Every engaged couple wants to plan a wedding that is fun, memorable, and reflects their personalities. Montclair residents April Acerno and Ronnie Cowley found that at the Great Notch Inn in Little Falls. The Great Notch Inn was opened in 1939 and is one of those classic roadside taverns with live music, great beer, and plenty of personality. April + Ronnie chose it for their reception because they wanted someplace laid-back that they could fill with all their friends and family. With a ceremony at Eagle Rock Reservation and even a thunderstorm making an appearance, their big day was filled with unexpected moments, live music, and plenty of Jersey charm. Read on to learn more about this special wedding day at the Great Notch Inn.
Photo Credit: Dominique Marinzulich
A Brunch to Remember
This love story started with brunch. April planned to meet a friend at Sonoma Bistro Bar and Grill in Nutley for her birthday, where another friend had recently started working as a bartender. But when her friend arrived late, April ended up chatting with the bartender for the next hour before she showed up.
By the time April got home later that day, the bartender had already found her on Instagram and asked her on a date. You guessed it – that was Ronnie. April said they both knew early on in their relationship that this one was for the long term. “I felt so comfortable and safe around him instantly,” April said. “From the beginning, we were so supportive of each other’s goals, and everything just felt so easy between us.”
Wedding Bells
April said when they got engaged, they knew they wanted an intimate and casual wedding because the pair both have public-facing jobs but did not like the spotlight. Ronnie, who grew up in Secaucus, is a full-time bartender at Obal’s Inn in Bloomfield. April, who grew up in River Edge, works as a local vinyl DJ and is editor-in-chief of Eighty-Six’d, a Montclair-based print magazine. She also helps with marketing and events at Lackawanna Station. “I throw events for a living, so the idea of hosting a large wedding with lots of moving parts just didn’t appeal to me at all,” April said.
Photo Credit: Dominique Marinzulich
The couple settled on a short ceremony surrounded by about 35 immediate family members and close friends. They exchanged “I dos” in the gazebo in front of The Highlawn at Eagle Rock Reservation…