conor & peter’s wedding at porta in jersey city

Jul 28

Apollo Fields | jersey city Wedding | New Jersey Wedding Photographers | Best Wedding Photographer | Flemington Wedding Photos

Peter & Conor’s Jersey City Celebration: Pizza, Pastries & a Whole Lot of Love

Let’s set the scene: Porta in Jersey City. An iconic downtown staple with just the right mix of edge and elegance—like if Brooklyn had a younger, cooler cousin who knows how to throw a damn good party. It was here, at 135 Newark Ave, that Peter and Conor gathered with 90-ish of their closest family and friends to do something deceptively simple, yet deeply profound: celebrate their love.

No pomp. No pretense. Just a gathering that felt like the best parts of life—warm, a little loud, deliciously messy, and full of laughter.

From the jump, Peter and Conor were determined to make this day theirs. No overly choreographed moments. No forced traditions. Just vibes. The celebration started at the Hyatt House, a stone’s throw from the water, where both grooms got ready together. The mood? Chill. The energy? Electric.

Once guests arrived at Porta, it was game on. Family-style dining brought people together—literally. Think steaming pizzas coming out of the oven like edible love letters and homemade Italian pastries that were basically Nonna-approved (and yes, these were made with love by family). You could practically taste the heritage in every bite.

There were no grand entrances or sparkler send-offs. Peter and Conor opted for something more honest: a heartfelt welcome speech and uninterrupted time with the people they love. It was intentional, it was intimate, and it reminded everyone that while Pinterest-worthy backdrops are nice, nothing compares to the kind of authenticity you can’t fake.

The couple skipped the traditional garter toss and bouquet drama. Instead? More dancing. More eating. More toasts that walked the line between roasting and tear-jerking. Friends like Liz, Claire, and Taylor doubled as honorary stage managers, making sure everyone got in the group shots and that the grooms never went too long without a drink in hand or a hug from someone they adore.

And while we’re not naming names, let’s just say that competitive spirit was alive and well on the dance floor—Peter’s especially. (Some say the man can turn a friendly game of Uno into the Olympics.)

But perhaps the most powerful moment wasn’t on any shot list. It was in the quiet pride that underscored the whole day. This wasn’t just a wedding—it was a recognition of the love, legality, and legacy that LGBTQ+ couples like Peter and Conor have fought to celebrate in full view. A toast not only to their future, but to progress, community, and the kind of love that makes space for everyone at the table.

Now that the cake has been eaten (or let’s be real, devoured), these two are off to Greece to unwind, unplug, and, in their own words, “do absolutely nothing” in Skiathos. A well-earned exhale after a wedding day that didn’t just check boxes—it rewrote them.

Cheers to Peter and Conor. May your love be strong, your pizza slices never cold, and your competitive games always end in a rematch.