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Shannon + Nick

Even though Shannon and Nick grew up only a few miles from each other, they didn't meet until just a few years ago.  The two were set up by one of Shannon's co-worker's daughter one day, and met for the first time on a blind date.  They ended up clicking... talking, laughing and sharing stories all evening long.  On their second date, Nick took Shannon four-wheeling and Shannon knew right away, in her words, that "this was something to hold on to (Literally, you don't want to fly off the back of a four-wheeler)"!

A year into their relationship, Nick was ready and excited to propose to the love of his life.  And what better place than at Shannon's favorite place of all, the charming beach town of Sea Isle City, New Jersey?  With a friend of Shannon's (and future bridesmaid) hiding in the dunes, ready to capture the perfect moment on film, Nick asked Shannon to be his wife and presented her with her dear late grandmother's engagement ring.  And of course, she said 'yes'!  Shannon's family and a best friend were back at the beach house waiting to celebrate with the couple!

Everything on this wedding day took place at the beautiful Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.  The resort is so picturesque with its tree lined drive, lush green fields and lovely stream views.  What a rustic and romantic setting for a wonderful wedding.

Shannon and her bridal party got ready in the stone mansion at their venue.  As they dressed and prepared for the day, the girls all enjoyed a bottle of champagne to celebrate this special occasion!  And we saw for the first time, Shannon's enchanting floral bouquet with its fantastic burgundy flowers and deep green eucalyptus from Sarah's Floral Designs.

Then, Shannon's mother helped her dress into her gown.  Her beautiful wedding dress featured cap sleeves, a glittering beaded lace bodice and a full and flowing A-line skirt.  Shannon's updo featured romantic braids and was fastened in a loose and wispy bun with lovely flowers.  And her amazing Badgley Mischka shoes provided that 'something blue' for the day.  She looked absolutely gorgeous!

Nick looked so handsome wearing a wonderful navy blue suit and a contrasting burgundy tie, coordinating beautifully with Shannon's bouquet and with her bridal party in their long, mismatched burgundy gowns.

After they were all dressed and ready, Shannon and Nick met for a first look outside along the garden path at Allenberry Resort.  Nick's laughter was so contagious as he saw his bride for the first time that day!  They held hands and kissed before taking a stroll together by the stream.

All of their photos took place on the grounds of the resort and we were so delighted to film alongside Earthmark Photography on this beautiful day.  Be sure check out a few of their wonderful photos from Shannon and Nick's day on their Facebook page!

Shannon and Nick were married in a Catholic ceremony earlier, so during their outdoor ceremony at Allenberry, the two reaffirmed their vows to one another, reading vows they personally wrote.  During their ceremony, they also participated in the ancient Celtic tradition of hand-fasting, where strands of fabric or "chords" are wrapped around the couple's hands and tied into a knot.

The reception that followed was held under an enormous white tent on property.  Shannon and Nick kicked off the celebration with a touching first dance, followed by Shannon's father's welcome speech to all the guests.  Then, we were all treated to fantastic toasts from Shannon's two maid/matrons of honor and from the two best men, Nick's brothers.  We loved how Shannon's matron of honor, Caitlin, reminded the two to be sure to periodically  take time to look around, acknowledge and be proud of the life they're building together... excellent advice for newlyweds.

Shannon and Nick cut and enjoyed their lovely homemade cake, then shared beautiful dances with their parents.  Afterwards, lively dancing continued all night as DJ Chris Garrett from Mixed Up Productions rocked the house!  We understand that before the evening was over, Shannon even took a turn behind the DJ booth!

What a wonderful wedding this was at such a gorgeous, romantic venue.  Congratulations to Shannon and Nick and thank you for letting us share in your special day!  We're wishing you both all the best!

 

Photographer:  Earthmark Photography - Gettysburg, PA

Floral Design:  Sarah's Floral Designs - Sarah Klunk - Carlisle, PA

Hair Stylist:  Steele Salon - Hershey, PA

Makeup Artist:  Steele Salon - Hershey, PA          

Wedding Dress:  Essense of Australia

Bridal Shoes:  Badgley Mischka

Entertainment:  Mixed Up Productions - DJ Chris Garrett - Harrisburg, PA        

Wedding Coordinator:  The JDK Group - Kelsey Ivan - Camp Hill, PA

Rentals:  Swoon Vintage Rentals - Hummelstown, PA

Officiant:  Andrew Weigel    

Venue:  Allenberry Resort - Boiling Springs, PA

 

Mel + Jon

Maryellen, or Mel as most call her, and Jon met at a Super Bowl party hosted by Jon's football teammate back when they were in high school.  Neither knew, of course, that fateful evening that this night would change the course of their lives.  Eleven years later and the two would be, in the words of our couple, "officially signing on to forever together"!

