Blog
Running Deer Golf Club, Pittsgrove, NJ: Evan + Gwen
On a gorgeous fall morning, a gorgeous bride and her gorgeous bridesmaids began to prepare for Gwen and Evan’s special day. That was a lot of gorgeous, but it’s fitting! With her girls in burgundy gowns, and Gwen in her stunning Calla Blance bridal gown, they headed to Our Lady of Peace Parish for nuptials and Even’s first glance at his soon-to-be wife! After their catholic ceremony, Evan and Gwen were officially Mr. and Mrs.! We headed over to Running Deer Golf Club for their reception. Running Deer has some of the best sunsets and I’m a big fan of all of their great photo op areas accessible via golf carts! Who doesn't love a golf cart ride? Gwen showed off her amazing twirling skills and was the absolute definition of a beautiful bride! As cocktail hour was celebrated outdoors, Gwen and Evan joined their party. Their details included wine bottles, corks, navy, burgundy, and gold accents with twinkle lights- so romantic. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner!
THE DETAILS
Venue: Running Deer Golf Club, Pittsgrove, New Jersey
Florals: Jennifer Designs
Hair & Makeup: Creations by Mia
DJ: Steve & Company
Cake: Stella Baking Co.
Video: Pair of Hearts Films
Ramblewood Country Club Wedding, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Brian and Christine
This wedding was so special to me because I met the bride’s mother two years before her daughter’s wedding. The bride’s mother was a teacher in my daughter’s preschool classroom- what a full circle moment- Mrs. Fox (as we call her in the classroom) had taken care of my daughter and now it was time for me to take care of her daughter- a new first!
After meeting Brian (groom) and Christine (bride) at their engagement session - I was SO excited for their wedding day- they had such an adorable chemistry together. The beginning of their love story was out of a movie- Christine and Brian (both teachers) had met in the classroom and fell in love. I’m sure their students caught on to ALL of it!
Their wedding day was a brisk, November day. Christine and her bridesmaids got ready at her mother’s home before heading over to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown, New Jersey for a full catholic ceremony. Christine and Brian opted to see each other at the aisle and you could feel the excitement as their eyes finally met as Christine walked down the aisle escorted by her father. After a beautiful ceremony, we headed over to Ramblewood Country Club for a gorgeous golden hour portrait session. We couldn’t have planned for better- the soft winter light as we drove the golf carts to the best spots for photo ops! We headed back into the warmth of the country club to begin their reception. Brian surprised Christine with a dance featuring himself and the bridesmaids (surprise dances are the best). Brian and Christine snuck outside to cuddle by the fire pit and a few nighttime portraits while their dance floor was hopping. Congrats!
THE DETAILS
Venue: Ramblewood Country Club, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Florals: Flowers By Gina
Hair: Dawn Manzer of Holiday Hair
Makeup: Camryn Corris
DJ: DJs Available
Cake: Stella Baking Co.
Video: Alliance Video Productions
Flanders Hotel Wedding: Krysta + Rich
Krysta and Rich’s December wedding was the last wedding of 2019 for me and boy was it a great one to end with! This couple is clearly fun to be around with over 300 guests, it was a big party from start to finish. Krysta and her ten bridesmaids got ready on site at The Flanders Hotel, with Your Day Your Way, on hair and makeup. After a jitney ride to St. Augustine’s Church for their ceremony, everyone headed back to The Flanders Hotel, for a beer garden (the first I’ve seen at a wedding) and live music by Goody Blue Shoes. The bridal party quickly snuck out for some photos on the Ocean City boardwalk with some gorgeous winter sunlight. Their wedding details included florals by Spinning Wheel Florist and a gorgeous cake by Blue Dolfin Sweets. The extra Christmas lights and oversized flocked trees (decorated by the hotel) made the perfect setting for their wedding. Krysta and Rich cut the wedding cake, and then cute the pizza (a new tradition at the Flanders Hotel), before heading outside for a night shot by the ferris wheel overlooking Castaway Cove. Dessert included Christmas cookies and coffee. From shawls, to twinkling lights, to Christmas cookies- I declare winter weddings to be amazing!
THE DETAILS
Venue: The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City, New Jersey
Florals: Spinning Wheel Florist
Hair & Makeup: Your Day Your Way
Cake: Blue Dolfin Sweets
Band: Goody Blue Shoes
Gown: Martina Liana
One Atlantic Wedding, Atlantic City, NJ: Brian + Kelly
Brian and Kelly are such a fun couple to be around. Their wedding day was filled with smiles, laughter, tears (happy, of course), and more smiles! One Atlantic provided a stunning backdrop for the Brian and Kelly’s first day as Mr. and Mrs. Capps. Enjoy!
THE DETAILS
Venue: One Atlantic, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Florals: A Votre Service Events
Hair & Makeup: Art is Salon
DJ: DJ Lady FX
Gown: Hayley Paige
The Pier provided a secluded spot for bride and groom portraits at One Atlantic.
Kelly’s mother and mother-in-law help her get into her Hayley Paige wedding gown. SO STUNNING, Kelly!
Kelly’s first look with her father will forever stay with me. Her dad’s reaction is simply priceless.
Brian and Kelly chose to do their first look on the deck at One Atlantic- such a perfect backdrop to see each other for the first time on their wedding day.
We started portraits on the boardwalk of Atlantic City before heading to the beach.
Such an impressive First Dance by the newlyweds.
Back to the balcony for the sunset and a quiet moment together.
Dancing the night away and instead of cutting the cake… feeding each other doughnuts! Love it!
What if it rains on my wedding day?
You’ve been making plans big and small, and countless decision, but there’s one decision (unfortunetly) that we have no control over- the weather. One of the most common questions I get from brides is, “What happens if it rains on my wedding day?” Here are five stages of rain preparation on a wedding day that I want to let you in on- when rain might be on the way.
