New Jersey Weddings

Wedding Wednesday is the loveliest day of the week here at SMP. Not only do we get to share the usual pinch-me-perfect weddings that grace our pages daily, but today we’re multiplying the love with nine beautiful features from morning til night. And kicking off all the real wedding fun is a beachy beautiful event photographed by Christian Oth Studio’s own Michael Falco. With such easy elegance and understated glam, this wedding’s gorgeous full gallery is not to be missed.

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From the bride…I was 34 and my husband was 31 years old, so I was sure that I wanted to have a more mature wedding, which for me meant forgoing bridesmaids, groomsmen and a large event and instead opting for a matron of honor and best man in a more intimate setting. My husband and I love Latin music and dancing and after spending time in South America, have always dreamed of having a home in Miami, so we originally wanted to plan a destination wedding. We were unable to find a suitable venue in Miami and, at my Mother’s urging, eventually toured a property in Long Beach Island, N.J., where my family has been summering since the 1940’s. We brought the Latin feel into our wedding by hiring a 13-piece Latin crossover band including a dedicated percussionist, choosing deep persimmon and champagne as our wedding colors and opting for a two-piece wedding dress with a beaded bustier top and high-waisted satin skirt and a deep persimmon tiered silk strapless dress in a very avant-garde below the knee length for my sister, Lindsay, the matron of honor. My parents also hosted a Spanish brunch at the Estate on Sunday morning. I highlighted my husband’s handsome Greek skin with an ivory bowtie and suspenders over a very fitted covered-placket tuxedo shirt. I have never been fond of boxy pleated tux shirts, cummerbunds or tuxedo studs and was happy that we were able to avoid all of this! My adorable nephew and ring bearer, Eli, wore ivory silk shorts and suspenders with a matching vest.
 
I envisioned a formal, black tie event and worked with the caterer to eliminate food tables, food stations and the usual open bar during our gracious 90-minute cocktail hour. Instead, we tripled our serving staff, brought out white wine and “dark and stormy” cocktails, chose eight different hors d’oeuvres, increased the number of hors d’oeuvres per tray and outfitted all of the indoor and outdoor high top tables with cheese wrapped olive puffs and yucca duck fat fries served in paper cones with Old Bay ketchup at the bottom of the cones. I didn’t want anyone to be waiting in line for a drink or shoveling food onto little plates when they could be mingling! After all, one of the purposes of a wedding is for the friends and family of the bride and groom to get acquainted.
 
I enjoyed the music at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, including “Ave Maria” sung by one of my best friends, the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” played by one of my husband’s best friends, a special violin rendition of Enya’s “Only Time,” and of course walking down the aisle with my amazing Dad to a classic organ and violin rendition of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” I also enjoyed driving with my new husband in our classic car- a 1964 Rolls Royce- up to the gorgeous reception site- and seeing all of our guests gathered in the boathouse (an old Vermont barn which the builder moved to Bonnet Island) with mini champagne bottles in hand, sipping from gold straws in the spring sunshine, and meandering through the gardens behind the estate to the cocktail hour- perfect! Finally, I loved sitting at the long tables with my husband and listening to my father, sister and husband speak.
 
Michael Falco, our photographer from Christian Oth in NYC, was professional, warm, genuinely interested in the project, accommodating, appropriately emotionally involved and always a gentleman. We knew that Michael was the man for the job when we learned that he had spent time in Long Beach Island as a child! Michael and his assistant, Glen, arrived in Long Beach Island the night before our event.  He did everything in his power to achieve beautiful photos, cramming into the backseat of our special car with us, standing on benches in the chapel, even using an old boat as a prop. Before the ceremony, he was conscientious of keeping my dress as clean as possible and even carried my lip-gloss in his pocket for touch ups. Michael was respectful to everyone he encountered and made everyone feel comfortable in his presence- which made for more natural smiles.

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Wedding Photography: Michael Falco of Christian Oth Studio | Wedding Planning: Mother of the Bride | Florist: The Rhoads Garden | Church: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church | Officiant: Fr. Paul Pappas | Reception Location: Bonnet Island Estate | Entertainment: The Groove Shop | Invitations: Carolyn Brandhurst, The Papery of Philadelphia | Calligraphy: Michael Weinstein, MJW Calligraphy | Menus, Programs: Peter Groben, WonderStorm Design | Luxury Buses: Classic Tours | Sunday Spanish Brunch: Chris Sanchez, Small Potatoes Catering | Caterer: Merri-Makers | Wine and Liquor: Pio Imports | Wedding Cake: The Bake Works | Rentals: Ocean County Tent Rentals and Party Rentals Ltd. | Dress: Monique Lhullier | Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent | Jewelry: Golden Nugget Jewelers | Hair Color: Laurentius Purnama, Laurentius Salon | Hairstyle: Alison Sileo, Mack Stylist LLC | Makeup: Amanda, Aqua Bleu Salon | Groom’s Tuxedo: Battistoni | Groom’s Shirt: From Boyds Philadelphia | Groom’s Ivory Silk Satin Bowtie and Suspenders: Molly Rodgers | Patent Tuxedo Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Cufflinks: Bride’s grandfather’s | Gold Rolex Watch: gift from groom’s father

Not only am I in love with this sweet and whimsical backyard wedding, I totally want to be besties with this literary-loving bride. Inspired by the woods and her childhood dream of being a 19th century American Girl (love it), this bride created a day that was all about sentiment and nostalgia. And even though she planned her outdoor day in the middle of hurricane season, her dad up in heaven held off the rain until just minutes after the reception ended. (LOVE it!) Photography by Martha captured all the magic and you can see it all right here in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… I have been visiting Allaire State Park in Farmingdale, New Jersey since I was a little girl. A part of me always secretly wished I could be an American Girl doll circa the 19th century and the historic chapel and village onsite of the park are totally representative of the era. This set the stage for what we wanted our wedding day to feel like; a little bit of nostalgia with hints of whimsy, woods, and soft colors.

My father passed away when I was 17 which made the wedding planning and wedding day bittersweet. The choice to hold the reception outdoors at the beginning of a hurricane season was a gamble but one of my bridesmaids continually reassured me that my father would never allow it to rain on my wedding day. Come the morning of the wedding, the weather was perfect. The sun was shining and the evening was ideal until about 5 minutes after the reception ended when it began to down pour. It was as if my father was telling me “This was the best I could do. I held off the rain until the very end.” It was one of the most emotional parts of the day.

Alex is in the Coast Guard and has a very unpredictable schedule so we knew that we needed to set a wedding date quickly and during a time when we knew he would be home. We set a date within a few weeks of being engaged and dove into seven months of all too quick planning. We knew that we didn’t want to break the bank or get married at a hotel ballroom or reception center, which left us with very few options here in New Jersey. The aesthetic that we felt most comfortable with from the beginning was a backyard-tented reception. At first, my mom wanted me to explore venue options but we quickly realized that there was nothing available in the area that suited our taste. Alex’s parents agreed to let us use their backyard for the reception and the vision of the wedding came easy from there.

Some of our favorite memories from the wedding took place before the actual wedding day. Our family and bridal party all pitched in to assemble flower arrangements, hang lights, place decorations, and even assemble a few last minute DIY projects. Alex’s mom grew zinnias and mums and made our pennant banners and table runners. Alex’s dad is a talented guitar player and was our ceremony musician. This made the wedding day even more meaningful to everyone involved. Everyone played an integral part.

