Quick look: Stephanie and Adam’s Rumson Country Club wedding brought everything under one roof at the River House: first look, portraits, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Think layered blues and greens, romantic white florals, two daddy-daughter first looks, a band/DJ hybrid, and a late-night Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s cart.
You’ve seen the finished galleries: the portraits, the first dance, the golden-hour glow over the water. What you don’t always see is how much of a couple’s personality shows up in the details. Stephanie and Adam’s day at the River House was a full-on celebration of who they are: elegant, a little whimsical, very coastal, and absolutely unwilling to take themselves too seriously.
A Love Story That Started on a Rooftop
Stephanie and Adam met through mutual friends on the rooftop of Stephanie’s old apartment in the city, and things took off from there. Their first date was at Frank Restaurant, where they talked all night. Stephanie says that set the tone for their whole relationship, and after spending a wedding day with them, I believe her.
About a year in, she knew he was the one. What makes them them is that they genuinely love doing everything together, from going out and traveling to staying in and catching up on their shows. She loves his character, the way he lights up a room, and how he never takes life too seriously.
Then he proposed in Paris. No pressure for the rest of you.
Getting Ready in Fair Haven and Red Bank
Stephanie got ready at her family home in Fair Haven, while Adam and the guys got ready at The Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, just ten minutes away. This was a Jersey Shore wedding through and through, and every location was practically in the couple’s backyard.
One of my favorite parts of the day: Stephanie had two daddy-daughter first looks. The first was with her stepdad at home, and the second was with her dad at the club. If you’re keeping score, that’s two dads, two reveals, and zero dry eyes. These are the moments I live for, the quiet ones that happen before the ceremony and say everything about a family.
Blue, Green, and a Whole Lot of Hydrangeas
Stephanie admitted that when she first started planning, she pictured something classic and ballroom. Over time, the vision evolved into something more chic, coastal, and whimsical, and it was the right call. The palette was layered shades of blue with soft green details throughout, from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the invitation suite. The florals were romantic and classic: lush white blooms and greenery, with blue hydrangeas tucked into the details. It looked like a summer afternoon on the Shrewsbury River had been turned into a centerpiece.
Her Pnina Tornai gown from Kleinfeld was elegant, editorial, and timeless, the kind of dress that will look just as stunning in thirty years as it did on the day. The invitation suite from Minted, with calligraphy by Erin Edith, set the tone before anyone even walked through the door.
A River House Ceremony Down the Street from Home
Rumson Country Club was an easy choice for Stephanie, since it’s right down the street from where she grew up. The River House hosted everything, from the first look and portraits to the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and when your venue looks like that, you let it do the heavy lifting. (Want more River House inspiration? Take a peek at Taylor and Taylor’s coastal-inspired wedding here too.)
The wedding party was not small. Nine bridesmaids, nine groomsmen, four flower girls, and two ring bearers, all nieces and nephews on Adam’s side. Wrangling that crew for portraits is half the fun, and they brought the energy all day.
A Party That Felt Like Them
Once the ceremony wrapped, it was time to celebrate. The night included four heartfelt speeches, a father-daughter dance, a mother-son dance, and a first dance to Adele’s “One and Only.” DJ Manopoli and Hudson Horns teamed up on a band/DJ hybrid that kept the dance floor packed, and a trolley handled transportation in true Shore-town style.
And then there was the late-night food. A Chick-fil-A drop and a McDonald’s cart at a country club is the high-low combo I will defend forever. Stephanie said it “just feels very us,” and honestly, that’s the whole point. The best weddings aren’t the ones that follow a template. They’re the ones where you look around and think, yep, this is exactly them.
Up next for these two: a delayed honeymoon in the Maldives, where the only plan is to relax. They’ve earned it.
Stephanie’s Advice for Brides-to-Be
I asked Stephanie what she’d tell couples who are in the thick of planning, and her answer is one I’ll be repeating to every couple I work with: don’t stress the small stuff. There are a thousand little decisions, but at the end of the day, none of them matters as much as being present and enjoying it.
Planning a Rumson Country Club Wedding? Quick Answers
Yes. Stephanie and Adam held their first look, portraits, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all at the River House, which meant no travel time between locations and more time for photos and celebrating.
Absolutely. Stephanie had two daddy-daughter first looks, one with her stepdad at home and one with her dad at the club, plus a first look with Adam. Build in extra time in your timeline for each one so nothing feels rushed.
With an organized shot list, family formals can be done in 20 to 30 minutes. Larger groups like college friends or extended family are easy to grab during cocktail hour or the reception.
If it feels like you, yes. A late-night snack moment, like Stephanie and Adam’s Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s cart, gives guests a second wind and makes for some of the most fun candids of the night.
Stephanie and Adam, thank you for trusting me with a day that was so fun, so seamless, and so completely you. Enjoy every second of the Maldives.
Newly engaged and planning your own Jersey Shore celebration? Get in touch. I’d love to hear about your wedding dreams.
Vendor Love
- Venue, Ceremony & Reception: Rumson Country Club, River House
- Catering: Rumson Country Club
- Wedding Planner: Kathleen Deo
- Groom’s Getting Ready: The Molly Pitcher Inn
- Gown: Pnina Tornai
- Bridal Shop: Kleinfeld
- Jewelry, Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Ring Concierge
- Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
- Florals & Rentals: Magnolia
- Entertainment: DJ Manopoli & Hudson Horns
- Videographer: Joseph Reggio, Reggio Productions
- Invitations: Minted
- Calligraphy: Erin Edith
- Hair & Makeup: Hot Mess Studio
- Cake & Desserts: Cupcakes by Jenn
- Photography: Ashley Mac Photographs
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