The Harvard Club of NYC: Dominika & Steven: New York Wedding Photographers

Dominika & Steven were both working at the same hospital when they meet.  Steven, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, was overwhelmed with Dominika's beauty & vibrant personality.  He finally worked up the courage to tell her and the rest came so naturally.  Dominika has three handsome boys and Steven has two beautiful girls and the seven of them make just a gorgeous family!  As Steven got his medical degree from Harvard University they decided that The Harvard Club of NYC would be the perfect place for a reception.  The couple got ready nearby at Hotel Sofitel before heading to central park for a few portraits.  One of our all time favorite party planners Tammy Cummingham of Sincerely Yours Events was on hand to orchestrate the seamless flow of this exquisite wedding.  The bride looked radiant with hair by Lauren Fischer of Bellissima Bride and make-up by Stacey of Fresh Face Forward.  For the reception flowers & lighting by Pedestals Floral Decorators and invitations by Sincerely Yours Invitations helped to create Dominika's romantic vintage-inspired wedding come together with ease.  Hank Lane Music & Productions added the right touch with a wonderful range of music to carry the crowd through the night.

Gustavino's Restaurant: A Classic New York Wedding: New York Wedding Photographers

"We met at Columbia Business School at a retail networking event at JCrew. I went for career opportunities - Darren went because JCrew was offering 15% off that night and he needed to stock up on t-shirts and boxers! We were in the same class at CBS but did not meet until that evening at JCrew."

~Julie Epstein Madden

Julie & Darren we so vibrant & full of joy!  Their classic New York wedding just won our hearts.  Dressed in a chiffon layered sheath dress by Vera Wang with crystal sash and sparkly Jimmy Choo heels, Julie was the epitome of style.  The deep plum calla lilies by Ron Wendt Designs were the perfect accent and even matched Darren's tie.  For their ceremony & reception the bride and groom chose Gustavino's Restaurant under the Queensboro Bridge.  Every guest danced the night away!

Waterside Restaurant & Catering: Congratulations Miranda & Steve: New Jersey Wedding Photographers

Miranda & Steve were a dream to work with they could not have been kinder or easier to photograph.  Their love overflowed!  They got engaged in Cape Cod on a weekend trip.  They were taking a stroll on the beach with one of the most magnificent views on the Cape when almost out of nowhere a woman came by and offered to take a photo of them by one of the famous dunes.  Suddenly Steve asked "Do you really want to get a good one?"  The woman seemed confused until Steve brought out the ring!  So she got to capture the best moment of all, the YES! For the big day Miranda looked like a screen siren in her ruched Michelle Roth gown from Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC with custom Swarovski crystal & pearl belt that the bride had added.  The bride got ready at The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel in Weehawken with make-up by the talented Kerry Crawford and Hair by Kim Zito of Expert Hair Design with Benjamin Adams shoes, handbag by Glint and earrings by Nadori to complete  the look.   The girls were stunning in deep purple gowns by Eden Bridesmaids from Antoinette Rose Bridal Store in Brick NJ.  Flower Elegance of Fair Lawn NJ chose shades of deep purple and lavender with hints of lime green and ivory.  Bella Figura of Syracuse NY created beautiful letterpress invitations.  The couple made a quick stop at Hamilton Park in Weehawken for a few portraits.

For the ceremony and reception Miranda & Steve were off to the Waterside Restaurant & Catering with it's AMAZING views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline.  Harpist Karen Stern greeted guests as they seated themselves on the waterside overlooking the city.  It was a perfect day! Officiant Gerald Fierst captured the wonderful spirit of the couple creating a time capsule box of love letters and champagne to be opened on their 5th anniversary .  The calm waters turned into rolling waves as the Officiant mentioned Miranda's mother, who recently passed away, being present at the ceremony.  It was a touching moment.

Flower Elegance created vibrant table arrangements in purples, ivory and green. The Waterside Restaurant & Catering provided excellent food and service as DJ Izzy with Diverse Entertainment kept the crowd moving.  Boardwalk Photo Booth Rentals added just the perfect touch!

Bay Head Yacht Club: Cait & Tom: New Jersey Wedding Photographers

Cait & Tom would be the life of any party.  These ultimate Bruce Springsteen fans are vibrant,  full of love, and brimming with humor.  Their wedding was a classic Bay Head event with it's Vineyard Vine Ties, great hats, and  fresh ocean breezes.  The bride wore her sister's wedding gown in memory of her and a veil from Barefoot Bride.    Her bridesmaids were her beautiful nieces who wore Coren Moore dresses in a great marine blue. Her maid of honor was a dear friend who introduce the couple with the help of Tom's sister.  Tom chose Brooks Brothers Suits & Vineyard Vine Ties for his groomsmen whom he's shared a lifelong friendship with. Tom asked his father to be his best man.  The couple arrived at  Sacred Heart Church in Bay Head to share their vows.  It's classic cedar shingles and crisp blue hydrangea where just charming.  After the ceremony the bridal party caught the boat from the  Bay Head Yacht Club for a grand entrance.  Kate Duffy of Katydid Signature Floral & Event Design created stunning classic hydrangea & green orchid arrangements for the reception with place cards named after famous Springsteen songs and soft candlelight glow. The Block & Blue Band kept these crazy dancers on the floor all night, stepping off only briefly for the mother of the bride to sing and dedicate a song to the couple.  The bride herself took a spin on the mike as guests crowded round.  What Cait didn't know is that the crowd prepared a special treat for her.  As Cait sang at many of their weddings her guests thought it would be a fitting surprise for everyone to take out their iphones and sing at the top of their lungs.  It was a ball!!

