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Medford Lakes, New Jersey Micro Wedding: Jen and Danny
Three days before Christmas, Jen and Danny exchanged vows in historic Braddock’s Tavern with their parents gathered round. Just before their wedding ceremony, Jen and Danny met me at Cathedral in the Woods and then beach three in Medford Lakes for their session. The beach in Medford Lakes is one of my favorite places to shoot and it’s even better when it ends with a gorgeous sunset. They brought along a red blanket to keep them warm (which made for a great prop) and then ended with matching flannel shirts. They were such good sports while we shot in the cold! Congrats Jen and Danny!
New Jersey Backyard Micro Wedding: Connor + Katie
Connor and Katie planned on a big wedding on September 12, 2020, but when COVID hit, they had a decision to make. They decided to postpone their big wedding and gather with family and a few friends in Katie’s parents’ backyard for a micro wedding. With their ceremony starting an hour before sunset, we experienced the most perfect lighting paired with the vibrant trees, making a stunning backdrop. They livestreamed their ceremony on zoom so all their guests could witness their vows. After portraits with friends and family, speeches were made and the cake was cut. One thing that will forever stick with me from this wedding is the speech of Connor’s best man (his father). Because it was a small wedding, everyone gathered around in a circle to listen to his speech and I could easily see everyone’s reactions to this heartfelt speech. Tears. Smiles. It was truly amazing to witness. I’m so excited we will get to do this again in September 2021!
Congrats!
Atlantic City, NJ Wedding: Kristin + Matt
Kristin and Matt decided on a wedding reception where they knew the food would be amazing and the staff would be welcoming… they choose Kristin’s family restaurant in Atlantic City! This was an undertaking that was unlike anything the restaurant had done before- they turned their parking lot into a tented wedding reception and had every detail accounted for! Kristin and Matt decided on a first look right out front of the restaurant and then a super heartfelt first look with her father just steps away inside of the bar, where her father has spent many hours working. Kristin’s entire family had pulled together to make her dream into a reality and all throughout the day their were hugs and high fives at how well it all came together.
Congrats!
Backyard Wedding in New Jersey: Linda + Kyle
Like so many couples this summer, Kyle and Linda had made their plans long in advance before Covid was ever known to be married on June 13th. Like so many others, they too would have to reschedule their celebration with friends and family, changing their date three times with the uncertainties that we are all experiencing. They decided they absolutely wanted to be married on their original date, surrounded by only 10 other people to comply with social distancing.
I started at their home, where they had a first look in their backyard, while their pup, Linus ran around them. They exchanged gifts- Linda worked together with her new Mother-in-law to gift Kyle his late father’s watch. A handful of guests met them at The Palace in Blackwood for their outdoor ceremony before heading back to Kyle and Linda’s for BBQ under the string lights in their backyard.
I love grand weddings, they are mostly what I photograph, but there is something so special and sweet about an intimate wedding. There is no audience or crowd, every person there is a major contribution to the event, and you feel all of the emotions because you are so close to them. I feel so honored to be invited to document Kyle and Linda’s special day and I’m so excited because they are planning on a large celebration with friends and family next summer!
Hair/Makeup: Christine Swope
Gown: BHLDN
Ceremony Space: The Palace, Blackwood, New Jersey
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
Quarantined Photographer: B + K Tie the Knot!
I haven’t shot a wedding since March 7th. Last week, a friend of mine sent me a photo of a Barbie photo shoot by a photographer she saw on Facebook and told me I should do this. Being a photographer in so many photography groups- this type of shoot is nothing new, but then I thought about a quote that I read recently in an overdue library book sitting on my nightstand. In the book, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, she says, “It might have been done before, but it hasn’t been done by you!” Being that we were on ‘spring break’ and I was fresh out of crafts, recipes and just any fun ideas in general, I asked my six-year-old daughter if she wanted to do a Barbie wedding photoshoot and she was so much more excited than I thought she would be. I made sure let her have a say in every shot, resist fixing every last thing- like how I wanted to use my vintage 80’s bridal Barbie because she already had a ring and earrings. My daughter let me know that we could use the wedding dress, but not my old Barbie, and that we would hot glue a gem on her hand as a wedding ring. Or how I asked her to write “Just Married” on a sheet of paper and she misspelled it “Just Meread.” Those touches made it so much better than every perfectly placed detail. I knew she was all in when she told me she didn’t want to stop for a lunch break. By the afternoon we had completed our shoot which we couldn’t be happier with. We shared it on Facebook and within two days, it’s been shared over 100 times and the post has reached 17.9K people (according to Facebook). Many commented on how it made their day or made them smile and that makes me so happy! I decided to share it here- I hope it brings you a smile too or makes you forget about our crazy, current situation for just a moment (sorta like when you watch the first episode of Tiger King).
Update: Our photoshoot has been featured on NJ.com with over 61K views!
Nothing can stop their love. Not time. Not a virus.
B didn't skimp on details. She wore gorgeous plastic shoes, a floral diamond ring, and a cute blue comb (her something blue). B + K wrote their own vows (I love when couples do this!). B's read "That's my favorite boy." K's read "There's my favorite girl." It's like they were #meanttobetogether
B relaxed in a bubble bath before the hectic day began.
K and his best man, got ready, but decided to keep the attire very casual. B was slightly upset by this.
B decided to wear her mother's vintage wedding dress from the 80's. How special!
B and her mother shared a special moment together as her mother gave her wedding advice.
B + K didn't want to see each other before the ceremony, but they did want to share a special moment together. K really, really wanted to peek, but B persuaded him not to.
B is such a stunning bride!
B wanted to get extra fancy and pose looking out the window showing off her gorgeous gown. Well done, B.
Timeless beauty!
B + K exchanged vows right in their living room under twinkle lights.
B + K did a fun laying down pose, in which the creative director said, "Wait, do brides and grooms really do that?!" They also visited their local farm to get some photos with the animals.
The way he looks at her #swoon
"Just Meread" Let their happily ever after begin!
These few last shots were posed and taken by my daughter to show what life looks like after they got married. :)
Smithville Inn Maternity Session: Katie and Dave
I photographed Katie and Dave’s beautiful beach wedding in September of 2018. I was beyond thrilled to hear they were expecting and even more excited when they asked if I would document their maternity session. They decided on historic Smithville in Galloway, New Jersey in December to capture the joy of Christmas and I was beyond excited because… Christmas lights! You know every photographer loves them and I’m no exception. Katie and Dave brought along their first (fur) baby- Zoey- who is now a proud big sister- she’s so adorable. She was also a part of their engagement photos and wedding day! We strolled around stopping at the infamous Christmas Shoppe, carousel, and even saw Mrs. Claus who INSISTED we come into her little home and take photos (see the last photo). It was a tiny room and not the most ideal place to shoot, BUT I can’t justify making Mrs. Claus upset in December and still expect Santa to come to our house. :) Katie and Dave recently welcomed the two new loves of their lives into the world on Valentine’s Day- how adorable! I’m imagining their first birthday photos with SOOO many hearts- this is perfect because Katie is so creative and I can see her thinking of some really special ideas for them! Congrats to the new family of five (including Zoey)!
The Christmas Shoppe in Historic Smithville in Galloway is the perfect backdrop any time of year because who doesn’t love Christmas!?
Meet Zoey! Proud big sister <3
Twinning!
I adore the carousel at Historic Smithville.
Dave makes Katie smile and it’s so adorable!
Katie, you are such a beautiful momma!
A photo for Mrs. Claus in her little house.