New Jersey Weddings

I’m the fabric girl. I’m a little obsessed. I have been known to buy a fabric with no plans for it, and then worry about using it for the “wrong thing” – meaning it sits in my pretty fabric pile for years. So needless to say, I am a little obsessed with the custom Chinoiserie table linens in this gorgeous wedding from Thérèse Marie Wagner Photography. But even I will admit they are just the icing on the fabulous cake that is this soiree.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the photographer… Gail & John Henry met on vacation at beach in Newport, RI and quickly bonded when they both found out they lived in Beacon Hill in Boston. The next five years flew by with summers at Newport Beach. John Henry knew his beautiful bride to be well when he planned out his proposal while on a Christmas holiday to his family home in RI. He took a little detour and arranged a private tour of The Vanderbilt Hotel for Gail who is a talented interior designer. It was chilly and it took a little coaxing and a glass of champagne to get her out onto the patio deck but as she stepped out she saw John Henry shivering with a photo album of their favorite moments together and he dropped to one knee and proposed!

The bride grew up in New Jersey where her family’s life revolved around golf at Baltusrol Golf Club where she learned to play at an early age with her dad. John realized early on he would have to learn to love golf if he was going to be accepted in the family, and lucky for him he was a natural at the game and quickly won the family over with his warmth and good nature. For their big day there was no other place they could image than the Kennedy family’s home away from home Baltusrol Golf Club. Gail worked with Lynda Dandenau to create a Chinoiserie theme for her wedding mixed with classic country club appeal and a little golf for good measure. They started with Peonies and dogwood and wanted to keep the look playful with bright navy blue and conch shell pink. J Papers in Greenwich helped custom design the Pagoda that was engraved on the invitations to introduce the chinoiserie theme. Each detail was crafted to perfection. Not even the intermittent thunder and lighting could keep her spirits down, the minute the sun came out from behind the clouds she kicked of her Kate Spade’s, grabbed a cocktail and a putter and headed for the course with her handsome new husband.

Photography: Thérèse Marie Wagner Photography | Cinematography: SparkStory | Event Design: Lynda Dandeneau | Flowers: Lynda Dandeneau | Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Invitations: J Papers | Ceremony Location: Christ The King, New Vernon | Reception Location: Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield NJ | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Band: Hank Lane Music | Tuxedos: Ralph Lauren | Bridal Boutique: Saks Fifth Avenue | Confectioner: Natale's Summit Bakery | Custom Tablecloth Design: Quadrille | Custom shirts: Bonobos | Day of Planning: An Affair To Remember Wedding and Event Planning | Hair & Make Up: Elle Murphy owner of Ellela Cosmetics | Menu: J Papers | Rain Boots: Hunter | Tablecloths: Gerardo Upholstery

If there is one thing to take away from this wedding, you may want to look past the hand painted wedding logo, the fits-like-a-stunning-glove gown, the ridiculously beautiful flowers and go straight for this bride’s smile. Though, I highly recommend not forgoing all of that as it is amazing. But Craig Paulson Photography captured a smile that goes for miles and I am guessing, along with this wedding, it’s something you won’t forget about anytime soon.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the gorgeous bride… At the beginning of last summer, Derek and I were driving to a friend’s party one Friday evening in Brooklyn when he took a detour and surprised me with a ring under the Brooklyn Bridge! The proposal ended in a loud applause by groups of passerbys who were watching. After our celebration in Brooklyn, we headed out that evening to the Hamptons where we were spending our 2nd summer together there. We immediately knew we didn’t want to wait too long to get married and we wanted a wedding outdoors near a beach in the warmth. We quickly looked all over eastern Long Island for the perfect (and available) place to get married and found a location in beautiful Shelter Island at Rams Head Inn – our wedding in just 3 months!

I was very fortunate to find a dress I loved at my first dress fitting and the best people to plan the wedding with – from my favorite florist Carol, the talented artist Happy Menocal who designed and hand painted our wedding logo as well as all of our table and place cards and program, awesome photographers David and Caleb, amazing makeup/hair artist Agata Helena from Brooklyn, a variety of great music from a string quartet to bongo drums and saxophone played with a DJ, Alexandra from Erganic Design who executed the big day flawlessly, and last but not least my father, a pastor, who traveled from Korea and officiated our wedding!

Derek and I share the love of traveling so we decided to name each of the tables with meaningful places that we had traveled to together over the course of our two years together (Manhattan included of course). Happy drew a painting for each place, and photos of us from each of these places were incorporated into the name card display. It was also important for us to include something Korean into the wedding so we decided to wear a Hanbok, a traditional Korean attire, during cocktail hour. My mother also wore one in pink, which is the traditional color for the mother of the bride. Orchids have always been my favorite flower so most of the floral arrangements revolved around some type of orchid. And instead of a traditional guest book, we had a photo booth where guests left fun photos of them for us with a note on them.

It was a glorious, sunny weekend with our friends and family who mean so much to us and we could not be happier with our celebration. The joyous day was filled with much laughter, excitement and most importantly, love.

Coordinator: Erganic Design | Cake: Mali B Sweets | Invitations: The Paper Merchant | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Ram's Head Inn | Art and Calligraphy: Happy Menocal | Bride's Dress: Vera Wang | Photographer and Photobooth: Craig Paulson Photography | Rentals: Party Rental LTD | String quartet, band and DJ: East End Entertainment

Emotions that are spilling out of these images from 217 Photography include: joy, elation, happiness, love, excitement… the list goes on and on, but can be summed up with this one very bold statement: the wedding, courtesy of Proud to Plan, has the most heart of any wedding this wedding blogger has every seen. It’s a wedding like no other, and the gallery is as close to a party as you’ll get on a Wednesday afternoon in your office.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the planner… Lonni and Josh are a really sweet and thoughtful couple- family and friends are most important to them and they really wanted to create a wonderful day for their loved ones. The couple currently lives in Miami and love the ocean, plus Lonni spent most of her summers “down the shore” with her family, so when they saw the gorgeous views from One Atlantic in Atlantic City, NJ, the choice on location was clear! It was the perfect spot!

When it came time to come up with a design for their wedding, Lonni and Josh enlisted the help of Erin Proud to create it all. They loved a soft color palette of pastels mixed with natural textures and fabrics, vintage details and slight beach touches. Erin helped refine the theme into “vintage beachside garden” with lots rustic character and a touch of lacey charm. It was just what the couple wanted! Lonni and Josh sent vintage Atlantic City postcard save-the-dates and started preparing for their beachside wedding weekend.

When their big day finally arrived, the sun was shining and the weather was perfect! Lonni and her ladies got the day started in a suite at the Atlantic City Sheraton where they were pampered with hair by Up Your Do and makeup by Dylan Michael Cosmetics. Lonni’s Romona Keveza gown fit her like a glove and she finished off the look with a simple rhinestone belt, adding the perfect touch of glam. Her maids were gorgeous in Amsale gowns, featuring a different cut for every girl. Josh and his guys looked handsome in traditional black tuxedos.

Pete Malone, of 217 Photography, found some great spots for their pictures.Their emotional first look was held under the pier, and as pictures went on, you could see them savoring the time together, realizing that their dream wedding day was happening! They shared some photos on the boardwalk with their bridal party before heading up to One Atlantic for the Tisch and Bedeken. Josh and his guys sipped on scotch and sang Jewish songs and hymns before bringing Josh out to his bride on top of his groomsmen’s shoulders! Their family and friends have such great love for this couple and you could feel it in the room as they signed their Ketubah. It was a great celebration!

The ceremony was held in the Skyline Ballroom with impeccable views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic City Boardwalk, a perfect backdrop for this beach-loving couple! Lillian from The Manic Botanic created the amazing chuppah that the couple was married under. It was lush with flowers and lots of greenery, and Lonni’s grandfather’s Tallis was placed on top. The couple were married by Lonni’s mother and she used Josh’s grandmother’s prayer book, which was hid during the Holocaust and later found after the war, making this ceremony, one of the most personal ones we’ve ever witnessed and Lonni’s favorite part of the wedding day.