Because of his enlistment in the Coast Guard, Alex was absent for half of the planning but I was still able to bounce ideas off of him through email. Luckily, we share the same taste in a lot of things so he was able to trust my judgment. I am a librarian and was able to add a few literary nods into the wedding without going overboard. The paper pinwheels were made from discarded maps and books from the library I work at and my save the dates and place cards were designed on an old school library card template. Alex decided to not wear his military uniform for the wedding but acknowledged his military connections by wearing red, white, and navy blue.

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Wedding Photography: Photography by Martha | Ceremony Venue: Allaire State Park in Farmingdale, New Jersey | Reception Location: Private Residence in New Jersey | Officiant: Rev. Jill Dillner | Event Design: Bride + Groom’s Sister from Moody Lords | Floral Design: Petal Street Flower Company | Caterer: Shore Catering | Wedding Cake: the Bride | Cake Topper: ReadyGo | Ceremony Musician: Richard Hohowski, the Groom’s Father | DJ: DJ Kernsy (djkernsy1@yahoo.com) | Tent + Rentals: Omar the Tent Man | Decor: Save on Crafts | Bar Menu: Vintage Window Panes | Invitations: 3 Eggs Design | Wedding Paper Goods: DIY by the Bride | Pennant Banners + Table Runners: DIY by Groom’s Mother | Wedding Dress: Eden Bridals “1380” | Sash: BHLDN | Headband: Amanda Judge Untamed Petals | Wedding Rings + Jewelry: Goldtinker | Shoes: Steve Madden | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Guess + Anthropologie + Urban Outfitters + Modcloth + ASOS | Bridesmaid Clutches: J Carter Handmade | Groom’s Attire: Macy’s + J.Crew | Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan | Groomsmen: J.Crew | Hair: Alyssa Miller (missylysie2@yahoo.com) | Makeup: Marlena Singh from  Sally Duvall Makeup Artistry

If I were to write a book about our next wedding, it would be titled How To Bring the Understated Elegance of Wine Country to the Jersey Shore. Ok, so my title might be a little long, but seriously, this wedding is a lesson in making your event a reflection of the things you love in life. And just because a California celebration isn’t in the cards, doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice one ounce of style. Captured beautifully by Images by Berit it’s laidback lovliness on the good ol’ east coast and it’s all right here for your viewing pleasure

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From Images by Berit… Laura and Joe got married in Spring Lake, NJ. They are NYC dwellers but both love the Jersey Shore – especially Spring Lake, which is where the bride’s family lives (and thank goodness were minimally impacted by S.S.Sandy). They had a beautiful, casual, chic wedding at the Spring Lake Country Club, and their ceremony was at St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church in Spring Lake, New Jersey. They are a very loving, passionate and lovely couple!

From the Bride… If someone were to tell me 10 years ago that a suburban girl from New Jersey would marry a man from a beautiful 400 acre farm on Maryland’s eastern shore, I would have never believed them … until I met my husband. Joe and I met at a party in Manhattan, where we both live, and immediately bonded over love of music, travel, and family. When the time came to plan our wedding, we chose the beach where my parents live and we spend each summer weekend – Spring Lake, New Jersey. My dream to be married in one of our favorite vacation destinations, Napa, California, was not feasible so I attempted to bring the simplistic elegance of Northern California to Spring Lake.

I wore a delicate lace dress and carried my grandmother’s antique handkerchief, with tiny blue flower stitching, as I walked down the aisle. Lavender, an abundant flower in wine country, was the accent color for the men’s ties as well as the flowers held by the bridesmaids. Our save the dates mimicked a wine label design, each table was named after our favorite vineyards, and corks were used as detailed accents as far as the eye could see. One more personal touch that we added was to have a favorite vineyard that we had recently visited in Napa engrave our names and our wedding date on a magnum of wine that we plan to open on our first anniversary in lieu of cake.

My favorite memory of our wedding day was walking into the church, which my family has belonged to since the 1920s, and a place that holds so many special memories. I remember standing in the vestibule, holding on to my parents’ arms, the doors opening, and seeing my husband … and at that very moment, nothing else mattered.

Photography: Images by Berit, Inc. / Wedding Location: St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church / Reception Venue: Spring Lake Golf Club / Event Planning: Joan Glenn of 6 Degrees of Celebration / Floral Design: Flowers from Hannah / Cake + Desserts: The Macaroon Shop / Invitations: Palm Papers / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Jewelry: Kwiat / Bridesmaids’ Dresses:  J Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Reception Band: The Infernos / Ceremony Musicians: Merynda Adams (Harp) + Mark Mataranglo (Organ) + Steve Jankowski (Trumpet)

This gallery is magic. The kind of magic that makes me want to get up out of my chair here at SMP HQ and do cartwheels.Or spirit fingers at the very least. Because it’s a gallery full of moments captured so beautifully by Arielle Doneson Photography and perfectly place thoughtful details by Simply Chic Wedding & Event Design. It’s the story of two opera singers finding love and tying the knot in the most beautiful ways, so trust me when I say it’s a gallery that cannot be missed. See it all right here.

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From Becky Vanderbeck of Simply Chic Wedding & Event Design… Sara and Chad wanted the overall feel of the wedding to be that of  family. Many of the guests were either close friends or family, and the couple wanted the event not to feel like a traditional wedding but rather a dinner in their home, which is why they chose a family-style dinner at the reception. Many of the details incorporated in the overall design represented moments in their love story or their family.

Instead of doing numbers to mark the tables, we named each table after a city they toured together while singing in various operas. To represent the coming together of their two cultures, the escort cards were shaped like maple leaves to represent Chad’s Canadian roots, while the clothespins that held the cards were the colors of the Italian flag, representing Sara’s heritage. At the church, we had picture frames on the aisles of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents on their wedding days. The fabulous ring bearer box was made to look like the book “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” which is the opera they were singing when they first met.

The aesthetic theme for the wedding was “a Tuscan garden at twilight.” The centerpieces had mismatched vases with garden-inspired flowers and herbs. We wrapped votive candles with a lace ribbon tied with dried lavender and fresh herbs. When they were lit, the scent was like being in an herb garden! Another fun detail was the custom cocktail, a lavender-scented lemonade in mason jars. We hung globe string lights from the ceiling of the museum. Though typically they are used for outdoor weddings, we felt the globe lighting would make the space feel more romantic.  The museum space has incredibly high ceilings (40 feet) but by stringing the lights the way, we did we were able to bring the ceiling down and make the space feel more intimate. Not to mention, they added a nice romantic glow, like a Tuscan garden at twilight.

Wedding Photography: Arielle Doneson Photography / Ceremony: Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey / Reception: Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, New Jersey / Wedding Planning: Simply Chic Wedding & Event Design / Floral Design: Laurelwood Designs / Catering: Orange and Olive Caterers / Italian Pastries + Cookies: Rispoli Pastry Shop in Ridgefield (201-943-6002) / Gelato Cart: Gelato Giuliana / Wedding Invitations: Custom via Arrow Stationery / Band: Matt Bilyk & Doug Ferony Big Band / Catering Rentals: Something Different Party Rentals / Chairs, Tables, Linens: Party Rental Ltd. / Museum Lighting: Simply Chic Wedding & Event Design + JB Lighting Production / Ring Bearer Box + Flower Girl Banner: DIY by Cindy Petrocelli, the Bride’s Mother / Wedding Dress: Custom via Jaehee Bridal / Jewelry: Custom via Euphoria New York / Bride’s Veil: Custom via Occansey Designs + Grandmother’s Head Piece / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair: Rosemary Petrocelli-Mitros of La Vie en Rose Salon in Fort Lee (201-947-1099) / Makeup: Alex Michaels / Groom’s Suit: Collezioni Uomini in Englewood Cliffs (201-944-8330) / Groom’s Shirt + Tie: Vero Uomo / Groom’s Shoes: From Italy

Most Brides cross their fingers and toes for clear skies on the big day. But worst case scenario, rain makes for incredibly gorgeous images. And if you’re anything like this Bride, you may get some lovely Hunter Rain Boots as a keepsake. From an outside perspective, it’s a win win and from the perspective of Lindsay Madden Photography, that win win is so, so pretty. See it all right here.

