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Meagan and Scott at The Lodge at Stone House

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Meagan and Scott at The Lodge at Stone House

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Allison Dupree

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How did you meet?
Scott and I met thanks to a magical algorithm, a love of teaching, and an immense amount of serendipity. Scott seemed to have appeared out of thin air, almost as if he was a manifestation of all of my most hopelessly romantic imaginings. When I excitedly showed a photo of him to my lifetime friends, two immediately exclaimed, “We know him!” telling me that he went to TCNJ, too, and had even lived in the same dorm with them their freshman year. Serendipity, see? Things were seeming to fall into place perfectly as we figured out how to unknowingly start the rest of our lives together. Although I originally proposed that our first date be spent grading the pile of Shakespearean Sonnet reading check quizzes I had been avoiding, Scott decided that a coffee date would suffice. On a misty March evening, Scott waited at a table near the bookshelf at Boonton Coffee Company, prepared with a book recommendation and (thankfully) patience. I arrived to the date about fifteen minutes late, something that Scott has yet to make me forget. While we began chatting about work, our families, our favorite books, common acquaintances, and everything in between, we realized that an hour at a coffee house wasn’t enough.

How did you get engaged?
The coffee shop where we had our first date became a staple in our relationship, so Scott found it fitting that he would pop the question at the same table where we met. In order to spark conversation on our first date, he brought a copy of a book he thought I would like. That night Scott brought the same book, but when I opened it this time I found a hollowed-out section, with the most beautiful ring inside. Although Scott never actually asked me “The Question,” I knew exactly how to answer.

Details of the day!
We wanted our wedding to be romantic, with intimate details that defined our relationship. Since Scott and I are both English teachers, we wanted to incorporate books throughout our details. We often frequent estate sales and we hit the jackpot when someone was selling over one hundred vintage, leather-bound books. These 1940s copies of books like The Great Gatsby, As I Lay Dying, Price and Prejudice, and collections of poetry allowed us to work closely with our florist to design centerpieces and decor that made our guests feel as if every detail was paying homage to our love of literature. I also designed a seating chart that allowed guests to find their table by receiving a vintage library checkout card, and instead of a traditional guest book, we asked our loved ones for book recommendations to accompany their signatures.

We even took our beloved bookish personalities to the bar as we named our signature drinks after titles or quotes from our favorite pieces. After postponing and becoming a summer bride, I wanted to ensure that we made the most of tying the knot on the summer solstice. I incorporated rich blues, dusty greens, and deep pinks, and pops of rose gold to accentuate the lush summer and golden hour that was going to surround us on that day. My flowers followed this same color scheme, with eucalyptus and roses adorning each bouquet and centerpiece. Most special of all was my florist including succulents in my bouquet and my husband’s boutonnière, a little detail that tied our pieces together.

Why did you choose your venue?
The Lodge at Stone House fulfilled our desire to find a venue that wasn’t a typical ballroom, but still formal. When we toured the venue for the first time, we loved all of the natural light that spilled into the reception area and were head over heels for the chic gallery room reserved for the cocktail hour. Stone House has always been a place of celebration for my family of foodies: my older sister got married in their ballroom, we celebrated my father’s 60th birthday there, and we toasted our “almost wedding date” on the patio last September. Throughout the entire process of postponing, our coordinator at Stone House treated us as if we were her family, and ensured that everything would work out for the best. Plus, it’s my dad’s favorite restaurant and our new wedding date happened to be Father’s Day!

What was on your menu?
If there is one thing to know about a Stone House wedding, it’s that you will hear your guests talk about the food for years. Our cocktail hour menu was full of our favorites: passed take-out containers of lo mein noodles, mini lobster rolls, shrimp ceviche, mini crab cakes, a pasta station, and a taco station, plus charcuterie boards. We wanted our cocktail hour to have fun, light fare. For entrees, our guests had a choice of grilled filet mignon with potato puree, haricots verts, topped with au poivre sauce and fried onions, or Murphy’s chicken breast served over warm barley salad, sweet and sour pearl onions, accented with natural chicken jus. It seemed as if dessert would never end since we had passed vanilla shakes with warm chocolate chip cookies, plus a trio of pastries, and of course our wedding cake. Palermo’s created a beautiful four-tier “naked cake” with two layers of lemon sponge cake and two layers of blueberry cheesecake. It really was summer in cake form!

All about your gown!
My gown was a long-sleeve, A-line lace gown designed by Pronovias from I Do… I Do… in Morristown. Before I went dress shopping for the first time, I told my mom and sister that I wouldn’t stop until I found a gown that made me look like a Disney princess. The second that I put this Pronovias dress on, it finally made me feel as if everything was real. I was able to envision myself walking down the aisle with my dad towards Scott. I saw myself dancing with my friends and twirling until my heart was content. Every detail, every button, every extra layer of tulle made me know that I had to say yes to the dress.

What was your favorite moment?
Is it weird to say that my favorite moment was absolutely sobbing throughout the entire ceremony? When we were reading our vows to one another, it allowed us to feel grounded and in the moment. Although we had over one hundred guests in attendance, when Scott and I were at the altar, it felt as if it was just the two of us and Father Joe.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
Writing our own vows and the confetti poppers as we made our way back up the aisle!

Did anything go wrong?
The vintage car that was supposed to take my dad and I to the venue never showed up, so we squeezed into the limo with my bridesmaids, mom, and grandmother. We made it there and that’s all that mattered!

First dance song?
“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys

Any advice for future brides?
It’s so easy to get lost in the details and planning, especially during the ebb and flow of Covid; I kept feeling as if everything was uncertain and spiraling out of control within the blink of an eye. It’s so important to remind yourself of the end game, which is leaving your venue that night, hand in hand, as partners forever. No matter what goes “wrong” or what may not go according to plan, the best day will always be the day that you begin again as husband and wife.

Honeymoon Location?
We’re planning on honeymooning to Ireland and England next year when international travel is safer!

the details

Reception Location

Stone House at Stirling Ridge

Photographer

Pearl Paper Studio

Officiant

Father Joseph Ciccone

Bride’s Gown

"Emelina" by Pronovias

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Meagan and Scott at The Lodge at Stone House

the details

Reception Location

Photographer

Officiant

Bride’s Gown

Bride’s Shoes

Bridesmaid Dresses

Hair

Makeup

Groom’s Attire

Flowers

Cake

Invites

Music

Brides Jewelry

Brides Accessories