Wedding in New Jersey

Sarah & Jimmy

A Message from the Bride

Describe your experience with finding your wedding gown: After trying on countless of dresses, I ended up with something completely different then what I pictured myself in.

I knew I didn't want a dress lined with lace. I also knew I wanted something sleek, fitted, classic but make it EXTRA!

Once I tried on "the one" I looked at myself in the mirror and instant tears of happiness. People often tell you, "you'll know when you find THE dress" and they are right.

How did you meet? Growing up Jimmy and I must have crossed paths multiple times in life without even realizing.

We shared some of the same friends whom we are still friends with 20+ years later.

He even used to dine at the same restaurant I waitressed at. In fact, his mother used to babysit my cousin. But oddly enough we NEVER met. Not even once!

We met on a cold winter day in NYC. I was celebrating a friends birthday and as per Jimmy, he was dragged out by his friends, and thank God he came.

It was a coincidence that we were all in the same place at the same time. Jimmy & I instantly clicked. It was as if we had met each other in a previous lifetime.

As the night came to an end we exchanged numbers, we made plans to see each other again and he drove me home.

The next day we went on breakfast date... and well the rest is history. We have been inseparable since.

Describe the moment he proposed: Jimmy and I always spoke about getting married and our future plans together.

By the time he proposed, we had been already dating for four years. I had a feeling it was going to happen sooner rather than later but wasn't sure when.

Jimmy and I traveled often together so it wasn't out of the ordinary that we were headed to the Bahamas. It was a just another trip we were taking.

Jimmy had planned the whole thing out. He hired a photographer and all.

We began to head to the pier for dinner hand in hand, looking for a restaurant that didn't exist until I felt his hand let go of mine. I turned my head and he's down on one knee.

Although we spoke about this day countless of times, during this very moment my heart dropped and tears fell down both of our cheeks.

I don't even think I let him finish asking me before I immediately said “YES!!”.

It was the easiest yes of my life. And I would choose him in a million life times!

Describe your experience with wedding planning: Many can agree that wedding planning is one of the most stressful times someone can endure and I speak from a first hand experience!!

The Florentine Gardens wedding venue was only the second venue that we looked at. We instantly fell in love with the place and knew that was where we wanted to get married.

I can not emphasize how important it is to pick your vendors early and to be completely open and honest with them.

What are your favorite moments of your wedding day? Our favorite memory would have had be, EVERY SINGLE MOMENT!

But if we had to pick one, being able to spend a few minutes alone with Jimmy after we were pronounced husband and wife.

Just being able to sit next to my best friend who is now my husband and soaking it all in with no interruptions is truly something I cherish.

The moments before walking into the ballroom for our grand entrance was so special too.

So many emotions ran through us all day - excitement, nervousness, and adrenaline!

We were so ready to be introduced as Mr & Mrs. Hodzic. We were so ready to party the night away with a room full of people who we loved!

Then our honeymoon was a month long trip in South East Asia. We wanted to do something different. We wanted to immerse ourselves in so much culture. HIGHLY recommend!

Any advice you have for 2023 brides? Although stressful at times, enjoy the wedding planning process. Make it fun for both you and your partner. Don't stress the little things, I promise no one is even going to realize except you and take in every single minute of your wedding day because it goes by so fast.

Also, do not cheap out on your photographer, and everyone was a dream to work with, made feel comfortable in front of the camera and never lost their patience. Rene and his team made it such breeze, they understand that it could be awkward in-front of the camera. They made us feel and look like professional models!

Wedding Reception Design Inspiration: For my reception design inspiration, I knew I wanted to be able to look at my pictures 10, 20 even 30 years from now and not regret a thing.

I worked with a florist by the name of Elda at FC affairs. I wanted to use neutral colored flowers that would work nicely with the ballroom and the vision I was going for.

Everything flowed together beautifully. Luckily for us, our venue had these amazing huge exposed windows. That alone made the room feel beautiful.

Everything flowed together beautifully. Luckily for us, Florentine Gardens had these amazing huge exposed windows. That alone made the room feel beautiful.