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From the Bride… I feel incredibly lucky saying that the year and half wedding planning process was really…fun. From getting drinks to better know our talented and super cool photographer, to late night chats with our Etsy program designer, all of our vendors seemed to really understand Rich and I and were excited about helping make our vision a reality. Although I really enjoyed working with all of our vendors; I had the most fun working with Rich’s sister, Meaghan, a total DIY guru if you ask me. Meaghan spent countless weekends finding picture frames for table numbers, painting a mailbox for a card holder, and designing a seating chart for our 200 guests! Working with Meaghan not only gave me a new appreciation for her creativity but was a great bonding experience.

In the days leading up to the wedding I was really nervous about the weather. We were in the middle of a beautiful stretch of dry, warm, early fall weather and every news station and weather website (I checked them all) was calling for a very, very wet wedding day. I knew I couldn’t control the weather, but the uncertainty of what the day would bring was pretty anxiety producing. After coming up with some last minute rain plans, and rushing to rent umbrellas I forced myself to let it go. This was going to be our one and only wedding day and I knew it would be great, rain or shine. The morning of the wedding, it poured. I remember being at the salon with my bridal party, looking out the window, and my whole bridal party was silent, waiting for me to react. I took a few deep breaths, thought about seeing Rich, and told the girls to turn up the music. A few hours later I was back at the hotel and as soon as I started to get ready the rain just stopped. We decided to do our “first look” inside just in case the weather decided to act up again. The first moment Rich and I first saw each other was so special – I am really happy I took our photographer, Lindsay’s advice, and had the “first look” be just Rich and I. That one, private moment is something I will cherish forever. After the “first look” Rich and I decided we wanted to venture outside for the rest of our pictures; we had beautiful umbrellas and I happened to have my favorite pair of Hunter rain boots with me…so we might as well have some fun!

The rest of the day was just incredible. The food and drink at our venue, the Stone House at Stirling Ridge was delicious, our Olde English Bulldogge, Lily, who was also our flowerdog was very well behaved, and most importantly, we had all of our family and friends together, celebrating in our love. Our wedding day may have not been “perfect”, but it truly was the perfect start to Rich’s and my journey as husband and wife.

Wedding Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography (Lead Photographer) + Carmen Santorelli Photography (Second Shooter) / Wedding Venue: Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, New Jersey / Bride + Groom’s Prep Location: Sheraton Lincoln Harbor / Floral Design:  Rose Petals and Lace Floral Designers / Cupcakes: Rudy’s Pastry Shop / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Entertainment + Lighting: Eclipse Entertainment / Bride’s Dress: Watters / Bride’s Veil: RK Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: J. Renee Rosina via Zappos / Bride’s Rainboots: Hunter / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Hair + Makeup Salon Rouge / Groom’s Suit: Banana Republic / Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds

It’s been a tough few months for the East Coast since Hurricane Sandy delivered her wrath, but when this shoot from Christina Lilly Photography graced our inbox, it was the perfect reminder of what was-and what will be again. The gorgeous light reflecting on the calm, coastal New Jersey water sets the stage beautifully for the lovely table design + florals by Gilded Lily Events. This shoot is filled to the brim with inspiration and loaded with hope…see the rest right here!

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From Christina Lilly Photography… After the two weeks of devastation from Hurricane Sandy I wanted to reflect on the beauty that is … and was a New Jersey Beach wedding. As a photographer located on the east coast, it has been amazing to shoot along the beaches of New Jersey. This particular session was shot in Sandy Hook this past September. The golden light reflecting off the calm waters is the reason so many couples choose to have coastal theme weddings. They never seem to go out of style. I can only hope our shores continue to attract the couples that harbor a love for a beach wedding.

Photography: Christina Lilly Photography / Ceremony: Church of the Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey / Reception: Sandy Hook Beach, New Jersey / Event Planning + Floral Design: Gilded Lily Events / Invitations: Art Paper Scissors Design / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone / Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent / Makeup: Stephanie Vazquez of Smashbox

There is nothing that makes me happier than two people professing their love and undying devotion to one another – especially if the bride and groom are as sweet as these two. In a French Country-esque wedding planned by Cassandre Snyder Events, the lovebirds tied the knot and Petite Photographie was there with her camera to capture the first kiss – and every other fab detail. Click here for more!

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Jim and I had been together for many years when we decided to get married in August. We’d been through “ better or worse,” we’d done “in sickness and in health” and we were still working on the “richer” part of the vows- the only thing left to do was to actually tie the knot! Nevertheless, when he parked in front of a jewelry store at Christmas and announced that he wanted to buy a ring I was stunned.

I have always loved French Country décor, so the choice of Rat’s Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculpture was an easy one for me. Jim’s son and best man, James, lives in Paris and our trip to visit him a few years ago took us to the French countryside. We found that the atmosphere at Rat’s transported us back to France- the fabrics, the bright colors, flowers, the sculpture, and of course the fabulous food. We needed few decorations. Our wedding flowers complemented the décor with shades of blue, yellow and white, and blended perfectly into the charming room.

My bouquet was particularly meaningful because the stems of my blue and white flowers were wrapped in a yellow monogrammed napkin that was given to my mother when she got married in 1938. That single surviving napkin allowed me to feel that she was with us on our special day.

Our venue, Rat’s, was named for a character in the favorite childhood book of sculptor and philanthropist, Seward Johnson. Johnson thought that Ratty from “The Wind in the Willows” was the perfect host, so Ratty has lent his name to the restaurant. Because of this connection and because I’m a former reading teacher, one of our favors to our small group of guests was a copy of the book to reread and savor after the wedding. We like to think that Ratty would have enjoyed our celebration, too.

Jim and I were fortunate to have chosen to work with a photographer, Rita Rojas Sullivan, who was creative yet respected our wishes regarding photo subjects and poses. Our wedding planner, Cassandre Snyder, had the experience and the sense of style to add the perfect touches to the venue and to the “senior” bride and groom. We proved that it’s possible to plan and celebrate a perfect wedding in just two months!

Photography: Petit-Photographie / Flowers: Joseph’s Florist / Event Planning: Cassandre Snyder Events / Ceremony & Reception Location: Ground’s for Sculpture, Rat’s Restaurant / Dress: Tahari

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!

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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

There are major fashion moments in every wedding we feature on SMP. The gown, the shoes, the jewelry – fashion eye candy is just the norm on our screens. But just take one look at this brides floral crown below, and you will know that this morning’s fashion moment is anything but normal. And that’s just the tip of all the pretty packed into this post – a Bride with flowers in her hair, a Groom that couldn’t look more in love if he tried, and a wedding so pretty we simply can’t stop smiling? Fashion moment or not – the images captured by Love Me Do Photography are full of all the moments we love most. See so much more here.

