Category Archives: New Jersey

Caitlin + Eric

It was love at first sight for both Caitlin and Eric when they met at a party he held one October.  Caitlin's father and grandfather had always told her that the man she marries has to shine his shoes and lo and behold, Eric just happened to do that before their first date!  When Caitlin found that out, she knew for sure that she had found the one she was destined to marry.  And Eric knew when on their third date, Caitlin surprised him with Eagles tickets… you can't let that girl get away!  Four years later, they were tying the knot on a gorgeous fall day at the shore.

Caitlin and her bridesmaids got ready for the big day at her parents' house while Eric and his groomsmen prepared at a separate house nearby.  We loved being there to capture the wonderful gifts that they gave each other as a token of their love and to always remember their wedding day every time they look at them.  The beautiful bridal party wore long, soft sage dresses, all with different necklines, and Caitlin chose both of her sisters to share in the Maid of Honor role for her wedding.

Caitlin's wedding dress was absolutely exquisite!  She wore a strapless fit-and-flare gown with a lovely lace detail.  Her hair, expertly styled by Fusion Salon and Day Spa, was in a beautiful updo and she accented it with a sparkling hair clip and a long veil for the ceremony and formal photos.  In her hands was a delightful bouquet all in pastel blooms from Primrose & Company.  Caitlin truly was a stunning bride!

It was now time to head to the church where they would each other for the first time that day.  We'll never get tired of seeing that look on the bride and groom's faces when they get to see each other all dressed for the special day…so excited and overwhelmed with joy!  There's no hiding it!  They recited their traditional vows at Maris Stella Catholic Church in Avalon, then kissed and officially began their new life together as husband and wife.

We spent some time with them as they strolled in the sand and posed for photos for Prince Photography at the 63rd Street Beach in Avalon.  What a gorgeous day for beach photos!  The guys even had some fun chasing the birds!

Their reception had a decidedly nautical theme complete with anchors and starfish, perfect for this seaside setting at Avalon Yacht Club.  After a wonderful welcome from Caitlin's father, Eric's brother (his best man) and Caitlin's sisters gave heartwarming and fun toasts in only the way siblings can!  Then the dance floor opened after dinner, with Chico's Vibe keeping everyone out there and having a blast!

What a sweet couple and a phenomenal wedding event!  The weather was perfect and everyone had such a terrific time celebrating the love and marriage of two special people in their lives.  Caitlin and Eric's wedding was such a pleasure to film and attend, and a fantastic way to end our wedding season.  Congratulations again to Caitlin and Eric!

 

Photographer:  Prince Photography, The Studios at Stone Harbor -  Stone Harbor, NJ

Floral Design:  Primrose & Company - Somers Point, NJ

Hair Stylist:  Fusion Salon and Day Spa - Avalon, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Fusion Salon and Day Spa - Avalon, NJ

Entertainment:  Chico's Vibe - Philadelphia, PA

Cake:  The Bake Works - Northfield, NJ

Officiant:  Father Jack Baron

Church:  Maris Stella Catholic Church (Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish) - Avalon, NJ

Venue:  Avalon Yacht Club - Avalon, NJ

 

Cindy + Brian

Cindy and Brian met at work.  Even though they are from two different states, they had so much in common and even when they first met, they felt like they'd known each other for years.  Their connection was just that instant!  We can see why they get along so well... they're both such sweet individuals!

We loved being there to film as Cindy and her bridesmaids got dressed and ready for the day.  They wore lovely matching (and coordinating) floral robes as they had their hair and makeup done by professional artists from Thriv. Salon and Spa.  It was so heartwarming to hear Cindy read her love note from Brian as he said he would always love and respect Cindy, be loyal to her and forever be a shoulder to cry on.

Cindy’s bridesmaids then changed into their beautiful long, deep purple gowns and Cindy put on her gorgeous wedding gown.  It was an amazing fit and flare gown, covered in lace and accented with a pearl and rhinestone belt.  She was such a striking bride! Cindy wore her long hair down and had a lovely mid length veil fastened to the back of her hair.  Their bouquets were so delightful in bright shades of violet, lavender and fuchsia.  Cindy’s flowers contrasted wonderfully as they featured an array of white flowers, accented with touches of violet and lavender.

