New Jersey Weddings

If ever there was a wedding with drop dead gorgeous florals, this my friends, is that wedding! I seriously want to print these puppies out and hang them on my wall. They are that stunning. I also love that the bridesmaids all wore their own simple, black cocktail dresses and carried big, fluffy bouquets full of white peonies. Totally timeless. Shira Weinberger Photography was there to capture all beautiful details and trust me, once you see them, you’re definitely gonna hit up the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Shira Weinberger Photography…I’m happy to share Michelle & Steven’s beautiful New Jersey Estate wedding with you. This estate has been in Michelle’s family for generations, and it has become a tradition for everyone in the family to get married there. The ceremony was very intimate, outdoors- there were lots of flowers and soft colors.

Wedding Photography: Shira Weinberger Photography / Wedding Dress: Jane Wilson Marquis / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Suit: Davide Cenci / Groom’s Shoes: Bally / Bridesmaid Dresses: Various / Make-up Artist: Piera Canu / Hair Stylist: Brandy McDonald / Florist: Garden’s Bloom / Caterer: Encore Catering / Location: Private Home / DJ: Rob Kelley of 74 Events / Tent: Sperry Tents / Invitations: Paper Thin Design / Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. / Officiant: Bishop George Lucey

This Jersey Shore wedding is all about fun, bright pops of color and mixes both traditional and modern elements seamlessly and beautifully. We’re loving the gorgeous coral colored bridesmaids dresses, the beyond beautiful orchids that seem to pop up everywhere from the bouquets to the ceremony arch, that show stopping lace veil, and the adorable and super chic DIY invites. I could stare at the pretty, pretty images from Sarah Postma Photography all day long and lucky for you and me, there’s a whole gallery full of them right here!

Click here to see the entire gallery on images!

From the Bride…Growing up in New Jersey, Phil and I have had some amazing memories at the Jersey Shore. The beach is where we spend every free second we have in the summer so we knew it had to be a part of the wedding. Our first thought was to have a destination wedding but for a number of reasons this didn’t work out for us. Then we thought, why not have our own destination wedding right in our home state? When we found the Avenue, it fit our personalities perfectly. Located right on the beach, it provided us with a modern cocktail party where our guests could spend a summer night outside eating good food, enjoying good music and, of course, dancing.

Then, we moved on to finding photographer. After all, if we were going to spend all this money on one day, we wanted the perfect person to capture it all! As soon as we met Sarah, we knew she was the right fit. Her personality made us so comfortable and her style fit the overall theme of the wedding just perfectly. With the most important things out-of-the-way, it was on to the fun stuff! From the beginning, my wedding was all about color so I needed to find the perfect palette. I wanted the colors to say summer without being the typical beach colors (blue and tan-I knew there would be enough of since our venue was on the beach). I came across this awesome coral color first when I saw a bridesmaid dress (by designer Bari Jay) in the hue. I knew that was it. I added my favorite color, olive-green, and then a steel grey and ivory to tie it all together. From that point on, I tried to make sure each element of the wedding incorporated at least one of these colors.

Prior to this whole experience, I never would have considered myself a crafty person. I starting reading blogs like Style Me Pretty, and I gained confidence. As I finished each project I had more and more fun. My close friend (and bridesmaid) Kiran, is a demonstrator for Stamipin’ Up! and we decided to take on the task of making all of the stationery (Save the Dates, Invitations, Programs, and Thank You Cards). Naturally, everything coordinated with the wedding color scheme. Flowers were very important to the overall look of the day. My favorite flower is the orchid which was the focal point of the bridesmaids’ bouquets and the centerpieces on the cocktail tables. My ceremony arch was also covered in orchids and the photos truly capture their beauty as we exchanged our vows! My favorite part is how the branches weaved in and out of the orchids. I also worked with Sharon at Twenty Four Seven Events to find the perfect color (light olive) for my linens and she provided a fun shimmery overlay to complete the look. She was so helpful and really listened to what I wanted.

On the day of the wedding everything (including the amazing weather) came together exactly the way I envisioned. To see each detail come to life was so rewarding. Our day started just a few blocks from Avenue at the Bungalow Hotel, which provided the perfect location for our first look and later that night, our after party. In all, the Pier Village area in Long Branch, NJ, provided the perfect setting for our modern beach wedding.

Wedding Photography: Sarah Postma Photography / Floral Design: Peter James Floral Couture / Celebrant: Jessie Blum of Eclectic Unions / Ceremony + Reception Location: Avenue / Invitations: M&K StampAway / Bride’s Shoes: Klub Nico / Wedding Dress: Liancarlo via Exquisite Bride / Dress Sash: Twisted Crystals / Hair: Allison’s Hair Creations / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bari Jay / DJ: DJ Unique / Percussionist: Nerio Matheus / Wedding Cake: Chocolate Carousel / Linens: Twenty Four Seven Events / Videographer: Chris Boho

Fall is just around the corner, but this lovely Princeton engagement session has me dreaming up some grand plans for the last few weeks of summer.  And if I take my cue from the stunning couple (and I think I might), I’ll be sure to include some lazy days in the sun, a gorgeous Anthropologie dress and a bouquet of lovely wildflowers by Bow Street Flowers, because I am pretty sure it doesn’t get much better than this.  Suzanna March Photography captured all of the breathtaking images and, oh my goodness, do I adore each and every one.  Believe me, you don’t want to miss an ounce of pretty, so join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Suzanna March Photography… Ashley & Tyler were looking to embrace their own personal style. They wanted something special from their engagement photos, something that would showcase their relationship.  Something beautiful, and something simplistic. Ashley had this beautiful, Anthropologie dress, which served as the inspiration behind this styled shoot.  The dress, like the photographs, is deceptively simple, but when you get up close, beautiful & complicated.  So, we chose a location that would speak to these themes, an open field in Princeton, MA.  This location allowed Ashley & Tyler to shine through and be a blank slate to showcase their relationship.  We added in a beautiful wildflower bouquet by Bow Street Flowers, a few strands of market lights, and two wooden chairs off the side of the street that got a face lift with a few coats of “riviera blue.”

