Fox Hill Farm Wedding, Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Jamie and Marissa

Early on a Saturday morning, with our families in tow, we left for Honesdale, Pennsylvania to photograph Marissa and Jamie's wedding. The wedding was at the gorgeous Fox Hill Farm, where every detail has been thought out, not to mention the flowers everywhere and the mountain view.  Jamie and Marissa decided on a First Look so we could capture their family portraits before their ceremony. JUST as the First Look was wrapping up, the skies opened up and it downpoured. These brides were so calm about it! We ran for cover, grabbed umbrellas and kept shooting! The rain continued for a while, so we found a cozy greenhouse for more photos of the brides, and finally, the skies cleared in time for the ceremony. Their ceremony took place just feet from a lake, overlooking the barn/reception area. Towards the end of the ceremony, Jamie surprised Marissa by singing her a song, and had even passed out the lyrics for everyone participating in the ceremony to join along. It was such a sweet touch! On the way to the reception, we snuck into a fenced off area where the cows are kept. (How cool is that?) We were at the highest point of the farm, and from there we had gorgeous sunset colors with a touch of fog. The reception started off with heart-felt speeches and continued with dancing in the barn. The string lights and barn decor was simply amazing. Congratulations Mrs. and Mrs. Place!

THE DETAILS

Venue: Fox Hill Farm, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 

Wedding Planner: Megan Gustafson of Bella Life Events

Gowns: John Alexander and Hailey Paige

Flowers: Katherine, Owner and Flower Goddess of Fox Hill Farm

Hair: Donna Cross

Makeup: Blushed Makeup Studio

Cake: Monique Milleson, Ant Hill Farm

DJ: KDK Entertainment

Sunset AND fog all at once? Bless my little photographer heart.

So many gorgeous places to shoot details at Fox Hill Farms.

The barn at Fox Hill Farm had the PERFECT lighting to show off Marissa and Jamie's gorgeous dresses.

A heartfelt first look.

And then the rain! But no worries for these brides, we just kept on shooting.

We found a greenhouse filled with gorgeous flowers while taking cover from the rain.

Smithville Mansion, Mount Holly, New Jersey Engagement: Jeff and Anna

It was late-April when I met Anna and Jeff at Smithville Mansion in Mount Holly for their engagement session. I love Spring. It’s a time of renewal and new life. There were gorgeous blooms everywhere- we even found the most beautiful purple flowers for a portrait of Anna’s engagement ring. Anna and Jeff are so genuinely fun to be around. They were super laidback even while they were in the process of moving and planning their wedding. I can’t wait to share their wedding with you!

I'm in love with all the blooming flowers at Smithville Mansion in Mount Holly, NJ.

SO much joking. I love it!

Catching the golden light with Jeff and Anna.

The Flanders Hotel Wedding, Ocean City, NJ: Mike and Allegra

It was a windy day. Scratch that, a blustery day. The type of wind that makes you want to put your arms out at your side and lean all of your body weight against the wind to see who will win- you or the wind. Are you getting the drift? (Dang, that was good). It's the type of weather that doesn't mesh with updos, gorgeous lashes, and fancy dresses, which is why I was so relieved that the wedding was at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City, NJ. I feel like I mention it all of the time, but just in case you don't know... my husband and I were married at The Flanders Hotel six years ago and one thing that was a requirement for me as a bride was a weather contingency plan. You can plan just about everything on a wedding day, except for the weather, so I always tell brides, make sure you LOVE the backup plan! As a bride, I checked out (what feels like) every square inch of The Flanders Hotel to make sure it had plenty of locations in case of terrible weather. Good news- it absolutely does!  It all started with the extremely stunning, Allegra, getting ready at The Flanders Hotel's most stunning suite on the highest floor, overlooking the ocean. Allegra was so calm and just enjoying her bridesmaids- like every bride should before the day begins. Her girls wore the most gorgeous sequined gowns from Rent the Runway, while Allegra turned heads in her elegant Jay West gown with the most gorgeous design in the back. She met with her groom, Mike, in the lobby of the Flanders Hotel for their bridal party portraits just before the ceremony. Her brother walked her down the aisle just before Mike and Allegra exchanged vows by the fireplace, under a gorgeous chandelier- romance was certainly in the air. Then it was off to celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm! The band, 39 Mariner, lead the celebration and the night ended with not a cake cutting, but a donut cutting, with the most yummy treats from Federal Donuts. Congratulations Allegra and Mike!

THE DETAILS

Venue: The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City, New Jersey

Gown: Jay West

Hair and Makeup: Your Day Your Way

Florals: The Manic Botanic

Donuts: Federal Donuts

Band: 39 Mariner

Asbury Park Engagement Session: Eric and Becky

Color. Art. Music. Asbury Park.

Who doesn't love it there? Becky and Eric are artistic, colorful, expressive- if they were going to be a place, they would be Asbury Park. I was ecstatic for this engagement session, because I've known Becky for so many years and I knew she would be down for anything. Cue the rain. The forecast called for a 20% chance of rain- if you've been reading my blog posts, you might notice a common theme- how annoying I find the forecast :) As I drove to Asbury Park, I convinced myself the rain I was driving through must have just been passing showers, but they didn't end. As we met in the Convention Center through raindrops, we decided we would just shoot and make it work (after all, that's what would happen on a wedding day!) It's not the easiest shoot, having to hold your bag the entire time, putting your camera away after every couple of shots, but it makes every shot much more intentional. I couldn't be more happy that we decided to shoot in the rain. It made a unique session even more memorable.  Thank you so much to Becky, Eric, and the lovely Mackenzie for braving the weather!

A must-have shot in front of the Casino in Asbury Park, NJ.

I love the murals in Asbury Park- so colorful.

It's a good day when you can have the entire boardwalk to yourselves.

New Jersey Farm Wedding: Miranda and Mike

THE DETAILS

Venue: DelVicario's Turkey Trac Farms

Gown: Maggie Sottero

Makeup: Carol Gale

Hair: Jacinda Roagers

Florals: Donna Guarrera

Cake: Terrigno's Bakery

DJ: DJ Jamie B

Miranda and Mike were high school sweethearts, and when Mike popped the question, they were both ready for a giant party to celebrate their growing relationship! In early October, they celebrated at DelVicario's Turkey Trac Farms (the Bride's family farm), with it's debut celebration and boy, was it lovely. Complete with antiques from Royal Port Antiques, every square inch of the Barn had been thought of in great detail. Burlap, lace, cowgirl boats- are you getting the picture? It was absolutely heaven to shoot. The bride and groom have strong family ties, so it was completely appropriate that their wedding date was just one day after the bride's parents' anniversary and on the groom's grandparents' anniversary as well. Despite the rain that didn't let up, their day was absolutely perfect in every way. I'm so happy for Miranda and Mike as they change their status from "high school sweethearts" to "husband and wife."