughout and pedals down the aisle.
The bridesmaids wore dessert rose and all of the guys wore black tuxes. The bowties had their initials printed on them in a dark grey so it was just a little noticeable.
“Our goal and vision was classy, glamorous and a little bit of ‘Gatsby’ vibes,” says Courtney. They stuck with that theme by having Winnie’s Speakeasy for signature drinks, a vintage phone for people to record their messages of well wishes and stories.
The bride and groom had handwritten letters for every guest, which also had their table number on it. “Our guests absolutely loved this and said how much that meant to them and still talk about it!”
Their centerpieces consisted of floating candles, white pearls, tall vases with floral displays of baby’s breath and eucalyptus. The couple chose a Disney-inspired cake.
Courtney is a former cheerleader for 18 years and also a pro dancer for the Philadelphia Soul. The bride changed her dress and her Philadelphia Soulmates dancers came out and did a performance for Matt and the guests to “A little Party Never Killed Nobody” from the Great Gatsby movie.
“The vibes were high!” says Courtney. “It was just such a fun party and celebration with our favorite people in the world.”
During the after party, they celebrated Courtney’s dad’s birthday at midnight.
“It was truly the best weekend of our lives,” says Courtney.
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The couple loves Philly and South Jersey so they liked being, “nice and close.”
“The Mansion on Main Street is gorgeous,” says Courtney. “I loved how big our ballroom was, with the chandeliers, timeless accents, upscale food and cocktail hour, and their grounds outside are absolutely stunning with beautiful flowers, trees, fountains. It is breathtaking.”
Courtney’s favorite moment was during the ceremony when the violinist played “I Can’t Help Falling In love” while walking down the aisle before the bride took made her grand entrance with her dad.
“It was absolutely beautiful, everyone was crying, including the groom who I could not stop smiling at,” she says. “It was the best moment with my father who then passed three months after the wedding unexpectedly after a quick diagnosis of cancer. It is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
She adds, “Always get the videographer!”
“One detail I couldn’t live without would have to be the audio phone where guests could record their messages,” says Courtney. “At the time we thought it was just fun, but now looking back, it’s the last recorded message I have from my dad.
“It is also so nice and hilarious to hear everyones messages from everyone on how the night was going and advice.”
“Enjoy every second as this will be one of the best days of your life,” Courtney says. “Don’t dwell on anything, let it go and have fun with your family and friends. You won’t get this day back and not to be sad, but you never know what life has in store the next day, week or month later. Live in the moment that day!”
They did a quick mini-moon in Clearwater, Florida after the wedding and then they headed to Italy for their tru honeymoon.
“We did Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Sorrento and Capri and finished it off in Naples,” says Courtney. “It was the best trip of my life. I dream about this trip every day and highly suggest it for a romantic and scenic trip.”
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