In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Stephanie explains why Land’s End was the perfect place for her wedding day.
(Photo by Michael John Photography)
Stephanie was just about ready to give up on dating apps when she decided to give it one last shot. Little did she know that she’d meet her future husband Joe and put an end to online dating once and for all. That one date led them to their Feb. 24, 2024 wedding at Land’s End, surrounded by their loved ones with a packed dance floor and food that guests are still raving about.
A Beach Vacation to Remember
Stephanie and Joe started dating in 2019 after meeting on Hinge. They didn’t get to travel together much due to COVID, so their first big vacation together was to the Dominican Republic in May of 2022. It was on that trip when Joe proposed to Stephanie. “He knows I don’t like much attention, so he just asked a photographer to come down to the beach at sunset, where he proposed. And it was perfect,” she said.
Finding the Perfect Vendors
Stephanie and Joe took some time to bask in their newly engaged glow before they started to plan their wedding. For them, the venue was their most important decision as they knew they wanted excellent food. Their second most important vendor? The DJ. “We figured if we had great food and great music, two things that we love, then we knew we’d have the perfect night.”
Originally planning a fall wedding, the two realized it might be a crazy time of year and decided to look at February dates instead. They toured 10 venues before deciding on Land’s End. “What really made me fall in love with Land’s End was that it felt very warm and homey,” said Stephanie. “I loved the fireplaces throughout the venue. And I also loved that it was on the water, so we had the option to take photos on the beach.”
As far as the music, they were familiar with After Hours, and emcee Phil, from other weddings they attended. “We had six weddings within a year between ours, and every one that had After Hours as their DJ was so fun,” said Stephanie. “And Phil was fantastic at our wedding! He was funny and immediately made us feel comfortable, specifically during our ceremony, which he officiated.”
(Photo by Michael John Photography)
A Perfect Day
All of their vendors were a pleasure to work with throughout planning, so it was no surprise that each one went above and beyond on their wedding day. “I truly thought that every vendor we had was exceptional,” said Stephanie. “The music was great, the food was phenomenal and our photos were amazing.” Those photos were taken by Michael John, of Michael John Photography, a BOLI preferred vendor.
MORE: Michael John Photography Makes Sure Your Wedding Day Is All About You
To keep with the classy atmosphere, Stephanie used black lanterns with candles for centerpieces instead of flowers. “I wanted an elegant, warm and cozy winter wedding.”
Stephanie and Joe made sure to take some moments throughout the day to take everything in. “Just seeing all of our loved ones on the dance floor enjoying themselves was truly a special moment for us.”
And the star of the day besides the newlyweds? The food, of course. Stephanie said they really enjoyed their tasting because Land’s End offered them a few new options that had yet to be added to their menus. “We went with some original dishes, and they didn’t disappoint,” she explained. From the sea bass and pork for their entrees to the braised short ribs for the starter dish, everything was delicious. “It really blew everyone away – including us.”
(Photo by Michael John Photography)
Enjoy Every Moment
For Stephanie, wedding planning was enjoyable. She said the BOLI Facebook page was so helpful throughout the whole process. Her advice for other brides is to remember to have fun with planning. “It can definitely be stressful, but if you give yourself enough time, you can enjoy it.” She also suggests prioritizing what is most important for you and your future spouse. “Once we locked in our venue and DJ, everything else just sort of fell into place for us.”
MORE: How much do you tip? BOLI’s ultimate recommended tipping guide
(Photo by Michael John Photography)
Vendors:
Venue: Land’s End
Photographer: Michael John Photography, a BOLI preferred vendor
Videography: Andrew Malary
DJ: After Hours Entertainment
Florist: Flowers by Burton
Hair: Ink & Ivy, a BOLI preferred vendor
Makeup: Aimee (Amelia) Molle – Let’s Get Pretty Beautiful
Officiant: Phil Vollaro, of After Hours Entertainment
Dress: Lotus Bridal
(Photo by Michael John Photography)
