Darren + Maris || Branch Brook Park Weddings
Even in the most unusual times…
Despite all the setbacks– rescheduling their April 2020 wedding date, being separated during the pandemic– Darren and Maris persevered. With a few weeks notice (and a permit from the parks department), we found out that they planned to host an intimate wedding celebration in early July.
Fast forward to 7/11, we find ourselves standing in the most famous park + staring at arguably the most beautiful church in all of New Jersey.
For Maris and Darren’s first look, we had the best spot in the park. Most famous for its collection of cherry blossoms, Branch Brook Park is a stunning green oasis during the summer months. We were blessed with an overcast sky for their first look, which really helped to turn down the summer heat for our first outdoor wedding of the year.
Surrounded by a small group of their loved ones, their wedding ceremony took place outside the visitors pavilion amongst the fresh summer air. We traveled through the park for some amazing portraits, exploring as we went along.
We capped off the wedding day with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony at the groom’s family’s home, followed by our dream wedding meal. Imagine bringing together your favorite gastronomic delights, spreading it across one large table, and inviting your loved ones to dine with you. That is what Darren and Maris did! Filipino barbecue from Tropical Hut, sushi, wraps, Chic-Fil-a nuggets, and the list goes on. For dessert, the bride’s close friend brought a Green Tea Mille Crepes cake from Lady M Cake Boutique in New York City.
You all have no idea how excited this made us. What more personal of a touch could there be than to bring all of those foods together and share it with loved ones? We really hope to eat more like this at future wedding events.
Warmest congratulations to our newlyweds, Maris + Darren!
Products || Photo Album Gallery
What better way to preserve your memories than with a beautifully crafted, one hundred percent customized, absolutely breathtaking album? Over the last decade, we have delivered countless albums to many wonderful couples + families alike.
As of 2020, we proudly offer two unique albums styles in three different size dimensions.
The Layflat albums are especially reserved for our wedding clientele. Offered in 10″x 10″, 12″x 12″ and 10″x 15″, these albums are truly our pride and joy.
The Layflat photobooks are perfect for family portraits, engagements, and any other special occasions that come to mind. Offered in 10″x 10″ and 12″ x 12″, these photobooks are as versatile as they are timeless. With a variety of cover options– from linen to bonded and faux leathers– these albums are an excellent and budget-friendly option. Think of our photobooks as the little siblings of our albums!
Shown below is our 10″ x 15″ Layflat album with distressed leather and debossed cover text.
Danny + Sherry || Weddings At The Venetian
Making photos is our job, but celebrating stories is truly what brings us so much joy in this profession. For Danny + Sherry, their long distance love story started a few years back. Being separated by the entire expanse of the eastern seaboard of the U.S. did not stop their love for eachother from growing and flourishing. Fast forward to this day, when their families came together for an unforgettable celebration.
Everything about Danny + Sherry’s wedding was just as we hoped for. The October weather was favorable and void of rain for most of the day, and loved ones flew in from all over the world to join the celebration. Thankfully, we are no strangers to Sherry’s family, having already photographed her sister’s wedding just a few years earlier… seeing her family + church friends felt like a mini reunion on so many levels.
Having already photographed their engagement session earlier this summer, we already knew how easy going this bride + groom would be on the day of. Sherry and her gown certainly stole the show at their church ceremony, while the ring bearers charmed the crowd every step of the way. Thank God the stormy weather held back the precipitation all the way until the end of the evening, just as we wrapped up our portraits in the garden of the Venetian.
Our favorite part of their wedding? Definitely the reception party. We love, love, LOVE being witnesses to the wedding party unwind on the dance floor– there is always so much personality to capture when all the formalities have concluded. From the LED thunder sticks to watching the newlyweds conquer the dance floor, it was most definitely a party to remember.
Many congratulations to our newlyweds, Danny + Sherry!
Last but not least, our warmest thanks to the other wedding professionals who helped make this day possible:
Hair/Makeup: @AngelfaceNYC https://www.facebook.com/angelfacenyc
Video: @TheBleuStudio https://www.facebook.com/TheBleuStudio/
Florals: Dee’s Flower https://www.facebook.com/DeesFlowersAndGifts/
Reception:The Venetian https://www.venetiannj.com/
Kristin + Nick || McLoone’s Boathouse Wedding Reception
Kristin & Nick couldn’t have asked for a more PERFECT day to celebrate their wedding.
