A Westfield Wedding Built on Local Roots

When Heather and Brandon Kamins married on June 28, 2026, almost every element of the day traced back to a business or place in Union County. The deliberate choice to build their wedding around local community was central to their vision. "I wanted to use local businesses because we live here," Heather said. "I thought it would be amazing to drive or walk by places every day that were paramount to our wedding day."

Union County Life covers Westfield weddings, community celebrations, and neighborhood stories across all 21 Union County municipalities.

A Love Story Rooted in Union County

The couple's story begins at Crunch in Garwood, where they met in the fall of 2022. Brandon, a private boxing coach, was working out on the heavy bags when Heather—then in nursing school—noticed him. Brandon waited to ask her out because he knew she was studying for finals. "He was thinking of my needs before we even started dating," Heather said. The early thoughtfulness set the tone for a relationship grounded in care and mutual consideration.

Over four and a half years of dating, the couple built their shared life across Union County—gathering memories at favorite neighborhood spots and developing relationships with local business owners who became woven into their love story.

Ceremony at The James Ward Mansion, Reception at Ferraro's

The ceremony took place at The James Ward Mansion in Westfield, with the reception at Ferraro's, also in Westfield. The two venues are just a few blocks apart in downtown Westfield. Rather than hiring a limousine for the transition, the newlyweds walked between them—creating an unexpected moment of community connection.

"Having our guests walk from The James Ward Mansion to Ferraro's added a European-type feeling that I adored," Heather said. "People stopped to congratulate us, and you could feel the town pride. It was really special."

Ferraro's: The Restaurant That Mattered

Ferraro's was not a random choice. The couple's third date was at Ferraro's. They returned for anniversaries and to celebrate Heather's nursing school graduation. Brandon had also coached Nicky, a member of the family behind Ferraro's, in boxing for years. "There was never any question," Heather said about choosing Ferraro's for the reception.

Allen LaRezza, event manager at Ferraro's, coordinated with vendors, accommodated dietary needs, and ensured high chairs were ready for the youngest guests. He also reminded the couple to pause for photographs during moments they might otherwise have missed. After the honeymoon, he sent a large cookie tray along with a thank-you letter and a photograph he had taken of Heather and Brandon as they were announced husband and wife. The Ferraro's staff carefully guarded the top tier of the wedding cake for the couple to preserve for their first anniversary.

Flowers: Rekemeier's and a Florist Who Listened

Heather, an avid gardener, envisioned an English garden-inspired wedding filled with ivory, gold, and real flowers. She wanted roses, wanted heather as a nod to her name, and wanted a large cascading bouquet. Several florists dismissed her budget without helping her find alternatives.

She then called Clint at Rekemeier's Flowers in Summit. "He was warm and open-minded from the first call. I told Brandon, 'This is our guy,'" she said.

Clint worked within her budget, suggested substitutes when certain flowers were unavailable, and repurposed arrangements—including converting chuppah florals into décor for the sweetheart table and moving flowers between The James Ward Mansion and Ferraro's within the wedding day's timeline. Clint also delivered additional flowers to the couple's home so Heather could preserve them. She pressed petals from her bouquet and a centerpiece and incorporated them with lace from her gown into a framed piece of art—creating a lasting keepsake of the day.

Cake Design at Bovella's Pastry Shoppe

Heather designed the wedding cake at Bovella's Pastry Shoppe to mirror her Chantilly lace gown: the lace pattern was hand-piped onto the cake, tiny buttercream pearls echoed the pearls in her dress and hairpins, and creamy roses cascaded down the tiers.

Head baker Marco created a fresh raspberry mousse filling chosen to complement Ferraro's signature salad featuring fresh fruit. The couple selected the flavor during a complimentary tasting at Bovella's—finding a taste that connected the cake to the reception menu.

Music: From Kean University Pianist to DJ Selection

For the ceremony at The James Ward Mansion, pianist Alexander Bui—a former America's Got Talent performer who teaches at Kean University—learned special pieces for the day. He performed David Bowie's "As the World Falls Down" for the processional and "Come On Eileen" for the recessional, all on his own first wedding anniversary.

