“The energy, love, all around vibe of this day was nothing less than a fairy tale,” the mother of the groom tells PEOPLE

NEED TO KNOW

• Dolores Catania’s son Frank Catania Jr. renewed his vows with wife Nicole Catania in a second wedding on Oct. 30 in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
• The celebration was autumn-themed and attended by many Bravo stars
• The couple, who got engaged in February 2025, first wed on Aug. 1 in Portugal

Frank Catania Jr. and Nicole Catania (née Perricho) said “I do” again! This time, in New Jersey.

The 28-year-old son of The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania married Nicole, 31, on Saturday, Aug. 1, in Portugal, where Nicole’s family is from. Nearly three months later, the couple renewed their vows in a larger ceremony in Frank Jr.’s family’s home state on Friday, Oct. 30.

“It was truly a spectacular evening, surrounded by the most amazing people in our lives,” Frank Jr. exclusively tells PEOPLE. “It was everything we could have dreamed of.”

Dolores, 55, adds, “The energy, love, all around vibe of this day was nothing less than a fairy tale.”

The bride and groom were joined by 300 guests, including Dolores’ fiancé, Paulie Connell, and past and present Bravo stars Melissa Gorga, Jennifer Fessler, Margaret Josephs, Lexi Barbuto, Rachel Fuda, Deeba Patel, Xio Cammarota, Vanessa Barrera, Natia Rufolo, Liz McGraw and Malvina Blloshmi.

Frank Jr. tells PEOPLE it was “one of the greatest joys” to see his parents, Dolores and Frank Catania — who also share daughter Gabrielle Catania, 31 — “so genuinely happy, celebrating alongside their significant others.”

“They have both sacrificed so much throughout their lives, and seeing them enjoying this moment together meant the world to me,” he says. “There was something incredibly special about looking around and seeing the people who gave me everything so happy.”

A heartfelt ceremony was held at Frank Jr.’s childhood church.

“Watching Frankie and Nicole walk down the aisle at the church he grew up in and getting to see everyone’s face was so special,” Dolores says. “The church truly brought me back to when Frankie was a little boy and it was very nostalgic for me. He was an altar boy there with Father John and to see Father John now stand in front of him and marry him was very special.” 

She adds, “Frankie and Nicole celebrated their wedding in Portugal, but we wanted to share that joy here at home, too. Their New Jersey celebration gave family and friends who couldn’t travel to Portugal a chance to be a part of it, especially the grandparents who were unable to travel overseas. The nuptial blessing made the day even more meaningful bringing everyone together to celebrate their love.”

The ceremony was followed by an unforgettable evening of dinner, dancing, and spectacular surprises at Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. Marrying at a place that holds “so many special childhood memories” was especially “meaningful” to Frank Jr.

“Seeing Nicole, my wife, in a place that was such a big part of my childhood was something I’ll never forget,” he shares. “It was surreal watching the person I love most become part of a setting filled with so many memories from growing up. It felt like my past and my future coming together in the most beautiful way.”

“My kids grew up and spent so much time there,” Dolores says. “It was the perfect setting for such a special day.”

The celebration had a “fall feeling,” as the reception ballroom was filled with autumnal centerpieces, created by Premier Events by Reema, bringing the outdoors indoors. And, of course, there were piles of pumpkins everywhere thanks to Piled Pumpkins.

Guests dined on family-style charcuterie and harvest salad as well as a duet entrée of Chilean sea bass and filet mignon before they were served slices of the three-tiered wedding cake from Vincenzo Salvatore Cakes. They also enjoyed signature drinks that were custom-curated by The Cup Bearer’s mixologists.

“The food was absolutely spectacular,” Frank Jr. says. “Everything was incredible. We really wanted our guests to have an unforgettable experience, and the team at Indian Trail Club delivered beyond our expectations. From the food to the atmosphere, every detail was exceptional.”

Jordan Kahn Music Company’s Manhattan Orchestra kept the party going and the dance floor packed throughout the evening. “The band’s energy was amazing and brought so much love into the room that it brought people together on the dance floor who haven’t spoken in years and made amends,” Dolores jokes.

In a surprise twist, a group of singing waiters from the company broke into an unexpected performance, delighting guests with a lively medley of favorites, from the Italian classic “Volare” to the crowd-pleasing “Sweet Caroline,” resulting in everyone singing along. Dolores says it was an “unforgettable way to start the party,” creating “contagious energy.”

One of the evening’s “most special” moments came when Frank Jr. shared a dance with his grandmother.

“It’s something we had talked about for years and even practiced together over time,” the groom shares. “To finally share that dance with her, surrounded by our family and friends, meant more to me than I could ever put into words. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.”

The celebration concluded with a surprise custom-designed drone show outside. SkyDart drones illuminated the night sky with a special tribute to the couple, adding a little extra wow to the wedding. “It told Frankie and Nicole’s story and made the night feel so personal,” Dolores says.

The wedding was planned by Elegant Occasions by JoAnn Gregoli, who was also the mastermind behind the destination wedding in Portugal. She was hired by Dolores about a year ago.

“[I] said one thing to her: ‘Get me to the end.’ Not only did she get me to the end, but her professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication did not go unnoticed and helped make this celebration truly unforgettable,” Dolores says. “She seamlessly made things so easy for all of us and was an exceptional wedding planner. JoAnn guided us in choosing an exceptional team of wedding professionals. She helped us find the best vendors, talent, and every one of them helped make the day unforgettable.” 

She continues, “Being that this was a nuptial blessing rather than a traditional wedding, I wanted it to be an experience for everyone. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen to make the celebration feel unique and personal.”

For the big day, Nicole wore her wedding dress from her first ceremony. She worked exclusively with White House Bride owner Stacie Hiras to create a one-of-a-kind couture gown to bring her vision to life. Meanwhile, Frank Jr. changed up his look by wearing a classic black tux instead of the tan suit he donned in Portugal. His mother’s gold gown was by Rachel Gilbert. Her makeup was done by Grace Dutches and hair styled by Kevin Kelly.

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Frank Jr. proposed to Nicole inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Feb. 22, 2025. The couple announced their engagement the following day on Instagram alongside photos from the special moment.

The pair first wed in Portugal on Saturday, Aug. 1, exchanging vows in a traditional Catholic church ceremony before celebrating with loved ones at The Vintage House in Douro Valley.

At the time, the couple exclusively told PEOPLE they wanted their “relaxed, elegant and effortlessly romantic” wedding to feel like an “authentic celebration in the heart of wine country.”

“Nicole’s family is from Portugal, and her roots here run deep,” Frank Jr. said. “We’ve been coming here every summer since we started dating, so it already felt like home to us. I couldn’t think of a more beautiful place to begin our marriage.”

Additional Credits:
Ceremony Music: Romanza Music
Videography: Joseph Edwards Films
Pizza Truck: Ciao Pizza 
Lighting: Fusion Productions
Photo Booth: Snapped Society 
Video Booth: Exquisite Party Rental 
Linens and Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals 
Ice Cream Truck: NJ Ice Cream Man
Custom Signage: Caroline James NY
Invitations: Cardture
Perfume Bar: Luxe Bloom & Essence
360° Virtual Reality Keepsakes: ReloomVR
Cigar Rollers: Martinez Cigars

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