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New Jersey natives Gil and Shannon knew that Cape May was the perfect place to tie the knot. Gil and Shannon have spent countless weekend getaways in Cape May, both during the summer as well as every single Valentine’s Day since they started dating. With so many incredible cherished memories in Cape May, it only made sense to start forever as a married couple in their happy place!
Gil and Shannon first met in Gil’s hometown through a mutual friend in college. Gil was lifeguarding in the summer at his hometown pool in Cresskill, N.J. Shannon came to visit her college roommate who worked with Gil at the Cresskill Municipal Pool (they still laugh that the initials, CMP are the same as their now favorite town, Cape May Point). Gil and Shannon stayed loosely in touch but reconnected four years later when they both moved to their current home, Washington, D.C.
Gil and Shannon dated three years before Gil proposed. They had planned a vacation to the West Coast. During their stay in Napa Valley, California Gil planned an entire day of wine tasting. At the last winery, he got down on one knee and proposed with the vineyards in the background! Gil and Shannon were planning on a two year engagement while Shannon was finishing nurse practitioner school. On one of Shannon’s family weekends to Cape May, while floating out on the water with her sisters and mom, she came to the realization she couldn’t wait! Shannon ran out of the water and called Gil and said they had to get married here next summer!
Shannon and Gil were so excited when they came across The Grand Hotel in Cape May. In addition to the jaw-dropping sun deck overlooking the Cape May beaches and the floor to ceiling windows showcasing the gorgeous Cape May skyline, Katlyn Mogavero the wedding coordinator at The Grand blew them away! Katlyn was so incredible to work with and Shannon could tell right away she could trust her with the perfect day! Shannon felt confident in Katlyn’s style and design. Once the venue was booked, Gil took over planning while Shannon studied during the day and worked nursing night shifts.
On the wedding day, Shannon and her bridesmaids got ready in Cape May Point, while Gil got ready with his groomsmen at The Grand Hotel. The wedding party had a classic trolley ride with Great American Trolley Co. Gil and Shannon’s first look was held at the Cape May Lighthouse. Shannon met Gil out past the nature preserve down by the beach! This picture made the perfect cover shot!
Gil and Shannon were married under a flower-covered chuppah, by both a priest and a rabbi. The happy couple walked out hand in hand as husband and wife to all of their favorite family and friends blowing bubbles and yelling “Mazel Tov and Congratulations!” The rest of the night continued to follow suit with impeccable service by The Grand staff, the cutting of their perfect semi-naked three-tiered cake, and a killer live band from Philadelphia allowing them to tear up the huge dance floor.
