An Enchanted Garden Wedding With Larger-Than-Life Florals in New Jersey

Nicolette Palmer and Robert Masucci were friends for years before realizing their chemistry was undeniable. The two of them met during their freshman year of high school, but they didn’t start dating until the summer before their senior year in 2011. The couple continued fanning the flames all throughout high school and college. Once graduation rolled around, they knew they wanted to stay together, so they tried doing long distance as Nicolette pursued a career in music (she even appeared on The Voice) and Robert continued his schooling. “Long distance was hard, but we pushed through, and it was so worth it!” Nicolette exclaims. “Now, we are both back in New York, building a life together.” A decade after they became official, Robert popped the question at their home in Staten Island, New York.

At first, Nicolette toyed with the idea of hiring a wedding planner, but ultimately, the bride decided that she wanted to be the one to execute her dream day. “I think the most satisfying part is that it was my vision,” Nicolette shares. “I put so much time and effort into it, and I am just in awe with how it turned out.” Of course, Nicolette notes that her big day wouldn’t have been possible without her talented team of vendors, and choosing her crew was the easiest part of the planning process. From enlisting her sister as her makeup artist to hiring a DJ she has known for years, Nicolette made sure to surround herself with people she trusted and had a history with.

On May 13, 2022, Nicolette and Rob tied the knot in front of 290 friends and family members at Crossed Keys Estate in Andover, New Jersey. Keep reading to see how her vision came to life, with day-of coordination by Most Valuable Bridesmaid, photography by Courtney Simpson Photography, and videography by Daniel Heaton of Heatz Films.

Elegant deckle-edge invitations with silver lettering captured the couple’s vision from the start. “I knew that I wanted to stay true to us: simple, earthy, and romantic,” Nicolette explains. “I like to describe it as romantic and enchanted garden-esque vibes.” Since the bride prefers neutrals, she settled on a color palette of ivory and green with subtle pops of color.

While getting ready, the bride sported a Lé Lauriér lace-embroidered two-piece set, and her bridesmaids lounged around in matching satin pajamas. Nicolette embraced a glowy, natural makeup look, which her sister, who runs AP Beauty, perfected. “I wanted my sister to do her thing, and I trusted her with the entire process,” the bride says. “We didn’t even do a trial! She amazed me, as she always does.” Nicolette also enlisted her family’s hairstylist, Stephanie Russo Demola LLC, to conceptualize her hairstyle: beachy waves tied back in a half-up style and pinned with a sparkly hair accessory from Untamed Petals. “She is the best in the business, in my opinion, and took exactly what I asked for and brought it to life,” Nicolette states.

Nicolette rocked an off-the-shoulder trumpet gown with a corset top and floral appliqués by Berta for her special day. “The second I tried it on, I just knew,” she reflects. Although the bride loved the style from the start, she couldn't stop thinking about a ruffled sleeve, so she tapped L’Fay Bridal to customize the supplemental feature. 

For his wedding day outfit, Robert selected a custom suit by Duncan Quinn. “Robert’s green suit was something we had spoken about from the minute we saw the venue,” Nicolette recalls. “It just fit perfectly. He surprised me with the color, and I was left speechless.” As a personal touch, the groom accessorized with cufflinks engraved with his family’s monogram.

The bride and groom wanted to spend time with one another before joining the rest of their guests, so they opted to do a first look. “We got to take each other in and share in that special moment with just each other without the pressure of other people watching our reactions,” Nicolette says.

Although most of the couple’s aesthetic featured neutral hues, the bride integrated splashy shades into her oversized bouquet. As a tribute to her godmother and grandfather, she wrapped the arrangement in beads that her small business, House of Beads, designed. “It was very important to me to incorporate my loved ones, who are no longer with us, in some way, and that was the most perfect way I could think of,” she notes. “Having my godmother and Popo ‘walking’ me down the aisle along with my dad was so special.”

Nicolette envisioned the wedding party in light tones, so she selected white satin gowns with a high neck from Show Me Your Mumu for her bridesmaids. She also customized each dress with a double slit to add movement. To complete their ensembles, each of them carried a bouquet featuring hanging amaranthus. Meanwhile, the groomsmen wore beige suits from Suitsupply.

The bride and groom hosted their garden-inspired ceremony on the venue's lawn. Lush blooms bordered the start of the aisle and decorated the arch. 

With her dad beside her, Nicolette made her entrance to Nicole Reynolds’ wedding version of “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain. 

Rain started trickling down just seconds before the ceremony began, so the entire bridal party and Nicolette's parents and grandparents started singing “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. A few minutes later, the rain stopped and everyone cheered. “What a beautiful memory!” Nicolette reminisces.

After the newlyweds shared a kiss, sounds of “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root wafted around them as they walked back up the aisle.

Once guests headed over to the tented reception space, they found their seating assignments on a greenery wall adorned with gold vintage mirrors. Some of the guests’ names were also written on glass hurricane candle holders that housed floating votives in front of the display.

Instead of signing their names in a traditional wedding guest book, friends and family left the newlyweds a “voicemail,” so Nicolette and Rob could play back each of their messages time and time again.

At the reception, two wooden banquet tables were arranged in the center of the room. Each was trimmed with a white runner, a greenery garland, ornate candelabras, and a tall centerpiece suspended with tea lights in hanging globes. The round tables were draped in white linens with a greenery-wrapped candelabra in the middle. Trailing flower chandeliers floated above the setup.

Stationed in front of floor-to-ceiling windows was the sweetheart table, which was decorated with taper candles, colorful flowers, and a gauzy runner. They also repurposed their ceremony arch to use as the backdrop.

After the newlyweds made their reception entrance, Nicolette surprised everyone by serenading Robert during their first dance. She performed Stephanie Rainey’s acoustic cover of “The Best” by Tina Turner.

At the end of the evening, the bride and groom cut into a four-tier confection garnished with fresh flowers and enjoyed a slice of vanilla cake with fresh strawberries and buttercream ice cream. They also spent the rest of their wedding night hitting the dance floor while Joe Rocco of Dash of Class Platinum played their favorite tunes. 

Although taking the reins on wedding planning was a big endeavor, Nicolette wouldn’t have had it any other way. Nicolette recommends, “Enjoy every second of it, even the stressful parts, because it flies by." She adds, “Try not to stress. It turns out more perfectly than you ever could’ve imagined.”