DJ John Pilato of Simply DJs handled the reception music. Heather gave him a list of approximately 50 songs with explanations about why each one mattered. Pilato helped guests learn the traditional hora dance and made sure both newlyweds had chairs and enough people to lift them simultaneously—honoring the traditions Heather cherished.

Attire: From Castle Couture to Dante Zeller

Heather found her gown at Castle Couture, where stylist Emily helped her locate the dress and a veil from a different designer that matched it. Colleen Giresi, Creative Design and Alterations Director at Castle Couture, worked with Heather through fittings and alterations, ensuring the gown was perfect for the day.

For hair and makeup, Heather worked with Melissa at The Mane Event Salon in Cranford for hair color, and Michelle Surgent at Pink Comb Studio in Westfield, where Heather and her party had hair and makeup done, with Angela Pallay as makeup artist. Taryn at Blush Tan in Summit came in on her day off the day before the wedding to redo Heather's spray tan and followed up afterward to confirm she was happy with the result.

Tuxedos came from Dante Zeller in New Providence. When one tux was accidentally left in New York and returned late, Dante Zeller did not add a penalty—reflecting the community grace and support the couple experienced throughout their planning.

Details: The Hope Chest and Personal Touches

Heather is also a Lenox collector and avid thrifter. At The Hope Chest in Westfield, she found a Lenox wedding cake topper, now on her nightstand, and an antique rococo mirror that was personalized for the wedding, displayed beside the sweetheart table, and now hangs in the couple's living room. These details connected personal collecting passion to wedding celebration, creating keepsakes that extend the wedding's meaning into their married life.

Wisdom for Other Couples

Asked what she would tell other couples, Heather offered this: "Follow your heart. A wedding is one day; a marriage is a lifetime."

She also reflected on what staying local has meant beyond the wedding itself. "My husband and I are both introverted, yet we always feel welcome around town because we run into vendors we got to know through our wedding. It's wonderful."

Community as Foundation

The Kamins' wedding illustrates how community connection extends beyond a single celebration day. By choosing local businesses intentionally, they created a network of relationships that continue to enrich their daily life in Westfield and surrounding Union County. Each vendor became not just a service provider but a participant in their love story—people they see regularly, people who know them, people invested in their happiness.

For Heather and Brandon, the wedding was not just about one perfect day but about weaving their marriage into the fabric of the community where they live—creating a foundation of local connection that will sustain them beyond the celebration.

Find more Westfield weddings, community celebrations, and local news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: When did Heather and Brandon Kamins get married?
A: Saturday, June 28, 2026.

Q: Where did they hold their wedding?
A: Ceremony at The James Ward Mansion in Westfield; reception at Ferraro's in Westfield.

Q: How did Heather and Brandon meet?
A: They met at Crunch gym in Garwood in the fall of 2022. Brandon was working out when Heather noticed him.

Q: How long had they been together?
A: They were together for 4.5 years at the time of their wedding.

Q: Why did they choose local Union County businesses?
A: Heather wanted to use local businesses because they live in the community. She wanted to be able to drive or walk by places every day that were special to their wedding.

Q: Did they use a limousine between venues?
A: No. They walked between The James Ward Mansion and Ferraro's, which are a few blocks apart in downtown Westfield.

Q: Who provided flowers for the wedding?
A: Clint at Rekemeier's Flowers in Summit designed and coordinated all floral arrangements.

Q: Where was the wedding cake made?
A: Head baker Marco at Bovella's Pastry Shoppe designed and created the custom wedding cake.

Q: Who performed music?
A: Pianist Alexander Bui (Kean University faculty and America's Got Talent performer) performed for the ceremony. DJ John Pilato of Simply DJs handled reception music.

Q: What advice did Heather give other couples?
A: "Follow your heart. A wedding is one day; a marriage is a lifetime."