Avenue Long Branch: Andrea & Michael

The Jersey Shore after labor day is at it's best, beautiful weather with out the crowds. Andrea and Michael could not have asked for a better day! The roof top at Avenue was the  perfect location for their intimate wedding. I loved the pink and orange color palette that was carried through the girls dresses and decor. With the palm tree and the blue ocean it gave a Miami feel to the whole event. Which was fitting because Michael 's family is from Miami. 

I asked Andrea how they meet and to tell me about special details of their wedding. This is what she had to say. We worked for the same company but at different divisions, if it wasn't for Chemistry.com we might have never meet.I worked in the NYC office and he in the Plainsboro NJ division. .We enjoyed emailing and speaking on the phone and had our first date in August 2008. We felt an immediate attraction and connection.  We both found each other funny, kind, intelligent and caring and there was a definite spark that has continued to this day!

Michael planned a special vacation to st. Maarten for March 2015 which he surprised me with as a Christmas present in Dec 2014. I did not know for sure the he planned to propose, but I suspected that he might as we'd been talking about getting married more frequently. Fast forward to the trip and he waited until the second to the last day which kept me guessing:-)He choose March 8th as the day to propose . This day is special because my older brother passed away on this day 11 years earlier. He said that he chose that day because he new it was a sad day and he wanted it to have additional meaning, and a happy memory associated with it. After dinner that night , he suggested we take a walk on the beach, but it had been raining so I didn't want to "mess up my shoes". So he moved to "plan B" which ws to propose on the tree and flower lined path that led to our hotel. It was a beautiful spot and his proposal was romantic and heartfelt. I mediately said "yes"!

I wanted to give a shot out to my second photographer Amy Diamond! It was great working with you again :-)

Venue: Avenue Long Branch

Florist: Floral Sentiments

Gown Designer: Sottero & Midgely

Stationary: The Papery Shrewsbury NJ

Hair & Make up: Patrick Danek 

Videographer: Matt Koza

Confectioner: Antoinette Boulangerie

DJ: Vision Entertainment

Bonnet Island Estate 2013 Tasting: Bonnet Island Estate Weddings

We had a wonderful time this Sunday at the amazing Weddings of Distinction venue The Bonnet Island Estate.  This beautiful private estate in Long Beach Island is a serene retreat for your wedding.  Merri-Makers Catering with over 30 years of catering perfection offered a tasting for their brides to be.  Chef McCann, winner of the national 2006 Chef of the Year by International Caterers Association, offered up a scintillating selections of appetizers, salads, entrees and deserts.  Sweet favors by The Bake Works were handed out to guests.  A selection of Weddings of Distinctions best vendors was also on hand to offer advice and show their products.

Katydid Signature FLoral & Event Design created a lush English romantic table with ivy details, mercury glass vases and silver candlesticks.  The table paired beautifully with invitations by Stephanie Somodi of Designing the Most Inviting Day.  Her classic nautical invites and new silk boxed invites are just stunning.  For something different Katydid also created a modern ice blue table collection which we paired with Stephanie Somodi's gray raw silk boxed invitation with art deco mirror inserts.

Michele of the award winning  MDS Floral Designs created open & airy table settings. Her first setting inspires romance with classic ocean pastels and elegant high orchid centerpieces.  Another setting was a nod to rustic elegance with burlap table runners and blue antique bottles filled with sweet nosegays.  Invitations by Stephanie Somodi completed the look with soft blue invites with beach details.

Magnolia Exquisite Florals & Event Design went for a rustic country feel with white washed lanterns and birch candles which paired wonderfully with Stephanie Somodi's formal invites in rust tones with tassel accents.  For a different feel Magnolia also showcased a whimsical beach table with shell accents.

Windows on the Water Sea Bright: Congratulations Jennifer and Jason! : Monmouth County Wedding Photographers

 

Congratulations to Jennifer Chong and Jason Larson for their Spring 2009 publication in NJ Life Magazine!  This elegant beach wedding had a beautiful and distinctive turquoise and silver color palette with red accents, a reflection of Jennifer's chinese heritage that she wanted to incorporate. The couple laughs now at the fact that they both resisted being set up by Jennifer's aunt on Valentines Day, but two years later Jason proposed!  

Held on the beach in Sea Bright the ceremony was elegant and airy, a burlap runner was a bold contrast to the silver floral vases and bundles of sea grass that accented the aisles.  Windows on the Water at the Surfrider Beach Club proved to be a perfect choice for the intimate beach wedding. The bride looked radiant in a stunning, layered strapless gown with a lace bodice by Paloma Blanca which she found at The Elegant Alternatives in Spring Lake. Jennifer's delicate shell and pearl jewelry and headpiece was crafted by local custom bridal artist Erika Vermilyea seen at the Weston Gallery in Manasquan, NJ.  The shoes were a favorite!  These stunning rhinestone encrusted sandals were a definite Stuart Weitzman creation and they couldn't have been more elegant.  

Kate Duffy Bernard of Katydid Florists in Red Bank worked closely with Jennifer to create bold, yet romantic arrangement working closely with her theme and color palette. The table markers where the names of the local beaches.  The invitations and menus were exactly what the bride envisioned with  red coral motifs and hints of ocean turquoise designed by Francesca Weber of What's the Occasion in Oceanport.  One of the most exquisite details had to have been the hand painted watercolor programs, each one a sea shell done individually by Douglas Larson the grooms father.