Up next is a super fun, modern wedding filled with bright, dramatic displays of flowers, a delicious looking candy bar, and an adorable couple. There to capture all the modern details was Inku Photography and we’re so glad they did because this féte is bursting from the seams with fresh and fun ideas. Click here for even more.

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From the Bride…We had the most wonderful time at our wedding and will never forget the entire journey from start to finish! Though for Jesse (my new husband) and me, deciding on what we wanted and what “look” we were going for was challenging at times. I was very clear on what I didn’t like but was unsure of what I loved. Living in Hoboken, NJ we looked at a variety of venues from wineries and country clubs in NJ, lofty spaces in NYC, and beach front spaces at the Jersey Shore. After seeing so many spaces that looked the same, we decided we wanted a combination of urban, chic, modern, with a touch of something nautical (Jesse and I love the beach). I was starting to think that the venue I wanted just didn’t exist in the area! When I saw Martime Parc for the first time, I knew immediately that it had every element that we wanted…a chic, modern feel with gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan, Jersey City, and the Statue of Liberty. And to top it off, because it’s right on the Hudson the marina provided us with such beautiful boats to compliment the city view!

Our florist brought the room to life by using bright shades of coral, yellows, and pinks to create centerpieces that were unique and not your typical wedding centerpieces. She created the entire table scape and the simple lines, bright colors, and various heights on the tables captured my vision to a tee!

To go with our “modern/sophisticated” look, I opted for taupe J.Crew cocktail dresses for the bridesmaids in a variety of styles worn with nude patent leather pumps. The groomsmen wore rented tuxedos but to make the look a little less formal, we purchased black neck ties, nixed the vest/cumber-bun, and added suspenders. The vibrant colors in the bouquets and boutonnieres really popped against the neutral attire!

Our wedding was the best day of our lives and though it took some work and time to put it together, the journey was completely worth the outcome! I would not change one element of the day…it was truly a perfect wedding!

Wedding Photography: Inku Photography / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via Exquisite Bride / Hair: Amazing Face / Make-up: My Makeup Artist Victoria / Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse / Band: Russ Bennett Band via Hank Lane Music and Productions / Reception + Ceremony Site: Maritime Parc / Florist: Somerset Hills Florist / Candy Bar: Sweet! / Custom Invitations, Escort Cards + Other Stationery: Jar of Ideas Design / Transportation: Toptown Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew

It’s here!  Our favorite day of the week.  Well, that may be a bit dramatic and not entirely true since we love each and every day we get to gush about beautiful weddings.  Either way it’s Wedding Wednesday which means there are seven lovely and full of inspiration affairs for you to feast your pretty little eyes on.  Don’t forget the galleries are filled to the brim with even more awe inspiring wedding bliss!

First up, a New Jersey stunner with pretty pink flowers galore and elegant champagne inspired details.  And what’s not to love about the rich navy blue bridesmaid dresses as a backdrop for all the pink gorgeousness?  Oh and the bride’s shoes… to-die-for.  With florals and event design by Beautiful Blooms Events and event planning by Styled Creative we can’t think of a better way to start our favorite day morning.  See the entire soirée here!

Dana and Edward’s Coming Soon Trailer at Congress Hall from CinemaCake Filmmakers on Vimeo.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Beautiful Blooms Events…Think tassels, champagne and regal details and then you’ve got all the ingredients for this Pink Perfection Wedding designed for Dana and Ed.  Beautiful Blooms Events began with a base of navy blue and then layered on gold and lots of pink.  We incorporated an array of pink peonies, pink roses, pink stock and pink orchids into bouquets, a dog’s leash, a champagne display and centerpieces.

Dana loved peonies so her bouquet was a large bundle of the most amazing pink peonies.  The bridesmaids each carried one type of pink flower in a bouquet and some girls finished their look with a fascinator or a large peony in their hair. Their navy blue dresses were complimented with the most incredible pink bow high heeled shoes! Wait until you see Dana’s mom’s dress too…old world Hollywood Glamour is the only way to describe it.

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Event Design + Floral Design: Beautiful Blooms Events / Event Planning: Styled Creative / Wedding Photography: Laura Novak Photography / Venue: Congress Hall / Wedding Cinematography: CinemaCake Filmmakers / Band: Contagious / Wedding Cake: Ocean City Cake Studio / Stationery: Toni Renee Leslie and Replica / Hair: Susan Thoder / Makeup: Alexander Honford / Mother of the Bride’s Dress: Stephen Yearick

A medical school student and a law school student were married at a farm in New Jersey – and it was FABULOUS. As seen through the lens of the oh-so-talented Lauren Rutten Photography, this wedding is seriously to-die-for. I’m absolutely loving the rustic, homegrown charm that feels too sophisticated and beautiful to be a Do-It-Yourself wedding – but that it was. That’s the best thing about you LBBers, you can take DIY and turn it into something CHIC. The stationery was made by the grooms sister, all the planning was by the brides mother. The best part? There’s more in the full image gallery!

