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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
Crescent Shrine Wedding, Westampton, NJ: Alex and Ali
I couldn't be more excited for Ali and Alex's wedding after their gorgeous golden hour engagement session last August at Cooper River. We started off at the Masonic Village in Burlington, NJ for both Ali and Alex's getting ready. After checking the weather continuously leading up to their wedding day, we lucked out with just a few quick showers while they were getting dressed. The rain had no stopping our plans of shooting around the property. They did a First Look at the Carriage House on the property, where Ali revealed her gorgeous bridal self, and Alex revealed his timeless kilt. We met up with the bridal party and took a trolley ride just down the street to the farm house. While snapping bridal party portraits, I felt like I was shooting a destination wedding because of the gorgeous grounds and the guys in their kilts. We even got a little peek of what a groom and his men wear under their kilts on a wedding day. Yes, you read that correctly. (I'll rate the below photo PG-13 no nudity, just cool undies.) We headed back to the chapel for their unplugged ceremony, followed by a bubble exit! So much fun. The newly married Mr. and Mrs. Churney hopped on the trolley with their closest pals to the reception at Crescent Shrine in Westampton, NJ. Ali and Alex shared a first dance to "You're My Best Friend," by Queen (a personal favorite), followed my SO much more dancing, including a special group dance by the groomsmen. Ali and Alex are such an awesome couple. I could tell by watching them interact with their wedding guests- there was just so. much. love. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Churney, it was simply amazing.
THE DETAILS
Venue: Crescent Shrine, Westampton, NJ
Gown: Stella York
Makeup: Brenda Liz
Hair: Hillary to Go
Kilts: Kilted Bros.
A quick selfie while the girls were getting ready.
The bride wore adorable pink Keds that matched her rose gold engagement ring.
Wedding day jitters! I directed Ali and her mom to hold hands and they couldn't remember how to hold hands. It was hilarious and adorable all at the same time.
Alex sees his gorgeous bride at their First Look.
This hardly feels like New Jersey!
Such a genuinely awesome bridal party!
The gorgeous girls
The handsome men... and their undies.
Bubbles!
I have to give a big shout out to Bob and Lola LoRusso. They are they best photographers I know. They shot my wedding (almost seven years ago) and have been such great mentors, they've been there for me whenever I need them. It was so nice to get them in front of my camera!
Cooper River Engagement Photographer: Alex and Ali
On a warm August night, I met Alex and Ali at Cooper River Park in Collingswood for engagement photographs. Ali was stunning in a gorgeous white dress, fit for a bride, and I loved Alex's style, rocking a vest. Ali and Alex are so easy going and super fun to be around- the kind of people you could see yourself hanging out for hours and it just seems like mere minutes have past. I will forever remember the gorgeous willow tree with the sun light streaming through it, making the most amazing backdrop for Ali and Alex's engagement session. We started on one side of the river, and ended on the other, with a breaktaking sunset.
A willow tree + golden hour = ah-mazing.
That dress! I LOVE it!
There's a lot of little hidden spots at Cooper River that are just magical.
I LOVE a good sunset! Some nights are more gorgeous than others.
We ended with a silhouette with Philadelphia behind us.
Atrium at Curtis Center Wedding, Philadelphia, PA: Zane and Deana
Wedding season started off with a bang with Zane and Deana’s wedding at the Atrium at the Curtis Center on Friday evening. Ever since photographing their engagement session at Wissahickon Trail, I knew their wedding would be highly anticipated and so much fun! The couple got dressed and ready for the wedding at Hotel Monaco, in Philadelphia. Deana, fearfully, popped open a bottle of champagne which made for plenty of giggles and an awesome photo. After getting into her Hayley Paige gown with the help of mom and her girls, this bride was ready to start her day. Deana is absolutely STUNNING and that’s when I noticed her happy dance begin. Zane later told me that he loves her little happy dance and she does it often. A tear filled first look with dad completed our time at Hotel Monaco and we were off for Zane and Deana’s first look near Second Bank. Deana wanted Zane to see her walking toward him to have a resemblance of a coming down the aisle and Zane’s reaction was amazing. Zane and Deana were both able to be present in the moment SO many times throughout the day and truly enjoy everything that was going on around them. Next stop was City Hall in Philadelphia for bridal part portraits. The light in City Hall is a photographer’s dream and I was so glad we were able to capture so many moments there. We stopped at Washington Square Park to finish the formal photos of the day before walking to the gorgeous Curtis Center. Deana and Zane tied the knot (literally), exchanged the most heartfelt vows, and became husband and wife surrounded by their friends and family. The reception began with a canon shooting rose petals on Deana and Zane as they began their first dance. Under the gorgeous chandeliers at the Atrium at Curtis Center, family and friends danced and celebrated until early the next morning. My very best wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs. Deller!
