We’re writing this in hopes of addressing any questions or concerns you may have regarding our upcoming wedding date of September 26th, 2020. We’ve been closely monitoring the situation, and have decided to move forward with our wedding. Given this, we appreciate your patience with us as we gather additional information regarding what’s permitted by the state of New Jersey. We’ve had many plans that were affected by the COVID-19 but it’s very important to us that we get married as planned. Our venue, Renault Winery, has given us the option of having our reception in their outdoor tent if we cannot have it in their indoor ballroom. Although our venue has been able to make accommodations for us to ensure the safety of not only ourselves, but more importantly our guests, we will completely understand if you’d no longer wish to attend. Please continue to RSVP knowing we completely respect and support your decision. We look forward to celebrating with you and please contact us at Melendez.moed@gmail.com if you have any other questions. Love, Courtney and Mark

The story of Courtney and Mark begins in the till room at the Shoprite of Marlboro, where they both worked their first jobs as Cashiers. Courtney was having her register recounted and Mark then walked in at the end of his shift. He initiated conversation with the witty question “Stealing money again?”. Mark expected to be brushed off but as sweet as Courtney is, she continued the playful dialogue. With mutual friends dating and prom coming up soon, Mark had involved her friends to walk with Courtney to a nearby white gazebo where she found the words “Prom” spelled out in rose pedals. Mark excitedly popped out from the back and formally asked her. They continued to see each other and Courtney, of course, brought Mark to her prom a year later. Courtney and Mark went to college locally where they continued to spend a lot of time together. Mark drove up to attend countless formals that her sorority hosted as her date. At this point, Mark and Courtney’s love really started to develop as they always looked forward to seeing each other. Jumping to today, Courtney and Mark now share an apartment in Jersey City where they spend a lot of time in downtown’s vibrant scene. When at home, Mark is usually cooking something overly ambitious, or mixing obscure cocktails in front of the bar cart, while Courtney is catching up on her favorite reality TV, or asking Alexa to play Old Dominion on Spotify. The excitement and enthusiasm they share for each other is the kind that makes their love their own. As they continue to plan their wedding they also appreciate every moment spent together. They share compassionate joy and continuously realize the things they love most about each other will be enjoyed together for the rest of their life.

Shortly after moving in, Mark began to conjure up a plan to ask Courtney for her hand in marriage. Courtney brought Mark to see Morgan Evans at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. Mark, not being the biggest country fan, was turned by Morgan’s performance. This is when he decided to include Courtney’s love for country into the proposal. They found out he was playing again in December at one of their favorite towns, Asbury Park, NJ, on December 5th. As soon as Mark heard this, he started to really humor the idea of asking her on stage. For him, this seemed incredibly unrealistic but you never know until you try. After her father, Alan, had given Mark his blessing he quickly went ring shopping with her mom, Kelly. Mark had attempted to reach out to Morgan multiple times via social media but hadn’t received a response. A little discouraged, he still had planned to ask her during the show, even if it meant asking her in the middle of the audience. At 7:00 AM, on December 5th, Mark had received a message from Morgan’s Facebook that said “Yeah man! Let’s work it out!” He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It had all fell into place when it initially sounded out of reach. An hour before the show, Morgan’s manager called Mark to go over logistics and suggested that Morgan plays the first verse of his song “Dance With Me” and then invite Courtney and Mark on stage. This was more than Mark could’ve asked for. Hearing this, he quickly realized he needed to come up with something to say. It all become very real. As soon as Mark finished his call with Morgan’s manager he called Courtney’s brother, Billy, in complete disbelief and went over the details. With Courtney’s family, and Billy’s girlfriend, Danielle, already attending the show, the plan couldn’t have worked out any better. The night from start to finish was one you’d never forget and you never wanted to end. To watch the full engagement video, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC1gcJtPPD0