Some love stories have a way of bringing you back to where everything began. For high school sweethearts Isabel and Brian, that meant returning to the Jersey Shore – the place where a chance meeting, a search for boardwalk fries, and an unexpected connection first brought them together.
The two met at an after-prom celebration in Seaside Heights while attending Morristown High School. Brian was immediately smitten, while Isabel remembers his beautiful blue eyes. Their unofficial first date involved wandering the boardwalk in search of cheese fries with only a few dollars between them. They settled for regular fries, burned their mouths eating them, and unknowingly began a story that would eventually lead them back to the coast.
Though life took them in different directions during college, their connection never entirely disappeared. They remained friends, occasionally crossing paths in their hometown, before reconnecting at the Morristown Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2019. This time, the timing was right.
On October 19, 2024, Isabel and Brian exchanged vows at Mallard Island Estate on New Jersey’s Long Beach Island. With its waterfront setting and elegant coastal architecture, the estate offered a fitting backdrop for a celebration that brought their story full circle.
Family, faith, and music shaped the day in especially meaningful ways. Brian’s Irish heritage and Isabel’s Cuban roots were honored throughout the celebration, including a ceremony incorporating a short Mass. During the reception, Isabel shared a dance with her father before her mother joined them, creating a moment that became a dance between mother and daughter as well.
And naturally, there was plenty of dancing. With Isabel’s background in music and both families’ love of a good celebration, the soundtrack was especially personal – including plenty of Pitbull in honor of her Cuban heritage.
Beyond the coastal setting and beautiful details, what stands out most about Isabel and Brian’s wedding is the genuine affection they have for one another. Their relationship has been shaped by years of friendship, humor, patience, and learning how to show up for each other through life’s less predictable seasons.
From those first boardwalk fries to a wedding surrounded by everyone they love, their story is a reminder that sometimes the most enduring romances aren’t about perfect timing. They’re about finding your way back to each other when the time is finally right.
“Love isn’t proven by intensity, but by consistency.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We were introduced by a mutual friend at an after-prom celebration in Seaside Heights. Both of us were students at Morristown High School in New Jersey (although in different grades.) Brian says he was immediately ‘smitten’, I thought he was cute especially with his beautiful blue eyes. Our unofficial first date was that same day, trying to find cheese fries on the boardwalk with only like $3 cash so we had to settle for normal fries. We burnt our mouths on those fries (think of what happens when you eat a Hot Pocket right out of the microwave) but it didn’t ruin the moment (seeing that we are now married haha.)
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
We met when I was a graduating senior going to college out of state so we stayed friends throughout college (it was truly for the best as the timing was not right!) During college breaks, I worked at the hotel his extended family owned in our hometown (ironically where my parents got married and his parents got engaged too!) so his great uncles were my bosses for sometime. Brian would often come in for dinner/say hi to his family but would try to flirt with me while I was busy at work! His great uncle Richard would tell him to scram since he would ‘distract’ me.
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
The saying “life laughs when you make plans” is very relevant to wedding planning too. I was going through a rough time professionally which you obviously don’t predict or expect when you are trying to plan a wedding and it’s supposed to be the happiest time of your life. Brian’s support during this time solidified that I was marrying the right person. He’s always tried making my life easier but he truly became a “beacon of peace” for me here.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
Besides each other, our families were the most important part of our day! Especially for your parents, it’s one of the biggest days in their lives too. Brian is from a large Irish family and my mom’s side is Cuban! Both are very faith based so we incorporated a short Mass into our ceremony and made sure to honor those who couldn’t be with us on our special day. For my dance with my dad, my mom joined us towards the tail end and then my mom and I had our own dance! And as many know, both Irish and Cubans love a good party. To honor my Cuban side, a lot of Pitbull was played!
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Celebrating our special day with all the people we love! This is the only day you’ll ever have everyone from all walks of your life in the same room as you. We loved seeing our family and friends meet each other and have a wonderful time. We miss our wedding day for that reason alone.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
How to really show up for each other without asking. After being together for a long time, you start to notice what the other person needs at the time without them asking. And understanding each other’s love language, especially when it’s different from yours and appreciating it. I think the short answer is we’ve learned how to be more empathetic partners and overall people since we’ve been together.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
For me, Brian is a genuinely good person with a big heart. He does so much for others even if it really inconveniences himself, yet he always seems happy to do it and doesn’t expect anything in return. Brian tries to make me happy doing the things I love that I know he doesn’t (like visiting as many pumpkin patches as possible and watching scary movies with me because he knows I love Halloween and autumn so much!) Brian also tries to make my life easier and more peaceful. My job can kick my butt but knowing I’ll see Brian after a rough day and him always offering to help makes my days brighter.
For Brian, Isabel’s resilience and strength is something I admire, I’ve seen her take blows that would make most fall but not her. She works insanely hard and just keeps going and makes no excuses. Isabel’s sense of humor can make anyone laugh. And I love the random nicknames we give to each other before bed so we end the night with humor (ie goodnight burnt jalapeno popper.) Humor and jokes are a big part of our relationship. And then there’s Isabel’s sense of exploration and thinking outside the box. She loves new adventures, traveling, and learning something new. You’ll never be bored when you’re with her.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Basically doing a group project with your family & friends and getting to spend so much time with them during this exciting time in your life. I loved the aspect of being able to add your own personal flair or spin on things. Brian and I operate our relationship with humor so we tried to incorporate a lot of laughter while honoring our families and faith too. Also getting to put my music tastes on display! I studied music in college and still do some professional work singing in commercials, voiceovers and on stage. For my wedding, getting to incorporate music into the day and be able to use our favorite songs for key moments felt surreal!
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
For weddings, to trust the professionals! They do this for a living and have seen it all. For life (haha), understanding how your partner communicates is the key to everything, especially in conflict resolution. Even if you rarely fight, this is about how differences, misunderstandings, and unmet needs are handled over time and it builds emotional safety by helping you two stay connected. Apart from communication, we’ve found starting a hobby together has done wonders for our relationship. Brian and I are opposite in a lot of ways but finding a mutual thing to start together keeps us in sync, keeps the laughs flowing, and gives us something to look forward to.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love isn’t proven by intensity, but by consistency. It’s a choice you keep making, especially when it’s uncomfortable. If the person makes you feel safe especially when other things in your life are falling apart, such as work, health, etc.. don’t take it for granted, what you have is very special and worth keeping (forever!)
Venue: Mallard Island Estate / @mallardislandestate
Catering: Merri Makers Caterers / @merrimakerscaterers
Liquor: Neptune Wine and Liquors / @neptunewinesliquors
Photography + Videography: Mario Oliveto Photography / @marioolivetophotography
Bridal Hair + Makeup: Alexa Yurchak / @aestheticalexxa
Bridal Party + Family Hair + Makeup: Lock & Shade / @lockandshade
Wedding Dress Boutique: I Do, I Do / @idoidonj
Wedding Dress Designer: Martina Liana Bridal / @martinalianabridal
Florals: MDs Floral Designs / @mdsfloral
Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Ceremonious Strings / @ceremoniousstringsnj
Entertainment: Mystical Entertainment Group / @mysticalentertainmentgroup
Officiant: Father Rix at Saint Joseph Mission Church
Invitations + Menus: Julia Marie Designs / @juliamarie_designs
Signage: Oak & Sparrow / @oak.and.sparrow
Cake: The Bakeworks / @thebakeworksnj
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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