Mantoloking Yacht Club Wedding in New Jersey

Marissa and Joseph’s Mantoloking Yacht Club wedding in New Jersey was a vibrant celebration of love, personality, and fun, with custom details at every turn. Working with Jove Meyer, they embraced a nautical theme, giving it a contemporary twist that infused the event with bold colors, playful patterns, and an overall sense of creativity. It was all so bright and joyful, you’d never know it rained the whole time. Get inspired by their fabulous palette and unforgettable guest experiences as you scroll through the images by Amber Gress Photography below!

A Playful Palette and Personalized Details

Custom details brought their vibrant theme together, from the invites that got guests excited about their beachside getaway to the day-of visuals. Printed menus with notes and callouts to friends, custom matchbooks at every seating, a huge vinyl with their branding on the dance floor, and a custom insert for the band’s bass drum, all transformed the celebration from an event into an experience.

Floral design by Made of Leaves brought the sunshine inside, even accessorizing the couple’s sweet pup Thompson, named after the street they built their love story around.

A Yacht Club Wedding Vision

“From the moment they began planning their wedding, Jove understood the vision. Marissa and Joseph didn’t want a traditional wedding with simple white and green florals. Instead, they envisioned a bold, vibrant celebration filled with color and energy. Opting for creative food stations instead of a sit-down meal, they treated their guests to an array of culinary delights — from fresh pizza to a sushi station featuring toro, and even a dumpling bar.

Moments before they were set to walk down the aisle, the ceremony was moved indoors due to the inclement weather. But it didn’t matter. Jove and his team transformed the Mantoloking Yacht Club clubhouse into an intimate setting for 150 guests. The clubhouse ceiling was adorned with nautical flags that perfectly complemented the colorful floral arrangements, creating a cozy yet festive atmosphere.

The reception moved to a large sailcloth tent illuminated with paper lanterns and anchored by a central disco ball, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of dancing. The tent pulsed with joy, laughter, and celebration to the tunes of The Barnstorm.

One of the highlights of the evening was the personal touches Jove incorporated throughout the event. From custom welcome signs to thoughtfully curated gifts for guests, every detail reflected the couple’s personality and the love they poured into planning this day.”

Unforgettable Guest Experiences

Rather than a traditional seated dinner, the couple opted for a dynamic cocktail-style reception, designed to encourage mingling and interaction. The food stations featured a curated selection of their favorite dishes, inviting guests to indulge in a variety of flavors that spoke to their tastes and experiences. To add to the excitement, they brought in flair bartenders who performed dazzling tricks while serving up unique cocktails, adding an element of surprise and showmanship to the evening.

Wedding Saves vs Splurges

Their best decision was hiring their event planner, who brought cohesion, a vision, a color palette, and a plan to their big day. Music was another key element, their live band kept the crowd on their feet, playing a perfect mix of pop and country hits. They also invested in quality food and drink. The bride says, “The saves we recommend are things like a specialty hardwood floor for the tent or expensive glassware/place settings. At the end of the day, as long as the vodka sodas are cold, people don’t care what they drink out of (in our opinion). As long as people can eat, drink, and dance, they will only really remember how much fun they had!”

modern wedding cake at yacht club wedding

Marissa wore a floral sequin Lovers and Friends for dancing, that just so happened to match their cute cake! Shop the look below:

Lastly, Their Love Story…

“Marissa and Joseph met while working in the digital advertising industry in New York City. Living just a few blocks apart in Greenwich Village, they quickly bonded over their shared love of music, art, travel, and the vibrant energy of New York. For years, they were close friends, but their relationship deepened during the pandemic when they chose to be in each other’s ‘bubble’ and do all of life’s adventures together.

One of the most unforgettable moments in their love story happened at their favorite neighborhood Italian spot, Il Cantinori. During what seemed like a regular date night, their waiter suddenly burst into singing “That’s Amore,” and soon the entire restaurant joined in. As the laughter and music filled the room, Joseph got down on one knee and proposed to Marissa amidst cheers and applause. It was a magical moment that perfectly captured the essence of their relationship — full of joy, spontaneity, and the love they share for Italian food and each other.”

Thanks to our happy couple and the talented team below for sharing today…