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Erica + Kris

In mid-November, we filmed a beautiful wedding at one of our favorite venues, the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and with one of our favorite photographers, Drew Noel.  But the best part for us was getting to work with this fantastic couple and their sweet family.

Erica and Kris met each other after being set up by mutual friends. And they had a very fun first date, roller skating!  It wasn't too long before Kris knew he had found 'the one' and was excited to propose to Erica.

Kris's proposal to Erica was a total surprise to her!  While they were enjoying a date, walking through a sunflower maze one afternoon, Kris had sprouted plants set up in window boxes on the ground to read, “Will you marry me?”  He chose the little sprouts because a seed is a symbol of new life growing, and those sprouts were a poetic symbol of their lives sprouting and growing together.  What a creative and thoughtful way to recognize the new life they're forming together and to ask the most important question to the love of his life.

Erica and Kris each got ready in separate cottages on the grounds of the Ryland Inn.  Kris dressed into his classic black tuxedo, looking so very handsome with his dapper groomsmen by his side.  After they were all primped and polished, they joyously toasted the groom outside!  Meanwhile Erica had fun with her mother and bridal party in their matching or coordinating blue shirts, enjoying a drink and having photos taken as they readied for the day.  Erica's mother made a beautiful shawl for her to wear over her gown for when the temperature was cool at her reception.  And her gown was absolutely gorgeous too!  Erica wore a strapless ball gown from Provonias that featured a sweetheart neckline and a beautiful lace overlay.  She was such a stunning bride!  And we were touched to see her father as he was treated to his first look at his beautiful daughter on her wedding day.

After they were all dressed, Erica and Kris met for their first look outside.  It was so sweet to see their excitement and joy!  Following their first sight, first kisses, first slow dance and first hugs on their wedding day, the couple enjoyed their wonderful photo shoot with the team at Drew Noel Photography.  We're sure the entire wedding party had such a ball posing for those iconic formal photos and for all the fun and artistic candid shots too.

It was on to Erica and Kris's Catholic ceremony at Saint Luke Parish in Long Valley.  Kris's sister played the violin beautifully, and during their traditional ceremony, Erica and Kris participated in the lighting of a unity candle and presented flowers to Mary.  The couple recited their sacred vows, their promises to each other for their lifetime, and after being pronounced as 'husband and wife', they kissed to the applause of their family and friends.

Erica and Kris's reception at the Ryland Inn was absolutely perfect.  Laura Clare Design layered the venue with gorgeous floral arrangements in deep burgundy, blue and green.  And a live event painter, Amanda Hawthorne from Live Well Paint Often, created a portrait of the evening's events as they happened.  Sweet and heartfelt toasts were given that evening from Erica's father, from Kris's best man and from Erica's matron of honor as the couple sat in front of the roaring and romantic fire.  Then, RPM Entertainment got the party started with music to keep everyone out on that dance floor!

In the words of their officiant, Father Michael Drury, we were all there to celebrate an amazing moment in the lives of Erica and Kris, a moment that will never be the same because it's all moving forward wonderfully in a positive direction.  Congratulations and best wishes to Erica and Kris!

 

Photographer:  Drew Noel Photography - Ewing, NJ 

Floral Design:  Laura Clare Design - Bernardsville, NJ

Hair Stylist:  Bloom Salon & Spa Morristown - Jessica Chapman - Morristown, NJ

Makeup Artist:  Bloom Salon & Spa Morristown - Aline Rizzo - Morristown, NJ 

Wedding Gown:  Provonias

Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Entertainment:  RPM Entertainment - Union, NJ

Live Event Painter:  Live Well Paint Often - Amanda Hawthorne - New York, NY

Cake:  La Bon Bake Shoppes - Edison, NJ

Officiants:  Father Michael Drury - Clifton, NJ; Deacon Thomas Healy 

Church:  Saint Luke Parish - Long Valley, NJ

Venue:   Ryland Inn - Whitehouse Station, NJ

 

Alex + Frank

Alexandra and Frank are such a sweet couple and it was such a delight to film their wedding day!  It was also so exciting to be filming at the newly renovated (and gorgeous!) Park Chateau Estate & Gardens, as well as having the opportunity to work once again with one of our favorite photographers, Drew Noel!

Alex and Frank prepared for their wedding day at Alex's parents' house in Staten Island, with Frank getting ready in the apartment onsite.  We knew we were in the right place when we saw the front door to the home so appropriately decorated for the occasion!  We also loved the black and white theme throughout this wedding event, the groom and groomsmen wearing matching classic black tuxedos and the bridesmaids in long, black off-the-shoulder gowns.  Heather's Salon 72 provided expert hair and makeup services, then Alex's mother helped her with her final touches before she put on her wedding gown.  And it was so touching to see Alex' father's first look at his beautiful daughter in her gown on her wedding day.

And what a gorgeous gown it was!  Alex was a stunning bride in her dress, which featured soft ruching throughout, a lace up detail the back and was accessorized with a sparkling rhinestone belt.  She wore her long hair down and fastened it with a dazzling hairpiece.  This was a perfect occasion for those sublime Badgley Mischka shoes if ever there was one!  And for the ceremony, she wore a long, flowing cathedral veil with edging that sparkled in the light.  She was such a beautiful bride!  She and her bridal party all carried such pretty all-white calla lily bouquets from Eltingville Florist.

Alex and Frank's ceremony was held at Saint Patrick's Church, a wonderfully intimate church in Staten Island, NY that dates back to the time of the Civil War.  Father Victor Arenas performed a beautiful marriage homily, then after they spoke their traditional vows, Alexandra and Frank were pronounced 'the new Mr. and Mrs.'!

As mentioned earlier, we love working with the incomparable Drew Noel and enjoyed filming along side him during the photo shoots with Alex and Frank and their bridal party.  Everyone had such a blast posing and hamming it up during their photo sessions!

Afterwards, it was on to The Park Chateau Estate & Gardens for the grand wedding reception!  It truly felt like 'April in Paris' as this amazing venue just completed renovations under new ownership and virtually transports guests to the French countryside and an opulent French manor!  Everything was impeccable, from the grounds to the amazing ballroom where this evening's celebration would take place.

Alex and Frank received a rousing welcome, introduced as newlyweds to their reception, then danced a lovely first dance together.  Touching dances with their parents followed before we were all treated to such well written, heartfelt toasts from their parents, the best man and maid of honor.  After dinner concluded, the dance floor opened to everyone and remained totally packed all night, helped by the high energy, versatile sounds of Paris-New York!

Alex and Frank's wedding day was absolutely beautiful and we were so honored to have been a part of capturing their wedding story on film.  Congratulations to Alexandra and Frank!

 

Photographer:  Drew Noel Photography - Columbus, NJ

Floral Design:  Eltingville Florist - Staten Island, NY

Hair Stylist:  Heather's Salon 72 - Alexandra Campus - Staten Island, NY

Makeup Artist:  Heather's Salon 72 - Alexandra Campus - Staten Island, NY

Entertainment:  Paris-New York - New York, NY

Cake:  A Little Cake - Park Ridge, NJ

Officiant: Rev. J. Victor Arenas - Staten Island, NY

Church:  Saint Patrick's Church - Staten Island, NY

Venue:  The Park Chateau Estate & Gardens - East Brunswick, 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