One Atlantic created a delicious hors d’oeuvres menu for guests to enjoy as they took in the gorgeous sunset. The bar was lit in a pretty pink and the tables were decorated with small bud vases and vintage medicine bottles. The faux chalkboard seating chart was placed on a welcome table surrounded by more vases, mason jars, and bottles, and featured a vintagey birdcage for the wedding cards.

The bride and groom were left speechless when they saw the ballroom for the first time! Lisa, Jennifer, and Amanda from Proud to Plan executed the vision perfectly. Tables were topped with burlap and lace runners and were decorated with lanterns, bottles, mason jars, and lots of soft pastel flowers by Manic Botanic. The guests were overheard saying that they really liked the unique way the centerpieces were set up- every table was different. The couple were announced into the reception and went straight into the Hora- which went on for 30 minutes! Lots of their family and friends created “shtick” to show the couple during the Hora and you could see the immense happiness on their faces as the story of their relationship was told by their guests.

The bride and groom were toasted with a few speeches before they had their romantic first dance together. The couple told us they felt as if they were the only people in the room as they danced to the beautiful lyrics of Van Morrison. The dancing kicked off with a surprise flash mob from Josh’s family and friends and you could see that the couple was surprised! Nafshenu Orchestra did an incredible job as always by mixing in traditional Jewish music with modern Top 40 hits! Luckily, they can relive all of the moments of the day when they get their wedding film from First Floor Films.

When looking back on their wedding day, Lonni and Josh remember almost every moment of the day as special; from the shouting and cheering from passerby’s on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, to the all of the traditional parts of their ceremony- their wedding day was exactly what they imagined and seeing their vision become a reality was the most thrilling piece to the day.

[dotted]

Photography: 217 Photography | Cinematography: First Floor Films | Flowers: The Manic Botanic | Event Design and Planning: Proud to Plan | Venue: One Atlantic | Entertainment: Nafshenu Orchestra | Shoes: Angela Nuran | Dress: Romona Keveza | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Amsale | Hair Stylist: Up Your Do | Makeup Artist: Dylan Michael Cosmetics

The concept behind this day was perfectly simple. A farm-to-table affair filled to the gills with classic elegance and southern flair. And with no shortage of personal touches and talented vendors like Brilliant Event Planning, Blossom & Branch, Tim Alan Smith, Cobblestone Catering and Sperry Tents, the wedding turned into this sweet couple’s dream-come-true. Daniel J Photography captured every farm-to-table detail woven in along the way, and it’s waiting for you right over here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Brilliant Event Planning…Surrounded by lush, green foliage and vibrant springtime blossoms, the bride’s family’s New Jersey estate not only served as the breathtaking backdrop for Sabrina and Matt’s wedding, it provided us ample inspiration for this sophisticated farm-to-table affair.  We decided on a farm-to-table concept for their wedding because it perfectly combined the classic elegance of the home with the bounty of the surrounding countryside.  

The Farm-to-Table Aspects:  Each step of their incredible day was infused with farm-to-table touches.  Escort cards were supported by farm animal figurines in gold and silver hues and the highlight of dinner was an entree of grass-fed beef from cows raised at the family’s estate.  For the vegetarians on the guestlist, Sabrina’s favorite spaghetti from the famous Scarpetta restaurant was recreated. And, before dessert was served, the guests were served a lavish cheese plate with cheeses from all over the world.  The wedding favors were jars of honey from the hives of the family estate – blended and jarred by local purveyors!  

Interesting Personal Details: Sabrina’s mother has spent years collecting salt and pepper shakers so as a unique detail, we used a pair from her collection on each dining table.  It was such a fun way to make a normally-mundane part of the table something meaningful and interesting.  We were also lucky enough to have the family’s array of vintage cars for transportation throughout the wedding day…including a fabulous turquoise Thunderbird from the 1950s!  The cake wasn’t your traditional wedding cake, but a personal favorite of the bride and groom – a banana cake from Billy’s Bakery!

Cultural Details:  Matt and Sabrina have a deep connection to their cultural heritage, so I made certain to weave a variety of personal aspects into their wedding day design.  Sabrina’s parents are from Australia and her father’s descendants hailed from Scotland, so several traditional Australian and Scottish touches were included.  Besides a cocktail hour station featuring authentic Australian meat pies from The Tuck Shop, the florals throughout the wedding featured eucalyptus as a nod to the Land Down Under, and a Scottish bagpiper greeted guests on the front steps of their home as they arrived from the chapel.  Additionally, the couple displayed a Korovai, a traditional Ukrainian bread that is decorated with small birds, in honor of Matt’s Ukrainian heritage. I incorporated the birds as a meaningful symbol into their reception with table numbers and a cake topper of two lovebirds.  

Inside the Reception: Sabrina and Matt’s reception took place underneath a tent unlike any other.  As guests stepped inside the tent and looked up they were surrounded by an abundance of elegantly draped fabric and stunning chandeliers.   We selected walnut bentwood chairs as a nod to the Farm-to-Table aspect of the wedding, but kept everything else in the space very elegant – from a classic black-and-white dancefloor to the stunning floral designs by Blossom & Branch and delicately beaded crystal chargers.  The interior color palette was light and airy in keeping with the sunny spring day and our overall color palette of seafoam, ivory and the palest pink.
 
After guests finished their glasses of bubbly from the glamorous champagne tower, they watched the newly married couple share their first dance to the song “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong and smoked cigars from the personal collection of Sabrina’s father. Fun Fact: A few months before the wedding day, Sabrina’s mother caught wind of a Southern wedding ritual in which the couple buries a bottle of bourbon at the location of the wedding one month before the big day to ward off any sign of rain.  Much to the everyone’s delight, the bottle was unearthed the morning of their wedding on a gloriously sunny day.

[dotted]

Photography: Daniel J Photography | Design + Planning: Brilliant Event Planning | Ceremony: St. Johns on the Mountain | Reception: Private Home | Catering: Cobblestone Catering | Floral Design: Blossom & Branch | Band: Doctors’ Orders |Bagpiper: 45Riots | Cinematography: Tim Alan Smith | Cake: Billy’s Bakery | Transportation + Valet: Liberty Corner Limo | Tent: Sperry Tents | Bathrooms: Johnny on the Spot | Meat Pies: Tuck Shop | Cake Topper: Ann Wood Handmade | Table Numbers: Tiffzippy Custom and Creative Paper Goods | Stationery: Judy Paulen Designs | Calligraphy: Abigail Hancock Calligraphy + Tucci Cursive | Hair: Ted Gibson Salon | Makeup: Cassandra Garcia

When Trent Bailey sends a wedding our way, I get a little extra excited. Because not only does he attract the world’s coolest clients, but always works alongside top-notch vendors like Rock Paper Scissors Events, Swiss Cottage Designs, La Boheme Event Planning and Generation Events, who I’m certain make his job about a million times more fun. And today, my dears, Trent sent along what has to be the prettiest, peppiest Cape May wedding on the planet. And if this full gallery doesn’t scream “Happy Friday!” I don’t know what does.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride…What a day! June 9th 2012 was the day that Sean and I got married in Cape May, New Jersey surrounded by our closest friends and family. Over our relationship, Cape May became a really special place for us and it was the perfect place for us to host our family and friends for the weekend long celebration. My husband’s mom is 1 of 9 children and has about 45 first cousins and every summer the families would come to Cape May and take over the town for a week. So…when Sean and I started dating he decided to introduce me to this place (I am originally from Southern California and had never even heard of it). We visited each and every summer and were even engaged on the beach in Cape May while staying at Congress Hall.

When it was time to start wedding planning I think we both assumed that we head back to Southern California to where I grew up and have the wedding there so Sean was absolutely shocked when I brought up the idea of Cape May (as were my parents). But…when we thought about what we wanted out of the day and our weekend it completely made sense. We wanted to get married in a place that would always be special to us and that we could continue coming to each year as our family grew over time. Additionally we wanted to bring our family and friends together in a place that felt small and had activities for all to enjoy and this was exactly that.