1- Don’t check the weather too soon- or too often.
This was a bad habit of mine. If I had a wedding coming up on Saturday, I would be checking the weather starting on Monday, several times a day, and every day after that. Stop! This is completely draining, and the forecast will most likely change SO much. This is a fast lane to panic. Check a few days prior, and not more than once a day after. Which brings us to my next point.
2- If you see rain is definitely in your forecast- make an umbrella purchase.
I love the Totes clear bubble umbrella- paired with Amazon Prime and you are prepared! If it rains, you’ll be all set, and if it doesn’t, you can easily return them. I keep a handful with me, but like all umbrellas, they can break fairly easily, so I suggest brides have some on hand.
3- If it’s raining on your wedding day for sure- let’s take to overhangs.
Now it’s your wedding day and it’s for sure raining. First, don’t panic! This is YOUR WEDDING DAY. The day you marry your best friend- not even rain can stop the beauty that is about to unfold. There is always SOMEWHERE to shoot. It’s my job to make any situation work, so that’s what we are going to do. If it’s spitting or simply not down pouring, we can go for the umbrellas. But say it’s raining harder, and it’s just too much to risk- let’s look for overhangs. Can we put you under the overhang and I can shoot from an umbrella in the rain? Perfect.
4-It’s down pouring and just down right inclement. Let’s find beauty inside your venue.
You chose your wedding venue because you found beauty in it. We’ll look in for all the charming nooks to make sure your wedding photographs are truly unforgettable. This can be challenging but it pushes the creativity of your photographer (aka me)- it’s a great experience to learn and really push the creativity to the next level.
5- You can count on a gorgeous sky surrounding rain.
Whether it’s just about to rain, or it has finally ended- you can count on the most gorgeous sky, creating another photo op for us! So whether there is rain in the forecast or not- no worries, what seems like such a giant piece of the day, will soon become a sweet memory of just how your wedding day unfolded and you’ll have the beautiful photos to relive it.
*A lot of these tips can apply to other forms of inclement weather including extreme heat, winds, or raining cats and dogs.*
Windrift Hotel Wedding in Avalon, New Jersey: Joe and Amy
I love beach weddings, and a beach wedding in the winter is no exception. Joe and Amy were married at the Windrift Hotel in Avalon, New Jersey in November. I was so excited to be back at the beautiful Windrift and their gorgeous ballroom (see below), and to capture Amy and Joe’s wedding. After getting to know them at their engagement session at Ridley Creek State Park, earlier in the year, I knew we were all in for a good time.
Amy and Joe both got ready at the hotel before their ceremony on a covered deck overlooking the ocean. Amy’s aunt officiated the wedding, giving it such a personal and beautiful touch. While guests headed downstairs to cocktail hour, we snuck out for some gorgeous sunset photos on the beach- aligning just right with golden hour. I knew this would be an extremely memorable wedding when Joe and his friends displayed their AMAZING dance moves on the dance floor. In addition to amazing dance moves, Joe serenaded Amy in front of their guests- does it get any better? Congratulations to Joe and Amy- what an absolute honor to capture your day!
We lucked out with a seasonably warm day in November in Avalon, NJ at the Windrift.
Golden hour on the beaches of Avalon at the Windrift Hotel. So so dreamy!
Amy and her bridesmaids got ready on-site at the Windrift Hotel with the perfect window light for Amy’s bridal portraits.
A First Look with Dad- so beautiful.
This dancefloor- forever memorable!
THE DETAILS
Venue: Windrift Hotel, Avalon, New Jersey
Hair & Makeup: Melanie of Melanie Rae Artistry
Cake : The Cake Boutique
Band: The Juliano Brothers
Collingswood Grand Ballroom Wedding: Meg + Eric
Meg and Eric have been wedding planning from Chicago, so when their wedding day arrived and I finally got to meet them in person- I was beyond excited. Meg is the kind of girl you've always wanted to be friends with- she's so funny, sweet, and shares all of her emotion- she lights up a room! When Meg and Eric get together their chemistry is undeniable! They are so sweet and kind to each other and I'm beyond happy for them- I can't imagine how happy their family is for them, witnessing a perfect match.
Both bride and groom started at The Westin hotel in Mount Laurel, NJ for their getting ready. Meg and her bridesmaids prepped and shared so many special moments while Eric got.... a haircut in his hotel room! I was so excited for my second photographer, Danielle, that she was going to be able to capture it (maybe a little jealous too)! It's a wedding day first, and soooo much fun. Meg put on her gorgeous gown at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom before meeting her groom outside for their First Look, with their family and friends watching from afar. We were able to capture their bridal party, bride and groom portraits, and family portraits before rain clouds started moving in.
Their indoor ceremony, complete with a beautifully decorated chuppah by Leigh Florist, and the romantic candles and twinkle lights at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom, made for the perfect setting for their "I do"s. Their reception started with the most fun hora, followed by a lively dance floor and soooo much celebrating for our happy couple. Thank you so much to Mr. and Mrs. Gold for letting us capture your best day ever!
THE DETAILS
Venue: Collingswood Grand Ballroom, Collingswood, New Jersey
Florals: Leigh Florist
Hair: Jill Kozar of Up Your Do
Makeup: Blushed Makeup Studio
Cake: Sweet T's Bakeshop
I love using the bride's veil to shoot details- makes a dreamy backdrop.
How about a fresh haircut on your wedding day?! I love that my second photographer, Danielle, got to capture this!
Such a GRAND setting at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom. So timeless and elegant.
I love that Meg and Eric invited their bridal party and family to witness their first look- their reactions were sooo worth capturing!
LOVE allll the twinkle lights at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom.