From the Groom… There was a moment before Corinne and I met when we both were wandering post-college, waiting for something magnificent to happen. Strangely enough, it took sliced Italian cold cuts to bring us together. I had been working at a local deli and had taken to busting one of my co-workers about his good-looking sister. After mustering up enough courage, the call was made and a semi-blind date was spent sipping passion tea and eating chocolate biscotti. As a small side note, Corinne and I are both from the same small town, which is nearly a square mile. We shared the same mutual friends and competed in the same junior athletic leagues — yet never knew each other until we met that night.

After five years, there was small talk of marriage, mostly the two of us agreeing that we wanted to. I made it no secret that I was shopping for an engagement ring, but it was important to me that Corinne wasn’t involved in the process. We are very lucky to have dined in some of the best restaurants around the country, and it was no surprise to me that my wife had a little bit of a chef crush on Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin. Naturally, when I had negotiated a way to have Chef Ripert make a tableside visit just prior to popping the question, I was a tad bit worried she might just run off! When he first walked by the table, Corinne’s response was, “Oh, he’s so gorgeous,” which I followed with, “I’m doomed.” Well neither of us have any recollection of what we said to the chef when we met him, but just after he left and my emotions could no longer take it, I dropped to one knee, instantly welled up and asked Corinne if she would “dine with me for the rest of our lives.” She said “Yes,” and we cried, then enjoyed the meal of a lifetime.

From the Bride… From the second I said “Yes,” I knew that I could not wait to get to the moment when I said “I do” to my best friend. We both knew that the over-sized chandeliers, mismatched carpets and funny angel wallpaper found in the majority of New Jersey wedding locations was not our ideal, so we ventured outside the expected. We both envisioned a relaxing atmosphere centered around family, friends and amazing food. Once we met Teri Lands of Main Street Catering at the Inn at Fernbrook Farms, everything fell into place.

After spending months gathering vintage jars and bottles; perfecting DIY projects made from recycled barn doors, windowpanes and old bike frames; and brewing and bottling our homemade beer, our day had finally come. Our vision of romantic candlelight, fresh garden flowers and endless dancing played out in front of us. It was amazing that we had the wedding that we always dreamed of, and in the end, we were able to share with our guests who we are as a couple and how we want the rest of our life to be: free-spirited, well-fed and always celebrated.

Wedding Photography: Nadine Rovner of Love Me Do Photography / Wedding Venue: The Inn at Fernbrook Farms in Bordentown, New Jersey / Floral Design: S&K Floral Expressions / Wedding Cinematography: PF Films / Catering: Main Street Fine Catering / Band: Milan 77 via EBE Entertainment  / Vintage Items: Meeker Flea Market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn / Beer Bottle Labels: Bottle Your Brand / Photo Booth Company: Garden State Photo Studio / Tattoo: Betty Rose of Red Rocket Tattoo / Wedding Dress: Watters “Torreon” via Lovely Bridal Shop / Bride’s First Head Piece: S&K Floral Expressions / Bride’s Second Head Piece: Sew Elegant / Hair: Diana Musano of Mad One Jacks / Makeup: La Bella Ragazza (bellarmakeup@gmail.com) / Flower Girls’ Dresses: OliveandFern / Groom’s Suit: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection / Grooms Shirt: Custom by 20 Peacocks / Groom’s Tie: Burberry

You’d never know by looking at these pretty images by Studio A Images that the weather was insanely hot that day. We’re talking 99 degrees and no a/c kinda heat. And the bride didn’t even break a sweat! She stayed calm, cool and beautiful from start to finish. There’s so much to love about this day but I think our favorite part was when the groom’s daughter sang a special song at the ceremony. How sweet! Click here for even more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Studio A Images… According to The Weather Channel, the official temperature was 99 degrees for Michalina and Cliff’s wedding at The Water Witch Club at Monmouth Hills. What makes this noteworthy is that the historic Water Witch, built in the 1890s, does not have air conditioning. But Michalina and Cliff weren’t going to allow the excessive heat put a damper on their wedding day. Their ceremony didn’t just signify a union between the two of them, but the creation of a family with Cliff’s daughter, Justice, who sang a special song during the ceremony for the couple. In spite of the heat, it was a fun and romantic day from start to finish.

Wedding Photography: Adena of Studio A Images / Second Photographer: Carolina Wahnish Rivera / Wedding Venue: The Water Witch Club in Monmouth Hills, New Jersey / Floral Design: Whole Foods / Catering: Mumford’s Culinary Center / Wedding Invitations: Kay of Tying the Knot Invites / DJ: Eclectic Fit Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Jasmine Bridal via RK Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / Hair: Salon Concrete / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Men’s Attire: J.Crew

This may just be the giddy wedding blogger in me talking, but I’m still going to warn you to break out the tissues for this amazing highlight film from Rob Adams Films. From the very beginning, you fall in love with this whole family, and the moment when she walks down the aisle and you peek around the crowd and see people wiping away their happy tears, you may just follow suit. It’s such a refreshing bit of love for your weekend!

Photography courtesy of Eric Shollenberger, ESS Photography.

Click here to see the full image gallery!

By coincidence, Kelly and I met in Miami, Florida in March of 2009. We were both vacationing with mutual friends and instantly hit it off. Once returning from Miami, we continued to keep in touch and moved into our first apartment just a few months later. In April of 2011, Kelly planned a mini getaway to The Water Club at the Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Right before dinner as we were getting ready in our hotel room (which was a corner suite – GORG!), Kelly hid the ring in a bowl full of candy on the bedside table. As we were about to walk out the door, Kelly asked me to grab him a piece of candy. I went over and found the ring of my dreams, a canary diamond! I turned around and Kelly was on one knee. I was shocked!

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed about getting married on the beach. Kelly’s parents have owned a house on Long Beach Island for the past 18 years. The island truly holds a special place in Kelly’s heart and I knew getting married there would really mean a lot to him. We would pass Bonnet Island on our way onto the island every weekend. The place is to die for. Beautiful picturesque grounds, an amazing boat house chapel where we exchanged vows & last but not least, the incredible ballroom. The whole atmosphere is absolute heavenly.

When it came time to pick out our wedding colors, I knew I wanted something light and fresh. I love any shade of light purple. Once I found the perfect bridesmaid dresses and it came in lilac, I knew it was meant to be. I wanted our wedding day to be beachy, yet elegant. I incorporated a lot of crystals. Our centerpieces were candelabras with an oversized shade and hanging crystals which made the ballroom that much more intimate and beautiful. August 25th was the best day of our lives and we will remember and cherish all of the memories forever!

Photography: Eric Shollenberger, ESS Photography / Cinematography: Rob Adams Films / Flowers: MDS Floral Design / Ceremony & Reception Location: Bonnet Island Estate / Invitations: Stephanie Somodi Designs / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Dress Designer: Pronovias / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Vera Wang / Men’s Fashion: Ralph Lauren / Band: Craig Scott Entertainment / Lighting: Fennelli Designs

Just when you thought this wedding couldn’t be any more absolutely amazing, you learn that the couple began their courtship eight years ago, at their prom. I mean, really. Does it get any sweeter than high school sweethearts tying the knot in a wedding so beautiful it touches your soul? No it does not. Put Robert & Kathleen Photographers behind their lens’ and let the beauty unfold – and then put it in a gallery for all of us, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful gift today!

Click here to see the whole pretty thing!

He asked, and I said yes.  Justin and I were going to our senior prom together after years of just being friends throughout high school.  And from that point on, we just knew.  So when he asked again, I couldn’t be more thrilled to say yes – just shy of six years from our original prom date.  But this time he surprised me.  If there’s one thing Justin takes pride in, it’s the fact that he was able to successfully surprise me with his proposal.  It was such a personal moment filled with love, and such an intimate reflection of our relationship, which set the tone for our wedding.

