Welcome to this month’s installment of the “I Do” Interviews! This month our wedding series features a lovely couple, Julianna and Michael, who said their vows in May 2024. They celebrated their ceremony at St. Anthony’s of Padua in Revere, Massachusetts, and reception in the stunning Harborview Ballroom with their 200 family members and friends who all shared in their joy.
This interview series is meant to give future couples a chance to hear the wonderful details of wedding experiences from those who have recently been there. Our lovely couples have agreed to share their stories so others can learn everything about their one-of-a-kind wedding and the planning process.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Julianna and Michael
Wedding Date – May 2024
Event Space – We used the Harborview Ballroom for our reception.
Where are you originally from?
We are both from Saugus, Massachusetts.
What do you do for work?
I am a Purchasing Supervisor for a Boston Casino and Michael works as Code Enforcement for a local municipality.
How did you meet your bride or groom?
We grew up in the same town and worked at the same local grocery store. We were always familiar with each other but did not get together until years later when Michael messaged me on Instagram and asked me to go out for a drink. The rest is history!
What made you choose Danversport, and this venue/room specifically?
The Harborview Ballroom is both stunning and sentimental to our family. My parents got married at Danversport back in 1991. After we got engaged, I knew this was the only spot I could see Michael and I having our wedding and celebrating with our closest family and friends.
How many guests did you have in attendance roughly?
We had approximately 200 of our family and friends at our wedding reception and ceremony.
What did you offer for food/drink catering?
We opened our cocktail hour with sparkling wine on a beautiful champagne wall. We offered two signature drinks that were named after our family dogs, Rosie & Nunu. Rosie was a red sangria and Nunu was a spin-off of an espresso martini.
For dinner, we offered a Caprese salad, penne bolognese, and a choice of filet mignon or Tuscan chicken.
We finished the night with a beautiful wedding cake from J’s Cakes and a gorgeous Venetian Dessert Table. It was absolutely perfect!
What was the most magical, moving, or special part of the wedding for you?
Every moment was absolutely magical, but the most breathtaking part of our wedding was when we were announced into the venue for the first time as Mr. & Mrs. We had cool sparklers going off to a remix of Crazy In Love while being greeted by our excited guests. We went right into our first dance. It was an unforgettable moment that we wish we could relive over and over!
What was the song you danced to for your first dance?
Our first dance song was Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur.
What style was your dress?
My wedding gown was a mermaid-style dress with a very full train. It was the perfect dress to say “I do.” I then changed into a sparkly, white cocktail dress to dance the night away.
Who walked you down the aisle?
My dad, Anthony Bellia, walked me down the aisle.
What are/were your plans for your honeymoon?
Michael and I went to Costa Rica immediately after the wedding for almost two weeks.
Happily Ever After
Congratulations to Julianna and Michael as they begin their life’s journey together. This wedding was incredibly sentimental as the bride’s parents were also married here at Danversport. They are keeping the tradition going with their own memories that will last them a lifetime.
We wish them much happiness as they begin their life together!