Brian and his groomsmen dressed in their classic black tuxedos and Brian traveled to Strawbridge Lake Park to anxiously await Cindy’s arrival for their first look.   We love first looks!  They’re so exciting, filled with anticipation and passion.  It was fun to film the two as Sara and Steve Langdon of Langdon Photography took such beautiful photos of the couple.  Check out their blog for some wonderful images of Cindy and Brian’s wedding!

The two held their beautiful ceremony in the Palace Ballroom at The Merion in Cinnaminson.  It was a beautiful Jewish ceremony held under a chuppah adorned with gorgeous floral arrangements and hanging candles.  We were so honored to first be there to witness the signing of the ketubah, the official marriage contract, and to film it for Cindy and Brian’s wedding video.  Cindy and Brian exchanged their traditional vows, were pronounced ‘husband and wife’ and friends and family cheered as Brian stomped on the glass!

After the ceremony concluded, the guests and guests of honor continued on to the reception in the Skylight Ballroom.  This beautiful room features a 40-foot glass dome ceiling, floor to ceiling windows and a sparkling marble dance floor.  Look at those amazing floral centerpieces by Michael Bruce Florist! They were overflowing with fresh florals in the wedding theme colors!

Everyone had such a wonderful time dancing the night away at the reception!  EBE Entertainment’s Imagine’s pop, rock, R&B and club music catered to everyone’s tastes and style!  They really rocked the house!  Friends and family celebrated by dancing the Hora, raising Cindy and Brian in their chairs to honor them.  The reception also included the Mezinke crowing ceremony to honor the parents who are seeing their last child be married.  It was an evening filled with tradition and celebration!

Towards the end of the evening's festivities, Cindy and Brian cut their cake, a beautiful and scrumptious 4-tier dessert made by The Merion.  We loved seeing Cindy have fun smashing Brian's piece on his face!  It’s awesome to see the newlyweds relax and ‘let their hair down’ during their wedding event!

Dan truly enjoyed filming this terrific wedding event and we absolutely loved working with Cindy, Brian and their families.  Congratulations to such a phenomenal couple! We wish Cindy and Brian a lifetime filled with love and laughter!

 

Photographer:  Langdon Photography - Haddon Township, NJ

Floral Design:  Michael Bruce - Pennsauken, NJ

Hair Stylist:  Thriv. Salon and Spa - Cherry Hill, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Thriv. Salon and Spa - Cherry Hill, NJ

Entertainment:  EBE Events & Entertainment - Imagine - Philadelphia, PA

Cake:  The Merion's Elegant Cakes Patisserie - Cinnaminson, NJ

Venue:  The Merion - Cinnaminson, NJ

Accommodations:  The Wyndham Philadelphia Mt. Laurel - Mt. Laurel, NJ

 

 

Erica + Greg

We just loved Greg’s proposal to Erica, even though it didn’t go exactly as planned.  While celebrating their anniversary in Bermuda, Greg planned to propose during dessert at a wonderful restaurant.  Since Greg was certain Erica would order the chocolate soufflé, he asked the waiter to state they were out, but would bring something else equally fantastic from the kitchen.  Well, Erica decided to order ice cream instead!  Greg ordered the soufflé to keep to most of the plan, the waiter let him know they were out of that and brought out the ring with two glasses of champagne.  Erica screamed and cried before saying, ‘yes’!  They celebrated for the next few days in the beautiful island setting.

Erica and Greg’s gorgeous wedding took place at the beginning of summer.  They prepared for their day at the Hilton Short Hills, where later they would be returning to celebrate their reception.  Erica’s beautiful strapless wedding gown had a trumpet silhouette, a sparkling belt and a gorgeous lace overlay.  She was such a stunning bride!   We love her bridesmaids’ matching bright teal knee length dresses and wonder if this color and style choice was done to evoke the Bermuda island feel?  They were absolutely beautiful.  And Greg was certainly a sharp dressed man in his black suit and tie.

Erica and her bridesmaids had the most exquisite flower bouquets from Warren Country Events.  Erica’s bouquet was mainly white, with subtle hints of color, while her bridesmaids carried bright blooms in purples, blues and white.  They were absolutely sumptuous!