The month of October is undoubtedly our favorite month to photography celebrations. The fall weather is ideal for taking photos; the colors are stunning, the humidity in the air has long since departed, and the sun’s lowly angles gives way to magical lighting.
For Kristin & Nick, this day was years in the making. During their wedding reception welcome speech, Kristin confessed that she has had a crush on Nick’s warm smile (and kind heart) since their teens. Years of remaining friends, staying in touch, living in various parts of the country, and finally reconnecting a handful of years back has led us all to this day.
Surrounded by 80 plus friends and family, Nick & Kristin hosted an absolutely spectacular party to celebrate the start of a new chapter in their love story. Before their loved ones arrived at McLoone’s Boathouse, the newlyweds made sure to set apart some time for portraits. Late afternoon meant the best lighting that we could hope for, and we’re so thankful that we had this time to celebrate with just the two of them.
Make sure to check out their lovely reception details– the flowy, organic floral table centerpieces were the perfect compliment to the warmer wooden tones of the reception architecture. Our favorite moment of this intimate wedding event (besides their bride + groom portraits!) were the toasts. In particular, the quintet speech given by Kristin’s childhood friends was equal parts humor and fond memories, with a side order of gentle roasting. If you don’t believe us, well… you should have been there.
Lea + Dean || Hermann Park Wedding Portraits
For Dean + Lea, exchanging their vows was a really meaningful part in their wedding day celebration in downtown Houston. Having already done their civil ceremony a few days earlier, this vow exchange was purposed for just them two— no spectators, no distractions. The day before, we spent a few hours scouting the park for inspirational, logistical + creative purposes. During their vow exchange, we found a vine-covered trellis deep within Hermann Park, far from the crowds. Positioning our cameras some 75ft away allowed for our newlyweds to have complete privacy, as well as the freedom to enjoy these moments together, the expertise you hire for your wedding day will determine the quality of your photos, so be sure to engage with the best Wedding Photographer Newcastle has available.
With Lea + Dean, exploring Hermann Park was so much more fun. Not only did we get to hear a little bit more about their story (having first met while stationed in Nebraska a few years back), we also got to see the many different facets that encompassed this historic park: memorial statues, arid plants, a manmade waterfall, generously shaded pathways and sky-high hilltops. Following their portraits were more portraits (this time with family), then finally ending the evening with a cozy dinner reception at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille.
We absolutely love intimate wedding celebrations like the one you are about to view. There is something truly special watching a couple exchange promises with nobody else around. Stepping away from the more traditional wedding day layout, we admire couples who craft a day that is void of lengthy checklists, instead embracing a more intimate setting that naturally gives way to some really amazing moments. Just as importantly, we are confident that you can feel the fun-loving, goofiness that embodies this couple as you peruse the images below… not to mention all the romance, honesty and love interwoven throughout those same images.
Portrait locations: Hermann Park
Reception Venue: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Friendswood, TX
Patty + Andrew || Westmount Country Club Weddings
What an unforgettable wedding celebration! We present to you, the lovely (and newly married) Andrew + Patty.
What an honor it was to celebrate with these two. From start to finish, our job was non-stop… and that is exactly why we love our jobs so much. Moments upon moments upon moments– from the tight-knit feel being surrounded by their bridal party the morning of, to cherishing the moments where mom and dad help with the finishing touches of their wedding day attire, to the first time Andrew sees Patty entering the wedding ceremony– there were so many images that helped encompass the emotions of the wedding day. This wedding was the first time we had a proper “confetti shower”, and we were so stoked to hear that there was some more at the reception.
Our favorite moment? Definitely when Patty + her father are honoring the father-daughter dance, and their family looks on with teary eyes.
A million congrats to you both, Patty + Andrew!
John + Meredith || Duportail House Wedding
Days before their wedding weekend, we had some slight concerns regarding the weather. The forecast was pretty dreary; thunderstorms and heavy rain were suppose to soak the Valley Forge area for the entirety of the wedding day. When we find ourselves in this kind of situation, the best we can do is develop a rain plan, and pray, pray, pray.