From Lauren Rutten Photography … Annie & Sebastian were married on a family farm in Oldwick, New Jersey.  Annie’s mother took on much of the responsibility for planning the event, since Annie & Sebastian live on the west coast and were in the last few months of medical school (Annie) & law school (Sebastian). Many of the details of the day reflect back to how Annie and Sebastian met over 10 years ago in Tunisia. They spent every moment together and they choose a star to remind them of their summer in Tunisia.  Sebastian’s sister took the Night in Tunisia theme and created all the invitations, programs and stationery.

Uncle Henry’s farm provided a very relaxed and natural backdrop for their wedding. Annie grew up visiting the farm, so when it came to deciding where to shoot the first portraits of the couple, we stepped into a quiet trail of luscious woods, near where she used to play as a child.

Annie and Sebastian had friends arriving for the weekend from all parts of the world. Naturally, they wanted to keep their friends partying late into the evening. Dinner and dancing was capped off by a late night bon fire in the middle of the field where earlier they had been married under a beautiful white chuppah.

Photography: Lauren Rutten Photography / Gown: Amy Michelson / Hair & Makeup: RBA Salon in Millburn / Bridesmaid Dresses: Maggie London / Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Suits: Sam’s Fine Men’s Clothing / Caterer: Ross and Owen / Florist: The Rose and Radish / Officiant: Officiant Cantor Stahl / Invitations & Stationery: Groom’s sister / Cake: Ross and Owen / Musicians: Funktion 11 / Venue: Private Residence

This gorgeous wedding by Sarah Tew Photography might be one of the best vintage weddings I’ve seen in awhile!  I collect little brass animals so I was beyond excited to see the centerpieces of elephants, birds and other little critters paired with the gorgeous DIY flowers.  Just a hop, skip and jump outside of New York City in New Jersey it’s the perfect backyard retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.  Click here to see the rest in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Sarah Tew Photography… Michael and Kimberly wanted to have a wedding close enough to NYC that their friends here could easily come– they found the most charming little venue called The Woman’s Club in Englewood, NJ that was about 20 minutes out of the city, where they could have their ceremony outdoors and their reception in a room just the right size for their party.  I just love what they did with the decor– they did a lot of it themselves (DIY), gathering together a collection of unique vintage brass ornamental bells and animal pieces to decorate the tables with as well as arranging their own flowers, candles, tissue poms, bunting, and other unique crafted decor.  As favors they gave away pieces of organic dark chocolate from Sweetface– and I must tell you it was delicious!

Not only did this couple display an enormous commitment to making their wedding their own, their guests totally tore down the house.  The DJ spun  I mean that in a good way– the dancing at this party was over the top– it was joyful, let-loose, make-funny-faces-when-we-dance kind of crowd (my favorite kind!)– and towards the end of the night there was some serious showmanship out there on the floor.  Take a look at some of my favorite shots from this sweet wedding.

Wedding Photography: Sarah Tew Photography / Venue: Woman’s Club of Englewood / Wedding Dress: Saja / Rings: Bell and Bird / DJ: Mr. Finewine / Officiant: Maureen Jeffries / Carrot Cake: Blue Sky Bakery / Cake Topper: Vintage / Catering: Rustic Foods / Ceremony Musicians: Howard Fields + Friends / Favors: Sweetface Chocolates

I think I need to start off these fabulous Atlantic City nuptials with a little announcement:  This is not a dream.  Just a friendly reminder before you jump into these stunning images by Atlantic NJ wedding photographer Kay English and second shooter Vanessa Joy, because this wedding is beyond dreamy and then some. One filled to the brim with insanely gorgeous shoes, glorious peonies and vibrant aqua blue accents. And when you see the DIY wedding cake, you’ll seriously need to pinch yourself.  And the best part? There is so much more in the gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Bobby and I both share a love for the water, and when we arrived at One Atlantic, we knew that this was going to be our wedding venue. Far out on the end of Caesars Pier, we felt transported to a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With the Atlantic City skyline in the background, waves crashing on the shoreline, and the boardwalk buzzing with excitement, we felt that this venue embodied us as a couple.

The modern venue with clean lines and minimalist design, was the perfect setting for our unique style and vision. With my art background, and Bobby’s carpentry skills, we took advantage of this blank canvas and really made the space our own. From my homemade wedding cake to custom welcome sign and frame collage, Bobby and I had a very hands-on approach to planning our special day. We also created hand-painted aqua vases, vintage birdcages and ruffled clam shells, adorned with glossy white driftwood, tulle and fuchsia flowers. The varying textures of the centerpieces were accented by the warm light emanating from mercury glass votives that popped against the black and white Waverly table linens. Our guests enjoyed boardwalk treats, like saltwater taffy and cotton candy at our candy buffet. The event was a marriage between the old and new, incorporating classic details that captured the nostalgia of Atlantic City, as well as the modern touch of a present- day couple.

