Welcome to this month’s installment of the “I Do” Interviews! This month our wedding series features a lovely couple, Marisa and Joe, who said their vows on a beautiful day in July of last year. They chose to celebrate their ceremony at the pergola and reception with us in the Terrace Ballroom and Waterfront Ballroom with their 170 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.
Marisa & Joe
Wedding Date – July 2023
Event Space – We had our ceremony at the pergola outdoors and then used the dual event space of the Terrace Ballroom and Waterfront Ballroom for our reception.
Where are you originally from?
I am from Danvers, and Joe is originally from Saugus, Massachusetts.
What do you do for work?
I work in the marketing industry and Joe is a CPA.
How did you meet your bride or groom?
Joe and I met while I was still in college at Bryant University. We made it work my senior year and have been inseparable since 2016.
What made you choose Danversport, and this venue/room specifically?
We always knew Danversport was the perfect place for us to say our “I Dos.” Living just up the street by the river and having my family’s boat parked at the Danversport Marina, it just felt right. It’s our favorite summer hangout, so choosing it as our wedding venue was a no-brainer! The convenience for our family and friends also made it an easy choice.
We chose downstairs for our wedding simply due to our guest count and wanting the space to feel full of our guests and not too empty. Having a packed dance floor was the most important!
How many guests did you have in attendance roughly?
We had approximately 170 of our family and friends at our wedding reception and ceremony.
What did you offer for food/drink catering?
We offered some signature cocktails – the “Missy,” the “Joey” and the “Gino & Tonic” named after our dog Gino. We wanted to kick the night off with a special touch related to us!
Our guests loved the food selections. We had a lot of appetizers as we know people are always ready to eat right away. We then had our sit-down dinner followed by dessert. It was a 10-out-of-10!
What was the most magical, moving, or special part of the wedding for you?
It’s hard to single out just one moment from the wedding that was special since we were surrounded by so much love and support from our guests! It was all so truly unforgettable.
If I had to choose, I’d say that after the ceremony, when we finally had a moment to reflect, we both sat there, laughing and crying uncontrollably. The mix of overwhelming love and the release of anxiety was an indescribable feeling.
What was the song you danced to for your first dance?
Our first dance song was Off My Face by Justin Bieber.
What style was your dress?
I wore a Yumi Katsura A-Line style dress that I got from Tulle Bridal in Andover, MA. My dress was perfect for me!
Who walked you down the aisle?
I had both my parents walk me down the aisle. It was always my parents’ plan and meant so much to have them both share the special moment with me.
What are/were your plans for your honeymoon?
We are heading to St. Lucia in two weeks!
Happily Ever After
Congratulations to Marisa and Joe as they begin their journey together. We are so happy that we were able to be a part of your special day. We wish them much happiness as they begin their life together!