Their ceremony took place at St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit, NJ.  It was a traditional Catholic ceremony with beautiful sentiments.  The two were encouraged to realize that mistakes, challenges and those bumps along the road are natural, for these are what allow for growth and make love more authentic, real and true.

After their ceremony, formal photos were taken by our good friend and photographer extraordinaire, Drew Noel.  Unfortunately, it was raining so the photo shoot was strictly indoors, but the photos weren’t any less amazing!  And it was fun to watch the wedding party having so much fun, even before the reception kicked off!

Speaking of the reception, it was a total blast!  The grand ballroom at the Hilton Short Hills was so beautifully decorated in platinum with accents of teal and darker blue.  And Ariel, from Ariel Music and Events, certainly rocked the house that evening!  The wedding guests had an awesome time dancing late into the evening!

It was such a joy to share in the celebration of the love shared by Erica and Greg.  Congratulations to a wonderful couple!

 

Photographer:  Drew Noel Photography - Princeton, NJ

Floral Design:  Warren Country Events -  Warren, NJ

Hair Stylist:  Xchanges Hair Artistry - Veronica Johnson - Kenilworth, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Xchanges Hair Artistry - Laurin Bastos - Kenilworth, NJ

Entertainment:  Ariel Music and Events - Ariel - Cresskill, NJ

Cake:  Hilton Short Hills - Short Hills, NJ

Church:  St. Teresa of Avila Parish - Summit, NJ

Venue:  Hilton Short Hills - Short Hills, NJ

 

Krista + Michael

We were so excited for Krista and Mike’s wedding to arrive!  We love having the opportunity to film friends and family on their wedding day, one of the most important days of their lives.  And this wedding was extra special because our own Lisa Skala was the Maid of Honor celebrating the wedding of one of her dearest friends!

Krista and Mike had been together for eight years already by the time they got engaged, although they definitely were very busy during that time.  During those years, their relationship grew despite college, department of corrections academy training and nursing school competing for their time.  Love always finds a way.

Their beautiful ceremony and reception took place at Krista’s father’s gorgeous log home on a very hot day in June.  Almost everything about this wedding was DIY, including those unbelievable floral arrangements and mismatched bridal party bouquets in white and pinks!  There were many other very personal touches too to make this wedding their own.  Krista was sure to bring her beloved horse, Callie, there for the wedding event.  And their dog, Milo, had a very important role as ring bearer!  He certainly stole the show... several times that day!

Krista’s wedding dress was simply enchanting!  It was a strapless mermaid silhouetted gown with sparkling beading and a beautiful lace-up back detail.  She carried a stunning brooch bouquet that she made with help from Lisa.  It contained several of her grandmother's brooches, as well as some gorgeous flea market finds!

The bridesmaids were so lovely in their mismatched biscotti dresses, with Lisa as the Maid of Honor set apart in pastel pink.  Mike's groomsmen wore tan suits, sans jackets, which was perfect for this sweltering, almost-summer day.  Mike was a very handsome groom and stood apart from his groomsmen with a jacket and a white tie.

Formal photos were taken by Kristen Roberts of Petal & Glass Photography.  It was a true pleasure to work alongside her.  Be sure to see some of the photos from the day on her website's "recent work"!

Everything had its place at this marvelous wedding event!  Krista and Mike's touching ceremony took place off the back deck at the residence.  Cocktails were served in a perfect presentation in the front yard, then the reception began under a grand tent in the back. The dance floor was established under strings of wonderful white lights on the side of the house.

Everyone had a blast dancing the evening away to music provided by Dancivity.  Even Milo got into the action of course!  What a fun evening and a delightful wedding event all around!

We were so thrilled to celebrate with such an awesome couple!  And it was a lot of fun to shoot with Lisa in front of the cameras for a change as well!  Our sincerest congratulations to Krista and Mike!

 

Photographer:  Petal & Glass Photography - Southern New Jersey; Philadelphia, PA area

Hair Stylist:  Stephanie Zagame - Blackwood, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Gabrielle Sees

Entertainment:  Dancivity - Downingtown, PA

Cake:  Casey Schmidt (Bride's cousin)

Officiant:  David Strope

Venue:  Private Residence - Pittsgrove, NJ