When Mother Nature crashed a Highlands couple’s wedding plans, a Red Bank fitness club stepped in to help them work out a last-minute solution.
Grace Sepe and Francisco Weisser Vasquez spent weeks looking forward to their Saturday, Sept. 26 wedding. Family members planned to fly in from around the world to join the couple at Cruz Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale for the ceremony.
But on Friday, just 24 hours before the wedding, the couple learned their tent rental company could no longer provide a tent because of safety concerns surrounding the incoming nor’easter.
The slow-moving storm brought rain and wind gusts of more than 40 mph to the region, making an outdoor celebration nearly impossible. The country club tried to move the wedding indoors, but the space could not accommodate the couple’s guest list.
That’s when Sepe’s employer, Life Time Middletown-Red Bank, stepped in.
“The club transformed its Life Time Lounge into a wedding venue, making it the club’s first-ever wedding,” publicists said in a statement.
With flowers, lighting, tablescapes and seating, the fitness club’s lounge was transformed into a last-minute wedding venue. In a social media post, Life Time said it was happy to help make the couple’s celebration possible.
“A nor’easter may have changed the plans, but it certainly didn’t stop the celebration. We’re so happy we could be part of such a memorable day for one of our own,” the post said.
Sepe also commented on the post, expressing her gratitude.
“I’m the bride, and I am beyond speechless over what Life Time Middletown-Red Bank and the staff have done for me,” she said. “This is a community of incredible people. I’m so proud to be an employee, and tonight I’ll be their guest.”
Credit: Life Time Middletown-Red Bank
Credit: Life Time Middletown-Red Bank