The colors of my wedding were fuchsia, aqua, black and white. My dress was both modern in its details and textures, yet classic in it’s silhouette. The tiered skirt mimicked the waves of the ocean. My bridesmaids wore black cocktail dresses, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s style in ” Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” They each wore a different brooch, with vintage stud earrings, and fuchsia satin peep toe pumps with bow accents. Our bouquets were primarily fuchsia peonies in clouds of aqua tulle. Bobby wore a black tuxedo with suspenders, pocket square, and black skinny tie. While the groomsmen wore matching tuxedos with aqua ties that were varying designs.

Our favorite moment of the night, was our first dance. It was the first time we were able to speak alone and reflect on the day, the ceremony, our hard work, and most importantly our love for one another. Holding each other in our arms, we felt as though we were the only ones in the room. At this moment we finally felt complete.

Wedding Photography: Kay English Photography / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: One Atlantic / Catering: One Atlantic / Floral Design & Decor: Gerad’s Florist & Decorators / DJ: Steve & Co. / Wedding Videography: Exterastep Video / Second Photographer: Vanessa Joy / Wedding Gown: Jim Hjelm via Exquisite Bride / Bride’s Shoes: Lauren Jones via Nordstrom / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung

Here’s a little math equation for your afternoon. What do you get when you take one fun couple + a cake from THE Cake Boss + the Jersey Shore + Turn Loose The Art‘s amazing photographs? Answer: this awesome New Jersey wedding. Yes, the couple really just wanted to have a blast, the cake really was from Carlo’s Bakery, the whole affair took place within sight of the Atlantic Ocean, and the photos – amazing – are really from the talented Turn Loose The Art. It’s a formula for a completely awe-inspiring wedding, and we’ve got front row seats. When you’re ready for more, click here for the gallery!

So amazing, right? Check out the amazing Highlight Film from Couture Motion!

Jonathan | Francine from Couture Motion on Vimeo.

From Turn Loose The Art … Francine and Jon really just wanted an amazing party. They had a killer venue on the edge of the Jersey Shore with a patio available for guests, lots of great details that made their day unique, and a dance mentality. In addition to little touches like cigars for guests lounging near the fireplace and drink stirrers with messages, they also had a custom cake from The Cake Boss of Carlo’s Bakery.

Adrienne, their wedding planner extraordinaire, was on top of everything from helping to organize family to making sure the ceremony went off without a hitch. Our guests happily joined in the cocktail-style reception with tray passed mini entrees and signature drinks.

Venue: Avenue *Le Club / Wedding Planning: Adrienne Colosimo of Bespoke Affairs / Bridal Gown: Amsale for Christos / Groom’s Tux: Alabaster & Chess / Cupcakes: Carlo’s Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Hornbill Hill / Cinematography: Couture Motion / Floral Design: Flowerful Events / Entertainment: DJ Unique / Hotel: Bungalow / Photography: Turn Loose The Art

Well, after a beachy keen week of stunning nuptials, many of which took place near the sea, we figured it was fitting to continue the week with a super Super 8 Film from Blossom Productions on – you guessed it – a beach. This Cape May wedding was perfect in every way, and lucky for us, it was all captured in a way that will definitely make you smile, absolutely cause goose bumps, and probably bring a tear to your pretty little eye. We even have a few still shots of the day from Laura Eaton Photography, and their just as amazing as the film. Make sure to visit the gallery for all of them!

After that little sneak peak, I’m sure you’re dying to jump right in to the Super 8 from Blossom Productions. So here we go!

Chrissy & Joe: Cape May Wedding from Blossom Productions on Vimeo.

From Blossom Productions … Chrissy wanted the vintage, timeless look of film woven throughout her video because she not only loved how it looked but also because it created a feeling of nostalgia. As filmmakers, capturing the sights and sounds of the day are incredibly important. If we can also capture the actual emotion, then that is the icing on the cake.

Chrissy’s father passed away when she was a young girl and many memories of her father occurred in Cape May. She had a locket containing his photograph attached to her bouquet. As we were filming all of the significant, BIG moments, we made sure to capture the not-so-obvious, yet incredibly meaningful, small details. The locket was one of them. In some ways, her dad was with her every step of the way that day.

For all of the thought, energy, and time that went into making sure the day went as planned, these two were also about fun and spontaneity. It was a hot out and on the way to shooting formals on the beach, Chrissy and Joe shared a Slurpee. I don’t know many newly, married brides who’d be daring enough to drink a cherry (bright red!) frozen drink while wearing a white wedding dress!

Chrissy and Joe also understood that there’d be very few occasions in life when the people who meant the most to them would all be in the same room for celebratory occasion. Knowing Chrissy’s past, preserving these memories for her came with an even greater responsibility to do it all right-and for having that opportunity, we were honored.

Photography: Laura Eaton Photography / Cinematography: Blossom Productions / Flowers: Manic Botanic / Event Planning & Design: Proud to Plan / Ceremony Location: Our Lady Star of the Sea / Reception Location: The Grand Hotel / Cake & Desserts: Pink Cake Box / Wedding Gown Designer: Pronovias / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Bari Jay

What is not to love about a beach wedding? Seriously, I can’t think of a single thing. The sweet colors of the ocean, sky, and sand, the gentle breeze, the gorgeous sunsets. Beach nuptials are probably the best. Ever. Like this New Jersey affair. They felt the allure of the water, and no surprise, a FAB wedding followed. Lucky for us, Kay English Photography captured it all with her signature style – and the swooning continues. Pop over to Kay’s blog for more of this one! And if it’s more sand you’re craving – I bet you could find one or two beach parties on the Destination Blog!