We wanted our day to be a reflection of our love for each other, surrounded by our friends and family.  We knew we wanted it to feel like us and the rest of the details would fall into place. Classic elements, with some vintage andtraditional touches, served as the inspiration for the tone of the day.  Many long hours of flipping through bridal magazines with my mom and best friend, Haley, served us well as every element spoke to something that Justin and I loved.

I knew finding the venue would be my biggest challenge.  With both of us residing in New York City, the stunning setting of rural New Jersey where we grew up was the ideal backdrop.  We wanted to invite everyone home with us, and ultimately, the Ashford Estate, which was discovered by my mom, had all of the elements we were looking for.  

Overall our wedding was beautiful, gorgeous and couldn’t have been any more perfect and our favorite moment from the day was the few minutes we had to ourselves as we took our portraits.  I saw an ad from Tiffany & Co. with a gorgeous tree-lined driveway, and I knew I had to have a natural background as the setting for our photos.  Our portraits in the field are the perfect reflection of our love,and those images beautifully captured the joy and the excitement of the day.

My one piece of advice is to fall in love with your vendors – each and every one of them.  I took my time finding every one, as each person we worked with was an extension of our family that day.  Rob & Kathleen won me over with one stunning portrait of a father seeing his daughter for the first time – they captured just that exact same sentiment between my parents and me as we got ready, which are some of my favorite shots of the day.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Wedding Gown: Grace by Monique Lhuillier / Bridal Salon: The Wedding Shoppe in Wayne, Pennsylvania / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Dessy / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair: Kelly from Head Area Salon / Make-up: Katya Kardonova / Flowers: MDS Floral Designs / Venue: The Ashford Estate / Caterer: Merri Makers / Cake: The Bake Works / Band: J Lamont Band from Hank Lane Productions

It’s the cutest thing ever when it’s the wedding day and you can tell by the couples’ elated expressions that they are on top of the whole wide world. Nothing matters but marrying their love and we think it’s beautiful. A fabulous photographer can capture that excitement the way 4Eyes Photography did – and that’s pretty important. It’s one of the happiest days of your lives, so you’ll want a nice, big gallery to flip through for years, and years, and years!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Sal and I met in a dance class in 2005. His 2 sisters and I had been taking dance classes together at the same studio for 20+ yrs. When my teacher decided that she wanted 3 guys to be part of a dance we were choreographing, Sal was recruited by his sister. His job was primarily to sit on a stool while I danced around him. When Sal later asked his sisters about me, their response was simply “stay away from my friend”. A year would pass before we would see each other at a dance competition where Sal came to cheer on his sisters (and secretly me I would later come to find out). He hung out and joked around all afternoon with the girls and in the evening when the competition was over I said goodbye to my “dance partner”. It wasn’t until our 3rd chance meeting, celebrating a mutual friends birthday at a bar, that Sal asked me for my number.

The song by the way that we danced to together in that dance class was Fever by Peggy Lee. I knew I wanted to incorporate the song somehow in the wedding so I had the DJ play Fever during our cake cutting ceremony.

Sal and I don’t get many days off together, so when we do we tend to sleep in a bit. Early one morning I could tell Sal hadn’t been sleeping and when I rolled over to see if he was ok he said very casually “Can I ask you a question. Will you marry me.” This had been a question he had asked me jokingly around the house for months now and my answer was always “sure”. So I casually said “sure” and rolled over to go back to bed. He said ” No I’m serious. Will you marry me”. I rolled over again to find him holding a ring that had been under his pillow all night. I cried and said “sure”.

Our first thought was to get married in Cape Cod where I vacationed every summer as a kid and a place that Sal has come to love as well, but as much as we loved it, the thought of having a destination wedding was a little overwhelming to me. The only real request that Sal had was to get married in a church so we chose to get married at our local church. Sal and I made colorful felt flags that read YAY! for our friends and family to wave outside the church. It was the only place I chose to used bright colors. I tried to keep everything else very neutral.

We wanted to invest more in the things we felt were most important like our photographs and save in other areas like our invitations. A friend from work who is a graphic designer helped me design the invitations. I had a local printer print them and I bought matching envelopes at a paper supply store. It saved me hundreds of dollars.

I tried to keep the bridal party small but it felt like Sal kept adding guys every week. We ended up with 6 groomsmen. To keep on the simple theme we told them to just wear any black suit and white shirt they had and Sal bought them all matching ties and pocket squares. To stand out a little bit Sal bought a navy suit instead of black.

Since I only had a matron of honor and one flower girl,I chose to buy simple dresses from J.Crew. I loved my wedding dress but what I really loved were my shoes. They were a simple pair of nude shoes that I bought for $50 dollars and they were so comfortable that I danced in them all night long. I wanted a nude color so I could wear them again after the wedding.

I knew I wanted to keep the reception real simple and intimate and when we came across the Bernards Inn we fell in love with it. It was quaint and elegant with lots of character. With beautiful chandeliers and a fun black and white dance floor, I didn’t have to do much to decorate the room.

I wanted the center of the tables to look like a runner of flowers so I had 6 low square vases down the middle. I made sure to have low flower vases so my guests could talk to the person across from them not just the person next to them.

Since we had decided not to have our wedding in Cape Cod, we thought we would bring a little bit of the Cape to our guests. We got salt water taffy from our favorite taffy stand in the Cape and we put them in glass bowls near the bars and photo booth. Our guests loved snacking on taffy throughout the night.

I loved my cake. The Inn has an amazing in house pastry chef. I showed him a picture of this rustic looking cake that I saw in a magazine (it was Hillary Duff’s wedding cake) and he replicated it perfectly. I just loved the fresh flowers and the exposed layers and the fact that it wasn’t the typical sea of white fondant.

No matter how long you take to plan your wedding, whether it’s 6 months like I did or 2 years, there is one thing you cannot plan on and that is the weather. Sal and I were suppose to get married on August 27th 2011. That weekend we got an uninvited guest named Hurricane Irene!

I am a pretty easy going person and had embraced the fact that I would be one of those brides with rain on their big day. I even went out and bought rain boots to wear with my wedding dress thinking it would look cute in pictures. It didn’t really dawn on me that I might have to postpone the whole day until my venders starting calling me the day before asking me if I had a backup plan. I did not have a backup plan.

When my planner at the Bernards Inn said we could postpone the event to a future date considering the circumstances, we agreed. We were very lucky to be able to have the wedding the following weekend on September 4th.

Sal and I live in a flood zone area and we were told we should evacuate for the hurricane. After finishing all our phone calls and texts to inform everyone about the change of plans, we spent what should have been our wedding night drinking coffee and watching reruns of Monk at my parents house knowing we made the right choice.

Since we had to postpone the wedding day the number of guests changed as well. Guests who had planned to attend now couldn’t make the new date and some who thought they were going to miss the big day now could attend. Since our seating plans had to be rearranged, Sal and I did a last minute DIY project of handmade seating cards.

For me, one of my favorite moments was seeing Sal tear up as he watched me walk down the aisle. My other favorite moment when when Sal and I were having our first dance. Towards the end of the song, the DJ invited everyone up to join us on the dance floor. Since the song was about to end I thought no one would bother. But when I looked around the room, not one person was sitting. We were surrounded on the dance floor by all our loved ones who had supported us through that crazy week and who rearranged their schedules in order to share in our special day with us. It truly was a special moment.

