Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola says “I do” to Justin May in a star-studded Jersey Shore reunion wedding

05 December 2025

Sammi Giancola and Justin May at the altar. cozzijewelers/Instagram

Reality-TV cameras rolled, old friends reunited and hearts brimmed with emotion as Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola married long-time partner Justin May on December 4, 2025 at the elegant Park Chateau Estate & Gardens in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The ceremony arrived just months after the couple welcomed their son, Vincent Keith May, making this winter wedding a celebration of new beginnings and long-awaited joy.

Giancola looked radiant in a strapless white gown that featured a sweetheart neckline and layers of flowing ruffles. The design suited her perfectly and echoed the nickname by which she is best known. As she walked down the aisle, family and friends looked on with visible emotion. The altar had been adorned with lush greenery and white roses under soft chandeliers and candlelight. After exchanging vows the newlyweds stepped into the grand ballroom for a reception bathed in celebration. Their first dance together was to the song “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls, the floor rising in gentle smoke for dramatic effect.

Later in the night Giancola changed into another stunning outfit, a silver-beaded halter dress with a thigh-high slit perfect for dancing, laughing and hugging old friends. Among the guests were many familiar faces from the cast of Jersey Shore and its spin-off projects including Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, Jenni 'JWoww' Farley, Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, Pauly DelVecchio, Vinny Guadagnino, Deena Nicole Cortese and Angelina Pivarnick. The notable absence was Giancola’s former castmate and ex-boyfriend Ronnie Ortiz‑Magro.

For Giancola and May the path to this day had not been easy. The couple had gone public with their relationship in late 2021 and announced their engagement in March 2024. Their journey included heartbreak, fertility challenges and a miscarriage followed by a joyful pregnancy announcement early in 2025. The birth of their son in August was described by Giancola as a “rainbow miracle baby,” a term often used to signify hope and new life after loss. At 38 years old she embraced motherhood with gratitude and relief.

In an Instagram post announcing their engagement Giancola called it “the easiest question I’ve ever answered,” expressing her love and commitment. At the wedding many gathered to celebrate not just a union but victory over years of struggle. Friends, family and co-stars hugged and toasted to Giancola and May’s future as a family of three.

The wedding was more than a reality-TV moment. It represented transformation for Giancola from her breakout days on Jersey Shore, through a period of stepping back, to reemerging as a mother and a partner. Fans who have followed her journey since 2009 saw this as a deeply meaningful milestone. Many took to social media to send congratulations, recalling the energy of the original cast days and celebrating how far she has come.

During the reception there were personal touches everywhere. The couple shared a large tiramisu cake dusted with cocoa. Themed cocktails flowed, a “J-Tini” and “Sweetheart Spritz” among them. A live artist painted the newlyweds walking down the aisle and some friends ended the evening with laughter and dancing inside a photo booth. The mood was joyful, relaxed and warm, a stark contrast to the drama and chaos often portrayed on reality TV.

Now married, Giancola and May are embarking on a new chapter focused on family, healing and hope. The night will be remembered not just for its glitz but for its significance for love that endured, for a baby who made a dream come true and for friendships that remain. For Giancola the future no longer looks like the beaches and nightclubs of her early fame but like a quiet home filled with love, laughter and the kind of peace she fought so hard to find.