Short Hills Hilton: Amy & John: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Amy and John met online through Match.com in January of 2008.  Amy ‘winked’ at tall, dark and handsome John, and he wrote back to the girl whose hair reminded him of his treasured springer spaniel, Molly.  They met in person for the first time later that same month at The Dove in Greenwich Village, which is known as one of New York’s most romantic bars.  They quickly discovered that they shared Irish and Polish backgrounds, mid-Western roots, and a love of all things Star Wars. Amy was very impressed with John’s gentleman-like manners and keen wit, while John was intrigued by Amy’s engaging personality and insights into a family full of brothers.  Soon enough, they were celebrating Valentine’s Day together.

Over the years, Amy and John traveled to Bangkok, San Francisco, Millerton NY, London, Paris, the south of France, and numerous trips to New Jersey and Minnesota.

On February 20, 2014, John surprised Amy with a ring over a romantic dinner at Michael Jordan’s Steak House in the majestic Grand Central Terminal in New York City.  Following Amy’s favorable response, the waiter brought champagne, and numerous texts and pictures were sent worldwide.

For their special day, Amy and John decided that there could be no better place to have the ceremony than Amy's own childhood parish.  So when the big day arrived, Amy got ready at her family's home with all of her bridesmaids close at hand.  Their hair and makeup was beautifully done by Gillian Moritz of Beauty Artist Group, while Agnieshka Burke of Pumpkin Coach Events made sure everything was done on time and went smoothly. The headpiece that Amy wore came from John's hometown in Minnesota, while her blue garter was the same one her mother wore on her wedding day. The lace top that Amy wore over her stunning Amsale gown was an elegantly classic touch to complete her look.

Amy arrived at Calvary Episcopal Church with the sun shining through the breathtaking red, orange, and yellow Fall foliage.  With her father by her side, Amy walked down the aisle, her first exciting steps towards a beautiful future with her groom.

The reception was held at the Hilton Short Hills.  A bird theme was chosen for the celebration, which was reflected in the couple's save the dates, invitations, and reception decor. Bloomers Designs did a fantastic job on both the girls' bouquets and the centerpieces in the dining room, with tiny birds tastefully placed amongst the garden roses and hydrangeas. Elan Jazz Society Quartet played beautifully while dinner was served, before guests moved into the next room for fun and dancing with DJ Matty from Elan Artists.  The night ended with cake by the chefs at the Short Hills Hilton, accompanied with another cake that Amy had done up special to surprise John.

Trump National Golf Club: A Summer Solstice Wedding : New Jersey Wedding Photography

On a perfect Saturday in June, Jenna and Jim stood outside in front of a large gathering of friends and family, and said "I do" to happily-ever-after together.  The couple first met after Jenna's cousin did a bit of matchmaking, picking Jim out of her husband's group of friends as someone who may hit it off with Jenna. Two years later, on Jenna's birthday, Jim proposed.

Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, was the ideal location for the elegant summer wedding.  The ceremony took place outside in front of an extravagant fountain and beautiful flowers. Jenna wore a stunning gown from Elizabeth Johns, accompanied by her mother's veil and earrings handpicked by her groom.  Jim could not have been any happier as he stood at the top of the stone steps in an Armani tuxedo, eyes locked on Jenna as she walked down the aisle with her father.  The bridesmaids lined the left side of the steps in their Amsale dresses from Bella Bridesmaid and bouquets by Mike Pellegrino of Jardiniere Fine Flowers.  On the opposite side of the stairs stood Jim's groomsmen, most of whom Jim had known since high school.  Together, Jenna and Jim stood beneath a beautifully adorned arch and proclaimed their everlasting love for each other.

Inside, Jenna's mother and grandmother had worked endlessly to get everything perfect.  Without them, the wedding would not have been the amazing event that it was, helping Jenna immensely with each detailed decision, from the stationary by Linda Gamba of Paperazzi, to the lighting design by Eggsotic Events, to the amazing Jason Craig Band.  After cocktail hour upstairs on the veranda, guests came down into the spectacular ballroom decorated in hues of purple.  From the start of the reception, with Jenna and Jim's first dance, through the speeches from Jenna's parents, sister, cousin, and Jim's best friend, until the end, with dancing and cutting of the cake, Jenna and Jim shined with love and happiness on their perfect day.

One Atlantic: A Wedding with a View: New Jersey Wedding Photography

In 2007, Moira met Michael.  They worked together for the same company in Connecticut and shared the same friends at work.  It was when they began spending time together outside of work, however, that they found they had a lot in common.  Both Michael and Moira loved to be active and learn.  Over time, their friendship grew as they pushed each other to try new things.  Moira learned to snowboard in order to keep up with Michael, and he took up swimming in order to compete in a triathlon with Moira.

