How did you meet? Ask Kevin Zychowski when he met Kayla Pantano and he’ll say on December 16, 2011, at the Broadway Diner in Summit, New Jersey. Ask Kayla and she’ll admit she had her eye on him during his season opener as captain of Oratory Preparatory School’s basketball team earlier that night. He scored 24 points! So when she joined the victory celebration, she didn’t waste the opportunity. She took the seat across from him, shook his hand, and introduced herself. Even though they didn’t talk much that evening, he asked her to be his girlfriend just over a month later on January 28, 2012, following dinner at Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria on a stroll in Washington Square Park. After a whirlwind of a senior year, Kevin continued his basketball career at Stevens Institute of Technology. Kayla attended as many games as she could, as she was not too far away at Fordham University. She remains his number one fan and him her’s.
How did you get engaged? After eight a half years together, Kevin wanted to make his proposal extra special, but with the pandemic, he had to get creative. He rented an RV and they road-tripped across the country. Their first stop was Arches National Park, where Kevin woke Kayla up for a sunrise hike before getting down on one knee under Delicate Arch. They then hit 6 more National Parks together and enjoyed “engagement moon” bliss. As Kevin asked Kayla to be his girlfriend under the arch at Washington Square Park and then proposed under another arch, arches hold a special place in their hearts.
Details of the day! Kayla loves colors, especially pink, so it was never a question that their day would be bright and fun. From the flower arch at the entryway of the chapel to the staircases to the bouquets, there was no shortness of Fuschia and blush with pops of peach, coral, yellow, and purple. The shapes were free-flowing and organic with alternating high and low centerpieces accented with gold. More colors include Kayla’s sapphire engagement ring, her SJP shoes, and the beaded flower appliquĂ©s on her cathedral-length veil. Of course, everything that could include an arch did, including the invitation suite, the ceremony programs, the menus, and the welcome sign (all by Kristen Sardini), all in pinks and peaches. The bride’s twin also made arch signage, including the mule bar sign, hashtag sign, guest book sign, favor sign, and more. Serena also made arch table numbers that were names of famous arches with gold silhouettes. The favors were just as colorful. Kayla and Serena hand-painted 200 3×3 canvases with different flowers for their guests. Kayla’s mom, older sister, and best friend also helped. They were on display on mini easels as a “flower wall” and were such a hit!  Something else that’s really special about their day was Kayla’s paternal grandparents got married on September 3, 1956, which means her big day was their 65th wedding anniversary. While her grandma was in attendance, her grandpa for health reasons stayed behind in Brooklyn.
Why did you choose your venue? Both the venue itself and the grounds of Pleasantdale Chateau are like a fairytale. It was the first and only venue they looked at. Every room exudes elegance and they knew their guests would be wowed at every turn. It felt less like a wedding venue and more like home right away – if only!!
What was on your menu?Â
The hors d’oeuvres included Tender Braised Brisket Wrapped in Scallion Pancake, Jumbo Shrimp Wrapped in Pancetta, Deep Fried Lobster Macaroni and Cheese, Duck and Porcini Pop Over, Korean Pork Bun with Kimchi. The Cold Canapes were Red Snapper Ceviche, Shredded Sesame Chicken and Cilantro in Wonton Cup, Foie Gras Terrine on Brioche Crouton, Wild Berry Garnish, Buckwheat Blini with Domestic Caviar and Creme Fraiche. There were also miniature New England Lobster Rolls, fresh garden crudites, slices of seasonal fruit and berries, imported and domestic cheeses, Mediterranean and Salumeria display, and a fresh mozzarella station. The couple included a carving station with 28-day dry-aged rib-eye with Chimichurri Sauce, Herb Crusted Rack of New Zealand Lamb with Rosemary Jus, Orange, and Rosemary Scented Whole Roasted Suckling Pig with Pineapple Chutney. Plus a made-to-order pasta station! The seafood station on ice included Iced Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, Chilled Oysters on a Half Shell and King Crab Legs, Calamari Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil. There were both Italian and Polish stations, for the bride and groom respectively. A custom sushi station was a huge hit!
After cocktail hour, the appetizer was a watermelon carpaccio crumbled feta, baby arugula, pickled watermelon rind coarse black pepper, and sea salt. The entree options included branzino filet with basil herb puree, roasted black Angus beef tenderloin, herb-roasted chicken breast and a vegetable primaveeera risotto. The desserts were chocolate cake with strawberries and cream, butler passed assorted desserts (fried Oreos, mini chocolate donuts, mini cannolis, mini chocolate cupcakes, chocolate cheesecake, and so much more
All about your gown! Kayla had a very precise vision going into the dress hunt and though she was pleasantly surprised with a lot of the other styles she tried on, she couldn’t shake her original idea: a clean, white, off-the-shoulder princess ball gown with no lace or sparkles. Queue Sareh Nouri’s “Blaine” gown. It is the most elegant dress and everyone said she looked like a princess. From the off-the-shoulder diagonally draped top to the side bow, it was pure elegance. Plus her fuchsia Sex and the City shoes and pops of pink from the veil added a fun spin on such a classic look.
What was your favorite moment? Kayla’s favorite moment was walking down the aisle to my groom. Kevin and Kayla both went to single-sex Catholic high schools and met their senior year. In fact, he asked Kayla to his prom on Mount Saint Mary’s campus. Therefore, it was extra special being able to get married in front of all of our nearest and dearest in such a special place to us.
One detail you couldn’t live without? The dress!
Did anything go wrong? Due to Hurricane Ida the mail was delayed so our arched seating chart wasn’t going to arrive in time. The stationer made a new makeshift one the night before and her father-in-law drove it overnight from Boston.
First dance song? “Lover” by Taylor Swift – Kayla is a huge Taylor Swift fan, and even changed into her SJP “Hello Lover” shoes for this.
Any advice for future brides? Enjoy every second of it.
Honeymoon Location? They will be doing two weeks in Hawaii, one week on the Big Island and one week in Maui. Diane Frisch of Destinations, LLC is their travel agent – she’s the couple’s dear friend’s/Kevin’s groomsman’s mom.
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