Rick and I wanted to getaway. We had been talking about where we would like to travel to and decided on Belize.  Rick apparently had a proposal all planned out in his mind, but I thought we were just going to do some snorkeling.  The whole journey, Rick was sweating with the ring in his pocket, trying to keep it hidden while moving it from his pocket to his carry-on bag each time we went through security.

The night we arrived, we got dressed up and went out for dinner.  After a delicious Belizean dinner we went for a walk along the beach where Rick proposed with the palm trees swaying and the stars reflections shimmering off the ocean. As soon as he knelt down on one knee, I was completely surprised and very excited!

Rick and I both really enjoy the beach, but our favorite time is during the spring and fall when the weather is just perfect and you are the only ones enjoying it. We knew we did not want an indoor wedding, but wanted something elegant, yet casual at the same time.  Our tented beach setting ended up being exactly what we pictured. The bonfire completed the fun with everyone enjoying s’mores.

Our inspiration was “romance at the beach.” We wanted to have a fun party in a pretty setting. The colors were white, tan, and eggplant purple. The invitation was designed to represent the sandy waves of the beach. The maids of honor picked out a beautiful Amsale dress in eggplant, which complimented the sandy color perfectly.  I wore my mother’s veil, which was absolutely beautiful. Rick is a surfer so I had his boutonniere made on a mini wooden surfboard, which he absolutely loved!

Our favorite moment of the night was during our first dance when all of our nerves finally subsided and we looked at each other and smiled. We realized that we remembered all of our steps and that even if we didn’t, we were having the time of our lives.

Dress: Amsale / Photography: Kay English Photography / Florist: Viburnum / Venue: Ocean Place Resort & Spa / Makeup: Amanda Rae

Sunflowers and cowboys boots. Changing autumn colors and tables of cupcakes. Groucho glasses. And a couple with a serious sense of style. Seriously, that gorgeous Eden Bridals gown the New Jersey bride is wearing? Fantastic. We’re head over heels for this next wedding sent to us by the lovely ladies of A Garden Party. The whole affair is so unique, so fun, so beautiful, and was planned in four months(!) – can you believe that? It may take you four months just to take in all the great details of this wedding, but there’s always more in the gallery!

From A Garden Party … Last October, we were lucky enough to do the flowers for an adventurous couple that had a wedding full of so many fun details, that I have been waiting breathlessly for the photos to come in. Lucky for Rachael she has an amazing photographer as a brother-in-law, Photography by Gary Johnson.

You know you are in for a fun wedding when you see groucho glasses set out for every guest with a note that says “To honor Rachael and Connery, the humor of Groucho Marx, and the eve of Halloween; Please have fun with us by putting on the Groucho Gear when the Chaplain gives the newlyweds permission to kiss!”  The expressions on the faces of Rachael and Connery when they turned and saw their guests was priceless!

We kept the flowers pretty and informal to keep with the fun theme of the wedding.  For the bouquets we used orange dahlias, orange tulips, orange mini calla lilies, yellow crapesdia, orange ranunculus and bittersweet.  Each bouquet was accented with a small vintage charm tied on with velvet ribbon, so cute! For the centerpieces we used assorted mason jars filled with sunflowers, dahlias, and roses.  We hung the mason jars full of flowers down the aisle on shepherds’ hooks and decorated the adorable arbor at Pratt Gardens with more hanging mason jars and hanging ribbons with fresh flowers glued to them.

I was so impressed with the amount of work, planning, and love that the bride’s older sister and her mother did to make sure Rachael’s wedding was perfect. All the planning took place in four months! It was truly a DIY, family affair.

Ceremony and Reception: Pratt Gardens / Florals: A Garden Party / Photography: Photography by Gary Johnson / Bridesmaids Shawls: Etsy / Invitations: Mr. Ellie Pooh, LLC / Bride’s Gown: Eden Bridals / Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew / Hair: Salon Nicole / Boots: Ariat / Guestbook: Bleu de Toi

Happy Monday! We all know it’s a little hard to get the motor running first thing Monday morning, but this citrusy celebration by Wayne Yuan Photography is sure to give you just the jolt you need to power through the day. With a modern color pallette, sweet personal details and some standout Pucci shoes it’s enough to make me say I am happy it’s finally Monday – I just couldn’t wait to share this one! Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Wayne Yuan Photography… Yellow and gray are definitely a winning combo when it comes to a modern, chic wedding. Sheryl and Mike had their wedding at the National Newark Building—an old bank converted into one of the coolest and most inspiring spaces for a grand celebration! Its entrance staircase opens up to a grand foyer where the bride and groom held their cocktail hour; the old teller windows became clever places for mini drink bars. It was a yellow and lemony wonderland of gumdrops, candies, and their signature drink (lemon drops) dripping from an ice sculpture of the building itself! With everything sprinkled in cheerful yellow details, it was the perfect setting for friends and family to catch up and mingle under the amazing Art Deco architecture.

To one side of the foyer was the ceremony, where Sheryl and Mike recited their vows beside their entourage of suspender-wearing groomsmen and chic bridesmaids sporting fun spring accessories made by the bride herself! An old bank vault transformed into a movie set for unique “mafia-inspired” bridal party portraits, so appropriate for this fun group of friends who were up for something a little less traditional. The reception was set up on the opposite side of the foyer, where every little table card and name tag was designed to coordinate with the neo-classical style of the architecture. A live jazz quartet welcomed their guests into the beautiful banquet room, and everyone sent the happy couple on their way with a parade of sparklers (Approved by the local fire department of course!) to end the evening. It was a beautiful day with a fun couple who brought so much character and personal detail to this event—their guests will certainly remember and talk about this day for many years to come.

