Trump National Golf Club Bedminster: Marisa & Michael: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Marisa and Mike met in 2004.  Their families each had vacation homes in the same community, so while they were from two different states, their paths crossed regularly.  They quickly became close and vacationed together as frequently as possible, both with and without their families.  They grew up together, attending each others' high school, college, and graduate school graduations.

Ten years after they met, Mike proposed to Marisa in the exact place that they'd first met in 2004.  It was just them and he turned to her and asked a question he'd asked many times before, "When are you going to marry me?"  She responded with her usual answer, "When you ask me!"  So he got down on one knee and finally asked.

Our amazing couple chose to get married at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, the same location where Mike's parents married (as one of the first weddings ever held at the club).  Marisa got ready at Michael's parents' home.  Our beautiful bride had her hair done by Dawn Gomez and makeup by Gina Brozon before getting into her Justin Alexander gown.  She completed her look with her mother's purse from her own wedding day, Michael's mother's veil, and a beautiful necklace, hand-picked by Michael just for his bride.

The weather was exactly what you'd hope for in the middle of June - clear skies and a gentle breeze.  The couple had their first look before the ceremony and took photos with their families and bridal party.  With nerves calmed, everyone could excitedly look forward to the beautiful outdoor ceremony.  Michael's father presided over the special ocassion, filling the whole service with love from start to finish.

Inside, the grand reception had been lit and decorated beautifully by Still Life Events.  Cosmopolitan Photo recorded every second, helping to immortalize this amazing couples' dream wedding.  Our favorite part of the day came with Marisa and Michael's first dance, which was an elegantly choreographed moment that had every guest impressed.  Their beautiful cake from Butterfly Bakeshop fit perfectly with the timeless decorations, and LJ DJ kept everyone on their feet, creating a most memorable night.

The Stonehouse at Stirling Ridge: Katherine & Ben: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Ben and Katherine met in 2007 at Georgetown while she was a Sophomore and he was a Junior. They were living in apartments that shared a wall.  They were friends for a few years while Ben was at school - Katherine specifically remembers enjoying his 90s themed dance parties, but they didn’t start dating until after Ben graduated.

Ben went down to Georgetown frequently in the autumn of 2009 (he had graduated the prior Spring), and the couple became even closer.  On December 10, 2009 Ben took Katherine to his fraternity’s winter formal.  Rather than going to dinner with the rest of their friends, Ben asked if Katherine wanted to go out just the two of them. She did, and they talked for hours, ending up being quite late to the formal.

Katherine said yes to a second date the following night.  Over winter break that January, Ben drove out to NJ to take her on their third date.  That night, he met her parents for the first time, along with her grandmother, Nannie.  After Ben left, Nannie turned to Katherine's mother and proclaimed that Ben was the one, and someday he and Katherine would get married.  Sadly, Nannie died just before the wedding, but she got to know and love Ben, and knew that her premonition was about to become a reality.

Ben proposed on December 20, 2013, but the story starts earlier than that.  Ben asked for Katherine's father’s permission to propose on Thanksgiving weekend.  Since her other sisters had known when their husband’s were asking for permission, Katherine's dad figured that she did too.  About five minutes after Ben asked him, her dad said “It’s about damn time” - among other nice “welcome to the family” things. Her dad later told her what had transpired.  After the shock wore off, she started wedding planning immediately, and actually booked The Stone House at Stirling Ridge the very next day, before they were even engaged. 

So then, on December 20, 2013, exactly one year before their wedding - Katherine came home after work to find their apartment completely decked out with red roses, candles and white lights.  It was a beautiful proposal that ended with Ben on bended knee.

With the venue booked, Katherine went to work finding just the right individuals to work with to make her dream wedding come true. Carissa DeMarco from The Stone House worked as the couple's party planner, helping in any way possible.

On the day of the wedding, Amy Jones Baskin of Beauty on Location came to Katherine's home and skillfully created the perfect bridal makeup.  Katherine then moved upstairs and got into her elegant Augusta Jones gown from Kleinfeld.  Her mother then helped her add the finishing touches - a pair of earrings that her father had given to her mother before they were given to Katherine on her thirteenth birthday (which just so happened to be the same pair of earrings that Katherine wore on her first date with Ben), a necklace that had been a gift from Ben, and a bracelet that had belonged to her father's mother, Katherine.  The veil held a special place in everyone's heart as it had been purchased for Katherine by Nannie before she passed away.

Despite the cold, Katherine's warm smile kept everyone in high spirits.  When it came time for portraits before heading to the church, the bride tossed on her gorgeous cape from Alexander Furs and went out onto her parents' front porch, followed by friends and family.  Her stunning flowers, beautifully done by Jardiniere Fine Flowers, were red roses with her grandmother's rosary wrapped around them. For a simple touch of winter, her bride's maids carried ivory roses with pine cones and greenery, a simple touch that added timeless beauty.

The ceremony was held at the Church of Christ the King in New Vernon, where Katherine and Ben proudly stood before all their family and friends and promised to love one another entirely and endlessly.