And the proposal that led to this day was so special too!  Mel was a little suspicious when Jon planned a trip for them to visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina since she's the one who usually plans their trips!  On the evening that they arrived, they visited Jockey's Ridge State Park and watched the beautiful sunset.  Mel was sure to eye Jon's pockets for the telltale outline of a ring box, but she didn't see one.  And just as the sun set on the horizon, Jon got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife.  He had made sure to order a special, extra small ring box so as not to spoil the surprise!

Mel got ready on the morning of their wedding at her parents' home while Jon and his groomsmen, which included his two brothers as his best men, prepared at their reception venue.  There, the guys dressed into classic black tuxedos, Jon standing apart from the guys in their charcoal neckties looking ever so handsome in a black bow tie, after they all enjoyed a nice cigar break!

The couple also took a little break from getting ready to read cards that they had exchanged.  We loved that they chose the same card with the cute red string detail and when Mel read Jon's words, "I love you to the moon and back".  Mel's card for Jon echoed his sentiments and added "I love you and I like you", as they both would also say to each other later during their beautiful ceremony.

Mel's sisters (her maid of honor and bridesmaids) helped her dress into her beautiful wedding gown.  Her dress from Provonias was absolutely wonderful, with an A-line silhouette, a sweetheart illusion neckline and a lovely floral lace overlay with beautiful beadwork.  She wore her lovely blond hair up and in a loose, wavy hairstyle and fastened a long veil edged in lace to the back.  Mel was simply stunning!

Mel and Jon decided not to have a first look before the wedding and instead traveled straight to Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey for their ceremony.  Mel's bridesmaids were so beautiful in their charcoal colored gowns and the flower girls and ring bearer, all the beautiful children of Mel's sister and Jon's brother, were so darling all dressed up for the ceremony.  They celebrated a Catholic Mass and were led in reciting their vows by Reverend James Manos.  After they exchanged rings, the two were soon pronounced 'husband and wife'!

We were over the moon to be filming alongside Paul Francis Photography for Mel and Jon's wedding event.  Paul is a good friend of ours and he and his team have such amazing talent!  Photo shoots were held at the church and by the lake at their reception venue, where their precious pup, Luna (as their 'dog of honor'), was in on the action too!

We were all ready then to enjoy Mel and Jon's fantastic reception at Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes.  Gorgeous tall floral centerpieces in white and watercolor peach and periwinkle adorned the guest tables and lush, green garland draped along Mel and Jon's sweetheart table, all from Flowers by Joan.  And A Little Cake bakery created the fantastic four-tiered white wedding cake embellished with beautiful blooms, including those delicate white anemones.  Everything looked amazing!

The couple of honor entered the ballroom of the Lake House, with its amazing water views, rustic stone fireplace and its bright and sunny interior, and danced a beautiful first dance together.  Then touching parent dances followed and wonderful toasts were given by Mel's maid of honor and by Jon's best men.  DJ Jared West at Premier Entertainment rocked the house with the all the tunes the guests loved to dance to all evening and the party continued well into the night!

This spectacular wedding event was so much fun and it was also so wonderful to visit Indian Trail Club for the very first time.  Mel and Jon are such a sweet couple and we loved every minute working with them!  Congratulations to Mel and Jon!

 

Photographer:  Paul Francis Photography - Morristown, NJ

Floral Design:  Flowers by Joan - Waldwick, NJ

Hair Stylist:  Michelle Elise Artistry - Montclair, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Michelle Elise Artistry - Montclair, NJ       

Wedding Dress:  Pronovias

Bridal Shoes:  Bella Belle

Bridesmaids Gowns:  Sorella Vita

Entertainment:  Premier Entertainment - DJ Jared West - Elmwood Park, NJ      

Cake:  A Little Cake - Park Ridge, NJ

Stationery:   The Write Occasion - Wyckoff, NJ

Officiant:  Reverend James Manos - Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ    

Church:   Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church - Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ   

Venue:  Indian Trail Club - Franklin Lakes, NJ

 

Jessica + Joshua

Many of us will never forget the first words ever exchanged between ourselves and our true love, right?  Well, for Jessica and Josh, it's "Wow, you have soft hair!"!  See, the two met when they were at Resident Assistant training at Towson University.  They were involved in an outdoor group building exercise where everyone had to find someone close to them and interact with them in directed ways.  The first task was to find someone and touch his or her head, and that's when Jessica found Josh and spoke those memorable words! A friendly rapport turned into romance and then a serious relationship, and of course, a proposal was next...