Come the wedding day, we were greeted with the hot and humid weather that was typical of May in our part of the country. We started with our couple at the nearby Embassy Suites, followed by their first look at the historic Duportail House. Built in 1740, the house + surrounding property are an amazing representation of colonial American history. Meredith + John had expressed to us how much they loved the architecture around Duportail House property, so we made sure to plan our portrait session around various parts of the estate.
By early afternoon, the sun was still out and the storm clouds were nowhere in sight… prayers answered! Our bride and groom ended up having an amazing outdoor ceremony, presided by their dear friend + pastor. At some point during the wedding ceremony, while singing along to the hymn “How Great Thou Art,” the storm clouds could be heard in the near distance. We kid you not; seconds after the crowd sang the verse, “…I see the stars… I hear the rolling thunder…Thy power throughout the universe displayed,” the sound of roaring thunder cracked through the sky. As soon as the ceremony concluded, the booming sound of canon went off from the nearby Valley Forge National Park— all in perfect timing. This series of unplanned event were definitely the most memorable for us that day.
The reception started just around the time the rain began (and the rain came down on us hard). We loved the intimate space that they planned for when planning their reception— an outdoor tented reception, a cozy first dance on the patio, followed by an evening of crazy dance movies + bellyaching laughter on the main dance floor. At one point on the dance floor, we spotted John lifted up his baby nephew into the air in very Lion King-like fashion. Meredith later reflected on this very moment, saying in an email to us that she was both laughing and terrified.
We reached out to Meredith + John the week after their wedding, while the wedding memories were still fresh on their minds. We asked them to send us a few of their favorite moments, and funny enough, their list pretty much aligned with the same set of teaser photos we posted the week after the wedding.
A very special thanks to Meredith + John for hosting an amazing marriage celebration, and we hope you all enjoy the photos that follow!
RJ + Christina || Farmstead Golf and Country Club Wedding
Christina and RJ’s story began a little after college, when they met through online dating. Through that season in their life, they discovered so many more shared interests– good food, tasty beers, superheroes, and animals. Funny enough, all those interests were highlighted on their wedding day.
From the get-go, we had a very memorable time with this couple. Weather wise, we couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant autumn day. The fall colors were vibrant throughout the day, especially with all of the sunshine we had. We spent most of the day at the Farmstead Golf & Country Club, a beautiful gem nestled amongst the mountains and forests in northern New Jersey. Their ceremony took place outdoors, followed by a reception inside FGCC’s historic and very charming two-story barn.
Perhaps our favorite aspect of RJ + Christina’s wedding was all of the many details that were thoughtfully incorporated all throughout their special day.
First off, beers. It’s no secret that Christina + RJ love beers… Even their engagement session took place at a local North Jersey brewery. What better way to highlight that love than to include beers details in both their reception decorations, as well as the floral bouquets?
They also gave a big shoutout to DC/Marvel superheroes by giving the groomsmen masks as they paraded into the reception hall. When it was Christina + RJ’s turn to enter their reception, they wore animals masks and danced in to the tune of “What Does the Fox Say?” Not too long after, the bride and her father pulled a surprise dance routine out of their sleeves, followed by an evening of partying in every corner of the barn.
All the best to our newlyweds, Christina + RJ! #hopfuzzwedding
Kim + Pat || Addison Park Weddings
While some couples end their wedding ceremonies with a kiss, others jump over brooms, and still others, well, take it a step further… Pat + Kim surprised their guests in a very classic and remarkable way. Upon being announced husband + wife, a group of white homing pigeons were released from the altar, setting up a truly picture perfect shot to cap off their ceremony.
We were so thankful the weather held out for their wedding. The rainy forecast was miraculously replaced by very favorable weather— a gentle mix of clouds and sun. Pat and Kim were such great sports on their wedding day, taking every thing in stride. With a thoroughly packed schedule, we were grateful that they planned enough time for portraits in and around the venue property. Save for the portraits, our couple didn’t want to be the focus of the spotlight, so the rest of the day was spent doing what they wanted— sharing in celebration with their loved ones.
Congratulations to Pat + Kim on their wedding!