Guests then moved on to the Stone House at Stirling Ridge, which Jardiniere Fine Flowers had outdone themselves decorating with trees, candles, and alternating white and red roses.  The lighting design, set up by Craig Scott Entertainment, completed the room's transformation. The Craig Scott Orchestra did an excellent job getting everyone on their feet as the couple made their entrance, Mike Simons Video Productions capturing every amazing second. Dancing and laughter carried on late into the night, ending with the traditional tossing of the bouquet and cutting of the cake.

Special thanks to Geraldine Pritchard for helping us capture Katherine and Ben's special day!

Bernards Inn: Chris & Robert: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Robert and Chris are both working parents.  They are both driven yet loving, inspired yet grounded. They're incredibly dedicated; to work, to each other, to family, to love.

On a romantic weekend trip to New York City, Robert proposed to Chris at the Soho Grande Hotel - the same place they'd spent time together years before.  On their way to dinner, Robert insisted upon getting a drink at the bar, only to surprise Chris with an arranged celebration with the four children and parents.

On May 31, 2014, the couple had an intimate wedding at the Bernards Inn.  Chris got ready in a beautiful suite upstairs with her maid of honor. First, her hair and makeup was completed by Express Yourself Salon, and then she stepped into her elegant Pronovias gown.  Her striking blue Kate Spade heels were a fun touch to the tradition of "something blue".  As Chris added the final details to her look (a gorgeous belt and jewelry), the kids went back and forth between her and Robert's room to help in anyway they could.  Then came time for the couple's first look.

Wanting to have a private moment away from all the hustle and bustle of the day, Robert came to Chris's room and set eyes on his beautiful bride.  The love between them was apparent, particularly in their moments of silence as they took time to just be together.

Before the official ceremony, the couple took their children and families to the local park for photos.  The bright sky reflected the cheery spirits of the group.  Back at the inn, Eggsotic Events light the space perfectly, and Somerset Hills Florist added the perfect details to complete the romantic atmosphere of the ceremony.  Chris was escorted down the aisle by her two boys, and couldn't have been happier to meet Robert at the alter. The mix of faiths made for a very personal and one-of-a-kind ceremony.

After the ceremony, we briefly took advantage of the railroad station and rustic barn across the street and snapped a few additional shots of the couple - some of our favorites of the day.

Back inside, the space had been completely transformed.  The warm golden ceremony was now a magical blue wonderland. The couple's DJ, Paul Anthony, did an excellent job, playing all the right music, not just for the celebration and the couple's first dance, but allowing the two parents extra special dances with each of their children.  Later into the night, the DJ gave the mic over to the head table, where it was passed around to the couple's party, made up of beloved friends and family, who gave heartwarming speeches.  The celebration and love carried on through the night - through dancing, cake cutting, and warm wishes for a joy filled future not just for the new couple, but for the new family that had been so beautifully joined.

Trump National Golf Club: Kaitlin and James: New Jersey Wedding Photography

Kaitlin and James met at Villanova University in the middle of their sophomore year. Kaitlin had gone with some of her friends to an event their sorority was throwing, and James had been set up as another girl’s date. A mutual friend introduced them, and they ended up dancing and talking the entire night - even after finding out that they were from rival sports cities once “Sweet Caroline” came on (she’s from New Jersey; he’s from Boston).

Fast-forward to graduation, and besides separate semesters abroad at the beginning of junior year, Kaitlin and James had been together since the moment they met. After graduation, Kaitlin moved to New York, and James headed back to Boston—but not for long... He moved down to New York a few months later.

After four more years together, James decided it was finally time to propose. In August 2013, he asked Kaitlin to marry him in her apartment - she had warned him not to do anything big or public multiple times!

They chose November 8th, 2014 as their special day, and Kaitlin's childhood church as the special place. She got ready at her parent's home, with makeup done by Tara Pagliara and hair by Lindsay Bert of Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Kaitlin looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine in her Cymbeline gown and custom made veil.  She and her father shared an emotional moment together when he first saw her in her dress.  Afterwards, everyone stepped outside, Kaitlin's bridesmaids in blue Jim Hjelm dresses with gorgeous bouquets from Jardiniere Fine Flowers.

The ceremony at Resurrection Parish was particularly special, with Kaitlin's grandfather, a deacon, marrying the couple.  The celebration of the love between Kaitlin and James was done beautifully, and the happy couple got into the limo hand-in-hand, excited to continue the celebration at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Before heading into the cocktail, Kaitlin and James took a short walk around the club, taking time to be one-on-one without all their guests present.  As the sun set, we were able to capture some perfect autumn portraits, shining bright with smiles and love.  Inside, the reception hall was beautifully decorated and the Joe Caroselli and Masterpiece Orchestra were calling for the attention of everyone present.  They announced the entrance of the party before getting everyone on their feet for the arrival of the new Mr. and Mrs.  Surrounded by family and friends, the couple shared their first dance.  Kaitlin's grandfather said a prayer and toasts were given.  The lively group then got on their feet and stopped only for dinner, quickly back on the floor once it was done.

Kaitlin and James, having met at and both graduated from Villanova University, made sure to take a moment and celebrate with all their fellow alumni in a photo with the school banner.  All in all, Kaitlin and James's wedding was exactly what a wedding should be: a lively celebration of love, friends, and family.

A special thanks to David Willems for helping us capture the day!

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.