Wedding Photography: Wayne Yuan Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Well Spun Wedding Films / Floral Design: Laurelwood Designs / Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra / DJ: DJ Gaza of 74 Events / Makeup: Expert Makeup Artistry / Hair: Head Hunters / Photo Booth Rental: Interactive Entertainment / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: National Newark Building / Decor & Rentals: Daniel Alexander Ltd. / Paper Goods: Paper & Inklings / Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai / Bride’s Shoes: Emilio Pucci

This next couple both kicked some serious diseases on the road to perfect wedding bliss and happily-ever-afterness. Don’t miss out on the tear jerking description from My Bellissima, the super talented event coordinators who worked with this extraordinary couple. And definitely give the video from Fiore Films a gander…You won’t be disappointed! For more happily ever after, check out the gallery.

Click here to see entire image gallery!

So I totally got the chills watching this little clip from Fiore Films, so I think you should all watch it too!

From Laura Bianco of My Bellissima: When Susan and Todd originally came to My Bellissima to plan their wedding back in 2009, we knew they were special, but never knew how much they had been through. Todd suffered from a brain aneurism 3 years ago and from this has struggled to get back to the way he was 9 years ago when he first began to date Susan. Susan nurtured Todd and from this fell in love all over again. Last March, Susan discovered a tumor growing on her hip.  After the removal of the tumor and much physical therapy,  she thought she was in the clear to walk down the aisle in October. Unfortunately, her hip did not heal properly and was still in fact broken. She was put in a full body cast up until a week before her wedding. During all of this they BOTH lost their jobs and it was truly a cross to bare.  They couldn’t cancel the wedding due to the several thousands of dollars they had put down on deposits. At that point they did what they could and made the best of this continuous black cloud that always seemed to loom overhead. Until finally, on October 8th 2010, the skies cleared up and turned into an incredible wedding day! Susan and Todd Lawrence were married at The Stone House At Sterling Ridge in Warren NJ.  The setting couldn’t have been more perfect. Surrounded by family and friends, Susan and Todd said their “I Do’s”  under a Chuppa adorned with hanging crystals, candles and soft white drapes. They treated their guests to a cocktail style reception with an eclectic mix of stations. Her tablescapes varied from submerged calla lilies,  to runners of textures (Hydrangea, candles, both floating and votives and blue crystals).  Instead of a sweetheart table, Susan and Todd sat in a lounge fit for a king and queen filled with various couches and custom pillows. They had a silhouette theme throughout their wedding as well. From the menu’s, to the cake and table numbers, they made sure to follow their theme from beginning to the end.  Susan and Todd ended the night with Smores and cigars on the outside patio with their guests. It truly was a magical event.

Photography: Jamie K. Photography / Cinematography: Fiore Films / Flowers: A Touch of Elegance / Event Planning: My Bellissima / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Stone House At Stirling Ridge

Breathe in deeply. Let it all out. Feel that? That fresh feeling that just came over you is just a preview of this New Jersey Country Club Wedding. All the pretty green, the gorgeous fresh flowers, and the perfect paper goods from The Finishing Touch make for quite the invigorating summer wedding. Not only did they ace the invites and programs, but The Finishing Touch are the geniuses behind the design that revitalizes the senses today. Imagine (like I did) that you are at this spectacular summer affair, and I’m sure you’ll have a smile by the time you get to the last photo. And if you want to spend a little more time at this fresh wedding, head over the The Finishing Touch’s blog!

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From the bride … We met during the first two weeks of my college career at Duke University. Trey was three years my senior and I was immediately smitten over this larger than life heavyweight wrestler, an older college man, who was magically enamored with me. After running in to each other at several social engagements, we found ourselves together in a psych class where I ran to class so that he would see me when he walked in. Later, I found out that after a week of the course, he realized that there was no need for him to take the course and in fact, doing so would require that he take on extra credits the following semester. Undeterred by the ominous threat of an upcoming heavy course load, he decided to take the course and even spend time studying hard to get to know and impress this bright eyed, lovely psychology major who he found charming and irresistible (me!). It didn’t take long for Trey and I to date, fall in love and after 8 years together, commit to spending our futures with each other.

From The Finishing Touch … This wedding was held at The Knoll Country Club in Parsippany, NJ. Tara and Trey wanted something elegant and whimsical, so a custom motif was designed for their wedding invitation and all of their stationery. They live in Seattle, WA so a good part of the planning they had trusted us to do for them. We had such a blast working with this beautiful couple, and could not have been happier about the outcome. It was a very beautiful affair.

