The invigorating sights and sounds of the Jersey shore capture a magical feeling that is brought to life with crisp salt air, crashing waves, sandcastles glistening by the surf and boardwalks stretching for miles along the beachfront – attracting people from all over who come to be inspired by the landscape. Since the start of its rebirth in the 1990’s, iconic Asbury Park has become a cultural hub that ties in the classic seashore resort from days past with an eclectic energy brought forth from local artists, writers and musicians.
Residents and frequent visitors know it best for its vast array of attractions. From the Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre which have been drawing crowds since 1930 – to the Silverball Museum which houses more than 600 retro pinball machines – to the art galleries and the murals displayed at the Wooden Walls Mural project – to the vibrant music scene – Asbury’s funky, cool vibe makes it a prime location for beachfront weddings and events.
Packed with live music venues including the infamous Stone Pony, the Asbury Lanes and the Wonder Bar, there is a wide range of options for music lovers. When locals are looking for free music, many can be found at the Asbury Park Yacht Club, which was where we partnered with Dara Castiglione-Watson, Principal of Castiglione Events along with AP Greenery and Purple Glaze Donuts for our latest collaboration.
Growing up in a very large Italian family in North Jersey, Dara recalls always having a reason to celebrate. “My grandmother hosted every holiday and had these large, lavish parties frequently,” Dara told us. She spent her childhood with her Grandmother going to Party Box, shopping for custom linens at fabric stores and alongside her in catering meetings.
“She absolutely loved a presentation and how it made guests feel while in attendance,” Dara said, “and that all stuck heavily with me and has a lot to do with my passion for detail and how I run my business.”
As Dara got older, she slowly started taking over hosting on Christmas Eve, then on Christmas Day for her family of multiple aunts, uncles and cousins. “It just felt natural for me. One of my aunts told me I should get into catering/event planning and I did. My career started in rigorous off-premise catering in New York City, North Jersey, and Princeton, eventually leading up to what I was put on this earth to do today – full-time wedding planning.”
Funny Grandma story – she would never allow plastic soda or juice bottles on the dining table – they always had to be in a carafe of sorts. This rule still holds true in my own house as an adult to this day.
Dara designed two looks, incorporating some of the collectible pieces that the owners of the Asbury Park Yacht Club make available to designers for event curation. We caught up with Dara to talk more about what inspired the looks after the photo shoot.
Look # 1: Eclectic Seaside Celebration
Get This Look: Marsala Velvet Tablecloth, Finley Elmwood Walnut Chair, Stockholm Crystal Rocks Glass 13.5 oz., Stockholm Tinted Amethyst Glass 15 oz., Brighton Blush Dinner Plate 10.75″, Brighton Blush Lunch Plate 8.5″, Valencia White Glass Charger 13.25″, Denim Nu Weave Dinner Napkins (custom order), Gramercy Gold Hammered Flatware Collection
What elements do you like about designing in the space at the Asbury Park Yacht Club?
I love that it embodies the true Asbury Park spirit: cool, music vibes on the beach. Don’t let its grunge-like appearance fool you. Since it IS on the beach, the space allows the additions of soft, beachy elements without feeling conflicted in design.
What inspired the looks you designed for this photo shoot?
The space AND the location! We wanted to make sure the design was complementary to summertime while incorporating edgy pieces that would enhance the free-spirited feeling of the venue.
Looks #2: Casual Al-Fresco Dinner For 6
Get This Look: Finley Elmwood Walnut Chair, Stockholm Crystal Rocks Glass 13.5 oz., Stockholm Tinted Amethyst Glass 15 oz., Rattan Round Charger 12.5″ Brown, Brighton Blush Dinner Plate 10.75″, Brighton Blush Lunch Plate 8.5″, Gramercy Gold Hammered Flatware Collection, Charcoal Nu Weave Dinner Napkins Shown on the Cocktail Tables: Ziva Red Print
Are there any particular wedding trends or types of brides and grooms you generally work with in the Jersey Shore area?
I can tell you from working so often with Asbury Park couples, that they are the epitome of cool brides and grooms. Asbury Park is the mecca of Jersey Shore cool and that’s what we consistently get here. We attract the out of the box – the non-traditional brides and grooms who are always looking to do something different.
Can you tell us about any recent weddings that were completely out of the box?
I feel like the majority of our weddings are out of the box! We tend to encourage ‘different’, leaving antiquated trends behind unless they hold some significance to the couple and family. Don’t get me wrong, we love and absolutely thrive on a structured wedding day – but adding some unexpected pieces to make a guest go “Wow I’ve never seen that before, how cool!” is something we sort of aim for always.
Shown on the Cocktail Table: Zoe Tablecloth, Stockholm Tinted Amethyst Glass 15 oz., Brighton Blush Lunch Plate 8.5″, Gramercy Gold Hammered Flatware Collection
About the Asbury Park Yacht Club
Opened in 2012 by local restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach, the Asbury Park Yacht Club offers a relaxed vibe, welcoming beachgoers with oceanfront cocktails and live music that lasts throughout the evening until late night.
The guest rooms can accommodate between 25 – 300 guests or full restaurant buyouts are available for larger parties. The whimsical decor is derived from various collectible pieces that are displayed throughout the space.
The photo collection shown above was also styled by Dara at the Asbury Park Yacht Club. Photos courtesy of Holtz Wedding Photography.
To learn more about Dara’s “Organic Sophistication” design philosophy or the services provided by Castiglione Events visit her website: https://www.castiglioneevents.com.