Emily & Peter
October 13, 2024
Carrie Kizuka Photography
How It Started
They say long-distance relationships don’t work. But for every rule, there needs to be an exception.
That’s how it went for Peter and Emily. The pair met at the engagement party of respective friends – Emily as a bridesmaid and Peter as a groomsman. They hit it off, but Emily recalls, “I never imagined it would transform into anything beyond mutual attraction. After all, he lived 140 miles away in New Jersey, and I had no desire to abandon my native Berks County.”
Distance couldn’t stop Peter. For nearly a year he made the weekly 140-mile trek to see Emily.
Thinking back, there were a number of coincidences that may have pointed to this match being meant to be. Peter lost his father at a young age, after which he adopted his father’s NFL team (Washington Commanders) as his own. Peter later lost his mother not long after he met Emily, who happens to be a Green Bay Packers fan. (She got it from her father, who taught her all about football.) The first NFL season after the now newlyweds began dating, the Packers traveled to FedEx Field, home of the Washington Commanders. The game date was October 23 — the day after Emily’s birthday and the day of Peter’s father’s birthday. Emily and Peter attended the game, and while the Packers lost, they both gained something special.
Carrie Kizuka Photography
The Proposal
Peter did what he could to keep the proposal a surprise. He and Emily had spoken about the idea of a fall wedding. He even had her design her ideal engagement ring. What she didn’t know was that two weeks before the ring was supposed to arrive, Peter found a nearly identical version of it and used it as a loaner to pop the question. He timed it so that he could ask over Thanksgiving while visiting Emily’s parents. For their engagement shoot the pair did a ceremonial “jersey swap” of their favored football teams, using the “Montagna” last name and wedding date on their jerseys.
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Carrie Kizuka Photography
The Big Day
On their wedding day, Emily wore a dress from The Country Bride and Gent, Lansdale, and met her tuxedo-wearing groom at the altar. Looking on were the bride’s parents, John and Tammy Orischak, and the groom’s aunt, Christine Montagna. His parents, Vincent Montagna and Christina Rott, who have passed, were there in spirit, giving their blessing. Jaclyn Abbazia, Emily’s college friend and one half of the marriage that brought her and Peter together, served as Matron of Honor. Peter’s childhood best friend, Daniel Mendoza, was Best Man.
At the rustic, country-themed reception with burgundy and gold details and featuring sola wood flowers, the newlyweds shared their first dance to Next Thing You Know by Jordan Davis. Guests enjoyed a meal from Mission BBQ catering in Wyomissing as well cupcakes in pumpkin and red velvet (both with cream cheese icing) to match the single-tier wedding cake enjoyed by the bride and groom and wedding party: a red velvet semi-naked cake with cream cheese icing. They worked off the calories dancing to tunes spun by DJ Scotty T. and Company of Fleetwood.
For Emily, a standout moment was a funny one. She planned a fake first look with one of his groomsmen who dressed the part in a wedding dress and veil. She recalls, “Peter laughed so hard seeing his friend standing there dressed as the bride while all the other groomsmen applauded.” Peter gifted Emily a line dance he learned for his garter toss song, Boot Scootin’ Boogie. She says, “He dressed the part and absolutely blew me away with the dance!”
For Peter, the most magical moment was simple: “Reading our vows; hearing her say, ‘I do.’ It wasn’t only the highlight of my day, but of my life so far.”
The Honeymoon & Future Plans
The couple celebrated their marriage with a honeymoon week in Italy. Peter always wanted to visit his heritage, and they thought celebrating the honeymoon in Italy would be a wonderful way to check that off of his bucket list. As for the future, the Womelsdorf residents hope to start growing their family soon while they put down permanent roots locally. Emily is the Community Relations Coordinator for Berks County Public Libraries while Peter works in office support for the County of Berks Clerk of Courts.
Details
Tux: Joseph A. Bank, Wyomissing
Transportation: Klein Transportation, Douglassville
Cake/Desserts: Sweets & Treats by Kim, Womelsdorf Lil’s Bakery, Wyomissing
Wedding Planner: Dawn Moyer, Shillington