Photography: 4Eyes Photography / Venue: The Bernards Inn / Floral design: Jardiniere Fine Flowers / DJ: Scratch Weddings / Bride’s bouquet: Wildflowers / Gown: Vera Wang / Bridal shoes: Nine West / Bridesmaid Dress: J.Crew / Grooms suit: J.Crew / Wedding Cake: The Bernards Inn / Photo Booth: Eclipse Entertainment

Three cheers for this stylish bride and her stop-in-your-tracks GORGEOUS headpiece! Simply Stunning. While we are at it, let’s give her a few more cheers – because let’s be real, it is be-YOND. Best of all, her entire wedding follows suit – it all happily falls in the show stopper category. Jessica Morrisy Photography was the lucky lady that got to capture all the stylish details, and boy do her images speak for themselves! And there is so much more waiting for you right here!

From Jessica Morrisy Photography… Chris is a resident New Yorker, and Matt is a transplant from the UK. They were introduced via a blind date, and the rest was history. The two decided to exchange vows and celebrate at their gorgeous, bayside vacation home in Oceanport, New Jersey. Chris arrived to say her vows on the dock, by way of boat. Guests were asked to wear fascinators to bring in some UK style. The couple also Incorporated many of the things they love, such as beer from Matt’s favorite pub and homemade infused liquor, which was poured by the drink mixologist. They also had a cheese spread with amazing cheeses from all their travels that they dedicated to the guests they experienced them with. They also had fish and chips in served in London newspaper.

Chris’ engagement ring was also a super cool — a fox estate ring, or “James” as they call it. They integrated the fox into the invites and beer spread. Chris also ordered a custom stamp and created personalized napkins, tied each with twine and embellished with wild flowers. Oh and I have to mention … they both shared the same last name prior to marriage! So Chris did not have to worry about changing hers — instead it became a fun detail with wine barrels and toy cars that said McCarthy. Loved every detail.  

Wedding Photography: Jessica Morrisy Photography / Wedding Venue: The Vacation Home of the Bride & Groom in Oceanport, New Jersey / Event Design + Planning: Mise en Place Productions (732-768-1673) / Floral Design: MDS Floral Designs / Catering: Merri-Makers Catering & Special Events / Cheese Spread: The Cheese Cave / Mixologist: Michael Nosti (732 -829-5230) / Favors: Devil Brownies, LLC (732-286-9435) / Wedding Invitations: Sesame Letterpress / Landscape Design: Stirling Hands, LLC (732-741-9404) / Portrait Location: Monmouth University / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Head Piece: Cheryl King Couture via Kleinfeld Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Tease Salon / Makeup: Sharon Cosidine (732-850-3910)

I’ve been known to gush about color palettes that pop a time or two, but sometimes it’s the natural hues that sweep me off my feet. Actual, they always do – and when those hues are wrapped up in a whimsical woodland photo shoot captured to perfection by CMOStr Photography – I’m all theirs. Hook, line and natural hue-loving sinker. Want to create a similar look for your next forest-inspired fête? Well, there’s a fab garland DIY waiting for you after all the prettiness. Now that’s the way to sweep this girl off her feet. See it all here!

From Samantha of CMOStr Photography… For this shoot, we tried to keep things simple and classic with the lightheartedness of a garden party. In my opinion, nature is the most beautiful backdrop and is accessible to pretty much everyone. Colors were kept light and natural with the tablescape revolving around white, soft greens and browns. We wanted everything to appear stylish but effortless and to have a timeless feel. Simply put, the elements of this shoot should be accessible to everyone, and variations can be made for any location or budget.

DIY Green Garland

1. Use three to four assorted varieties of greens, choosing different shapes and textures. We used umbrella fern, passion vine and a type of variegated japonica leaf.
2. Cut the greens into 4-5″ pieces.
3. Begin layering the different greens one top of the other, holding the bottom of stems together.
4. Using green floral stem tape tightly wrap a 4” piece around the bottom of the stems.
5. While still holding the first bunch start layering a second group on top. The second bunch should be layered about 2” down from the top of first group.
6. Tape the second bunch to the first bunch and continue this process of layering and taping until the garland is as long as you need.

Photography: CMOStr Photography / Photo Shoot Location: A Private Residence in New Jersey / Floral Design: Blade Floral and Event Designs / Bakery: Yellow Button Bake Shoppe / Invitations: Magpie Paper Works / Escort Card Calligraphy: Curlicue Designs / Dishes + Place Settings: Fishs Eddy / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Hair: Cut / Makeup: Krysta Seal of Zanya Spa Salon

I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but I have a full-fledged wedding crush on this classic New Jersey soiree. The couple are the epitome of gorgeous, and you can absolutely tell from Morgan Lynn Photography‘s images that they are head over heels in love with each other. The wedding somehow stood up to the beauty that is this couple, and shone in it’s own, stunning, way. I could gush on this one for hours, but instead, I’ll just send you to the gallery so you can SEE what I’m talking about!

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We could not have dreamed of a more perfect wedding. Not because the day ran incredibly smooth (I was 40 minutes late!) but because I married my best friend. After one year of dating, 2 years of being engaged and moving 8 times in between to support my husband as he accomplished his dreams of playing professional baseball – we were excited for our big day! The most difficult decision was where to have our wedding. Joe’s family lives in New Jersey and mine is spread out everywhere between Pennsylvania to Arizona. We opted for New Jersey because of the gorgeous Catholic Church that Joe used to be an alter boy at – and my family loved the idea of visiting New York City during their trip! We wanted our wedding to be elegant and traditional but fun, Joe was mostly concerned with the food while I pinned inspiration from Style Me Pretty.

In the beginning of planning I was convinced I wanted a DIY, rustic wedding. Since Joe only has off from November to January, a winter wedding was in our future. It would be pretty difficult to have our wedding in a barn in the middle of winter in New Jersey. Therefore I went the opposite way and aimed for a completely classic, old school wedding with modern touches. I wouldn’t say I had any “themes” or “colors.” My color palette was eclectic, using neutrals with splashes of red (what can I say, I am a romantic.) Joe is a big rat pack fan and wanted to wear a traditional classic black tux and bow tie. I didn’t want any of my bridesmaids to not like their dress; therefore I let them pick their own style of a chiffon AMSALE dress. My main concern above all was that everyone had a great time and that I married Joe. The most amazing and incredible part of the day was feeling all the love around us. We feel so blessed to have such amazing friends and family who helped make our day so special.

A key part to our perfect wedding was our vendors! I loved each and every one. I would not call myself a crafty, organized person and we would not have been able to pull off our wedding without their help and direction. Our wedding planner, Heather Schertz at O.C.D. events– is incredible. She has flawless style, was the ultimate profession and really made our vision into a reality. And she is so talented that I wasn’t worried for a second about how our wedding would turn out, everything was taken care of. Our photographer, Morgan Lynn, was so amazing to work with. Morgan and her husband Amir are the ultimate professionals and are so incredibly talented. We couldn’t be happier with our pictures, she really captured so many moments that we will treasure forever. Francesco, our cinematographer from Films by Francesco is so incredibly talented. We feel so blessed that he was available to shoot our wedding. He doesn’t use any lights and we hardly realized that he was there! Sally Duvall, who did my make up – ah-mazing and so easy to work with. So fun to be around and also so freaking good at what she does. I wish I could say I look like I did on my wedding day everyday! Our venue, the Crystal Plaza was so incredibly easy to work with and the service and food was impeccable. We still get compliments on how amazing the food was! Our DJ, Ari from Beat Train Productions, really made our wedding fun. At the end of the night people were shouting “one more hour”. Not your typically corny emcee! I could go on and on about our vendors but they truly were the best and made our day everything we wanted it to be and more.