Cake: The Knoll Country Club / Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Knoll Country Club / Photographer: The Studio Photographers / Dress: Marisa from Kleinfelds / Bridesmaid & Flower Girl Dresses:  Priscilla of Boston / Groom’s tuxedo: Bob’s Mens Shop / Invitations & Paper Goods: The Finishing Touch / Wedding planner: The Finishing Touch / Favors: Kate Aspen / Videographer: Image Solutions / Hair: Magda Designs / Makeup: Magda Designs / Wedding rings: Blue Nile

Ok folks, this darling DIY farm wedding is just the perfect way to end our Wedding Wednesday pretty parade. It’s super adorable, personal and crafty all wrapped up in one sweet as can be wedding. Held at the Inn at Fernbrook Farms, all the fabulous images from Di Bezi Photography makes me wish I pulled an invite to this fun fete! For even more be sure to check out the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… My husband and I met almost eight years ago in Mallorca, Spain of all places.  That’s right, two Jersey folks ventured out to Spain one summer (I as a nanny and Keith as a grad student studying abroad), and seven years later we were married at The Inn at Fernbrook Farms in Chesterfield, New Jersey.  I always knew that I wanted an outdoor wedding, so after a long and grueling search across the states of NJ and PA, we ended up fifteen minutes from our house on a beautiful farm that has been family run since the 1800’s.

My vision for our July 24th wedding was “modern whimsy and burlap with a touch of antique.”  From the start, I knew I would be embarking on many DIY projects since I had dreamed about this day for so long and wanted it to feel like OUR event and not a cookie cutter wedding.  Overall, it turned out to be a relaxed and personal event that our friends and family are still talking about!  Everyone pitched in to help bring all the elements together which, looking back, is a big reason why everything felt so right.  I was out there along with my bridesmaids setting up the tables just hours before the wedding.

We constructed paper fans for the ceremony with tags that read, “Thanks for being at our one day that says we don’t want to spend another without being man and wife.”  Little did we know how important those fans would be in keeping our guests alive on a 105 degree day!  The chuppah was constructed by Keith and my father the week before the wedding.  We wanted it to be very natural and simple, and constructed the frame out of birch poles with a burlap canopy top.  My father’s wife sewed ALL of our dinner napkins from fabric I collected, each table with their own pattern.  I crafted their corresponding place cards with a scrap of their napkin fabric that I pegged to burlapped boards. We made the burlap table runners, table numbers, and collected hurricane lanterns for the dinner tables. My father’s wife also created our ring pillow which was made out of pieces of material that once belonged to each of our four grandmothers, all of whom have passed.  It was such a nice way to honor and include them in our ceremony.

The flowers were a group effort, led by a family friend.  I wanted the flowers to be simple and classic. I created a loop out of natural twine so that the flower-filled mason jars could hang over the aisle chairs. They came out so beautifully! We also had wreaths hanging at the front entrance and small mason jars on the cocktail tables.  The bridesmaid hyrdrangea bouquets were wrapped in burlap and tied with twine.

The hit of the night was definitely the DIY photo booth that I created using a burlap backdrop and our monogram from Anthropologie.  I bought props from an Etsy vendor and left disposable cameras on a table and let people go at it.  All five cameras were filled with such inventive and fun pictures!

Other DIY touches included chalkboard menu boards, drink stirrers with our monogram, a guest book that contained paper and envelopes for guests to tuck notes into, burlap pocket squares for the groomsmen, handmade wooden signs pointing guests to the ceremony, reception, and cocktail hour and hurricane lanterns filled with floating candles that lined the walkways. We also made dozens upon dozens of homemade cookies that I placed in collected apothecary jars that guests could fill up in cellophane bags on their way out.

Wedding Venue: The Inn at Fernbrook Farms / Wedding Photographer: Di Bezi Photography / Wedding Dress: Ramona Keveza / Men’s Suits: Express / Caterer: Main Street Catering / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Band: The Cherubs / Ring Bearer Ties: The Belle and the Beau / Flowers: Friend of the Bride

If there is one wedding tradition that I am completely smitten with, it would be the “wedding parade”. There is just something so joyous and magical about marching through the streets with all your loved ones on your way to celebrate your brand spankin new marriage. So you can imagine my excitement when I spotted this New Jersey wedding boasting not only a wedding parade but an equally magical backyard garden party. Oh be still my heart. All of it was captured to sheer perfection by Jen Causey Photography and there is even more of this whimsical celebration to pore over in the gallery.

see all the details from this New Jersey bash here!

I had always dreamed of having a backyard wedding in my small beach town of Manasquan, NJ. We had an amazing tent in our backyard and the party came to life. We got married at a church across from my parent’s house, officiated by the groom’s father. It was really special and personal. The church was just across the street so our guests and the bride and groom paraded to the reception with handmade “Just Married” signs in tow. I knew that I always wanted to create a lot of special details that our guests would remember! We created a foosball table. We bought a used foosball table and worked to make the little people look like brides and grooms. Our guests had a great time playing during the reception! I created a photo booth using a fabric backdrop and a Polaroid camera! Our guests took fun pictures of themselves and put them in our guest book with special notes for us that we will cherish forever. For the centerpieces, I scoured antique shops and thrift stores as well as enlisted our friends to find eclectic glass bottles in clear, blue and purple. The bottles went down the center of our long tables and my mom and I arranged wildflowers in the bottle to create a natural, “just picked” look!

Photography: Jen Causey / Dress: WTOO bought at Barefoot Bride in Fairhaven, NJ / Bride’s Shoes and Jewelry: Ann Taylor / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Catering: Mumford’s Culinary Center Tinton Falls, NJ / Tent: Sperry Tents / Florist: Wallflowers Spring Lake Heights, NJ / Ceremony Location: First Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, New Jersey / Reception Location: The Schmeling Home

Another brilliantly colorful wedding ~ today! From A Garden Party, Kari and Dave were married this past summer in her parents’ back yard. The day was filled with love as they said their I Do’s alongside their pretty pup!

from The Garden Party Sisters …

Kari and Dave were married this past August at Kari’s family home. They were a fun loving couple that wanted their wedding to be full of bright colors and fun details. This is a couple that chose to get married with their dog by their side (dressed for the day with a brand new bandanna that said ‘I do too’), how much more fun can you get than that?!?!

