Minus Giudice, 'Housewives' Celebrate Premiere

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" Season 3 Premiere Party at the Brownstone was an evening of flashbulbs, photos and fabulous fashion.

The Housewives and their families—with the exception of Towaco resident Teresa Giudice—graced the red carpet in the atrium of the Manzo's family catering hall in Paterson, answering questions for Bravo TV reporters and talking about the upcoming show. 

Giudice held a separate premiere party at Tribecca in Fort Lee.

All of the Housewives at the Brownstone agreed that watching the premiere was an emotional experience. Melissa Gorga, a Montville resident and Teresa's sister-in-law, noted that if you didn't cry by the end of the episode you "had a heart of stone."

Jacqueline Laurita and Caroline Manzo both agreed the episode was hard for them to watch. But you have to "take the ride with us," Manzo said.

The proceeds from the premiere party benefited several charities, including the Wounded Warrior Project, To Write Love on Her Arms and Stop Child Trafficking Now.

The Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization whose goal is to empower wounded warriors, raises awareness and enlists the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, helps injured service members aid and assist each other, and provides unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

The group's ultimate goal is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriers in this nation's history.The Manzo family has been supporting the Wounded Warrior Project with sales. According to Ray Lill of the Knights of Columbus, the Housewives are competing in a Tank Pull on June 26 to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors.

To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit whose goal is to raise awareness for depression, addition, self-injury and suicide. The group invests in treatment and recovery for those afflicted, according to Katie Nakken, the booking and event coordinator for TWLOHA. Nakken said Ashlee Holmes (Jacqueline Laurita's daughter) became interested in the organization and has been helping to raise funds for TWLOHA.

Stop Child Trafficking Now is a volunteer-run organization focused on eliminating the child sex slave trade by stopping the demand for it. The group uses Special Ops and Navy seals to go after predators. According to Ruth Byington, National Walk Coordinator for Stop Child Trafficking Now, a child sex predator can have as many as 400 victims before being caught.

Guests, who paid between $75 and $200 for tickets to the premiere party, enjoyed popcorn and cotton candy, along with cake and desserts.