Wedding Photography: Morgan Lynn Photography / Event Design + Planning: Heather Schertz at O.C.D. Events / Ceremony: Our Lady of Sorrows, South Orange NJ / Reception: The Crystal Plaza / Floral Design: Kim Auriemma Design / Wedding Cinematography: Francesco at Films by Francesco / Invitations: Vera Wang from Bloomingdales NY / Cake Topper: Monique Lhuillier / DJ: Ari at Beat Train Production / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Dior / Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale / Hair + Makeup: Sally Duvall / Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren Black Label / Groomsmen Attire: Ralph Lauren Black Label from Coleman’s Tuxedo / Photobooth: We Love Photobooths

Get ready for the créme de la creme of weddings by  Frost Photography, complete with a swanky NYC city vibe, henna tattoos, a Foxy Vermouth flapper dancer and indian drummers! I love nothing more than a venue that’s outside of the box, which is exactly what The Landmark Loews Jersey Theatre. Combine that with refined flowers by Saffron Brooklyn and top of the line Signature Creations Caterers, you get a mix of edgy elegance. Catch the screening below by SparkStory; be sure to check out the full gallery here.

From Frost Photography… From the minute I met Peter and Dee, I knew they had a vision for a wedding like no one had seen before. Not only would it have a super swanky, old New York vibe but it would have henna, Indian drummers and the best tikka masala the guests had ever had.

The bride and her girls got ready in the Millennium Hilton downtown with spectacular views of the in-progress Freedom Tower. For portraits, these two wanted to get a wide range of vibes in the city. We started with a tearful first look in Battery Park City for some nature photos and then moved to the meatpacking district in a 1939 Chrysler where, after more portraits, the bride and groom stopped into their favorite brunch restaurant (Pastis) for a quick mojito before the ceremony.

Peter and Dee had their ceremony in a community garden in the East Village lined with willow trees, after which guests were transported in school buses to the reception at the Landmark Loews theater right through the tunnel in New Jersey. This stylish couple really wanted their wedding to have a classic New York cinema vibe and with the black and white tuxes, the bridesmaids’ long navy dresses, the bride’s mile-long veil, the vintage car and the larger than life Landmark Loews movie theater, their vision was achieved and then some! Instead of a traditional escort card table, Peter and Dee had an actress in 1920’s garb handing cards out at the ticket booth. Later she was seen waltzing the premises with a concessions box of candy cigarettes for guests to enjoy. The spectacular theater lobby was covered in movie posters, featuring photos from Peter and Dee’s engagement session. The bride also had many nods to her Indian heritage, including an assortment of Indian dishes, an outfit change for her and Peter into traditional Indian garb and henna for her and all the bridesmaids. The guests loved every moment, and Indian or not, everyone was soon dancing to the Indian drums. 

Wedding Photography: Frost Photography / Photography Assistant: Carmen Santorelli Photography / Ceremony: La Plaza Cultural in New York, New York / Reception: The Landmark Loews Jersey Theatre in Jersey City, New Jersey / Floral Design: Saffron Brooklyn / Wedding Day Coordination: Jillian VandeWoude (jill.e.vandewoude@gmail.com) / Wedding Cinematography: Joe Petrilla of SparkStory / Catering: Signature Creations Caterers / Wedding Cake: Sweet Violet Cakes / Menus: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Photo Booth: Photos R Fun / Flapper Girl Performer: Foxy Vermouth / Transportation: RoSal Limousines / Wedding Dress: Jorge Perez de la Habana / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzmann / Bride’s Jewelry: Macy’s / Bride’s Veil: Demetrios / Hair: Maria of Self Salon / Makeup: MAC / Henna Artist: Neha Desai (nehadesai86@gmail.com) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Allure Bridals / Groom’s Tuxedo: Black by Vera Wang / Wedding Rings: Dennis J. Dalton Ltd.

AGAiMAGES takes amazing photos-the kind where you can feel the emotion and the embrace the happiness resonating from a simple image. Maybe it’s the brides’s adorable dimples or the groom’s dapper style, but I found myself smiling though this entire post: from the heartfelt + lighthearted ceremony to the reception where the newlyweds changed into Nigerian outfits to celebrate the groom’s heritage and danced like it was no one’s business! See the rest of this beautiful celebration right here.

From AGAiMAGES… JoAnne and Aki got married in January, and their theme was a classic winter wedding. One of the most important parts of their wedding was the church ceremony, which was filled with faith, love and bit of quirk. This part was important to them as they were not only at that moment getting to be husband and wife in front of everyone but also God. Another important part for them was the changing into their Nigerian outfits to celebrate their Aki’s heritage. Those outfits were made by Aki’s aunt! The entrance to the reception in those outfits with Nigerian drummers was crazy-fun — the full house was dancing, singing and celebrating.  

Wedding Photography: AGAiMAGES / Ceremony: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Plainfield, New Jersey / Reception: Crystal Plaza in Livingston, New Jersey / Wedding Coordination: Eileen of An Affair to Remember Wedding and Event Planning / Floral Design: Santos Florist / Wedding Cinematography: Well Spun Weddings / Wedding Invitations: Prima Invitations & Events / Violinists: Amara Strings / Cocktail Hour Jazz Band: Blue Haze Over New York / DJ: DJ Hard Hittin Harry / Transportation: Town Limousine Service / Wedding Dress: Reem Acra via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters via Jaehee Bridal Atelier / Groom’s Tuxedo: Brooks Brothers

A front yard ceremony steps from the gorgeous Inn at Millrace Pond, surrounded by serene forest and New Jersey greenery is exactly what you’d picture for a couple who loves all things outdoorsy. It’s a marriage of vintage details and happy flora by Laura Clare Fine Floral Design made even more beautiful at the hands of Trent + Dara of Trent Bailey Photography. And one thread that runs consistently through this affair is a sense of homegrown love. Love that started 10 miles away on a camping trip and came full circle to seal the deal on the grounds of the Inn. See it all right here!

From the Bride… Jason and I met by chance on a camping trip to the Delaware Water Gap five years ago with mutual friends. It was during that trip that we ended up finding out that we were both from the same hometown, having gone to the same high school, just four years apart. Being outdoorsy people, Jay and I knew we definitely wanted an open, airy and laid-back feeling to emanate through our wedding. Finding the perfect venue to translate our personalties and fit our budget was a struggle … until we landed at The Inn at Millrace Pond. We fell in love instantly. It was so different from every other venue; it used to be a working gristmill and had the stream still intact, along with a forest, 18th century meeting house and open tent. It also helped that it was within ten miles from the Water Gap, so we felt like we were coming full circle! (Not to mention that we had our engagement photos done in the same vicinity as well.)

During the planning process, it didn’t take long before I became obsessed with all things Etsy. I found everything from 300 hundred antique glass bottles and distressed wooden table numbers, to our calligrapher and the 100-year-old oak slice we used as a cake stand there. From the many, many emails, phone calls and meetings we had with our wonderful florist, Jennifer Palacio at Laura Clare Designs, we were adamant that we wanted unique items and lots of texture. Those elements absolutely came through and really added a lot of layers to our centerpieces and bouquets. I’m even more obsessed with my bouquet now after looking at our amazing photos! I don’t think Mother Nature could have put together a more beautiful day. The lighting was gorgeous, and the birds were literally chirping while our Rabbi performed the ceremony. It was the most beautiful way to start our new lives together!