So – once we made the decision on location it was time to start thinking about the wedding details. It all started with the paper and the save the date. How to we portray what Cape May is all about and the weekend that we were planning to get our guests excited about traveling all the way from California to New Jersey? We worked with Swiss Cottage Designs to create hand drawn icons of a few of our favorite things in Cape May and it came out perfectly! We then carried that theme all the way through the wedding with the invite suite (inclusive of a schedule of events with the custom icons and a map of Cape May) and with the welcome gifts.

The weekend itself was magical – it’s so hard to explain the feeling that we had. I’ve never in my life been surrounded by so much love. I really feel like it was the perfect way to enter in to marriage. We planned 3 nights of activities for guests that were making a vacation out of the trip…

Night 1 – Mini-Golf (classic Jersey Shore activity) followed by a pub crawl around town to the various bars. We left a schedule in guests rooms for those arriving that night who were able to meet us along the way. It was so exciting as we entered a new bar greeting a new group of friends who had just gotten to town!

Night 2 – We hosted our rehearsal dinner at The Rusty Nail – super casual outside bar where your feet are in sand and there is acoustic music playing. About 2 hours later all of our guests joined us there for a Welcome Reception. It was the perfect way to welcome people to a beach and fun filled weekend!

Night 3 – The Big Event…our wedding. We hosted everything outside and it could not have been more beautiful. From the gorgeous sperry tent to the personalized decor it felt like the perfect dinner party with a mix of lanters, loose pieces of driftwood and multiples small vases throughout on the tables. Our wedding team also did such a great job that we were really able to enjoy every second and not worry about a thing! If we could, we would do it every year!

[dotted]

Photographers:  Trent + Dara, Trent Bailey Photography | Event Design: Rock Paper Scissors Events | Event Planner: La Boheme Event Planning | Floral Design: Beautiful Blooms | Location: Congress Hall, Cape May NJ | DJ: DJ Jason Fioto of Generation Events | Stationery: Swiss Cottage Designs | Linens: La Tavola Linen | Wedding Dress: Kenneth Pool | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid | Formalwear: Brooks Brothers | Tent Rental: Sperry Tents

Sometimes it pays off to be the girl running around with a sheet tucked under her headband, “marrying” your most favorite teddy bear. The minute you find that special someone (who isn’t scared off by your mountain of bridal magazines) you know exactly what to do. And you learn just how wonderful the love part of the wedding can be. This bride and I have that in common, and as you can see from her beautiful wedding, captured by Vanessa Joy Photography, it paid off big time for her. Beautiful bride, handsome groom, stunning soiree… and a love that doesn’t stop.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the beautiful bride… “Alison has been planning her wedding since she was 5…” is all I ever heard from my family, and let me tell you: it is SO true. I’m a hopeless romantic, what can I say. When Geoff proposed to me, I had all but applied for a marriage license. He was happy to step back and let me finish planning this day that I had already been planning for so long.

I’m a neutral color girl that doesn’t like a lot of busyness or attention and I spent a lot of time trying to incorporate my own laid back style into a formal event. When it came to the girls’ dresses, I didn’t want them to be the typical bridesmaids dresses- I’m all about functional and practical dresses and I really wanted them to be able to wear them again. For the guys, I knew I wanted a more relaxed feel and wanted them to be able to invest in something they would have a wear for a long time, so we went with custom suits where they all got to pick their own liner which let them add their own flair. I will say that flowers were a tough one for me. How do you create neutral flowers that are still a stunning focal point? What did I know about flowers? Nothing. Luckily I had an amazing florist who took my style and jumbled thoughts and brought them to life in a way I never dreamed of.

Both Geoff and I have strong relationships with our families and we wanted that represented throughout the day. I had my grandmother’s wedding handkerchief wrapped around my bouquet, I wore my aunt’s veil, Geoff’s uncle sang our church music, my cousin played the violin, and my mother’s cousin was our priest. Everyone being so excited to be a part of our day was something that was so special to us.

I was basically raised on a golf course, so when it came time to pick a wedding venue, my parents’ country club was the only choice in my mind. I have so many incredible memories of my whole family there and I couldn’t wait to add more. I felt so incredibly calm and relaxed throughout the whole night because I truly felt like I was at home. Seeing everyone that we love in one room together having a great time was the most incredible experience we have ever had. To top it all off, our photographer captured the entire day flawlessly and having her around added to the fun we had throughout the day.

So, was it everything I ever dreamed of and planned for? Yes! Words can’t describe the amount of fun I had planning and the amount of fun we had on our wedding day and really, that’s what it’s all about.

[dotted]

Photography: Vanessa Joy Photography | Ceremony: Church of Christ the King | Reception Location: Spring Brook Country Club | Entertainment Company and MC: Dreamtime, EBE Entertainment | Hair: Dolce – Depasquale the Spa | Makeup: Ali Tobia Hart, Public Image Ltd. | Florist: Laurelwood Designs | Stationery: The Small Printer | Bridesmaid Dress Designer: J.Crew | Wedding Gown Designer: Vera Wang | Groom and Groomsmen attire: Enzo Custom Clothiers

In true Kay English fashion, the images of these New Jersey sunset nuptials are stunning. I mean, hold your breath, count your goosebumps, clasp your hands under your chin stunning. Kay captured this beautiful wedding in a way that is soft and romantic, and this gallery makes me feel like I was there soaking up every gorgeous detail!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the photographer… Here is Emily and Matt’s Wedding at the gorgeous Laurita Winery in New Egypt, NJ. The ceremony overlooking the vineyards was performed at sunset giving the guests the perfect ambiance for greatest moment of their lives.

[dotted]

Photographer: NJ Wedding Photographer Kay English | Venue: Laurita Winery | Floral Design: Petal Pushers, Inc. | Catering: Conroy Catering at Lauita Winery | Invitations: Minted

It never fails, images from Laura Gordon make my heart leap. It’s the way her pictures perfectly capture not only the details but also the moments fluttering around a couple’s big day that really gets me. So when she steps behind the lens for a couple like this one, who couldn’t be more in love if they tried, I basically drop everything I am doing to soak up all the lovely. It’s time well spent, trust me, and you can see why right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Laura… I am so thrilled to share this beautiful, romantic wedding I photographed last summer in Brielle, New Jersey. Joanna & Soren’s wedding was simply breath taking! With views of the beach, charming details, a gorgeous color palette of soft blues with ivory accents, and the sweetest couple you’ll ever meet… this wedding was incredible.  During their first look, Soren was waiting with a single white rose and a letter as Joanna met him on the front steps of the gorgeous waterfront home where the bride got dressed. I felt so much emotion that day, standing there on that porch, as I photographed this couple… so in love… just beginning their lives together. They held each other so close and I can’t tell you how many times Soren reached over to kiss her on her hand, her head or her cheek. It is love like their’s that inspires others. And love like their’s that moves me to continue to create beautiful images for years to come. The romance continued throughout their day. I hope their love inspires others as much as it has for me. It is a day I will never forget and every time I hear the song, “A Thousand Years” (the song played during their first dance) I get all emotional and remember how incredibly romantic and special their day was.

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Laura Gordon Photography | Reception Venue: The Mill  | Floral Design: Flowers by Rhonda | Cake: Chocolate Carousel | Hair: Salon Kokopelli  | Makeup: Cathy Walter

Happy Birthday, America!  Before you head off to your day filled with BBQ’s, fireworks, friends and family, we thought we’d offer up a little something special to get you in the celebration mood.  And not just any “something special,” a drop-dead gorgeous 4th of July-inspired photo shoot crafted by the talents of Millie Batista and Magda Nitray.  A shoot that boasts the perfect dose of backyard pretty, and enough inspiration to keep you smiling well past the holiday.  See all of the red, white and blue goodness in the full gallery… and have a safe and happy day!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Millie B… The 4th of July weekend is one of the most popular weekends to marry and for young couples, military couples, or those with limited financial resources, it is still quite easy to create an elegant and affordable affair for two. It’s so romantic to think that two people who are madly in love could have this intimate elopement in their own yard or in the yard of their favorite B&B. The red, white and blue colors associated with the 4th of July were used as the color scheme and we also used birds and frogs as part of the décor to add a little fun and whimsy.

