Mantoloking Yacht Club: Cameron and Alston: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Our amazing couple first met in college at Washington and Lee University while Cameron was a senior and Alston was a junior.  Their first date was in the Autumn of 2010, when they attended a local Halloween haunted house and corn maze event called HalloSCREAM.  They've been together ever since.

When Cameron graduated in May 2011, she began working in New York City, before moving to Washington D.C.  Alston, on the other hand, decided to go to Wake Forest for medical school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  On September 6, 2013, Alston drove all the way to Washington D.C. to surprise Cameron.  As Cameron explained, the story is a long one, but it involved Alston waiting on the roof of her building for two and a half hours, Cameron getting home late, and a wonderful proposal that stunned her.  Cameron said yes and the couple are living in the same city again!

While the bride and her many bridesmaids joyfully got ready for the big day at her family's home in Mantoloking (a home that had been in her family for generations), the weather outside did not mirror their bright spirits.  But the pouring rain, however, did not dampen anyone's excitement! The girls did their own hair and makeup and got into their blue Jenny Yoo gowns as Cameron recruited her sister to help her into her Sarah Janks gown.  The delicate final touches were a gorgeous diamond pin that had been in Cameron's family for generations, and her grandmother's lace veil.  With beautiful bouquets by Katydid in hand, the girls hopped in the car and drove a few houses down before reaching the church.

The couple said their vows at St. Simon-by-the-Sea before being whisked away in an antique firetruck from the early 1900s to their reception at the Mantoloking Yacht Club just down the road.  The couple's radiant smiles were clearly visible even through all the rain.  The Bachelor Boys' Band got the party rolling immediately upon arrival. Cameron, being extremely artistic, painted the table cards, while a few other special decorations were done by here sister, giving the night an extra loving touch.  The couple had guests from two-thirds of the United States, which they proudly displayed through each state's flag hanging out on the dock.  And, boy, did these guests know how to dance!  Marshall Miller captured the night on video while Ann Hawley kept everything running smoothly, allowing the bride and groom to happily enjoy their day.  When it came time to cut the cake from Mueller's Bakery in Bay Head, Cameron and Alston happily made a mess feeding their piece to one another.  Dancing carried on late into the night before the couple made a magical exit through a line of sparklers and sailed off into their beautiful future together.

Mantoloking Yacht Club: A Perfect Day on the Water: New Jersey Wedding Photography

It was through a mutual friend that Lindsay and JJ met.  The couple had grown up in neighboring towns, but their paths did not cross until after college.  They met at the Fourth of July Mantoloking Centennial Celebration, and were set up on their first date the following weekend.  On their one-year anniversary, JJ proposed on the beach in Mantoloking, and Lindsay happily said yes! Their love for their beach town made it an easy pick for the location of the ceremony and reception.  On September 28^th, the stunning bride got ready at her family’s home just a short walk from the church.  Her Liancarlo lace dress was just the right mix of elegance and airiness to fit the shore location.  Her bride’s maids each chose their own style of beautiful blue J. Crew dresses, which went perfectly with their hydrangea bouquets that were skillfully put together by florist Kate Duffy.

The ideal weather made it an easy walk to the church, St. Simon-by-the-Sea.  The joyful couple made their vows surrounded by loving family and friends before walking to the reception at the Mantoloking Yacht Club, just two blocks away.  A large tent had been assembled for the big day, decorated with the signature flower.  The couple’s florist, Kate Duffy, doubled as their party planner and found no detail too small, from the mason jars filled with lemonade and paper straws, to the sparklers at the end of the night.  The love that filled the room was apparent, not only from the smiles on everyone’s faces, but the hugs and tears that came from the dances and speeches.  The New Power Soul Band got every single guest on their feet, while the beautiful bay view at sunset took everyone’s breath away. The cake held a lot of sentiment for the bride, coming from a favorite childhood location, the Oldwick General Store, which managed to survive Super Storm Sandy.  It was truly a special day.

Bonnet Island Estate: Rustic Elegance at the Shore: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Whitney and Jason first connected in February 2011 online, using Jdate.  They met for their first date at Caffe Reggio in the Village and were immediately inseparable.  Over a year later, Jason planned to surprise Whitney with a trip to Captiva, Florida, when Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Shore.  A week later, he convinced Whitney to go on vacation anyway, where he got down on one knee on a beautifully secluded beach and asked her to marry him. They chose the scenic Bonnet Island Estate in Long Beach Island for their special day.  The picturesque boathouse chapel was beautifully decorated with a birch huppa, flower petals lining the aisle, and candles in every window.  Whitney made a stunning entrance in her Anne Barge wedding gown, with its delicate details and flowing veil.  Florist, Katydid, created an elegant bouquet that tied in perfectly with the rustic theme of the wedding.  Two more special details were added to the arrangement in order to make it complete: a broach that belonged to Whitney’s grandmother, and a single orchid in honor of her other grandmother.  The bridesmaids were gorgeous in their blue Lela Rose gowns, while the men looked dapper in their Dante Zeller tuxedos.

With big smiles and warm hearts, the couple tied the knot before taking a stroll along the winding paths around the estate.  Inside, seating arrangements were creatively hung on an old barn door, and the beautiful reception hall was decorated with charming, rustic details.  The tables had a touch of burlap and lace mixed with pastel flowers, large glass lanterns, and delicately caged candles.  Creative Video Editing Films captured the night while Kim Sozzi and the Creations Band got the party started as soon as the newlyweds made their first appearance as husband and wife.  The lovely couple ended the night with a four-tier cake from The Bake Works.

Weddings Of Distinctions: The Ashford Estate: New Jersey Wedding Photographers

Weddings of Distinctions premier venue The Ashford Estate was just as romantic as I remembered it!  I had the pleasure of attending their tasting with the fabulous Merri-Makers Catering on Sunday with some of the other top vendors in the wedding industry.  Here are some great new wedding ideas!

Kate Duffy of Katydid Signature Floral and Event Design

Featuring invitations by Stephanie Somodi: Designing the Most Inviting Day

Michelle Santanello of MDS Floral Design

Magnolia: Exquisite Florals and Event Decor

Featuring invitations by Stephanie Somodi: Designing the Most Inviting Day

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!!

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.