From Pretty Little Details… Julia and Jay’s day at The Inn was perfection. After Jay opened his gift from Julia prior to the ceremony, a delicious bottle of nicely aged scotch, you knew it was the beginning of a beautiful day with two amazing people. The venue couldn’t have been more perfect, and there was no shortage of sunshine or laughter. Thank you to Trent Bailey Photography for capturing the essence of who Julia and Jay are… It was a great wedding and PLD was so happy to be able to share the day with this couple!

Wedding Photography: Trent + Dara of Trent Bailey Photography / Wedding Venue: The Inn at Millrace Pond in Hope, New Jersey / Floral Design: Laura Clare Fine Floral Design / Wedding Day Coordination: Pretty Little Details / Officiant: Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz of Temple B’nai Jeshurun / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Ladyfingers Letterpress / Calligraphy: Liz Roessler of Lettering by Liz / Cake Stand: JTL Creations / Band: All Stars Dance Band via Star Talent Inc. / Transportation: First Student / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender via Neiman Marcus / Bride’s Jewelry: Alexis Bittar / Bride’s Clutch: Borrowed from a Friend / Hair: Eva Palumbo / Makeup: Kristin Luciano of House of Luciano / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their Choice / Groom’s Suit + Men’s Ties: Tom James / Groomsmen’s Suits: Their Choice / Rings: Overnight Mountings

Seaside chic just so happens to be this wedding bloggers favorite thing to see. Bonnet Island is the PERFECT spot for seaside chic. It’s fresh, it’s pretty, and it’s the perfect setting for a beach wedding with lots and lots of style. This soiree, captured by the fabulous eyes of 4Eyes Photography, is proof of that. It’s a sweetly nautical affair with so much love in the full image gallery!

We met at a birthday party in New York City in October of 2007. We had individual friends that happened to share the same birthday. Those 2 birthday celebrators were themselves good friends, but Jess and I weren’t. Oddly enough, at that time, we actually worked for the same company, in the same department, on the same floor, and didn’t really know each other! We talked for about 3 hours that night and we then decided to grab a few drinks after work sometime soon. I remember that we went for drinks, it was at a bar called Vintage on 9th Avenue. Jess had a martini and I had beer. We talked about dust and cleaning for hours (we are both very clean, neat, organized people). It was kind of a quirky conversation, but the time just flew by. I wouldn’t say we had love at first sight, but we certainly had a lot in common, had a strong connection, and really enjoyed each other’s company. Our first real date was 2 days after Thanksgiving 2007 at an Italian restaurant (now closed) called Arqua in Tribeca. Afterwards, we had desert and a nightcap at a lounge called the Brandy Library. We really hit it off and the rest is history.

Joe proposed on July 31, 2010 in Riverside Park in New York City during a picnic lunch. He had bought the ring the previous month and kept it hidden away in a safe in the apartment. Thankfully Jess didn’t find it accidentally! What I remember from the day leading up to the proposal was that Jess had left the apartment in the morning to go to a guitar lesson. In the meantime, I had prepared everything, including walking to Jess’s favorite bakery on the Upper West Side and buying cookies for desert at our picnic. I planned to hide the ring in the box with the cookies and have her open it as a surprise. Then I could properly ask her to marry me. What actually happened was that Jess was so excited about the fact that I went to her favorite bakery and prepared the picnic, that when she opened the box for desert, she looked right past the ring and said “is that their peanut butter chocolate chip cookie?!?!?” It was actually quite funny. Once we got past the excitement of the cookies, I was able to formally propose, and Jess said yes. One final surprise I had for Jess that day was a dinner planned at an Italian restaurant we liked in the West Village. She didn’t know that I had arranged for her younger sister to meet us there with her boyfriend. Jess was really happy that her sister was there to celebrate with us and the 4 of us had a wonderful time.

We got married at Bonnet Island Estate on Long Beach Island, NJ. Joe’s family had been vacationing on LBI since he was a little boy and he felt a strong connection to the island. Jess enjoys the beach and the water and really felt that her mom did too. It was such a beautiful venue and the people there treated us so nicely, that it was almost a no-brainer for us. Out of all the places that we looked at, Bonnet Island was the only venue that really talked to us and cared what our vision was for the wedding. They wanted to help us create our perfect day and Jess and I left feeling really excited and happy. Bonnet Island treated us as if it would be a privilege to host our wedding. Most venues act as if it is a privilege for the couple to get married there. We really appreciated that approach.

The inspiration for our wedding style was “elegant beach.” We wanted to make our wedding beautiful and beach inspired. It was important that the venue be in good condition and Bonnet Island was perfect. The decoration style of the estate was amazing and we felt very comfortable the first time we walked in the front door – it spoke to our sense of style (clean lines, lots of earth colors with a bit of a rustic feel). One only needs to look at the boathouse chapel or the entrance foyer to get a sense of what Jess and I like as a couple. It was also important to us that we have personal touches in strategic spots throughout the day. That helped to make Bonnet Island our own place even if it was just for one day….

When we saw each other for the first time in the boathouse chapel as we began to take pictures. I was waiting for Jess in the chapel by myself and I had turned my back to the doors and covered my eyes. After a minute or so, I could hear her walk in and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and opened my eyes (nobody every told me I had to cover them actually, ha!) and quite simply put, my heart skipped a beat. I remember feeling completely peaceful and happy. We both smiled, kissed, and I remember twirling Jess around so that I could get a full look at her dress – it was beautiful.

At the ceremony, Jess incorporated some special touches to honor the memory of her mother who passed away. She wore a ring of hers, had a special picture charm attached to her bride’s bouquet, and we had our flower coordinator create a special hanging arrangement to go over the side of Jess’s father’s chair in the front row of the boathouse chapel.

At the end of our receiving line, guests where treated to a special drink called a Kiwi fizz which incorporated the kiwi fruit and citron vodka. We picked this drink because the kiwi is the national bird of New Zealand, where we were going on our honeymoon. Each cocktail had a little New Zealand flag drink stirrer.

Jess and I took some dancing lessons several months before our wedding. At that point, we were starting to get very stressed and overwhelmed with the planning of the wedding. So, we decided we needed to do something fun as a couple to take our minds off of the wedding planning. We decided that dancing lessons would be fun and help us at our wedding (we both have 2 left feet!) The song we picked was “Running on Faith” by Eric Clapton from his Unplugged album. Joe is a huge Eric Clapton fan and Jess really liked the acoustic guitar in the song. Needless to say, with all the lessons we took and practice, Jess and I did a really good job remembering the steps as we danced together for the first time as a married couple.

Both our lives, like so many other people, have been impacted by the loss of loved ones due to terminal illness. Jess’s mother passed away about 10 years ago from breast cancer and Joe’s grandmother passed away in 2010 from ALS. We decided as a couple to make a small donation, in the name of each of our guests, to charities leading the fight against both diseases (in lieu of giving them an actual wedding favor). We felt that these were 2 people that made a tremendous impact on our lives and wanted to do something to honor their memory at our wedding. It was an act that was important to us because it showed love and respect to those family members who were at out wedding in spirit only.

Photography: 4Eyes Photography / Videographer: Christine Duggan Films / > Floral Designer: MDS Floral Designs / Invitation Designer: Stephanie Somodi / Cake: Merri Makers Catering / Wedding Gown Designer: Rivini purchased from Kleinfeld Bridal / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Amsale