Mendham Tented Outdoor Wedding: Annie & Joseph: New Jersey Wedding Photographers

Next up on our list of favorites from the past is the stunning outdoor tented wedding in Mendham New Jersey of Annie & Joseph.  These two love birds were life long acquaintances but didn't start dating until they began teaching at the same school about a year after collage.  Years later Joseph proposed to Annie on their last day of the school year.

On the wedding day Annie looked absolutely radiant in a Maggie Sottero gown with delicate beading and lace capped sleeves from Arlene's Bridal Shop.  Her veil and accessories where from Model Bride of Chatham.  Annie's sister Kristen Luciano is the owner of  House of Luciano an on location makeup service of Morristown.  So of course Annie's makeup was flawless!  The girls looked incredible in the most beautiful Nicole Miller gowns from Nicole Miller in Livingston NJ.  They were iridescent green with hints of hot pink paired with hot pink shoes.  That color palette was carried on by Crest Florist of East Hanover who choose bright fuchsia peonies, pink roses and green hydrangeas for the flowers.  The invitations by Catherine Kiff-Vozza, Couture Stationer of Sparta NJ had a delicate green scroll work patten & pink accents.

For the ceremony the bride choose Villa Walsh Academy in Morristown where she herself had been a student years ago.  The nuns who taught her watched on lovingly as the bride and groom exchanged there vows.

For the reception the bride choose her family home in Mendham which is a beautiful historic school house that they converted to a home with lush green grounds and a babbling brook.  Guests where greeted with place cards of delicate calligraphy by 24 Karat Designs of Newton NJ.  Arrangements of fuchsia peonies where placed in lime filled containers and green & pink favors made the tent vibrant as a gentle mist settled on the stream outside where guests were treated to celebratory cigars and cocktails.  Rosa Luca's Italian Bistro of Asbury Park created an amazing display of the finest ingredients. The Pink Cake Box of Denville made a true work of art with the multi layered cake covered in sugar flowers and Hoi Polloi of Randolf entertained the guests.

All in all a magical day!

The Bonnet Island Estate: The Wedding of Melissa & Rob

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.

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.

The Madison Hotel: Emily & Pete: New Jersey Wedding Photographers

Here is another one of my favorite past weddings that we didn't have a chance to blog about.  Emily & Pete are so in love!  They just beamed when they look at each other.  Their beautiful wedding took place at The Madison Hotel in Morristown NJ with their rehearsal dinner at The Bernards Inn.  Emily looked stunning in a Mariage Couture gown and Stuart Weitzman shoes.  The bridesmaids looked fresh and elegant in their navy blue and cream dresses by Alvina Valenta. Dara Ellis of Designs by Dara in Colts Neck  created wonderful bouquets to pair with the simple sophistication of the day.  The ceremony took place in one of the most beautiful churches Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville NJ.  The Madison Hotel was a lovely back drop as the bride and groom took a quick walk around the property as husband and wife.  The Starlyte Band had their hands full with this dancing crowd!  The dance floor was packed the entire night with friends & family!

Plainfield Country Club: A French Country Wedding: New Jersey Wedding Photographers

With spring in the air I have been revisiting some of my favorite weddings of the past that I didn't get a chance to blog about.  Here is one of my favorite French Country weddings at the beautiful Plainfield Country Club.  The lovely bride Tracy look elegant and timeless in her lace Anne Barge gown from Kleinfeld Bridal.  Her bouquet by David Mitchell of Still Life Fine Event Design was gorgeous and the fresh herbs were just the right touch.  Bill the groom chose a classic Joseph Abboud Tux.   One of our all time favorite party planners JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions helped to pull this French Country vision together.   The ceremony was held at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish with the sun shining down.    The party then moved to The Plainfield Country Club were the guests enjoyed a beautiful outdoor cocktail hour with fresh cucumber water, a market vegetable spread and artisan breads inspired by the bride and groom's love of farmers markets.  Instead of a traditional cake Tracy & Bill went for a 'cheese cake' made from rounds of imported cheeses from Murray's Cheese Shop of New York decorated with sugared fruits.  David Mitchell of Still Life Fine Event Design created charming, rustic and romantic table displays.  I loved the white porcelain containers in various shapes and sizes with pewter chargers and golden yellow and hydrangea blue linens.  The table’s place cards were sweet vintage seed packages!  The lovely stationary was by Ceci of New York.  Lighting design by Stortz Lighting and music by The Le Blanc Brothers just made the night.

The Best of 2011: New Jersey Wedding Photographers: New Jersey Portrait Photographers

It has been a beautiful year and we have been blessed with amazing clients!  It is always such an special feeling to be invited into the most important moments of someones life: their wedding, the pregnancy, the first child, and the growing families.  Here are some of our favorite memories from this past year.....