Qynn + Larry || The Palace at Somerset Park Weddings
Others always ask us what it’s like to be around happy people + day-long celebrations for a living. “It’s great” we always reply. To be frank, it is pretty nice… yet thankfully, our job is so much more than that.
Some of our favorite moments ‘on the job’ are when our couples share their stores with us… missed connections, first dates, leaps of faith, the stuff that makes our job REALLY worthwhile. It is in those stories that drive us to celebrate alongside with each couple on their wedding day, because stories are made of moments, and moments make the most precious of memories.
Larry + Qynn’s story is as sweet as they get. Having met at their workplace, they kept their relationship down low for a while. A couple of dates later… and their hearts were set. Prior to their New Jersey wedding day, they had the opportunity to visit the incredible city coastal of Shanghai (where Qynn’s family roots are established) to have some really cool portraits done in + around the historic district of the city.
On their wedding day, we prepped at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot Somerset . Portraits were taken on the lightly forested property of RCCC, followed by a really pleasant ceremony in the sanctuary. Their evening reception took place at the spectacular (and must we say, one of the finest venues in all of Central Jersey) The Palace at Somerset. Having been there many times before, we enjoy it more and more with each visit. A special thanks to Josh, our maitre’d for the evening, for keeping the schedule running smoothly as expected.
Perhaps our favorite event of the evening was during the speeches. One of Qynn’s closest friends couldn’t make it to the wedding, so in lieu of her speech, there was an incredibly creative “speech presentation” shown on the projector. Using a light box, sand, and near endless creativity, this sand show combined both stop motion and sand to illustrate our bride and groom’s love story.
A big congratulations to Qynn + Larry on their wedding day, and we wish you many more hikes + adventures + memories together! Thank you for helping us kickstart the 2017 wedding season in a wonderful way.
George + Martina || The Tides Estate
What an incredible way to wrap up our 2016 wedding season with George and Martina’s wedding.
After an exciting morning filled with laughter, singing, thoughtful gift exchanges and stunning wedding details, our bride and groom had their first look at Kakiat Park in Montebello, NY. Admittedly, the weather was bone chillingly cold. We are both grateful that our large bridal party was brave enough to battle the cold for a quick portrait session at the park.
George and Martina got married at St. Mary & St. Pachomious Coptic Orthodox Church in Stony Point, NY. Over the last few years, we’ve had the privilege of photographing quite a few Coptic Orthodox weddings. If you’ve never been to one, then surely you are missing out. From a visual perspective, there so many beautiful aspects that make up the wedding ceremony. Between the crowning of the bride and bridegroom to ceremonial robes draped upon the couple, to the anointing and reciting of scripture, the many traditions seen at a Coptic Orthodox Ceremony highlight the sanctity of marriage within the Christian church. Although the entire ceremony is performed in Arabic (of which neither one of us speaks), we’ve thankfully been invited to enough Coptic weddings to know how it flows. Although we know the routine, we love the challenge of seeking out unique wedding moments— whether it be candid or emotional or just plain comical— and thats really what we love about photographing weddings.
Immediately after the ceremony, we headed towards one of the most elegant venues in New Jersey, The Tides Estate. Their wedding reception was packed with a whole lot of celebrating and fun details. We especially enjoyed their miniature-house gift card holder, and the decadent wedding cake featuring fresh orchids. Right after dinner, the bride led her bridesmaids in a surprise dance performance for the groom; the rest of the evening was spent on the dance floor.
George and Martina, thank you for allowing us to pop a champagne bottle during our final portrait session that evening hours. We hope that image captures the emotions you felt that day as two became one.
Carl + Helen || El Lago, Texas Weddings
For many months, we’ve been anticipating Carl + Helen’s wedding celebration. Not only did we have the chance to photograph a really easy going, no-frills couple, but it would be our first time (as Dreamlite) in Texas for a wedding. Thankfully, this awesome wedding happened because, well, Carl and Helen happened.
Every love story has its roots, and Carl + Helen’s modern story began in Philadelphia. Helen is a world-class athlete, while Carl is a professional-engineer-with-infinite-hobbies-and-talents. Having met online through a Christian dating website, they immediately hit it off. For those of you who have missed it, check out their engagement session from Boathouse Row in Philadelphia.