THE DETAILS
Venue: Atrium at Curtis Center, Cescaphe Event Group
Gown: Hayley Paige
Makeup: Daneene Jensen Makeup
Hair: Jen Donegan
Florals: Beautiful Blooms
Cake: Cescaphe Event Group
Band: CTO Fifth Avenue
I love the soft spring colors of Deana's bridal bouquet from Beautiful Blooms.
Deana was skeptical to open the bottle of champagne which made her reaction THAT much better!
A sweet moment between mom and the gorgeous bride at Hotel Monaco.
STUNNING.
Deana's first look with her father. So special!
Zane was SO EXCITED!
Strolling along Second Bank in Philadelphia for their portraits.
Hotel Monaco was filled with so much color!
Deana and Zane look so timeline in this portrait at City Hall in Philadelphia.
Deana twirled that GORGEOUS gown every chance she could!
That light though....
A stroll down the median is obligatory when you look this amazing!
How gorgeous are these girls with the Curtis Center as their backdrop.
The guys cleaned up pretty well too!
The two sweetest flower girls I've ever seen!
Zane, AGAIN, with his amazing reactions.
Deana may have done a little happy dance as she placed the wedding ring on Zane's finger!
The classic Atrium at Curtis Center was the perfect backdrop for their reception.
The Flanders Hotel Wedding, Ocean City, NJ: Kevin and Jessica
There's nowhere I'd rather be on a Friday in June than in Ocean City, New Jersey. Jessica and Kevin planned their wedding at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City and boy was it perfect! The beach-themed wedding was complete with vibrant bridesmaid dresses and stunning florals from The Manic Botanic, in shades of Tangerine, Begonia and Kelly Green. After getting ready at The Flanders Hotel, Jessica and Kevin decided on a First Look on the beach. As Jessica tapped Kevin on the shoulder, onlookers from the boardwalk shared in their exciting moment- who doesn't love to stop and watch a bride and groom?! Their colorful bridal party joined them on the beach for portraits along the sand dunes with the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk behind them. Just before sunset, Kevin and Jessica exchanged vows on the beach before heading back to The Flanders Hotel for their party to begin! As we walked up from the beach onto the boardwalk, we snapped a few more photographs of the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Terres. I love using the time just after the ceremony for a few quick portraits of the bride and groom because they are on such a high from just getting MARRIED! It's really so exhilarating to be a part of it all. Jessica and Kevin shared their first dance surrounded by all of their wedding guests on the dance floor, followed by memorable speeches from their Best Main and Maid of Honor. Once the dance floor hopping, we decided to sneak out for a night photograph with the boardwalk rides behind us. It's one of my favorite places to shoot at The Flanders Hotel and it allows the bride and groom to have five minutes to reflect on the day with each other. It's hard to believe how quickly the entire day goes and how much time you spend chatting with other people that day, opposed to the person you just married! The night ended with lots of hugs, kisses, and high fives to congratulate the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Terres!
Right on the boardwalk outside of The Flanders Hotel.
Every time I see a bouquet from The Manic Botanic, I'm stunned! I LOVE the vibrant colors.
How gorgeous are these girls in their begonia and tangerine dresses?
Every bride needs to be surrounded by her squad on the way to meet her groom for the first time on the wedding day. I LOVE the onlookers from the boardwalk!
Jessica wanted an Ocean City rescue boat in her photographs, so I'm so glad we were able to find one!
Jessica and Kevin walk along the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey for some stunning bride and groom portraits.
It's so neat that you can see The Flanders Hotel from the ceremony on the beach.
Just married and SO in love on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
The kelly green linens complimented the tangerine and begonia bridesmaid dresses.
Jessica and Kevin's first dance surrounded by all of their wedding guests at The Flanders Hotel.
Parent dances are so sweet! Now everytime I shoot them, I can't help but just CRY as think of my own children getting married one day.
The ferris wheel on the Ocean City Boardwalk is so colorful and makes for a stunning night shot!
THE DETAILS
Venue: The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City, New Jersey
Makeup: Joanna Llera, Personal Beauty Advisor for Sephora
Hair: Teresa Kinnerman, Bride's Aunt
Florals: The Manic Botanic
Cake: Gallo's Bakery
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."
