Meet Rachel Sollecito and Dr. Angel Gonzalez — a Jersey City couple who got engaged recently in the Hamptons at Wolffer Vineyards. This pair had their first date at Lokal in Jersey City after meeting outside Rachel’s building, and loves to incorporate local Hudson County spots into their everyday lifestyle. Read on to learn more about Angel and Rachel as well as their Jersey City love story.
(Photo credit: Marilyn Wan)
Hoboken Girl: What do you both do for a living?
Rachel Sollecito + Dr. Angel Gonzalez: Angel is a dermatologist; Rachel is an attorney.
HG: What city do you both live in + for how long? What’s your favorite part about living here?
RS + AG: Having lived in Morristown, Red Bank, and Short Hills following law school, Rachel sought a livelier yet still community-oriented city. After coming to Jersey City one cold February day (during the pandemic) she fell head over heels in love with the view and unique, fresh character of the town. She has been here since February 2021 and has developed treasured groups of friends — everywhere from Pure Barre Jersey City, where she is a teacher, to the local bars and restaurants.
Her favorite thing is seeing her friends and clients around town and giving them a big smile and wave while presumably towing her favorite milk tea from O Kafe or an iced caramel latte from Cool Vines.
Angel came to Jersey City to meet up with Rachel for their first date. He let her choose where to go. It was a freezing cold day in January 2022, and he first accompanied Rachel to Lokal in the mid-afternoon for a quiet space with a view and creative cocktails, and later to The Archer for a more intimate, yet boisterous scene decorated for the holiday season to sip spicy tequila drinks and sample the eclectic menu. He eventually moved to JC from Williamsburg.
Angel’s favorite thing about Jersey City is Rachel — as well as its spaciousness and fun amenities like the tennis courts and [solidcore] classes. He has a special affinity for a big salad from Alfalfa and pad thai from One Dee Siam. His go-to special occasion date spot remains Domodomo where he and Rachel always order the tuna cone.
Read More: This Now-Married Jersey City Couple Got Engaged on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
HG: When + where did you + your partner meet?
RS + AG: January 2nd, 2022 — outside of Rachel’s building.
HG: How long have you been together?
RS + AG: 8 months
(Photo credit: Marilyn Wan)
HG: Was there an instant connection/chemistry between you two?
RS + AG: Oh yes.
HG: What are the qualities you love most about each other?
RS + AG: When this same question was posed by close friends, we had the same answer: kind-hearted.
HG: When was the moment you knew you were meant to marry each other?
RS + AG: It was pretty instantaneous for both of us. Angel was fresh off of a break from dating, having become jaded that he might not find the one. Rachel was doing the opposite — dating everyone everywhere casting a very, very, very wide net to try to learn about what actually complemented her.
Angel was unlike anyone who had taken Rachel out. He has an ability to put others at ease and emotes trustworthiness. His dates were always meticulously planned, and there was never a time that he wasn’t either driving Rachel home himself or driving himself to JC to see her. He stocked his refrigerator with seltzer just because he heard her mention it, and (bravely) attended some of her barre classes to support her passion.
Angel saw that Rachel was as loyal as she was strong-willed and outgoing, but had an air of tentativeness. He immediately admired how passionate Rachel was, equally about her family and friends. Above all, Angel fell hard for Rachel when she laughed at herself while throwing quick, bold, and unapologetic quips (and when she ran out of a moving car to escort baby geese across Washington Boulevard).
(Photo credit: Marilyn Wan)
HG: Tell us about your proposal.
RS + AG: Angel planned everything, as usual. He and our friends booked a place in the Hamptons for a weekend getaway. As the group chat erupted with excitement and scheduling details, the girls decided they wanted a day dedicated to a classic Hamptons-style “white party,” to both celebrate summer and to feel in step with the locale.
On the day the crew had booked a table for a tasting at Wolffer Vineyards, Angel quietly told everyone (but Rachel) that today was the day. The girls made sure Rachel wore a cute dress (white) and paid attention to her hair and makeup. Everyone else was doing the same, so Rachel thought nothing of it.
Following a Rosé tasting at the winery, the group decided to have a mini photoshoot in the vineyard rows. Another couple went first, and then called up Rachel and Angel. Armed with their iPhone cameras, one of the friends directed Rachel and Angel to walk a bit further — and hold hands while looking back. Sarcastically, Rachel taunted back, “no! It’s not like this is an engagement shoot!”
Then, boom. Angel got on one knee and asked Rachel to marry him. After he placed the perfectly cut, far from understated, sole-diamond ring on her finger, we turned around to celebrate with our friends to find the winery erupting with applause. Everyone saw everything! Apparently, we could have afforded to walk quite a bit farther back.
HG: How surprised were you? Were you expecting it?
RS + AG: Rachel had no doubt that Angel was going to ask her to marry him. However, she did not think that it would happen then and there.
(Photo credit: Marilyn Wan)
HG: How long have you been engaged + what has been the best part about it?
RS + AG: Early summer 2022. Still being a new couple, the most exciting thing is knowing we both immediately recognized how special the other one was, and that there was no chance we would risk ever losing each other. When you know, you KNOW, and you lock. it. down.
HG: Where are you planning to get married?
RS + AG: Angel is from San Diego and has about a hundred or more family members out there, we’re planning to get married somewhere outdoors where we can fit all of our family and friends.
HG: What part of the wedding planning process are you most excited about + not looking forward to?
RS + AG: Rachel is a little too free-spirited to be a big planner, so she is most excited about letting other people take the reins and go with the flow.
Angel is most excited about dessert planning and tasting. We’re both nervous about planning the logistics for out-of-town friends and family, but have fully committed to making it a posh getaway/vacation for the guests. If they fly, we buy!
(Photo credit: Marilyn Wan)
HG: How many people do you plan to have at your wedding?
RS + AG: Many, many people.
HG: Do you plan to use any local vendors?
RS + AG: Not that it is entirely local, but we plan to have some Wolffer Rosé. Also, Rachel’s favorite bartender, Steve Nichols (from local spots Hudson Hound, Golden Cicada, Mathews, and now Pier 115) co-wrote an incredible cocktail recipe book (Witch’s Brew) whose recipes will be incorporated.
See More: Where to Order the Perfect Wedding Cake in Montclair + Beyond
HG: What are you looking forward to most as a married couple?
RS + AG: Creating a family.
HG: Do you have a favorite date night spot locally?
RS + AG: For casual dining with the world’s best chicken sandwiches, O’Hara’s downtown hits the spot. When we feel like strolling into Hamilton Park, Chickie’s is top of the list.