We only had three weeks from the time of conception to pull this off during the busiest wedding season month of the year. And we stayed true to our inspiration story. Instead of employing the assistance of multiple vendors and local artists, Magda (Magda Nitray of Magda Designs) and I decided to handle all of this ourselves. We refurbished furniture, styled the shoot, and baked and cooked all the food. This was truly a DIY experience.

One of my [Millie] favorite parts of this project was finding the fashion garments for the female model. By scouring the local outlets, it only took me a couple of hours to locate the dresses we used for the shoot. Both dresses were found at high-end outlet stores. The white dress was perfect for a stylish but casual backyard ceremony on a fixed budget, and afterwards she could change into the lace red dress, which photographed so beautifully.

Our DIY projects included:

– Chairs that were rummaged from neighbor’s garage and refinished. The two chairs were originally painted two different colors and looked dated. The chairs were sanded down by hand, wiped down and spray painted with Rustoleum heirloom white spray paint from Home Depot. This was a 2-day project.
– The Rusty table was borrowed and painted.
– A 10-year-old cherry-finish bookcase was refinished. The bookcase had a cherry stain finish. The bookcase was sanded by hand, wiped clean and spray painted with Rustoleum’s heirloom white spray paint. The back of the bookcase was painted blue. 
– The terracotta pot (table centerpiece) was given an aged lime appearance using white spray paint and a wet rag. The spray painted layers build so you can make the pots as light or dark as you want.
– The menu was handwritten on a terracotta pot centerpiece. We thought it was unique to hand write the menu. The spray paint finish becomes a protective coat and preserves the writing on the pot. It’s so cool to have your wedding menu or vows written on a pot or container that will decorate your garden for years to come.
– Birdcages were spray painted silver.
– Mini terracotta pots in side birdcages were also limed, silver ribbons adorn the top and moss was adhered on top.
– “Mr” & “Mrs” was written on mini terracotta limed pots to designate seating.
– “Mr” & “Mrs” signs were made for back of the chairs with red ribbon.
– Desserts were all baked and decorated by the photographer. We don’t necessarily encourage couples to bake their own cakes or make their own desserts. But, if it’s something you enjoy, then you should go for it. As artists, we are usually pretty adaptable and capable of switching mediums to create art. Food is such a great way to express your artistry. I (Millie) love baking and have taken baking classes at the French Culnary Institute in NYC, so baking for this photo shoot and creating a faux wedding cake was a treat for me.
– Faux 2-4 person single-tier red, white and blue cake made and decorated by the photographer.
– All the food was grilled and cooked by Magda and her mom. Magda’s mom has been a caterer for many years and Magda has grown up eating some great meals and has developed into quite a Foodie. She and her mom handled the entire savory menu. The food was so delicious.
– Wild flowers were all handpicked from the backyard garden.
– Birdhouses were made by Magda’s uncle and painted by Magda.

Menu:
– Drink: sparkling French berry lemonade with fresh berries
– Appetizer: black bean salsa with steak and grilled crostini
– Salad: watermelon with arugula salad and feta
– Roasted chicken, herbed red potatoes and grilled asparagus & squash
– Dessert: faux blue and white cake with red sugar flower, rustic four-layer red velvet cake with tangy cream cheese frosting, chocolate mocha mini cupcakes, and mini key lime tarts

[dotted]

Photography: Millie Batista of By Millie B Photography | Location: Private Residence, Summit, New Jersey | Hair + Makeup: Magda Designs | Desert + Floral Design + Tablescape: By Millie B Photography | Fashion Styling: By Millie B Photography + Magda Nitray | Food + Styling: Magda Nitra + Mother | Models: Maria Gencova + Michael Nitray | White Dress: Bloomingdales (outlet) | Sandals + Pearls: Nordstrom’s Rack | Red Lace Dress: Neiman Marcus (outlet) | Dishes: West Elm | Glassware + Blue and White Seat Cushions: Pier 1 | Dessert 2 tier Cake Display: Home Goods | Napkins + Frog Napkin Rings + Glass Vase: Pottery Barn | Furniture: borrowed | Terracotta Pots + Birdcages: Michaels

Let’s talk for a moment about how very awesome traditional weddings are, shall we?  How they are seriously dripping in elegance and a downright sophistication that can.not.be.beat.  How they feature the loveliest bride and grooms, stop-you-in-your-tracks details and moment after moment of pure, unadulterated happy.  And then let’s talk about how this fabulous gem of a day from Kensington Blue Photography is all of the aforementioned with sweeter than sweet DIY stylings, pretty pink hues and a gorgeous Maritime Parc reception that is all kinds of amazing.  See it all in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… When Dave and I first got engaged, the only things we knew for sure were that we wanted to get married in New York, we wanted to do it on somewhat of a budget and we wanted to be as hands-on as possible to ensure our wedding was completely personal and screamed “David & Alyssa” in every aspect. Our heads were a blur when it came to the details, though. We had so may things that were special to us and we wanted to incorporate them all without making it look like a giant hodge podge.

The venue was the hardest thing to choose. We looked at Maritime Parc as a last-minute decision, but once we saw it, we knew it was the one. Set in the pretty Liberty State Marina Park, it met all our requirements- our love for great food, our love for the city, our love of the water and our love of the outdoors. The room was clean and modern, allowing us creative decorating freedom to really let the spectacular NYC views shine through. You also can’t beat a venue that is right on the water, overlooking the city, with beautiful boats docked to one side, an old train station in the middle and the Statue of Liberty to the left. Did I also mention the gorgeous willow trees?! What a dream!

With a lot of help from our loving family members, the advice of our excellent vendors and more Pinterest and SMP inspiration than I can remember we slowly began to gather ideas. The church was ornately decorated and the reception venue had the killer backdrop of the NYC skyline so we knew neither place needed a lot of decorating. The Flower Girl kept it simple, yet elegant, with bouquets in mercury containers. We also kept our own looks simple, Dave and his groomsmen going for classic tuxes and the bridesmaids wearing dresses I stumbled upon in H&M. As for me, I wanted my dress to be elegant, classic, and definitely something I could dance in! I didn’t like many of the bridal accessories I saw, so my Mom came to the rescue making me my veil and the lace top was (no one believed me when I told them this!) an H&M shirt I altered. Other than my ring, the most important accessory I had was my grandmother’s clutch I carried in her honor as she was unable to attend. And I know for David, he really enjoyed wearing his octopus (one of his favorite animals) cuff links that I bought him.

Our ceremony was very unique in that it was held in a Catholic church and performed by both a priest and a rabbi in order to encompass both of our religious backgrounds. To pay tribute to where we got engaged (Barbados), we served a special rum punch as our cocktail hour signature drink. Many of our guests were from out of town so we designed our invitations and menu cards to include an outline of the NYC skyline. We also acknowledged where we live by using figurines of New York landmarks (Statue of Liberty, a taxi, the Flat Iron building, etc) as the table markers. Our love for Scrabble knows no bounds so we knew that would make the perfect guest book and as I mentioned above, David’s favorite animal is the octopus so when we found the octopus bride and groom cake topper’s on Etsy it was a no brainer to get them.

We both have a big sweet tooth, which led to our party favors being a self-serve candy bar, with the favor jars also doubling as the place settings. It was a treat everyone enjoyed! Other things that made the night incredibly special for us included a sparkler entrance, the kissing tree, an amazing slideshow Dave’s aunt put togther and a photo prop/photo backdrop area where people had a blast snapping photos throughout the night.

To this day people still compliment us on our wedding, which makes us thrilled. But what makes us even happier is knowing that we started off our “forever” (married life) in a dream wedding, that was perfectly us, on the best day of our lives!

