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Bonnet Island Estate Wedding
NJ Wedding Photography at Weddings of Distinction venue The Bonnet Island Estate. The bride wore an exquisite lace gown by Lazaro and chose Reynolds Flower Shop for her bouquets and decor. Catering by Merri-Makers Events.
Read moreWe 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.
Patricia & Patrick could not have been more fun!! They meet at a Notre Dame Commencement Ball two days before graduating and years later they both recall knowing that very night they would spend the rest of there lives together.
This high-energy duet had us smiling all throughout their gorgeous sunny day at The Bonnet Island Estate. Patricia looked like a 1950's film star in her Oleg Cassini gown with her great blue shoes peaking out. A classic beach necklace of freshwater pearls and sea glass hair combs for her and the girls by her friend Kathy Bixby of Bay Head completed the look. The girls' deep marine blue dresses were crisp and classic paired with cheerful bouquets of yellow gerbera daisies by The Loft Florists. Patrick and his buddies from the Marine Corps looked dashing in their dress blues. His best man even gave ironing lessons to the ladies; apparently no one irons with more precision than a Marine!
The couple tied the knot at St. Catharine of Siena Church in Seaside Park before heading to The Bonnet Island Estate for a signature berry mojito and a stroll along the peaceful winding paths on the island. For the ceremony The Loft Florists of Toms River created simple and happy arrangements of yellow that were paired with graphic 1950's style place cards. The couple had two great cakes. One cake was simple & beautiful with blue ribbon and yellow rose accents. The other cake was an adorable manatee! For entertainment band Jersey Joe kept this couple singing to each other & dancing all night!
It's been wonderful reliving some of my favorite weddings through the years. Melissa & Rob's wedding on the beautiful Bonnet Island Estate was full of love, laughter and joy. Their engagement story was just magical! Rob led Melissa on a treasure hunt for clues around NYC. Clues were left at their favorite breakfast place, the place they first met, and the restaurant were they had their first date. The two finally met up at a restaurant and Rob greeted her with a bouquet of blue hydrangeas. Melissa thought, "This is it we are going to get engaged!" But Rob had more up his sleeve as he handed her a hand drawn map of NYC and the hunt continued. The final clue led to Riverside Park the scene of their favorite painting and after looking under every bench for the final clue Rob got on one knee and proposed. They had originally wanted a NYC wedding but when they saw the boathouse chapel at The Bonnet Island Estate it reminded them so much of Martha's Vineyard, their first vacation spot, they knew it was the perfect place. MDS Floral Designs used their wonderful story as the inspiration for their wedding day arrangements. Lush hydrangeas, simple seashells and blue ribbon embellishments were just the right touch. William Arthur fine stationary from Paper Peddler in Springfield NJ added to the feel with their crisp invites with a detail of the boathouse chapel. For the save the dates the groom, a talented artist, recreated their treasure hunt. The bride's father even built a mini version of the beloved boathouse chapel. A Melissa Sweet gown for the bride and marine blue bridesmaids gowns by Alfred Angelo were perfect additions. Merri-Makers Caterers offered exquisite service for the reception and The Savoy Stompers from Elegant Ensembles were a perfect fit.
It is always a treat to visit one of our favorite Weddings of Distinction venues The Bonnet Island Estate. Even in the winter there is something so deeply tranquil about the location with its bay views abundant wildlife and gentle breezes. To make things even more blissful we were joined by some of the most talented vendors as they created a feast of inspiration for the bride and grooms to be. Merri-Makers Catering offered up exquisite food & service. Stephanie Somodi owner of Designing the Most Inviting Day showcased a beautiful variety of invitations from rustic seaside bliss to black tie elegance. The truly talented floral team at MDS Floral Designs created an amazing range of tabletops from French Country to crystal & blue beach chic. The Cake Studio of Ocean City impressed us with his detail and imagination. Kate Duffy of Signature Floral & Event Design by Katydid outdid herself once again with tables of modern romantic elegance and rustic country charm. Thank you to the exceptional staff of The Bonnet Island Estate for creating another memorable experience.
