Teresa Giudice Shouts Out 'Chosen Family' in Speech at Her Wedding That Joe and Melissa Gorga Skipped

Mar. 15, 2025

Teresa Giudiceis grateful for her “chosen family” after her brotherJoe Gorgaand his wife,Melissa Gorga,skippedherweddingover the weekend.

AfterThe Real Housewives of New Jerseystar, 50, marriedLuis “Louie” RuelasSaturday at thePark Chateau Estate & Gardensin East Brunswick, New Jersey, the couple gave a toast to thank their guests for attending their special day.

“I want to thank all my friends that came out here from all different states in the country, all my business partners, my family, Teresa, your friends, your family, new friends, old friends,” said Ruelas, 46.

Added Giudice: “Chosen family!”

Joe and Melissa missed the celebration due toa troubling blowoutthe foursome had while filming season 13 ofRHONJjust days prior.

On Sunday, two sources told PEOPLE exclusively on Sunday that Joe and Melissa’sdecision to skip the weddingcame after the taping. The couple had been planning on attending the wedding up until Thursday night until false rumors about their marriage surfaced as the cameras rolled. Giudice’s part in the matter and Ruelas’s behavior amid their back and forth ultimately changed the Gorgas' minds.

“Teresa betrayed them in a way that’s unforgivable,” one source revealed. “They’re not going to celebrate Teresa’s new marriage when all she does is try to tear apart theirs.”

“It’s telling that Teresa didn’t have one relative at her wedding,” notes the source,pointing to the absence of estranged cousins Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri too. “But that’s the choice Teresa made.”

Melissa and Joe Gorga (left) and Teresa Giudice and Louie Ruelas (right).Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/Getty

“Viewers will see, but after the continued attacks, it’s clear the healthiest thing for Joe and Melissa to do is walk away,” the insider told PEOPLE. “They just want to find peace, especially for their three children.”

“Melissa and Joe’s efforts to make family a priority with Teresa are exhausted,” added the insider. “Sometimes removing the toxic energy from your life is the only way forward.”

Teresa Giudice (left) with Joe and Melissa Gorga (right).Jill Zarin/Instagram; Brian Ach/Getty for Republic Records

The Gorgas weren’t the only ones who skipped Giudice and Ruelas’s wedding. Her best friendDina Manzowas also absent, the formerRHONJstar — once said to be a bridesmaid — and her husband Dave Cantin missing the big day.

Rumors have been flying about a possible fallout between the two, others speculating that Manzo, who famously quitRHONJ, simply didn’t want to be on camera.

No official reason has been given as to their absence but as the wedding bells chimed, Manzo shared a cryptic post on Instagram about having “the courage to know when to end things.”

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The Realtalk show hostLoni Love— who recently appeared onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenalongside Giudice — also made the cut.

Aydin, Catania and the Giudice girls were all bridesmaids, butTeresa famously made a point not to include Melissa, explaining at theRHONJseason 12 reunion “we’re not close … we don’t have a relationship.”

“It’s sad for me,” Melissa told Teresa at the time. “We have a lot of memories, even if we’re not close. … You remember who’s been here through all the s— for the last 20 years. Me. … We have history, me and you. And I love you very much and I’m happy for you but I think you should remember what family is.”

Giudice’s wedding specialis expected to air on Bravo next year, following the finale ofRHONJ’s 13th season.

source: people.com