Kleinfeld Love Stories: Alexa and Matthew

I was studying for my recertification of my Physician Assistant Boards which were approaching the following month. Matt suggested that I take a break from studying, so we went for lunch and then for a walk at a Rockefeller State Park Preserve which is a beautiful park in Westchester, New York. We have walked there numerous times, sometimes even after a fresh snow. It has always reminded me of Ireland where my mom is from and where we lived for a year when my sisters and I were young. The rock walls and green fields are just beautiful.

We first grabbed a quick lunch which we ate in the car and then went to the park where I walked up the path in my Wellington boots, because even though it was a beautiful day, it had rained the day before and I was sure the path would be muddy. Once we got to the top, Matt said, “Let’s take a selfie.” We took a picture and then he had me take a look to see how it came out. He then said, “It kind of looks like the selfie we took on one of our first times here.” He proceeded to take a printed picture out of his pocket which was the actual photo of us standing in the exact same spot about three years prior. I immediately started crying just because of how cute it was that he did that! He took my hands, told me how amazing the last three years had been, the many incredible memories we made together, and that he was so excited to continue making memories together. It was then that I started to figure out what was happening! He got down on one knee, opened the ring box, and asked me to marry him! I was in absolute shock, completely surprised, and ecstatic! He also had a tiny bottle of champagne and two little plastic cups in his jacket pockets. How I failed to notice those and a ring box? I have no idea!

Kleinfeld Consultant:

I wanted something elegant and classic. My sisters told me that I needed to go to Kleinfeld because I would definitely find my dress there! We went right before the New Year. My twin sister, Ashley, and Matt’s twin sister, Chelsea, came with me.

Mollie was my amazing bridal consultant! She knew exactly what my vision was. She pulled three dresses, one of them being a dress I had showed her a picture of with some lace details, even though I told her that I didn’t want much lace, glitter, or appliqués. She knew exactly what to do. She brought me the dress with a little bit of lace on the top, and I didn’t want to try it on. We put that one to the side, and then she showed me the Justin Alexander dress. Even on the hanger, I loved it. I put it on and that was it! The first dress. Walking out to the girls, I knew there was nothing that was going to beat this dress. I felt so beautiful. They absolutely loved it too. I tried on the third dress just to see if I had any feeling about it, but no way. It was the Justin Alexander dress. We picked a simple, elegant veil to match and I was set!

Location:

Venue:

I have a lot of family in Ireland and my younger sister was actually married there two years ago. During our first moment to ourselves right after our engagement, Matt said to me, “So, are we doing this in Ireland?! Are we doing it this summer?” I was both surprised and excited that he would want to do it there! Given my mom was born in Ireland, I have so many relatives there. Plus, Matt also has an Irish heritage on both of his parents’ sides. We figured, why wait? We could pull off an Irish wedding in 9 months if we really tried. And so we did!

We quickly booked a venue in Country Meath not too far from Dublin or Kildare where the majority of my family is from. They had one day left available for the month of August, so we took it! Even though not many Catholic Churches in Ireland will marry you on a Sunday, we found St Anne’s Catholic Church in Bailieborough Co. Meath that would. We had to pick a church a little further than we would have liked, but it was absolutely worth it! Matt’s mom’s name is Anne, so it was definitely a sign. It was bright and white with beautiful architecture and design.

The priest, Father Ultan, was also the sweetest, kindest priest we have ever met. He took the time to really get to know us by speaking with us over Zoom and then in Ireland the week prior to the wedding.

The church ceremony was just unbelievable! The church itself, plus our string quartet playing above in the rafters, just made it so magical. After the ceremony, we went to the venue which Matt and I had not yet seen in person. My mom and two aunts had viewed it for us the previous winter when my mom went back to Ireland to visit her mom.

Tankardstown House is a beautiful 18th Century Manor House and Orangery that sits on a beautiful 80 acre estate. We had cocktail hour outside on the patio because the weather was absolutely fantastic, especially for Ireland! We then proceeded down into the orangery for dinner followed by our dances, our amazing live band, and then a DJ later in the evening. We had about 64 American guests travel for our wedding. It was just the best day ever!