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Lesley Colvin of Kensington Blue Photography | Ceremony Venue: St.Paul the Apostle, New York City | Reception Venue: Maritime Parc, Jersey City, New Jersey | Floral Design: Flower Girl | Event Design + Planning: Bride + Groom | Catering + Cake: Maritime Parc | Invitations: Designed by Bride + Groom, Printed by Paper Presentation | Cake Toppers: The Crafty Button | Candy Favor Jars: Christmas Tree Shops | Candy: Economy Candy + Candy Warehouse | Photo Props + Background: DIY + Party City | Wedding Dress + Beaded Sash: Casablanca via RK Bridal  | Veil: Made by Bride’s Mother | Lace Top: H&M (altered by Bride) | Velvet Sash: M&J Trimmings | Bracelet: Vintage, Borrowed | Earrings: InPink | Clutch: Vintage from Bride’s Grandmother | Shoes: Chinese Laundry  | Hair: The Drybar | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: H&M | Groom’s Tux: Custom | Groom’s Shoes: Aldo | DIY by Bride + Groom: Menu Cards, Scrabble Board Guestbook, Chalkboard Signs, Kissing Tree, Glitter Jars, Photobooth Props, Candy Jar Labels, Candy Bar Decor | DJ: 2DogEntertainment 

One of my favorite things to do is to share the weddings of our beloved LBBers. They’re like family to us and we love them all to pieces, so when one of them ties the knot and sends it our way, it’s just as exciting as opening up a beautiful Smock invite, covered in Belles Lettres Calligraphy. In this wedding, captured phenomenally by Images by Berit, Stacey of Peony Events married her love, and we’ve all gone a bit misty eyed over the photos!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the gorgeous bride… Nicholas planned a day trip on his client’s private plane, which he played off really well staging it for months. He mentioned a few times that Ben would like to take us through NYC to see the skyline then down the coast to Atlantic City for breakfast and back. One November night, he said oh by the way, Ben called and said tomorrow will be the perfect day, low winds, clear skies.

It was a gorgeous day to fly: sunny skies, glistening water as we flew just the three of us. Upon our arrival back to the Teterboro airport, I stepped off the plane last and the door to the hanger was opening, walking towards I see Nicholas on his knee and tears began flowing. My answer was YES and he promised to always go ‘above and beyond’ for me.

We knew exactly where we wanted to get married, Crystal Springs Resort in Hardyston, New Jersey, surrounded by rolling hills and natural beauty. It’s also right around the corner from the quaint little town of Warwick, NY where Stacey’s sister and her family reside. It’s a beautiful venue that feels like a destination location to us with only being 45 minutes to where we reside in Morristown, NJ.

Chic, vintage, elegant and romantic were the words that came to mind when event & wedding planner, Stacey Sainato owner of Peony Events, began planning her wedding to soul mate Nicholas Sainato. Stacey wanted to create a chic and romantic feel with a color palette of ivories, peach and soft charcoal gray. We both knew we wanted a fall wedding, just not with the traditional fall palette.

On Friday, October 21st, 2011, with 200 guests standing by them, they said their I do’s outdoors with the beautiful fall foliage in peak season. Stacey wore a Monique Lhuillier gown, at times wore her Grandmother’s vintage fur wrap and carried a simple bouquet of ivory cabbage roses. The nine bridesmaids wore long crinkled chiffon gowns in slate. The Groom wore a classic black tux with ivory tie and vest and his groomsmen all wore tuxedos with charcoal ties/vests. Stacey walked down the aisle to a magical, instrumental piece composed for her by her husband-to-be who is a pianist, there was not a dry eye in sight.

Guests were greeted into the cocktail hour with champagne filled flutes with berries while enjoying the raw seafood bar, pasta station, sushi bar to name a few while listening to the tunes of a trio by The Blaire Reinhard Band. The sit down dinner was a combination plate of surf & turf, guests enjoyed tunes from the entire band – Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan during dinner. For dessert, guests enjoyed truffles and vanilla wedding cake filled with fresh strawberries and topped with her Grandparents wedding cake vintage topper that is passed on throughout all the cousins as a tribute to their grandparents, it was from their wedding cake and is a family tradition from her Mother’s side. Guests danced and laughed the night away.

In lieu of a traditional favor and to honor their Maid of Honor, Danielle O’brien, Stacey & Nicholas made a donation to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (near Stacey’s hometown). The donation was for her niece, Emma O’brien, who has been in remission from stage 4 cancer. Beautiful fondant covered wedding cake cookies were also placed at each place setting as a fun favor for guests to enjoy.

The decor was simply stated, custom ordered vintage lace table linens, mercury glass votives, mix-n-match peach, ivory and vintage silver colored frames for their table names which were “what marriage means to them,” floral centerpieces filled with ivory hydrangeas, soft peach and ivory cabbage roses.

Some guests stayed the entire weekend at the resort with Stacey and Nicholas, after the post wedding brunch, guests enjoyed the biosphere pool and local wineries. Stacey and Nicholas took off on Tuesday to the five star Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort and spa in Mexico.

[dotted]

Photographer: Images by Berit | Dress: Monique Lhuillier, The Wedding Shoppe | Tuxedos: Cozy Formalwear | Event Planner: Stacey Sainato, Peony Events | Day of planner: Sarah Mugavero | Junior Bridesmaids dresses: Dessy Group, Rita Rosa Bridal Boutique | Flower girl dress: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Band: The Blaire Reinhard Band | Venue: Crystal Springs Resort | Favors: Fondant Wedding Cake Cookies, Leslie Ruth Sweets, Treats & Events | Make up Artist: Kathy Genchi | Hair: Gina Imperati, Ciao Bella | Florist: Dale Kiroff | Letterpress Wedding Invitations: Smock, Cambridge Street Papers | Calligrapher: Belles Lettres Calligraphy | Brides Jewelry & clutch: Model Bride | Bridesmaid Jewelry: Nordstrom

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

This bride knows weddings. As the editor of (201) Bride magazine, she sees beautiful soirees day in and day out. So when it came to her own wedding, she knew what she wanted, and what she wanted was beautiful. NJ Wedding Photographer Kay English was brought on to capture the stunning day in her signature way, and she’s left us with a gallery that is beyond.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/64923566 600 338]

From the gorgeous bride… On Saturday, April 13, 2013, I married my best friend. I can honestly say that our wedding was the best night of my life! It was absolutely amazing.Everything I had envisioned and planned had come together to create the most memorable wedding. And I have such beautiful photos to show of it.

I really cannot say enough wonderful things about our wedding photographer Bonnet Island preferred wedding photographer Kay English. Her photographs of our wedding are in one word: stunning. She was so sweet and professional. When I had seen her work previously, I knew she was an amazingly talented photographer. She was the first photographer I contacted because I knew that I loved her work and that she would do a [insert another flattering descriptive word here] job! I was not wrong. Hiring her was the best decision I could have made!

Another fabulous vendor was our florist, Donna, from The Loft Florist in Toms River. Everyone has complimented me on the beautiful bouquets. Even though I was hoping to have dahlias in our bouquets and table settings, Donna was able to replace the dahlias with other beautiful pink and coral blooms (she tried everything to get me my dahlias but they were not in season or available from any of her suppliers). I also love how the blue succulents looked in my bridal bouquet – they were just what I wanted! And I added blue hydrangeas last minute to the bridesmaid bouquets – to tie in the blue I wanted – and Donna was able to add them no problem. The blue glassware through the ceremony site and reception area (which I loved!) also tied into the color scheme into the wedding. Our rustic beach chic wedding came together perfectly because of Donna and her amazing work.

Our wedding wouldn’t have been a party without our fantastic DJ Phil Walsh from Elite Entertainment. I had hired Phil to DJ our wedding because he had done such a great job at my brother Greg’s wedding. People were on the dance floor all night. Our wedding was no exception. Phil had the crowd dancing all night long, and he played some fun favorites. And I guess I can now tell everyone what our wedding song is – since we had been keeping it a secret. Our first dance was to Adam Sandler’s “Grow Old With You.” We both thought it was just too perfect for us. Phil has never played our song as a first dance at any wedding before, so we were happy to be somewhat original.

Our cinematographers Darrell and Emily from DMart Films were also amazing and easy to work with. I cannot wait to see our wedding video!

Other vendors I cannot forget to mention are Bijou Bridal in Paramus, where I found my breathtaking wedding gown. I wish I could wear it everyday. I loved everything about it – the lace, the beading, the chiffon pedals everywhere. It was a work of art!

