Dolores Catania’s Son Frank Jr. Marries Nicole Perricho in ‘Elegant’ Wine Country Wedding in Portugal (Exclusive)

‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ star’s son got engaged to Perricho in February 2025

NEED TO KNOW

• Dolores Catania’s son Frank Jr. married Nicole Perricho in Portugal on Saturday, Aug. 1
• The couple chose Portugal for their wedding to honor Nicole’s family’s roots and their shared memories there
• Guests enjoyed a weekend of celebrations, including a boat party and a farewell brunch

Frank Catania Jr. and Nicole Perricho are married!

The 27-year-old son of The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania tied the knot with Nicole, 31, on Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Vintage House in Douro Valley, Portugal. The happy couple tells 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. says. “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.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Frank Jr. and Nicole tapped JoAnn Gregoli to plan their dream day, the two envisioned an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest friends. It was important for the couple to have a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony in a church, officiated by their parish priest in Portugal.

After the two said “I do,” guests were treated to a plated dinner, as well as local Portuguese wines and an assortment of artisanal cheeses from throughout the country.

Guests enjoyed a selection of elegant dishes inspired by Portuguese cuisine, including fresh burrata with heirloom tomatoes, local seafood appetizers, filet mignon, fresh Atlantic fish and lobster, all paired with seasonal vegetables and locally sourced ingredients.

Frank Jr. and Nicole chose a “timeless” four-tier wedding cake with ivory buttercream and layers of vanilla bean sponge with fresh berries and mascarpone cream.

The dessert also included a second flavor of chocolate cake with salted caramel filling, as well as subtle floral details as a nod to the overall aesthetic of the wedding.

Alongside the cake, guests could also choose from an array of Portuguese pastries, including pastéis de nata, fresh fruit tarts, macarons and chocolate truffles.

When it came time to hit the dance floor, Frank Jr. and Nicole wanted to ensure that their friends and family would stay out and celebrate their love.

“For the reception, we wanted an energetic D.J. who could keep everyone on the dance floor with a mix of early 2000s music,” they say.

“We also had a projector playing scenes from Miami Vice throughout the reception. It’s one of our favorite shows to watch together, and it was a fun little detail that made the celebration feel even more like us,” they added.

The two danced their first dance to “Risk It All” by Bruno Mars, which they say “perfectly captured” their relationship.

“The lyrics really spoke to us and perfectly captured how we feel about our relationship and the commitment we’re making to each other,” they say.

The festivities didn’t end with the reception — Frank Jr. and Nicole invited their friends and family to spend the entire weekend with them in the Portuguese countryside.

“We kicked off the weekend with a welcome boat party that cruised along the Douro River,” they say. “Everyone gathered on the top deck with a DJ, dancing, incredible views and an amazing atmosphere. It was the perfect way to bring everyone together before the wedding.”

They even included “free time” in the weekend’s busy schedule for guests to explore on their own.

“We also built free time into the itinerary so everyone could explore and immerse themselves in the beauty of the Douro Valley,” the couple explains. “Many guests went kayaking, visited local wineries, or simply enjoyed the scenery.”

At the end of the weekend, Frank Jr., Nicole and all their guests came back together for a goodbye brunch.

“We wrapped up the weekend with a farewell brunch, giving everyone one last opportunity to relax together before heading home,” they say.

Frank Jr. and Nicole got engaged in February 2025, sharing photos of the romantic proposal on Instagram. Perricho captioned the post simply, “2.22.25 ♥️.” Proud mom Dolores wrote in the comments, “Sooooo beautiful!!! ❤️❤️.”

Read the full article here