A proposal in Central Park
DATE: June 3 HER STORY: Lisa Diane Genovese, 28, was born in Silver Spring and raised in Scaggsville. She works as a business analyst. Her father, Richard Genovese, lives in Jessup. Her mother, Patricia Genovese, lives in Pasadena.
HIS STORY: Aaron Michael Grice, 27, was born in Towson and raised in Laurel. He’s a registered nurse. His parents, Kenneth Grice and Michele Einolf, live in Laurel.
THEIR STORY: The two met in the spring of 2008 through mutual friends at a party.
“I thought he was cute, but I was in a relationship with someone already and didn’t think much of him until later that year,” she said.
That summer, Lisa noticed Aaron at a pool in Laurel where he was working as a lifeguard. Although the two continued to see each other at parties throughout the summer, they never connected, according to Lisa.
By fall, Lisa was living with two roommates — one of whom had worked as a lifeguard with Aaron that summer.
That roommate invited Aaron over to the apartment for a small party.
Lisa said she made the first move that night when she gave Aaron a kiss on the cheek. Aaron then asked her on a date.
The two went on their first date on Sept. 26, 2008, at the National Aquarium. (They now go there each year around that time.)
“It certainly wasn’t always smooth sailing,” Lisa said. “We had our fights and our breakups, but we can both say looking back that we never stopped loving each other and cannot live without each other.” The couple live in Columbia. THE PROPOSAL: Aaron proposed to Lisa on May 30, 2015, in New York City.
Lisa had taken her mother to New York as a late Mother’s Day gift. While she and her mom were walking around Central Park — a place Lisa and Aaron had visited together a number of times — Aaron called Lisa’s cellphone and started asking questions about her day.
“I was getting annoyed, and so I told him I would talk to him later when I got home,” she said.
As Lisa and her mother started to head to the Central Park Zoo, Lisa felt a tap on her
RSVP
shoulder. It was Aaron.
“I had my head down checking the map ... so it startled me, but not more than when I turned around,” she said. “A million thoughts went through my head. … He hands what I think is a phone to who I think is my mom, and what I can remember is him being down on his knees. The rest is really a blur.”
VENUE: Around 90 guests attended the ceremony at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Towson; the reception was at Gramercy Mansion.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: The floral arrangements were by Scentsational Florals. The color scheme was light pink and light gray with accents of ivory. Most of the decor inspiration came from Pinterest and websites Wedding Wire and The Knot, along with fashion magazines, Lisa said.
HER DRESS: Lisa wore a classic lace dress with lace overlay by Jewel from David’s Bridal in Glen Burnie. “I wanted to look elegant and romantic,” she said.
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: The bridesmaids wore long chiffon dresses with empire waists and ruffled backs from David’s Bridal.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Aaron and the groomsmen wore light gray tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse. Aaron wore a silver tie and the groomsmen wore pink ties to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.
MUSIC: Steve Moody of Steve Moody’s Entertainment Connection was the DJ.
FOOD AND DESSERT: Sascha’s catered the wedding, serving three-course meal of a romaine summer salad with shrimp skewer, chicken Chesapeake and filet of beef. Vegetarians were served a stuffed portobello mushroom and vegetable strudel. La Cakerie made the cake.
FAVORS: Guests received glass coasters adorned with lovebirds and the words “Lisa & Aaron, 06.03.2016”