Eventually, Moira changed jobs and moved to New York.  With the move, the two athletes realized just how much they’d enjoyed spending most of their time together, and they now had to actively seek each other out.  They were pleased to find that it all worked out seamlessly and felt very natural, which led to a more serious relationship between the two of them.  Their time together has been nothing but a fun and exciting ride since it began.  In 2012, Mike proposed on the first night of a vacation in Capri.

On a beautiful Saturday in May, the couple stood in front of their most beloved family and friends at the One Atlantic in Atlantic City, and read out their own vows.  Moira was the definition of beauty with her hair and makeup done by Bella Angel, and her Pronovias lace gown and Badgley Mischka heels.  Her bridesmaids were flawless in their dark blue Amsale gowns from Bella Bridesmaid and bouquets by Rainflorist.  Michael could have been mistaken for 007 in his custom tux, while all the groomsmen were dashing in their own personal tuxes.

The reception was put together wonderfully with blue tables, and touches of white found in the flowers and hanging candles above the dance floor.  Michael’s mother gifted each seat with her special chocolate chip cookies, and the couple’s wedding cake came from her very own carrot cake recipe.  ExtraStep Video captured the night, while Wilson Stevens “Eye 2 Eye” band made the party unforgettable.

Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club: Katie & Kevin's Classic Shore Wedding: Monmouth County Wedding Photographers

This is a lovely classic shore wedding from a few years back.  Katie & Kevin meet through mutual friends years before they started dating and lost touch.  As irony would have it just as Katie was about to sing the papers on her new Upper East Side apartment she reconnected with Kevin who lived just a mile away.  The sparks flew and a year & half later the two were at there favorite rooftop spot in the city when Katie looked across the street to see a sign hung out the window of an apartment building that said "Katie, will you marry me?"  Kevin then swept her away to close restaurant were he had both of their families waiting!  On the big day Katie looked divine in her classic Vera Wang sheath dress and Kate Spade shoes with hair and make up from Salon Kokopelli in Spring Lake.  The bridesmaids looked ready for a shore wedding in marine blue gowns from Amsale.  Kate Duffy of Katydid Signature Floral & Event Design created splendid cream bouquets for the girls and vibrant pink peonies & roses for Katie with a silver starfish accent.  They married in St. Mark's Catholic Church in Sea Girt NJ and then hopped on the trolley to head to the Spring Lake beach and bridge for some portraits.  For the reception the couple chose the elegant Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale where Tim McLoone & The Shirley's entertained the crowd through the night.

Congratulations to Caroline & José: New York Wedding Photographers

New Vernon: Town & Country Chic: Part 2: New Vernon Wedding Photographers

The rolling hills of the New Vernon estate made for an elegant and romantic setting.  Lauren added a champagne sash to her dress for the reception and traded her veil for a simple white flower hair piece .   Larkspur & Thyme cut young saplings from the property and used them inside the tent along with centerpieces full of dahlias, hydrangeas, and apples in an autumn palate.  The spacious heated tent was provided by Sperry Tents.   Place cards were held in sterling silver dishes of acorns, sheaths of wheat adorned the table,  and firecrackers with monogrammed matches lite up the night.  The cake by Joanne Gusweiler of CoCoCuisine in Bedminster was right in time with the season!  Laughter and tears followed every speech, and the crowd danced the night away.   The Eturnity Band of NYC was just so much fun!

The couple was so lovely we did a more relaxed after wedding portrait session. We got such a kick out of Lauren's converse sneakers!

New Veron: Town & Country Chic: Part 1: New Vernon Wedding Photographers

The fall colors could not have been more vibrant for our handsome couple Rob and Lauren!  Their wedding was held at the bride's parents private estate in New Vernon, New Jersey.  Florist Carol Magadini from  Larkspur & Thyme was lucky enough to be able to work with her natural surroundings to create refreshingly informal bouquets and centerpieces.  Lauren was so excited to use the fall foilage!  Almost all of the flowers used were grown on the estate creating such a sentimental feel. Lauren looked absolutely radiant in a delicate lace gown by Monique L'huillier and Christian Louboutin open toe pumps all purchased from the bridal department of Saks Fifth Ave in NYC.  The gorgeous blue topaz & peridot ring was a gift from Lauren's grandmother.  Susan Brinson of Studio Brinson in NYC created all of the menues, place cards, and CD covers.  The girls wore Amsale in a rich shade of chocolate.

Lauren's parents recall thinking of this day when building their grand staircase.  With four daughters it will be the backdrop for many special days!

The ceremony was also in New Vernon at The Church of Christ the King where the couple made a dashing exit in an antique Triumph convertible.