Kari carried a bouquet of orange mini gerbers, yellow tulips, orange calla lilies, protea, hot pink spray roses and gorgeous pink dahlias (hand selected by a local grower). A dazzling rhinestone brooch was added to bring in the little bit of bling! The bridesmaids carried bouquets of similar flowers with multi colored ribbon wrap and beaded fringe – so cute!

We grew up with Kari, so seeing her looking so stunning on her wedding day was that much more special to us. It was important to us that Kari’s ceremony site really be eye catching. We did swirls of rose petals down the aisle, hung bi-colored gerber daisies from the chairs, and covered the arbor in a floral arch. Orange and pink were the colors of the day, and they sure did stand out!

It can be steamy in August here in South Jersey, so each guest was given a little fan and a beer cozy. Under the tent were centerpieces of tropical flowers. On each table a picture of the couple was attached. Instead of being numbered the tables were named to describe the picture on the table. Their was a table showing their first date, and many places that they had vacationed together.

Kari and Dave’s was a wedding to remember and we hope you enjoy all the fun details as much as we do!

Florist – A Garden Party / Photographer – Tina Jay Photography / Cake – The Sweet Life Bakery

Handmade vintage not your thing?  Not a problem!  We have a super chic, modern New Jersey wedding from My Bellissima and Jennifer Davis Photography that should do the trick.  A stunning sculpture garden sets the tone for this elegant event that is oh so sweetly designed with vibrant hues and sophisticated style.  The modern madness continues in the full gallery!

Click here for more inspiration in the full wedding gallery!

Hanna and Barry Bruno were married July 17th, 2010 at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ.  Their color palette was slate gray and tangerine with modern accents.  They were married on the sculpture grounds of the 9 muses and with every detail in place, their day was completely perfect.  The photographer, Jennifer Davis, had a field day with the sculpture grounds as her ideal back drop for this couple.  They even have Monet’s bridge as one of their photo’s  They had a total of 70 guests and had a private reception in Rats Restaurant, followed by dancing and dessert in a private pavilion on site.  The pavilion was decorated with tangerine lounge furniture, custom pillows, white draping and candlelight.  The restaurant/reception area was both inside and outside.  The outside portion had several tented areas all decorated with Chinese lanterns and soft draping.  Inside the restaurant was a mixture of various size tables, all dressed in slate gray bark textured linen, chrome snakeskin chargers and various orange hue flower scapes and candles on each table.  Place cards were put on mini lanterns and the guest sat on brushed silver chivari chairs with a tangerine cushion.   From a cigar bar to a candy bar station, the guest enjoyed all the hosts had to offer.  Hanna and Barry worked with My Bellissima Events to plan out every aspect of their wedding day.  It was truly stunning!

Wedding Photography: Jennifer Davis Photography / Event Design + Planning: My Bellissima / Ceremony Venue: Grounds For Sculpture / Reception Venue: Rats Restaurant / Candy Buffet: Lisa’s Candy Buffet / Flowers: Viburnum / Entertainment:  Elegant Ensembles / Stationery: Cam Turner Designs / Shoes: Bettye Muller / Dress: David’s Bridal

Spectacular seems to be the word of the day! Earlier  we featured a gorgeous wedding from Gulnara Studio that was simply spectacular! But that is also the precise word that came to mind when viewing Dorian and Kevin’s formal yet whimsical New Jersey wedding. The floral designs will knock your socks off!  See the whole wedding gallery here.

We wanted a fun and lively wedding without the stress. That is why we hired Samantha Goldberg as a wedding planer. She, along with A Touch of Elegance florist and Infinity Lighting transformed the Spring Brook Country Club into a magical garden where all our dreams came true. Our guests danced the night away under chandeliers of flowers to a fantastic band called Rhythm Jam of Red Hot Productions. The event was captured by the talents of Gulnara Studio and Stix Productions. Our cake was made by Carlos Bakery. The favors were boxes of the bride’s home made almond brittle dipped in chocolate. The stationery was from Honor of your Presence, with calligraphy done by a family friend. The bridal party was made beautiful by Melissa D’Aloia & Co., and were dressed in varying fashions by After Six while the bride wore a dress from Allure Bridals. The groomsmen’s attire was from Men’s Warehouse. We were swept away to our dream wedding in a 2009 Rolls Royce Phantom from Santos VIP Limo, while the guests were transported in shuttles provided by My Limo, of East Hanover.

Gulnara’s Blog of Dorian & Kevin’s wedding has lots more spectacular photos of this incredible wedding!

Wedding Gown – Allure Bridals / Ceremony: St. Mary’s Church, Dover NJ / Reception: Spring Brook Country Club, Morristown, NJ / Wedding Planner and Designer: Samantha Goldberg & Co. / Florist: A Touch of Elegance / Cake: Carlos Bakery / Band: Rhythm Jam of Red Hot Productions Videographer: Stix Productions / Lighting: Infinity Lighting / Stationery: The Honour Of Your Presence / Hair and Make Up: Melissa D’Aloia & Co.