When Jessica and Josh had conversations about a marriage proposal, they both agreed that either both sets of parents would be there to witness it, or neither would be there.  Josh was determined though to make his proposal a total surprise to Jessica and a planned trip to visit with Jessica's parents at their apartment in Florida would be perfect... Jessica wouldn't suspect a proposal with only one set of parents around.  But Josh arranged for his parents to fly down too and when the moment was right, they would be there at the apartment window with Jessica's parents, ready for their part!  Jessica's mother told her to meet them at 11:00am on the dock outside their apartment for a nice lunch out (so she would be dressed up a bit!).  With her brother, sister and her sister's boyfriend all there as well (and to film!), Josh turned and got down on one knee next to Jessica, the signal to their parents that this was it!  They went out on their balcony and hung a banner that read, 'Jessica, will you marry me?'.  So many of the apartment's residents are friends and family, and they  knew to watch out at 11:00am to see it all unfold!  The plan worked perfectly!  Jessica never saw it coming... and of course, she said, 'yes'!

Jessica and Josh's beautiful wedding day arrived in early June.  Both Jessica and her bridesmaids and Josh and his groomsmen got ready for the day in separate suites at Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia.  During those morning preparations, the two exchanged love notes to each other and we were so happy that they read them for us.  We especially loved Josh's words expressing how excited he was for what the future holds for the two of them.

Jessica then dressed into her amazing off-the-shoulder wedding gown.  It had a beautiful fit and flare silhouette, a strapless sweetheart neckline and a gorgeous lace and beaded overlay.  She was such a beautiful bride!  Josh put on his classic black tuxedo, looking ever so handsome, and soon, both were all ready for this exciting day!

It was time then for the couple to share in a first look across the street by the Second Bank of the United States and Independence Hall.  It was so sweet to see and be able to film their excitement and joy when Josh turned around and saw Jessica for the first time!  The team at Studio K Photography was there to take photos of their family and bridal party in this lovely outdoor setting, and it was a pleasure to work alongside them on this special day.

Jessica and Josh's ceremony and reception were both held at one of our favorites, Cescaphe's glamorous Down Town Club.  Before the ceremony was set to begin, the couple's family joined them as the Ketubah, the traditional Jewish marriage contract, was signed.  Afterwards, their beautiful, traditional marriage ceremony was held under a gorgeous chuppah draped in gauzy fabric and surrounded by lush, pink and white florals from Carl Alan Floral Designs.  Before long, Josh was breaking the glass to shouts of "Mazel Tov!"

Jessica and Josh were introduced at the beginning of their reception as the newest 'Mr. & Mrs.' and danced a wonderful first dance together as flower petals rained from the ceiling.  Then, guests danced and celebrated the Horah before the dance floor opened to everyone! Afterwards, Jessica's grandfather gave a beautiful blessing, followed by thoughtful and touching speeches given by each of their parents, thanking guests for attending and welcoming Jessica and Josh into their families.

Beautifully written, personalized toasts by Jessica's maid of honor (her twin sister) and Josh's best man (and brother) followed, then those sweet parent dances.  And an open dance floor was announced once again by EBE Talent's Dreamtime.  Their professionalism, talent and energetic sound had everyone dancing their hearts out all night long!  Before the end of the evening, their friends and family were all surrounding Jessica and Josh in a dance to celebrate their love and their wonderful wedding day.

We always love filming at Cescaphe's venues, Down Town Club being one of our most favorites, but it's always extra special when we have wonderful couples with which to work and such beautiful celebrations to share.  Congratulations and all our best wishes to Jessica and Josh!

 

Photographer:  Studio K Photography - Cherry Hill, NJ

Floral Design:  Carl Alan Floral Designs - Philadelphia, PA

Hair Stylist:  Brides by Valerie Clarke - Mullica Hill, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Meghan Jester Makeup - Mt. Laurel, NJ     

Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero

Bridal Shoes:  Blue by Betsey Johnson

Entertainment:   EBE Talent - Dreamtime - Philadelphia, PA  

Cake:  Cescaphe Cakes - Cescaphe Event Group - Philadelphia, PA

Officiant:  Rabbi Aaron Krupnick -  Voorhees, NJ  

Cantor:  Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro - Voorhees, NJ   

Venue: Down Town Club - Philadelphia, PA

Accommodations:  Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

 

 

Marybeth + Ryan

Marybeth and Ryan's families had known each other and were good friends for many years before Ryan's sister and mother playfully convinced Marybeth that she should go on a date with him.  Marybeth agreed and said their first date was "amazing'!  The two instantly clicked and she knew right away that Ryan was the one for her.  After that first date, the two were always together.