Our wedding cake from The Bake Works in Northfield (the bakery that works with Bonnet Island Estate) was not only beautiful but delicious! I loved that Amanda at The Bake Works was able to work in the colors I wanted on the cake. She used a type of “spray” coloring to make the shades of peach/pink and turquoise on the cake. Our cake was hazelnut cake filled with white chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream frosted in vanilla buttercream. I can’t wait to eat it again so I divided up the top layer of our cake into 12 slices and froze them so we could eat one slice on the 13th of each month for a year. I thought it was better than waiting a whole year to enjoy a slice again!

And last, but not least, I have to thank everyone at Bonnet Island Estate and Merri-Makers Catering and Special Events. They pulled together a wonderful wedding for us. I heard the food was fabulous (You get scared to eat when you’re wearing such a beautiful dress! But I did enjoy a nibble here and there. I know the guacamole was delicious! So was my lobster dinner.) And I have to send a special thank you to Mary at Merri-Makers for dealing with all my questions and menu changes; and to Meghan at Bonnet Island Estate, who followed me around most of the day and night seeing if I needed anything. She was so sweet and very helpful!

[dotted]

Photography: NJ Wedding Photographer Kay English | Venue: Bonnet Island Estate | Cinematography: Dmart Films | Floral Design: The Loft Flower & Art Studio | Entertainment: Phil Walsh | Jewelry: custom made by Haeja Yoo, Toms River | Shoes: Rinaldi’s Shoes by Gina | Wedding veil and flower girl dress custom belt: made by Susan Sharp-Marino, Toms River | Bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaid necklaces and clutches: Etsy | Grooms and groomsmen suits: JoS. A. Bank | Invitations and wedding day signage: designed by the bride | Favors: photo booth photos, Occasional Sounds Entertainment, Toms River | Hair: Michelle Popp Hynes, Point Pleasant | Makeup: Tina Gould, Toms River | Wedding rings: Hers: Designs by Labelle Jewelry, The Jewelry Center, Paramus, His: groom’s father’s wedding band | Caterer: Merrimakers Catering and Special Events

Well today’s the day. The day we’ve been waiting for. The day we get to see Mr. DiCaprio and Ms. Mulligan portray the infamous Gatsby and Daisy. This wedding blogger is excited as can be. Because if there is one iconic piece of literature the wedding industry just loves to recreate, it’s the grandeur and the luxuriousness of The Great Gatsby. So of course, we’ve got a little Gatsby-esque inspiration á la Robert & Kathleen Photographers, Pretty Little Details, and a whole host of other talented vendors. Grab a cocktail, pop into the gallery, then start donning your pearls for tonight’s show!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the planner … The Great Gatsby is one of those books that just sticks with you because of the visual images it creates in readers’ minds as they follow the characters through a tragic love story. When I re-read the story this past summer I knew it would be the perfect inspiration for a styled shoot because the time period evokes images of grandeur and glamour. Robert and Kathleen Photographers were really excited to jump on board and their vintage style fit this styled shoot perfectly. Peter James Floral Couture was really excited to help bring the vision to life through his use of beautiful ostrich feathers, pearls, peach roses, and green hydrangea. The color palette wouldn’t be complete without subtle touches of gold, which Twenty Four Seven Events added into the table scape with shimmery linens that completed the look. For the stationery we wanted to create an art deco pattern and Brielle from White Orchid Graphics created the perfect scalloped pattern. One of our favorite elements is the pearl wristlet programs! Each place setting featured a vintage toy car in gold metal as a favor for guests. To add a fun element, The Candy Chick created a fun and interactive sweets table with chocolate cigars and gold dusted truffles. And, we can’t forget the stunning five-tier cake with gold embellishments from the Chocolate Carousel!

When it came to period fashion, Exquisite Bride had the perfect Lazaro gown with the right amount of sparkle and pearl embellishments. We added a stunning pearl necklace and an art deco headpiece. Allison created a beautiful simple look with soft pin curl waves. The makeup was soft and natural with a smoky eye and red lips. The bridesmaid dress was a modern take on a flapper outfit, which could certainly be worn again! And finally, the white 3-button tuxedo jacket with notch lapel from ChazMaTazz added to the formal feel and completed the look.

The Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park was the ideal location since it was built in the 1920’s and was recently renovated. Unfortunately, the original shoot was scheduled during the week of Hurricane Sandy. As we all watched the hurricane hit the Jersey Shore it was heartbreaking to see all the damage done to the so many of our historic landmarks. We were very thankful to hear that The Berkeley Hotel was spared by the devastating storm. Thank you to our amazing vendors for being so flexible with rescheduling and for showing even more resolve and excitement to capture all the beauty the Jersey Shore has to offer after such a natural disaster. Everyone involved continues to wish all of families, businesses and emergency service
workers the best as they continue the work of repairing and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy. As Jersey-based businesses we are proud to be Jersey Strong and are so happy to share these images with you!

[dotted]

Venue: Berkeley Hotel | Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers | Tuxedo: ChazMaTazz Formalwear | Floral: Peter James Floral Couture | Stationery: White Orchid Graphics, Design by Brielle | Wedding Dress & Jewelry: Lazaro via Exquisite Bride | Cake: Chocolate Carousel | Candy Bar: The Candy Chick | Linen’s: Twenty Four Seven Events | Chairs: Paul David Partywares | Hair and Makeup: Allison’s Hair Creations | Planning and Coordination: Pretty Little Details | Bridesmaid Dress: Miss Selfridge UK

Oh to be a guest at this wedding. For a fun twist on a destination affair, this Bride and Groom grabbed their nearest and dearest and headed for the Bride’s childhood sleep-away camp for a fun filled 3 days that culminated in “I Do’s”. Fun, right? You can’t beat the smell of pine trees and a belly full of s’mores on a regular day but for a wedding weekend? Pure perfection. With the crafty minds of Hatch Creative Studio behind all the details, Chandelier Events behind the planning and Dave Robbins Photography behind the lens, Lake Bryn Mawr Camp was taken over for an action packed wedding weekend and you can see it all in the full gallery here and right here with some of the fun, pre-wedding festivities.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride…When Greg and I started planning our wedding, we both knew that we didn’t want a stuffy ballroom wedding.  Instead, we wanted to whisk away our friends and family to a beautiful and FUN setting to celebrate our relationship and the amazing people in our lives.  My childhood sleep-away camp had hosted weddings in the past, so it was a perfect fit.  And that’s how Camp Lerner-Decter was born! Not only were Greg and I able to spend quality time with our guests, but we truly got to share special moments with each other.  When we first arrived at camp on Friday morning, Greg had arranged for our room to be filled with dozens of roses– just like our apartment on the night he proposed to me.  He then read me vows that he had prepared, and we shared our own private wedding ceremony before the weekend “officially” started.

When our guests arrived on Friday night, the sky was lit up by a blue moon, which really set the mood for the weekend.  On Saturday, we surprised our guests during lunch by “breaking” color war with a mock Olympics ceremony.  We divided our guests into teams, and spent the afternoon playing kickball, capture the flag and tug-of-war.  We truly felt like guests at our own wedding, and could not stop smiling and laughing the entire day! On Saturday night, we hosted a BBQ rehearsal dinner in the camp’s apple orchard.  We hired a Brooklyn-based band to perform during dinner.  Our guests enjoyed delicious ribs, brisket and macaroni and cheese from Local Smoke BBQ.  We also served 20 pies from a local bakery in 7 different flavors! And guests helped themselves to beers kept cold in an ice-filled canoe.  After dinner, we gathered in the camp’s open-air theater for a talent show and color war awards ceremony.  We then followed a tiki-torch lit path down to the lake, where a bonfire awaited us.  We spent the rest of the evening celebrating with our guests over beers and s’mores.  On Sunday, we were married outside by the lake surrounded by giant pine trees. For the reception, Hatch Creative Studio completely transformed the camp dining hall into a magical flower-filled alpine lodge.  We danced and partied all night long, and closed the night down with another lakeside bonfire.

