A Brazilian barbecue and a Tuscan setting in the woods were set to mark the wedding of Francisco Weisser Vasquez and Grace Weisser Vasquez at Cruz Golf and Country Club in Red Bank, N.J. The plans fell apart when a nor’easter flooded their home in Highlands, trapping the groom and family members who had come from around the world.
Torrential rain greeted the newlyweds on their wedding day. Grace Weisser Vasquez informed her husband that their basement was flooded and water was everywhere. The ceremony could not proceed. It relocated to Life Time Middletown-Red Bank, where Grace works part time as a chef.
From Golf Club to Gym
The couple chose Cruz Golf and Country Club for its setting. “We had a Brazilian barbecue, so we picked the Cruz Golf and Country Club because they had the perfect setting for a Tuscan wedding in the woods. They have beautiful trees. The landscape is phenomenal,” Grace Weisser Vasquez said.
The change at Life Time Middletown-Red Bank came fast. Chris Pica, who works there, explained how it unfolded. “Five hours we were set and ready to go. Ever since the first day I interviewed here and walked the space, I said I want to do a wedding here. Was this the way I wanted to do a wedding? No, but I can officially say we’ve done it,” he said.
Who Made It Work
In just a few hours, the change came about. Karen Hennessy, a staff member, directed the undertaking. She referenced the number of family members who had traveled from abroad for the wedding.
The stakes were laid out by Hennessy: “She had family that had come in from all directions or we would’ve just rescheduled, but they were all leaving to go back to Canada to Australia to Brazil and you know I had gotten married a year and a half previous.” His husband stepped in to save the day for him. He had construction that was half done and family coming in, and his husband finished all the work for him. Grace made all the cupcakes for his wedding, so it kind of felt like he had to make this happen for her. She did the same thing for him.
Alex Armiento, general manager at Life Time Middletown-Red Bank, credited the team. “I can’t take any of the credit. Chris’s team, Karen and Julian, everyone that works in the café in the lounge. They really brought it to life. I just said yes,” he said.
A Wedding That Worked Anyway
Grace Weisser Vasquez said the moved ceremony surpassed her expectations, even with the unexpected circumstances. “I was still distraught and everything, until I got here. Everything was perfect. I couldn’t have done it better myself,” she said.
Staff from Life Time stepped in to help when a sudden storm spoiled the couple’s outdoor ceremony. They brought the whole celebration inside instead, keeping the wedding on track.
The comparison table shows the two venues side by side.
| Venue | Setting |
|---|---|
| Cruz Golf and Country Club | Brazilian barbecue, Tuscan setting, woods, trees |
| Life Time Middletown-Red Bank | Indoor space, staff coordination, quick turnaround |
The reason the venue change mattered is explained by Hennessy’s account. People had come from Canada, Australia and Brazil to be there. Changing the date would have forced them to leave early. Grace Weisser Vasquez had already assisted Hennessy with her own wedding, providing cupcakes for the event. Hennessy believed she was obligated to show her the same care in return.
A gym turned a crisis into a memorable day for the Vasquezes’ wedding, and the staff at Life Time Middletown-Red Bank deserve credit for it. Nature intervened on their original plans, and the venue stepped in to make the day work anyway.
Source material: “Red Bank, N.J., wedding moves to gym after nor'easter,” ABC13 Houston.
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