Ryan's proposal couldn't have been any more amazing too!  They both had talked about marriage for a while and had already shopped for the ring together.  But Ryan chose to surprise Marybeth with the time and place, popping the question in front of a crowd at a Dual Sport Motorcycle Race!  He had coordinated earlier with the president of the motorcycle club to use the microphone and propose with Marybeth on stage and in front of their family and friends (and a bunch of strangers!).  Marybeth was so happy that her loved ones were all included and there to witness this special moment.

The weather was absolutely divine on their picture-perfect, late spring wedding day.  Marybeth got ready and had her hair and makeup done wearing a bright and beautiful white floral and avian patterned robe at her family's home, which is just minutes from their ceremony and reception location.  She and her bridal party made sure to take time out to celebrate with confetti and champagne during their early afternoon preparations!

After her bridesmaids dressed out of their matching deep blue floral robes and into their pretty, glittery champagne and rose colored gowns, Marybeth slipped into her gorgeous wedding dress.  Her gown featured an off-the-shoulder design and an amazing lace overlay with delicate beadwork. She wore her long blond hair down in lovely waves and with pearl accents, fastened a mid-length veil, trimmed with a few tiny, sparkly sequins to the back of her hair.  So stunning!  We couldn't wait for Ryan to be seeing his beautiful bride very soon!

The groomsmen got dressed, accessorizing with Max-4 Camo neckties, and Ryan put on his matching camouflage vest.  Then, they all took their spots in anticipation at the ceremony location.  The ladies grabbed their wonderfully romantic bouquets filled with blush and ivory blooms (and a hint of blue in Marybeth's!) surrounded by delicate Baby's Breath, and met them there!

Marybeth and Ryan's ceremony was held outdoors right on a lake at a beautiful private residence in Port Elizabeth, NJ.  With the cabin in the background, all the perfect rustic details and the woodsy, lakeside setting, we don't think there was ever a more romantic, country wedding out there!

The guests all rose, some from their fantastic haystack seats, to watch Marybeth walk down the aisle as Ryan, all smiles, caught his first sight of her from under the lovely arch overflowing with luscious pink, blue and ivory flower arrangements.  As the sun began to set, Millville's mayor, the Honorable Michael Santiago, officiated their ceremony and led the two in reciting their vows to each other, vows even filled with occasional bursts of laughter, before pronouncing them as 'husband and wife'!

We were there to follow along all day with Amanda Erickson Design + Photography's wonderful photo sessions capturing the bridal party, family and the couple of honor, and especially loved the sweet photos of Marybeth and Ryan on the dock.  Be sure to visit Amanda's Facebook page and scroll down to see her post featuring a ton of fantastic photos from the day!

After the ceremony, everyone remained onsite for the gorgeous tented reception.  Marybeth and Ryan danced a terrific first dance together, then shared a sweetheart table while the most down-to-earth, heartfelt toasts were given by Marybeth's matron of honor and Ryan's best man.  Everyone smiled and laughed along to the wonderful stories, and were touched as well, especially as Ryan's best man reassured Marybeth's parents that she was in great hands with Ryan.

After dinner and beautiful parent dances, the party amped-up as DJ Rick Perez from BME Event Group played the hits that kept all their guests on the dance floor!  Everyone had a ton of fun dancing (some literally 'getting down' on the dance floor!) and laughing the night away!

Marybeth and Ryan's wedding day was definitely filled with romance and love, but most of all this wedding was fun, fun, fun!  We were so happy that we were able to share in the celebration too on this absolutely perfect wedding day.  Congratulations to Marybeth and Ryan and best wishes in your new life together!

 

Photographer:  Amanda Erickson Design + Photography - Southern NJ

Floral Design:  Shelly Hall Scarpa

Hair Stylist:  Jessica DeVita

Makeup Artist: Airbrush Makeup by Felicia - Vineland, NJ      

Wedding Dress:  Allure Couture

Entertainment:  BME Event Group - DJ Rick Perez - Vineland, NJ    

Cake:  Century Bakery - Bridgeton, NJ   

Caterer:  Verna's Flight Line Restaurant - Millville, NJ

Officiant:  The Honorable Michael Santiago, Mayor of Millville - Millville, NJ     

Venue:  Private Residence