Throughout the weekend, we tried to incorporate as many unique and personal touches as possible.  Hatch created a vintage logo/monogram, which we printed on custom color war t-shirts, our welcome bags, etc.  Hatch also created custom maps of the camp, welcome itineraries, custom placemats for the BBQ,  burlap-wrapped vases filled with sunflowers for the guest bunks– the list goes on and on.  Our chuppah was created by stringing our family members’ tallit from pine trees, and we lined the ceremony aisle with wedding pictures of our parents and grandparents.  Our wedding party walked down the aisle to “Stand By Me”, and our flower girls placed birch hearts along the aisle instead of flowers.  During our ceremony, Greg and I read from our ketubah, which we had written together.  Instead of a guest book, our guests wrote messages on fabric squares, which we have since made into a wedding quilt.   

Although planning a 3-day wedding was a LOT of work, it was all worth it! Our wedding was filled with so much love and happiness, which Dave Robbins Photography was able to capture so beautifully.  We are incredibly grateful to our dream team of vendors, especially Barb of Hatch Creative Studio and Amy of Chandelier Events.

[dotted]

Photography: Dave Robbins Photography | Cinematography: Open Eye Media | Floral + Event Design: Hatch Creative Studio | Event Planning: Amy Shey Jacobs of Chandelier Events | Ceremony + Reception Location: Lake Bryn Mawr Camp | Caterer: The Settlers Inn | Invitations: Steel Petal Press | Dress: Nicole Miller | Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Looking through Turn Loose the Art‘s lens at this wedding, I would have never thought that stunning light was the result of a crazy storm that almost blew over the cake. It sure made for a gorgeous day, and even with the wind and rain, all that really mattered was love. The sweet, sweet love between these two which was brought to life in this beautiful day. Click here to see it all!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the photographer … Residents of Long Beach Island have a saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” And oh, how accurate that was for Kayla and Rory’s dockside wedding at a yacht club. Guests from Texas to Scotland arrived to a glowy, sunlit afternoon day at a yacht club. It lasted for the tented ceremony on the dock. During cocktail hour a front moved in, providing a unique backdrop for their couple portraits. But the cake almost blew away, many of the centerpieces went flying, and they lost the vase from their sand ceremony in the windstorm that attacked the tent. You know the quality of people when things go wrong. Both families rallied together, saving the remaining reception decor and retreating to a small room in the yacht club for toasts. Their reception started late, and no one cared because they had a great time together. Once the tent was declared safe again, the party got underway and truly began the celebration of Rory and Kayla’s marriage.

[dotted]

Photography: Turn Loose the Art | Caterer: Sweet Jenny’s | Event Planner: Parties by Design NJ | Floral Designer: Lily in the Valley | Reception Venue: Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club | Band: Diablo Sandwich Band | Makeup Artist: Artonit Makeup On Location

There is absolutely no denying that this wedding is a stunner. The images from Kay English ooze elegance, the flowers from Wallflowers are just dripping in gorgeous and this color palette? So dreamy. However, all those things combined don’t even touch just how lovely this Bride and Groom are. Not even close. Because with just one look at this gallery, you just know, their love outshines even the prettiest of details. See it all here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… The theme of our wedding was simple elegance with a vintage twist. I always envisioned getting married in the beautiful church of St. Rose, where I had attended school for thirteen years. Walking down the aisle, I was flooded with memories of all the times I had spent at St. Rose and excited for the future memories we would create as husband and wife. My groom knew the significance of this ceremony site, and was so supportive in the entire planning process.

Being from small hometowns, our friends and family were all well acquainted. We chose the English Manor as our reception venue because the layout of the ballroom brought everyone together to be a part of our day. We are both very family oriented and it was important to have a reception site which would reflect our values. Moreover, the beautiful grounds fit perfectly with our theme of simple elegance. The landscaping and gazebos provided for breathtaking photo opportunities, which our photographer captured beautifully.

Our bridal party was a direct reflection on who we are; it was filled with lifelong childhood friends, college friends, and family members. We chose a trolley as our form of transportation because we wanted our bridal party and parents all together to celebrate between the ceremony and reception. The trolley was also a beautiful touch to our beach photos and fit perfectly with the feel I wanted for the wedding.

Everyone who knows the groom can tell you his favorite color is orange (mine is green). As soon as we were engaged, people were asking how we would incorporate orange into the big day. My response: flowers. Our favorite colors were the inspiration behind the dusty shale bridesmaid dresses, the green and blue groomsmen ties, the orange in the groom’s tie and the boutonnieres. Since the bridesmaid dresses were a lighter color, I wanted a bright flower to make everything pop; hence the pink peonies. Mixed in with them were elegant garden roses and dusty miller, which was a perfect match to the bridesmaid dresses.

The bridal gown was the finishing touch on my entire theme. The elegant lace entwined with beading, was a perfect match for me. It was truly my dream gown; I wish I could wear it to more events! My parents were truly amazing in helping us have our dream wedding, and the groom’s mother organized a gorgeous rehearsal dinner on the beach, which reflected where we had both grown up, and where we would now build a life together.

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Kay English | Ceremony Venue: St. Rose Parish in Belmar, New Jersey | Reception Venue: The English Manor in Ocean Township, New Jersey | Floral Design: Wallflowers | Trolley Service: Long Branch Trolley Company | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones “Jesse”  via Kleinfeld Bridal | Bride’s Earrings: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: David’s Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew | Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire: JC Penney | Ties: Nautica via Macy’s

This wedding gave me chills. From the moment I set sight on the images from Susan Baker Photography to the last line of the sweet description from the Mother of the Bride – chills. Because it’s beautiful defined, and with Matthew Robbins Design at the design helm and JZ Events planning every last moment to perfection, it’s a level of beautiful that simply can’t be matched. It’s understated elegance perfectly executed complete with a timelessly stunning Monique Lhuiller gown, and you can see every last gorgeous detail right here.

Hart Pictures keeps the gorgeous going with their oh so lovely film of this stunning soiree…

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride’s Mother… From the moment they became engaged Woodney and John were adamant-they did not want a fancy wedding. They were quite terrified about the bells and whistles that weddings tend to come with. Both appreciate tradition but some things about some weddings just seemed “over the top”. The challenge for the bride’s parents was how to plan a wedding that was within the couples comfort zone while also being gracious, fun and memorable for the guests and the couple. Initially, John offered to prepare the wedding meal himself-an idea that was gently rebuffed by all involved.

One aspect of her wedding day that had long captured Woodney’s imagination was her bridal attire. She thoroughly enjoyed shopping for the perfect dress and the Monique Llhuiller dress that she chose was just what she had envisioned. To really make the dress her very own, a very old linen hankie with pale blue embroidery around the border, once belonging to her late paternal grandfather, was monogrammed with the bride’s initials and the wedding date and sewn into the lining of the dress, This touch went unnoticed by others but was a special part of Woodney’s day.

After searching for their wedding venue for months, Woodney and John realized that the perfect place was right in front of their eyes all along- a lovely open field bordered by leafy trees at her parent’s home. It seemed a perfect spot for a 3 peaked tent to shelter their guests. It was a personal place to Woodney and seemed to have the right feel. Having the wedding at home also allowed them more control over the wedding dinner menu, something that they were very excited about. They were eager to serve some of their favorite comfort foods. After some research and recommendations, they found their ideal collaboration with Mary Guiliani and her catering company in New York City.

Woodney and John were also eager to find the right person to help them realize and refine their vision of the decor for the reception. They wanted the feel to be one of comfort, elegant simplicity, and softness with an abundance of summer colors- a gracious yet subtly sophisticated pastoral meal.

They found the ideal designer to achieve their dream in Matthew Robbins. Matthew seemed to understand and share their vision from the start. With his expertise, all of the many details of the reception were realized and fine tuned. An abundance of summer blooms in various shades of blues, purples and greens in assorted vessels created beautiful landscapes on each of the rectangular tables. The rough-hewn farm tables with bentwood chairs were left to be admired with cut lace table runners down the centers. Candles in copper lanterns and cut glass holders softly lit the scene. Old chalkboards provided the signage for the evening. The table numbers were calligraphed in white paint on slate slabs. Similarly, small slate pieces served as the escort cards painted with each guests name and table assignment and tied with cording to vintage skeleton keys. The look was one of warmth and welcome, as hoped for by Woodney and John to share with family and friends on their very special day!

