WEDDINGS

WATCH: Nice day for a White Castle wedding

Kristina Jones and Michael Rowley exchanged vows Friday in a place that is close to their hearts — White Castle.

Susan Loyer
@SusanLoyerMyCJ
  • The couple married Friday at the fast-food restaurant on Route 9.
  • The Old Bridge couple frequented the restaurant during their childhood, as well as on many of their dates.
  • Surrounded by friends, family and restaurant employees, the couple exchanged vows.

SAYREVILLE – It was a marriage made in heaven — White Castle heaven.

Ready to begin their lives together, Kristina Jones and Michael Rowley, exchanged vows Friday in a place that is close to their hearts — White Castle.

The Old Bridge couple frequented the fast-food restaurant during their childhood, as well as on many of their dates, so it seemed the natural setting for their nuptials.

"Every since we were both kids, we both loved White Castle," said Jones, 28. "We decided since we love it so much, why not get married there. Several of our dates were at the same White Castle that we are getting married at."

Surrounded by sliders and sides of fries, as well as a small group of family, including their 8-month-old son, Michael Jr., friends and White Castle employees, the bride and groom, each with their own personal history with White Castle, exchanged vows at the restaurant on Route 9.  Andrea Purtell, of For This Joyous Occasion Officiating Services and Seaside Ceremonies, officiated.

"We gather here today at this unique and special location that Michael and Kristina just really enjoy coming to," Purtell said. "It holds a special place in their hearts — a little piece of their history. The White Castle is an iconic and favorite food joint that they visit regularly, so it is only fitting that this is where, amongst a gathering of those they hold dearest, they will pledge their love and commitment to each other.

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The couple, who opted to marry on the third anniversary of the first time Rowley asked Jones out on a date, exchanged rings and shared a kiss as the crowd clapped and cheered.

Following the ceremony, the couple and their guests enjoyed White Castle treats, which also were served at the reception Friday evening at the Knights of Columbus in South Amboy.

Kristina Jones of Old Bridge and her fiance, Michael Rowley of South Amboy, are getting married at White Castle in Sayreville on Friday May 20,2016

Their first kiss as husband and wife.

Jones, formerly of Woodbridge, confessed that she always had a soft spot for White Castle.

"As a kid, I used to go to White Castle with my dad if we were going to the doctors or on the way to take my grandma to visit the cemeteries," she said. "I just love the burgers. I could sit there and eat burgers all the time. I have an 8-month-old son and I had a scheduled C-section, and the night before the C-section, we went to White Castle to celebrate. Every holiday or special occasion we go and celebrate at White Castle."

Rowley, 29, formerly of South Amboy, also is a huge fan .

"We come here a lot — me, my family and friends," he said. "We just like White Castle so much."

Michael and his family also celebrate their own White Castle Crave Case Appreciation Day on May 16 of each year, an idea Michael came up with over the years.

Jones said that when the couple decided to get married, they emailed White Castle to let them know they planned to order a large amount of food for the reception. They ordered about 130 burgers, chicken rings, french fries and onion rings. White Castle responded and said they would do anything to help.

"We asked them if it's possible to get married in one, and within a couple of days they said yes," she said.

The restaurant area was closed briefly for the ceremony, although workers busily tended to orders for drive-through customers.

Jones' dad, Jim Jones of Old Bridge, thought the idea to marry at White Castle was unique.

"I think it's fantastic," he said. "I never heard of a wedding here. I'm thrilled."

Rowley's grandmother, Pat Semashko of Morgan, also was taken by the venue.

"I'm 86 years old and this is a novelty," she said. "It's very nice. It's different and it's great. I'm really enjoying it. It's a nice day out."

Semashko said she has frequented White Castle several times.

"I like it," she said. "I really like the fish."

Guest Tara Bencosme, of Perth Amboy, has been friends with the bride for years.

"She has been telling me about her plans, and when she told me about White Castle, I said OK," she said. "It was a unique. It was really a fun wedding."

Purtell said that in five years she has officiated at weddings that have run the gamut from traditional to beach weddings, but this was her first at White Castle.

"It's fun and unusual and something I really wanted to be a part of," she said.

White Castle District Supervisor Haskell Wallace said weddings at White Castle are not that unusual.

"White Castle has been doing weddings for about as long as we've been doing Valentine's Day, which is more than 15 years," he said.

During his career with White Castle, Wallace said that he has hosted about 10 to 15 weddings.

"The majority have been at the Eatontown and Toms River location, but we'll do them wherever," he said. "it's really a lot of fun."

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@gannettnj.com