Stephanie Somodi: Designing the Most Inviting Day
Signature Floral & Event Design by Katydid
Signature Floral & Event Design by Katydid
It was an honor to attend the premier tour of The Ashford Estate, a pristine new luxury venue in Allentown, New Jersey from founder Chris Vernon. Guests were treated to divine food stations by Main Street Catering, hors d’oeuvres by Merri-Makers,and mixology by Marsilios. Vernon also choose to unveil his newest project Weddings of Distinction to hand selected wedding vendors from the area. Weddings of Distinction will be a collection of the finest destination wedding estates in New Jersey and Long Beach Island known for their exquisite staff & finest vendors. These estates include The Bonnet Island Estate, Mallard Island Yacht Club, The Stateroom, and now The Ashford Estate. Please enjoy the tour!
The Ashford Estate could only be described as height of elegance. The reflection pool with cypress trees and Grecian columns create a monumental yet peaceful backdrop for an outdoor ceremony, situated next to the beautiful antique pole barn for indoor ceremonies.
The Conservatory overlooks a picturesque pond with a floating gazebo, fountain, and stone bridge.
A tour around the property leads from one breath taking scene to the next.
From the moment I arrived upon the lion~clad iron gates and tree lined drive I knew this estate was the perfect setting for a romantic retreat.
The Tiffany blue french style bridal suite is light and airy with dramatic mirrored french doors leading to the grand staircase and hand painted domed ceiling. Perfect for bridal portraits!
A palm tree lined path leads guests along to the grand ballroom with custom Fennelli lighting. Looking out the windows it seem as if the ballroom was placed in the middle of a Tuscan vineyard.
The dramatic entrance leads the way to a beautiful wood appointed library on one side & parlor room on the other. Lush fully mature trees and maticulously manicured gardens create a tranquile & refined atmosphere.
The rooms are elegantly apponited with warm & inviting fireplaces and beautiful views.
The sunsets on the estate took my breath away!
Jessica & Michael met on holiday in the Bahamas. She lived in New York; he lived in New Hampshire. Despite geographical differences they both knew it was love at first sight and two weeks later they had their first date. It was fitting that the two choose The Bonnet Island Estate on LBI to wed. The private island escape was such a peaceful backdrop with its lush grasses and wild birds it was as if the couple was still on holiday.
Michelle Santanello of MDS Floral Designs made elegant & airy bouquets wrapped in blush silk and sequins. Hand painted signs led the way to the ceremony.
The pre-wedding outfits were just way to cute!
Stephanie Somodi of Designs by Stephanie incorporated Jessica's blue & green theme in an elegant design for the invitations, programs, and menues. Jessica's hairpiece was antique silver with pearl.
The bridal gown by Michelle Roth available at Kleinfeld Bridal caught the light so beautifully at every turn.
Bubbles added a touch of whimsy & joy after the ceremony.
We fell in love with the twobirds bridesmaids dresses, one dress can be worn 15 different ways! Each girl wore her dress in a different style to complement their shape and they look so so comfortable. The flower girls were twirling all day long!
Jessica's mother & stepfather gaze at the newlyweds.
Michelle of MDS Floral Designs used crisp pinks and greens to create a warm & welcoming atmosphere complemented by candlelight and hand painted signs with sweet phrases. The bride's mother Charlene helped to plan every perfect detail aided by the fabulous Day of Coordinator Heather Furgeson. Merri-Makers Catering provided exquisite food and service as always!
Who else but french luxury shoe designer Christian Louboutin could have made the bride's ravishing red heeled stilettos?
The bride and her mother danced a mother daughter dance while watching a video montage of Jessica's father, a firefighter that passed away in 9.11.01. Jessica's engagement ring holds the diamond that her father gave to her mother.
Premier Event Rentals set up a fun photo booth complete with great costumes for the guests to enjoy.
A romantic sunset stroll on the reed covered banks of Bonnet Island completed the day!