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Susan Baker & Francesco Mastalia from Susan Baker Photography | Ceremony Venue: Princeton University Chapel in Princeton, New Jersey | Reception Venue: Bride’s Family Home in Short Hills, New Jersey | Event Planner: Jennifer Zabinski from JZ Events | Floral Design + Decor: Matthew Robbins Design | Wedding Cinematography: Hart Pictures | Catering + Wedding Cake: Mary Guiliani Catering | Reception Tent: Sperry Tents | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuiller | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amsale | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Brooks Brothers

I’m a sucker for high school sweethearts, and these two are the sweetest. They met over homemade cookies and pies and fell in love over roasted ‘mallows, all at her grandmother’s country home. It doesn’t get much cuter than that. Therese Marie Wagner Photography was the lucky lady to capture the adorable love between these two, and she’s filled a gallery with sweet details from the day. Click here to see it all!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the beautiful bride … I guess I could paraphrase an old song and say “How you Gonna keep ‘em in Parie after they’ve seen life on the Farm”?

I was introduced to Ken at Grandmother’s house.  She loved to have company at her house in the country.  It was a frequent gathering place for all of my  high school friends. (We didn’t have cell phones and Facebook to keep in touch.) Our chatting and socializing often took place at “Grandma’s house.” My friends loved the cooking smells coming from kitchen and knew in the fall and winter there were always home made cookies and pies stored up on her porch for guests.

One evening  Ken dropped in with a mutual friend who had come over for the evening, and we were introduced. Over our high school years we became good friends… and over time the cookies and pies with friends became hot dogs and marshmallows roasted over bon fires in the “back forty.”  After dating in high school we each went our separate ways, but always remained close friends.  Over time we both realized that cocktails and dinner without each other was not the “Paris” we were looking for, and that it was being with each other that really counted.  My grandmother passed shortly after we were married, but I can still hear her say “He’s a good catch, don’t let him get away”.

[dotted]

Photography: Therese Marie Wagner Photography | Venue: Stone House at Stirling Ridge NJ | Floral Design: Laura Clare Floral Design & Event Decor | Shoes: Michael Kors | Dress: Rachel Zoe | Handbag: Louis Vuitton | Stationery: Beacon Lane | Make-up Artist: Nikki Tans | Place Cards: Belles Lettres Calligraphy

Today is a celebration of all things Bryce Covey. An official “Day o’ Bryce,” if you will. And because pretty much anything he touches turns to gold, we’ve lined up a full day of features photographed by Bryce himself. Features so unbelievably pretty we decided they deserved a day all their own. To kick things off, we have a New Jersey affair of elegant perfection. It’s a classic fairytale kind of fête that’s just begging to be browsed in the full gallery here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the bride…Courtney and Craig lived near each other in North Jersey, but were in completely different social circles and their paths did not cross for over 20 years! Facebook would later confirm in fact, they had no friends in common!  On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, Craig happened to be leaving the Cornerstone Inn in Hillsdale, NJ with friends. He held the door on his way out for two girls as they walked in. First her girl friend, and then Courtney walked through the door, and that was it! Craig was awestruck!  Shy, but determined, he decided to stay and speak with her. Craig walked up to her and put his foot in his mouth.  Courtney kindly removed his foot for him, was amazingly charming and encouraged him through a ten-minute conversation.  Not daring to push his luck, Craig said goodbye and left as more of her friends arrived, without asking for her number.

As Craig drove home, he thought about how wonderful this girl was and how he hoped he would see her again, so that next time he could ask her out.  He then realized the folly of this approach, what if he never saw her again! He was half-way home, he quickly turned around in the middle of the road and sped back, hoping he was not too late.  Arriving and running through the packed bar, he could not find her.  She must have gone!  He had lost his chance.                      

Just as he was walking towards the door to leave, Courtney tapped him on the shoulder, as she was walking by and said:  “Are you having a good time?”  Craig responded with “There you are!” They spoke briefly and Courtney returned to sit by the fireplace with some friends. While Courtney’s girlfriends watched from the fireplace, Craig made three failed passes before he finally walked right up to Courtney and said, “Look, I think you’re beautiful and I’d like to get to know you better.  Would you get coffee with me sometime?”  Courtney smiled and agreed and gave him her phone number. Craig left, shouting and thumping the top of his car the entire car ride home. And the rest is history! 

Almost exactly four years later, on Saturday, January 21, 2012, Bridesmaid Theresa Staine  non-chalantly invited Courtney to go out with her to the Cornerstone Inn, while Craig was “at school doing Law Review work in New York.”   Courtney arrived and as she is always cold! Sat at the same fireplace from four years before when Craig had asked her out. Then, Craig walked out of the shadows, knelt before Courtney and he said, “Look, I think you’re beautiful and I’d like to get to know you better,” he said. But this time he asked,  “Will you marry me?” You can guess what she said! And they lived happily ever after!

We are both romantics and fell in love with The Castle at Skyland Manor as soon as we saw it! We were so taken aback by the 200 acres of botanical gardens that we quickly agreed on an enchanted forest theme. We wanted all the details to feel whimsical with pastel flowers, butterflies and lush green ivy. The indoor/outdoor reception was adorned with ivy on railings and twinkling white lights. The centerpieces were a combination of trees with hanging votives and bushels of soft baby’s breath.  We hung colored floating lanterns by a pond outside, which flickered in the night creating a romantic feeling. We also lined the stone walls of the castle with old fashioned lanterns and votives. The whole feeling was charming and magical. 

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Bryce Covey Photography | Ceremony Venue: St Gabriel’s The Archangel | Reception Venue: The Castle at The Skylands Manor | Wedding Planning: The Bride, Couture Weddings and Events | Floral Design: Anna Rose Floral Design | Wedding Cinematography: Videotech Studios | Band: Jerry Kravat, The “A” Band | Cake Design: Bride | Finger Print Tree: SpottedNest | Invitations: ExclusivelyWeddings.com | Guest Book: Etsy By BookOfShadowsStore | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair: Panico Salon | Makeup: Makeup Naturally | Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy | Groomsmen’s Attire: JOS A Bank | Favors: Donations to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital + March of Dimes | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab

From the very beginning, this couple set out to plan an elegant soiree to celebrate their love. Atelier Isabey was on the job, setting the tone for a gorgeous wedding. And gorgeous it was, if Carla Ten Eyck‘s images have anything to say about it. The whole day teetered on the edge of “just as beautiful as the bride,” never quite tipping over, only because she is unbelievably stunning. As you can see in the gallery, it was absolutely gorgeous!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the onset, our goal was to host an elegant event for our friends and family but keep it relaxed enough where all guests could feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. We also wanted to give a nod back to our Circassian culture and heritage.

Over 300 of our closest friends and family celebrated with us at the Brownstone in October; a venue renowned for their food and service. We chose a modern fall palette of gold and soft pinks to complement the venue’s interiors. The Brownstone’s beauty was accentuated with an English garden floral motif by Eric Olsen of Amaryllis Event Décor and soft pink lighting by Philip Santos of Specialist Entertainment.

DJ Philip Santos and The Tony Mercho Band provided amazing entertainment and kept our guests on their feet all night long; young and old cut a rug. Lawrence Jatker and Yanal Kazan represented our Circassian culture with awesome music and sound. The photo booth provided by Jerome of Photomatonchic added just the right touch of whimsy to our affair. The photos from the booth circulated the social networks faster than Hollywood gossip.

The final product was ‘a feast for the eyes’ as our photographer, Carla Ten Eyck put it so eloquently. We blended modern and tradition and kept the mood light so our guests could really party. The love and joy we felt that night will be burned in our memories forever. We could not have asked for a better day to start the rest of our lives together.

[dotted]

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck | Venue: The Brownstone | Dress: Stephen Yearick from Park Avenue Bridals | Stationery: Atelier Isabey | Flowers: Amaryllis Event Décor | Photobooth: Photomatonchic | Videography: Vantage Point Films | Music: Tony Mercho Band, Specialists Entertainment Inc. – Philip Santos, Yanal Kazan, Lawrence Jatker | Makeup: Blush Makeup Studio, Alyssa Shackil-Penna | Hair: Public Image Limited | Shoes: Benjamin Adams