Vibrant Winter Wedding Features Colorful, Lush Blooms and Over-the-top Decor

Rose and Michael’s vibrant winter wedding is featured in Issue No. 29!

Rose and Michael’s elegant and chic winter wedding was not only a celebration of love, but a celebration of who they are as individuals and as a couple. 

The pair were first introduced by a mutual friend in their Japanese language exchange group. They quickly discovered that they were both Haitian Americans with a love for culture, travel, games, languages, and foreign films. With so many shared passions it didn’t take long for Rose and Michael to fall head over heels for one another.  

Michael amped up the surprise factor by proposing casually amongst mutual friends on what Rose thought was a typical Friday night out. Rose shares, “His other friends asked us about rings and weddings, and I turned to Michael and joked “You better propose soon.” Michael said “Sure, how about now?” and pulled out a beautiful ring.” She couldn’t have been more ecstatic! 

Rose and Michael wanted their wedding to authentically reflect their personalities, relationship, and unique style. Their love of art, culture, and foreign languages was beautifully incorporated throughout the entire ceremony. They had elegant ballet dancers dance down the aisle as their flower girls and included Creole, their native language, and Japanese in the lecture reading and service. 

Despite having a winter wedding, Rose and Michael didn’t want any white flowers in their floral arrangements. As a result, their florals were bold, colorful, and elegant; perfectly representing Rose and Michael’s styles and personalities. 

Learn more about their love story and see the beautiful details below!

---

• Couple: Rose & Michael
• Wedding Date: February 26, 2023
• Venue: Park Savoy Estate
• Location: Florham Park, New Jersey
• Photographer: Trisha Jay Photography

Quick Facts:

• Wedding flowers: Roses, peonies, anemones, greenery, larkspur, and eucalyptus.
• Favorite item on the menu: We don’t have a favorite, everything was excellent.
• Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Gifts: Jewelry for the bridesmaids and custom cuff links for the groomsmen.
• Gifts for one another: We gifted each other Jewelry.
• Groom’s Ceremony entrance song: “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
• Bride’s Ceremony entrance song: “Fall for You” by Leela James
• First dance song: “Anything for You” by Ledisi
• Advice for brides: Enjoy the moment and stay present. It goes by fast!

How did you meet?

After moving back to the city, I sought a social group to join and found JKURU, a Japanese language exchange group. I spent a lot of time with the group, and most Friday nights were spent “practicing Japanese,” which usually just meant chilling with the homies. The group was in constant flux with new arrivals to the city and people departing for Japan, or elsewhere, so I never paid too much attention to the members outside my core group of friends. 

One Friday night, my friend Ed mentioned that a Haitian girl had started attending recently. I thought back and remembered seeing a cute, new Black girl, but I hadn’t interacted with her much. Ed heavily suggested that I should talk to her so that I would shut up about “those damn dating apps.” Over the next few weeks, I organized the group to be in the same breakout group and decided “She seems cool.”

Tell us all about the proposal

It was a Friday, and I wanted to let loose after work. I decided to go to the restaurant everyone from the JKURU Japanese meet-up would attend. On that day, Michael had not arrived yet, so I sat with my friends who had come earlier. Then, finally, Michael arrived. We sat together, and we all started chatting. Then one of his other friends asked us about rings and weddings, and I turned to Michael and joked “You better propose soon.” Michael said “Sure, how about now?” and pulled out a beautiful ring. I was so ecstatic! I have been happy to wear it ever since.

How did you know they were the one?

I knew she was the one when we bonded over our mutual love of studying Japanese and quickly realized that we have a lot in common. We have a love for foreign films, love games, and love to travel the world. Our love grew rapidly and we have been inseparable ever since.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?

Because of the love of our culture, art, and foreign languages, the ceremony was unique and elegant. We had beautiful ballet dancers as their flower girls, the lecture reading was done in both Creole and Japanese, and the service was a mixture of their native language of Creole and French.

Describe your wedding style

Our wedding style was classic, timeless elegance, with the utmost sophistication coordinated with beautiful, lush, refined, and chic over-the-top décor.

I wore a custom gown by the renowned luxury designer Jean Ralph Thurin and the attention to detail was impeccable. I also wore the most beautiful diamond bracelet (given to me as a gift from my mother-in-law, Franckline), as well as a gorgeous pearl bracelet (something borrowed) from my mom, Roselene. My favorite accessories were the beautiful jewelry given to me by my mother-in-law, my mother, and my headpiece. Michael wore two custom suits by Billionaire New York and the details were top-notch.

What is your best memory from your wedding?

We have a few moments that stand out in our minds and memories that we will reflect back on even after the wedding ends. Seeing each other for the first time gave us butterflies all over again. Our heartwarming and powerful vows to each other, our dreamy first dance with the ballerinas (it felt like we were floating from the dance floor!), and watching our guests having the best time was the icing on the cake for us. It was truly a celebration of love.

What is the best advice you can give to engaged couples?

The best advice we can give every couple is to hire an experienced wedding planner. You will not regret it. Your peace of mind is priceless. Also, enjoy the process and have fun. The wedding day goes by in a blink of an eye.

Looking for more chic wedding inspiration?

Click here!

Vendors

• Planning + Design production: JP Events & Design 
• Florals: JP Events & Design
• Floral Supplier: Flower Marketplace
• Photography: Trisha Jay Photography
• Videography: Luxor Wedding Films 
• Custom gown: Jean-Ralph Thurin
• Bridal Salon: Jean-Ralph Thurin
• Bridal MUA: Juicy Looks by Abby
• Bridal hair: Yanniz Hair Den LLC 
• Male Grooming: Shaleira Smith 
• Bridesmaids MUA: Shaleira Smith
• Stationery: By Dami Studios NYC 
• Celebrity Haitian Artist: Mickael Guirand  
• Custom seating chart: By Dami Studios NYC 
• Venue: The Park Savoy Estate
• Floor wrap Design: By Dami Studios NYC 
• Floor wrap: Shout!
• Custom stage: Prestige Luxury Rentals LLC 
• Cake: Palermo Bakery
• Catering: The Park Savoy
• Cultural Bites: Breez Gourmet
• Tabletop: EBF Party Rental 
• Chairs & Tables: Glam Party Rentals 
• Linens & napkins: Nüage Designs Inc. 
• Bridal headpiece: Bridal Styles Boutique
• Bride’s Veil: Jean-Ralph Thurin 
• Bride’s shoes: Aminah Abdul Jillil 
• Bridesmaids dresses: Da Vinci
• Flower girl dress: Monbebe Couture 
• Groom’s attire: Billionaire New York 
• Groomsmen attire: Men’s Warehouse
• Lighting production & entertainment: LECTRO RAIDERS ENTERTAINMENT
• DJ: Pulse Sounds 
• Ballerina performances: Naiya and Maiya