Maria Ciezak and Josh Shields threw a wedding that was perfectly "them" Watch video
TINTON FALLS -- Some weddings are lavish, some are totally DIY. But whatever the cost, a couple whose big day perfectly reflects who they are is always the most fun.
In the middle of a that unexpectedly February heatwave, Maria Ciezak, and Josh Shields had a wedding that truly defined them as a pair: their favorite cover band performed, the food was a complete crowd pleaser, and the bride accentuated the event with DIY flourishes through the reception area.
And to top it off, the duo of huge wrestling nerds decided to enter the Sterling Ballroom in Tinton Falls as if they were coming down the ramp for Wrestlemania. The groom held a championship belt over his shoulder, while the bride led the wedding guests in a celebratory, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" chant a la former WWE champion Daniel Bryan.
Months removed from the big day, the bride still recalls this event with a huge smile as one of the greatest days of her life.
HOW THEY MET
Shields and Ciezak met in 2012 when the two worked together at the Jersey Shore rock station 95.9 The Rat (WRAT). Ciezak, who currently works as a marketing manager for AEG Live (with a focus on Starland Ballroom) was the station's promotions coordinator. Shields, who works in marketing at National Home Builders Association, was an intern.
Shields was eventually promoted, not due to any influence from his future bride-to-be. Unbeknownst to Ciezak, Shields had a crush on his boss then co-worker, but she was oblivious to it all.
However it didn't take long into their relationship that Ciezak knew that she had found "the one."
"Josh and I were friends first. He always treated me with such respect, and grace, and I felt like I had known him my whole life," said the bride. "After about a month or so of dating, I found that my heart was never happier.
"Almost five years later, I still feel as smitten as I did the day we started dating."
THE PROPOSAL
On the morning of Feb. 20, 2016, Ciezak and Shields had plans to go see his brother Phil play a high school lacrosse game. Shields had just played a gig with his cover band the night before, so Ciezak decided "to be nice" and go get breakfast for the couple.
When she returned to their place in Neptune City about thirty minutes later, she was met by Shields on knee.
Photos from the wedding of Maria Ciezak and Josh Shields, at Sterling Ballroom in Tinton Falls, Feb. 24, 2017. (Mark Sullivan Photography) "I was in sweats, no one else was there, no cameras, no frills. That is exactly how I would want it, and he knew that," said Ciezak. "However, to my surprise, he had already told a lot of friends of ours, who were coming down to celebrate us."
The newly engaged couple went to a bar in Point Pleasant and met up with over 30 friends who were waiting to congratulate them.
"It was the best day, I will never forget calling my family and watching them cry via FaceTime, as they were just as surprised as I was."
THE WEDDING DATE
The couple chose Feb. 24, 2017 -- nearly a year to the day they got engaged -- as the date for their wedding.
The choice was practical.
"We got engaged in February of 2016, and went to look at venues about a month later," said the bride. "We didn't have a preference; we just knew we wanted to do what was most affordable for us."
"When [venues] told us, [having a wedding] February (and on a Friday) was significantly cheaper than the peak-season months, we were intrigued."
The first call the couple made when they found out this new was their friends in the Joe Baracata Band, a local Jersey Shore cover band, and one of the couple's favorite acts. Once they found the band was free, they booked the date -- at the Sterling Ballroom at The Doubletree in Tinton Falls.
"I know it's not the traditional story," joked Ciezak. "I am not a 'bridsey-person' so I didn't have too many requests. In fact, my friends were jokingly calling me a groom."
Photos from the wedding of Maria Ciezak and Josh Shields, at Sterling Ballroom in Tinton Falls, Feb. 24, 2017. (Mark Sullivan Photography) THE VENUE
The couple chose a hotel-based venue because they knew not only did they need to accommodate a large guest list, but they also had a number of out-of-town guests.
"[The Sterling Ballroom] was honestly only the second place we looked at, and we booked it the same day. I fell in love with the room."
According the couple the ballroom offered a slew of fun attractions to the wedding (that were also very cost effective) such as: centerpieces, the cake, a grilled cheese and tomato soup station, a Chinese food station, and a fajita bar.
THE SAVING AND THE SPLURGING
Shields and Ciezak were very conscientious of their budget throughout the planning process. The couple knew with the number of guests (nearly 200) and the fact they didn't want to spend their entire life savings -- money which they were earmarking for a house, and starting a family -- they'd have to be fiscally responsible.
The couple spent the most money on the venue but cut costs by using doing DIY projects for table numbers, place card settings, save the dates, and invitations. The bride's connections in the entertainment industry also came in handy when it came to saving money on the reception.
THE BIG DAY
The couple were married on an unseasonably warm Friday at Saint Rose Catholic Church in Belmar.
Shields and Ciezak both say that the moment when they were pronounced husband and wife, and the subsequent walk down the aisle was the most memorable part of the ceremony.
Photos from the wedding of Maria Ciezak and Josh Shields, at Saint Rose church in Belmar, Feb. 24, 2017. (Mark Sullivan Photography) "[At that moment] it hit me," said the bride. "I tried very hard to keep it together, but I cried the second the two of us got outside of the church.'
'Everyone was still inside waiting to walk out, but we kissed each other tight, and said 'we did it.' I will never forget that moment."
Then it was off to the reception at the Sterling Ballroom.
"Everything [about the reception was memorable] -- the band, the speeches, the food, the dancing, and the love," said Ciezak. "But there was one specific part, I'll never forget."
"We are both huge wrestling nerds, so we walked out to Daniel Bryan's "YES" chant. We also were given an amazing belt by our brother that had our names on it, so that made its way in too. The entire venue was doing the yes chant," said the bride.
"It was so cool, better than I could have imagined. Even people who didn't know what it was were yelling YES! It continued throughout the weekend, naturally."
HOW DID THEY MAKE THEIR WEDDING SPECIAL
Ciezak perfectly summarized what made their day so special:
"Our wedding was so special because it was all about us. Weddings can be stressful, and trust me I felt it from various places at times. But at the end of the day, we just knew we wanted this day to be about us; it felt so amazing having our loved ones, family, and friends, all in one room dancing, drinking, letting loose, and celebrating our love. We had little touches, such as our favorite songs on our table numbers, photo booth frames, etc. We told ourselves, we will make sure that we don't miss a second, and have the best time of our lives," said the now Mrs. Shields.
"We did just that."
All photos courtesy of and credit to: Mark Sullivan Photography
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.