With the Holiday season upon us, I know your mind is on deeper hued, gorgeous winter weddings, but today we’re dedicating a wedding to our Spring Brides (who we’re sure are frantically searching for inspiration). It’s pastel and sweet, captured by New Jersey Wedding Photographer Kay English, and it’s the exact kind of soiree we’re dying to see more of come next spring. Don’t forget about the gallery for a full dose of inspiration!
Click here to see the full image gallery!
Anna was born in Manila, Philippines and raised in New Jersey. She attended Drew University, where she met Rob – he was the cute boy in class. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from NYU and is a school social worker in New Jersey. She is a fun-loving, easy going sometimes quiet sometimes not, kind of girl. Anna loves her family, friends and her and Rob’s two dogs – Chrissy and Radley. Anna is a bit of a neat freak which drives Rob absolutely nuts sometimes! Anna loves to travel with Rob and they have enjoyed many adventures together… She is looking forward to a lifetime of adventures with Rob.
Rob was born and raised in Millburn/Short Hills, New Jersey. An excellent athlete – Rob played both baseball and football throughout high school. Rob first attended Lehigh University but realized he was missing out on something special… meeting Anna! After he learned she was going to Drew, he quickly transferred schools and immediately pursued her. A few years later, Rob went to Seton Hall Law School and is now an attorney for Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen in New York City. Rob is very close to his family and is a great son, grandson and brother. He loves his friends and still keeps in touch with many of his childhood friends from Millburn. Rob is obsessed with his fish tank and his dogs and will show you pictures from his cell phone every chance he gets.
Anna and Rob took the same political science class at Drew. Rob would often call Anna and knowing she was a genius, would ask to review her notes and Anna would reluctantly share them with Rob. As fate would have it, Anna and Rob were both assigned to the same group to work on a class project. Rob couldn’t resist Anna’s charms and immediately fell in love! A few weeks later, Rob asked Anna to “study” for their midterm exam but had other plans in mind. He asked her out on a date and from then on they were inseperable. A brief separation while Anna studied abroad in London, grad school, law school, two dogs and seven and a half years later — Anna and Rob have tied the knot!
Rob wanted to surprise Anna for their six year anniversary and surprise her he did! Rob prepared all night for his big proposal the next day to Anna while she thought he had another late night at work. Anna had no idea and was even cranky that Rob missed celebrating their anniversary. Rob proposed a day after their anniversary, after a lovely dinner at The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park. When Anna and Rob got home, Anna opened the door to a path of rose petals and candles everywhere lighting their apartment. At the end of the path there was ring, Rob got down on one knee and popped the big question!
I was first drawn to the Ashford Estate when I saw the magnificent wall of windows in the ballroom – I thought that it was such an incredible sight and became curious as to what the rest of the venue had to offer. Once I saw the barn chapel, I knew I had found my venue. I am a romantic at heart and felt that the barn chapel was one of the most romantic and unique ceremony settings I’ve ever seen. The barn had the rustic and charming feel I was looking to incorporate into the wedding. When Rob and I toured the Ashford Estate, it was breathtaking. The whole venue screamed romance. From the mansion to the chapel and the gorgeous grounds, I felt like I was in a fairytale and felt so incredibly lucky to be marrying my prince charming in such a magical and surreal place… after that visit, I was sold!
Like I mentioned I am a romantic and your typical “girly girl.” The Ashford Estate was my inspiration for my wedding style and decided to run with the French Chateau theme it offered. I wanted my wedding to be simple yet elegant, airy, fresh and romantic – and the Ashford Estate already had those attributes. I loved the idea of a French-Country, rustic style and thankfully we were fortunate enought to have worked with such a talented florist who was able to successfully make that idea come to life. Our florist recommend soft pastels to complement the bold style of the mansion and used wildflowers and mason jars along with lanterns and candlelight to enhance the rustic feel in the barn chapel.
I was born and raised in the Philippines but my family immigrated to the U.S. when I was seven years old. Although I mostly grew up in the U.S., my parents instilled in my siblings and me a pride for our culture. At our wedding, I really wanted to honor my culture by incorporating a few traditional Filipino wedding practices. There were four items that were used during the ceremony, each having a symbolic meaning. The Unity Candle: our mothers handed us two separate candles to both light the Unity Candle which symbolized the Light of Christ, the same light we received at Baptism and now receive again to lead us in our new life as a couple. There was a cord that was laid on our shoulders to symbolize a couple’s bond; that showed that we were no longer two but one in our new life as a couple.The Wedding Coins or “Arras” symbolized our commitment to mutually contribute to our relationship, our children, and our community. Finally, The Couple’s Veil, was placed over our shoulders to symbolize our union as husband and wife and being “clothed as one” in unity.
Although most of the wedding was a blur, I have two vivid memories from that day. The first is of my first dance with Rob as husband and wife. Even though there were so many people in the ballroom, there was nobody else I could see but him. We were both so happy, giddy and so excited that our big day had finally arrived. It was just a wonderful and beautiful moment. The second is of me sitting by myself at the sweetheart table and just looking around, soaking in the moment. I watched my friends and family dancing, eating, drinking and having a good time. I looked around the entire room and saw the band and heard the great music playing, saw the beautiful centerpieces and the candlelit tables… All I can think of at the time was how perfect everything turned out and how lucky and blessed I was to be experiencing this unbelievable moment.
Kay English did an absolutely phenomal job photographing the event that it honestly is so difficult to choose a favorite photo. Kay found a beautiful field within the estate and took amazing shots of Rob and I under a beautiful blue sky. The photos she took of us around the grounds were also romantic and gorgeous. She does such an amazing job, we can’t stop looking at our wedding photos!
Photography: Kay English Photography / Cinematography: Northeast Horizons / Flowers: Magnolia Exquisite Florals & Event Decor / Ceremony & Reception Location: The Ashford Estate / Invitations: Checkerboard, Papyrus / Shoes: Vince Camuto / Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier / Men’s Fashion: Calvin Klein