Toria Aronoff and Brian Schottenstein, both from Ohio, met at a restaurant one December night. It didn’t take long during their initial conversation before they realized how much they had in common. “Quickly, all others in the room disappeared as we really enjoyed getting to know each other,” Toria recalls. “From that night forward, we have been inseparable”.
As fate would have it, the pandemic began a year into their relationship putting their normal lives on hold while fostering unique opportunities to spend time together. “We created such special memories while in quarantine at my parents Gary and Terri Schottenstein’s home in Palm Beach Florida. They really got to know Toria well and absolutely loved her.” recalls Brian.
“What a real life fairytale and these magical memories are now cherished forever”
In January, 2021 Brian and Toria got engaged. They immediately began planning their wedding in Palm Beach at Mar-a-Lago, where they shared so many fond memories. The couple enlisted Ed Libby, nationally acclaimed Creative Director and Carrie Zack for wedding experience planning. This dynamic team envisioned a fairytale dreamland. Flowers dominated the design of the chuppah and the reception including two swans made of flowers and a floral band backdrop.
The traditional Jewish ceremony included the hora. Vows were exchanged under the chuppah which emulated a magical floral forest with golden tree trunks. Toria was escorted down the “gold mirrored” aisle by her father, Jay Aronoff and her 89 year old grandfather, Stanley J. Aronoff, former President of the Ohio Senate. Her mother Karen and stepfather Jon Bader watched her walk with pride as the ten-violin ensemble played “A whole new world”.
For the reception, everyone was escorted to a lavishly decorated grand ballroom where they were greeted by two grand floral swans, a floral archway and a towering logo-embossed wedding cake. Tables were decorated with crystal chandeliers and flowers creating the perfect ambiance for savoring a sumptuous meal.
“Brian and I danced a magical choreographed routine to ‘Anyone’ by Justin Bieber,” says the bride. “We practiced this dance with a ballroom dance instructor for months prior. Another special touch included Brian performing ‘Oh What a Night’ re-mixed for Toria, in full Jersey Boy regalia accompanied by the band with Toria’s father Jay on lead guitar. The wedding band, The Social, kept the energy electric through the night.
The celebration space was transformed into a club-like environment with a DJ spinning tracks to synchronized LED panels. Disco greeters served lite bites and cocktails. The dessert station had signage “Love is sweet” featuring custom baked sweets and a bananas foster station with Toria and Brian’s hometown favorite Graeter’s ice cream. “What a real-life fairy tale. These magical memories are now cherished forever. Brian and I are eternally grateful and honored to have shared this experience with our friends and family.” says Toria.
The newlywed’s fairytale continued with a three-week honeymoon adventure in the South Pacific at the Four Seasons resorts in Lanai, Maui, the Big Island, and Bora Bora.
Toria and Brian reside in Columbus Ohio, where Brian is the President of Schottenstein Real Estate Group and Toria is founder of Aronoff Social, a marketing company.
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, FL; Floral Production: Jassi & Co Creative, Miami, FL; Wedding Planner: Ed Libby; Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera; After Party Dress: Oscar de la Renta; Photography: Genevieve de Manio Photography, Carlisle, MA