Will Fries Marries Isabella Therien
Will Fries and Isabella Therien.
Minnesota Vikings player Will Fries married Isabella Therien in New Jersey on June 27
The "big European wedding with a New Jersey twist" featured live music, "exceptional" food and several guests from the NFL
"Our goal was to throw the biggest party of our lives," says Therien, who wore four different dresses
Minnesota Vikings' Will Fries is married!
As a play on his last name and the day of the week, he said, "I do," Fries tied the knot with Isabella Therien on what they've deemed "Friesday," June 27. The couple's "extravagant" black-tie wedding was held at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, N.J., and "felt classy but still had that over-the-top party feel."
"Our goal was to throw the biggest party of our lives," Therien exclusively tells PEOPLE. "The two priorities: make sure nobody left the dance floor and serve incredible food. There’s nothing worse than leaving a wedding hungry!"
Will Fries Marries Isabella TherienWill Fries Marries Isabella Therien
Isabella Therien and Will Fries on their wedding day.
Among the 250 guests were Indianapolis Colts players Blake Freeland, Quenton Nelson, Matt Goncalves, Danny Pinter, and Braden Smith, as well as Buffalo Bills' Connor McGovern, Chicago Bears' Ryan Bates, and Minnesota Vikings' Ryan Kelly.
"We made sure to soak in every moment because the day flies by," Therien says. "Seeing the faces of the people we love most, all having a great time celebrating with us, was everything. If we could, we’d relive that day over and over again."
Since Therien and Fries' "love language has always been food," they prioritized selecting a venue with "amazing" cuisine. Pleasantdale Chateau — which was responsible for the "exceptional" catering and five-tiered strawberry shortcake wedding cake — was especially appealing because it has its own farm, sourcing many of its ingredients locally. The venue's European architecture also felt like a countryside "escape from the busy New York City metro area."
Will Fries Marries Isabella TherienWill Fries Marries Isabella Therien
Isabella Therien and Will Fries on their wedding day.
"Plus, my husband, Will, is the biggest Sopranos fan, and when he found out The Sopranos was filmed there, that definitely didn’t hurt!" Therien adds. "The venue brought an air of extravagance and timelessness, exactly what we wanted, a big European wedding with a New Jersey twist."
The couple decided not to hire a wedding planner, so they were "hands-on throughout the entire journey." Their photographer, Courtney Shea Smith, helped bring their "effortlessly glamorous yet simple" vision to life by serving as their design consultant.
Envisioning "an organic, elegant atmosphere that felt both fresh and timeless," the trio decided on a neutral color palette "to create a classic and refined vibe." The bride and groom's favorite flowers, white and green hydrangeas, took center stage to bring "a soft, summery feel with a touch of sophistication."
Will Fries Marries Isabella TherienWill Fries Marries Isabella Therien
Will Fries and Isabella Therien on their wedding day.
Great music was also a must-have for Therien and the NFL guard. They hired the band Hank Lane for the reception, and later surprised everyone with Mummers band Woodland String Band as a special nod to the bride's Polish heritage and the couple's Eastern European roots. HeartandSoul4U was the after-party DJ.
"Not one guest left the dance floor, and the band didn’t take a single break; the energy was nonstop," Therien says. "One of the owners even said it was the craziest crowd he had ever seen."
During the wedding ceremony, Fries and Therien exchanged handwritten vows and walked down the aisle to the main theme from Interstellar and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love," respectively.
"We included the unity candle ceremony, where both of our moms lit candles for us, and then we lit one together — a beautiful symbol of our families coming together," Therien shares of the ceremony, which was officiated by Pastor Max Ingram.
The NFL star wore one tuxedo from The Tailored Society, while his bride wore four different wedding dresses throughout the day.
"Since I’ve never been someone who fits into just one style box, wearing four gowns felt like the most authentic way to represent all the different sides of who I am," Therien explains. "Each look was designed to capture something unique: boldness, sexiness, glamour, elegance, and class.
"When I tried to imagine all of that in a single dress, I realized it wasn't possible. So instead, I leaned into the idea of multiple gowns that allowed me to feel something different in each moment of the day and I’m so glad I did."
At the ceremony, Therien wore a "timeless and elegant" basque-waist dress, which created that "fairytale bridal look" and "classic princess moment" that she always dreamed of. It was paired with a traditional cathedral veil that had delicate lace trimming along the edges.
For her "showstopper" reception entrance, Therien wore a gown covered in intricate beaded lace. The design was inspired by a cherished baby photo of Therien, where she was covered head to toe in pearl beads by her mother.
Her long-sleeved, beaded lace evening gown with a plunging illusion V-neckline was just as stunning. It "blended elegance with a hint of sexiness, perfect for dancing and celebrating late into the night."
The first three dresses were custom-designed by Veni Infantino. Therien's fourth and final dress was a "playful and modern" white sequin cocktail gown from Milla Nova.
"Each gown was a carefully chosen expression of the different facets of my personality and the story I wanted to tell on my wedding day," Therien says. "From timeless tradition to bold glamour, the dresses helped me feel like myself at every moment, making the entire experience unforgettable."
Fries and Therien met through a mutual friend in college and bonded over sushi in July 2020. Since their first date, the pair have been "inseparable." Four years after the couple first connected, Fries proposed on June 1, 2024, in Ocean City, N.J.
For the couple, marriage means "choosing each other every single day, through every season of life."
"It’s about building a true partnership rooted in trust, respect, laughter, and love. Marriage, to us, means growing together, supporting one another, and creating a home wherever life takes us," says Therien, who notes that her husband's football career involves "a lot of moving and change" but they're "committed to facing it all side by side."
She continues: "We see marriage as being teammates not just in the good times, but especially through the hard ones. It’s about showing up for each other, celebrating the highs, navigating the lows, and never taking one another for granted."
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Fries tells PEOPLE he most admires Therien's kind heart, and "amazing way of making everyone feel like family." Meanwhile, Therien adores the NFL pro's inspiring "work ethic and drive."
"We’re excited to build a big family and to be parents," says the couple, who share dogs Ace and Archie. "We dream of a house full of love, laughter, and the best kind of chaos. Summers at the Jersey Shore, big holiday gatherings, and family traditions are what we look forward to most. Above all, we’re ready to face life side by side, through the good times and the challenges."
Additional Credits:
Invitations, Paper Goods and Signage: Ninety Three Creative
Production: Fred Fogg Productions
Day-of Coordinator: Suzie Choy Potossis
Florals: Debbie’s Designs
Live Engraver and Calligraphy: Cat Lauren Calligraphy
Reception Table Linens: BBJ LaTavola
Bridal Party Hair & Makeup: SYBridal Styles, Glamour by Drita
Bridal Makeup: Moments by Sam
Bridesmaid Gowns: Morilee New York, Madeline Gardner New York (MGNY)
Wedding Publicist and PR: Be Inspired PR/@beinspiredpr