**Dolores Catania Juggles Wedding Plans with Children’s Engagements**
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Dolores Catania, well-known for her role in “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” recently shared insights into her unique predicament of planning a wedding alongside her two children’s engagements. In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Dolores, aged 55, opened up about the simultaneous milestones her family is experiencing.
Dolores is engaged to Paul “Paulie” Connell, whom she proposed to on November 10, 2025. Her son, Frankie Catania, 27, popped the question to his partner, Nicole Perricho, on February 22, 2025, while her daughter, Gabrielle Catania, 30, got engaged to Mike Tallia on March 19, 2026. Expressing her delight, Dolores acknowledged the unexpected nature of being engaged at the same time as her children.
Reflecting on this unique family dynamic, Dolores remarked, “Who would have thought, when they are little, and they are running around, that I would be planning my wedding alongside them?” She explained that while this isn’t the conventional order of things, it has resulted in a euphoric atmosphere at home.
Dolores expressed her approval of the partners her children have chosen, celebrating the fact that both Gabrielle and Frankie have “found their forever person.” When they approached her regarding their engagements, she conveyed her happiness but also felt compelled to share the realities of married life. She emphasised the importance of assessing the character and presence of their partners during difficult times, stating, “In the hardest of times, can you picture this person standing by you?”
Further advising her children, Dolores reassured them that her maternal instincts would not wane with their new commitments. “Just because you’re getting married, doesn’t mean I’m not your mother. Now I have four kids,” she articulated, alluding to their new partners being woven into the family fabric. She expressed contentment with Frankie and Gabrielle’s partners, describing their families as “wonderful.”
The first wedding on the horizon will be Frankie and Nicole’s, which is set to take place in Portugal on August 1. Frankie proposed in an enchanting setting at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Acknowledging that many of her relatives may be unable to attend the wedding in Portugal, Dolores revealed that the couple would also renew their vows in a ceremony back in the United States on October 30, thereby honouring family traditions. “It means a lot for my son to get married in a church in front of my mother,” she explained.
Following Frankie’s wedding, Dolores’ much-anticipated celebration will take place. She and Paul envisioned a lively event for their nuptials, with the possibility of a New Year’s Eve theme. “We would love a big party — informal, where everyone is having a good time celebrating with us,” she enthused. The couple’s engagement, celebrated in the shop where they first met, continues to be a cause for joy and excitement as they plan their future together.
The last of the trio to plan her wedding is Gabrielle, who is currently in the early stages of planning after her romantic mountain proposal in Aspen. Dolores noted, “Gabrielle recently told me, ‘Mom, I just got engaged; don’t talk to me about marriage yet.’” This indicates that while Gabrielle is thrilled about her engagement, she intends to take her time before diving into wedding preparations, although she is looking forward to shopping for her wedding dress soon.
In managing the simultaneous wedding plans, Dolores and her children are collaborating with the same wedding planner, JoAnn Gregoli. Reflecting on the amusing nature of their situation, Dolores joked, “This is out of a movie.”
With three significant weddings being planned, Dolores is undoubtedly navigating an emotional yet thrilling time in her life. As she balances her own aspirations with her children’s journeys into married life, it’s clear that love and familial bonds remain at the forefront of this remarkable chapter.