Blessed with unusually cool temperatures, we couldn’t have been happier to work with the mild climate that passed through that part of Texas that weekend. We flew down to little town of Friendswood, Texas to document their wedding day. Some of our favorite wedding details to date were seen at this wedding. The handmade, shotgun shell boutonniere is certainly creative + ingenious, a homage to the couples’ shared love for the outdoors. The wedding favors were wooden bowls, hand carved and imported from the Philippines, then branded with the couple’s very own customized design. The groom’s cufflinks belonged to Helen’s grandfather when he was stationed in the Philippines. Best of all, the bridal party arrived to the wedding venue by fishing boat, a true first in our book. There are so many more details that we don’t have time to mention, but we know this: our newlyweds put a lot of thought and creativity into planning their wedding, and we certainly saw people appreciate the fruit of their labor.
At the very start of the wedding day, our couple emphasized one desire: to spend time with loved ones. That took center stage above everything else that day, and we were happy to oblige to that request. Having given us ample time for portraits throughout the day, we were grateful to document an evening reception filled with a whole lot of dancing, a few tear-jerking speeches… exactly what the newlywed couple had hoped for.
Meghan + Brian || National Aviary in Pittsburgh
We’ve been to a lot of unique wedding venues– Spanish colonial-era churches, aquariums, island resorts, museums– but photographing at an aviary is a first for us. Even cooler is the fact that this wedding didn’t happen at just any ordinary aviary. Brian and Meghan celebrated their wedding at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, the largest and most diverse aviary within the entire United States. Housing over 600 animals, this venue offered a fun and picturesque setting for their wedding. During cocktail hour, guests were encouraged to roam through the various wildlife exhibits.Throughout the evening, the staff were kind enough to bring out a few different animals for a close-up experience (don’t miss out on the penguin and owl photos below!)
Perhaps our favorite moment of the day was when we photographed the big bridal party portrait below. We gave the groom a few pointers on how to open a bottle of champagne- the photo-worthy way- and he didn’t put enough emphasis on the pop. Out of nowhere, the bride commandeers the bottle and furiously shook the bottle, unleashing a fountain of champagne all over the bridal party.
(For those of you technically inclined, that photo below was taken at 200mm, full frame, so you can imagine how relieved we were to not have the champagne all over our cameras)
And THAT is how you celebrate your wedding with champagne.
Eileen + Danny || Grounds for Sculpture Weddings
It’s been a wonderful wedding season so far. The only downside with us being so busy is our inability to find time and blog more. Thankfully, we’ve been spend some very late nights trying to catchup on our blog. This one is for you, Eileen and Danny!
When advising our couples in the months leading up to the actual wedding day, one of the things we emphasize most is setting aside “us time”. That is, making sure the couple has some time alone- time for portraits, snacking on food, or simply a nap on the couch in between transitions. This advice serves two benefits: one, it gives the couple a much needed breather from the exciting (and sometimes chaotic) jam-packed events that comprise the wedding day, and two, it allows them to share in the wedding excitement together, as it is happening. Often, we find that these moments alone are what our couples cherish the most, because they can unwind and take it all in, even if only for a minute. For those of you reading this who are currently planning their wedding, consider building in some “us time” in the midst of your schedules. You’ll be thankful you did.
A few weeks back, we joined Eileen and Danny for their incredible wedding celebration at the one-of-a-kind Grounds for Sculpture. The beautiful mix of summer and autumn weather helped cap off a great day already filled with festivities, love, dancing and cupcakes. Check out some of our favorite images from their day.
Gold Armband + Belt: Etsy (vintage shops)
Angie + Leighton || Westbury Manor Weddings
Going into the day, we knew our schedule would be quite busy. We were excited to see Angie and Leighton’s wedding day unfold, as the months leading up to the big day have been overflowing with anticipation. Their wedding day itself was filled with the perfect mix of family involvement, beautiful color palettes and well-thought-out details… all while making a point to highlight the decade long love story that brought them to this very day.
Getting married at the Westbury Manor was one of many excellent choices made by our bride and groom. Initially, the forecast had some people worrying that the ceremony would be moved indoors. Miraculously enough, the weather held long enough to keep everything outside and everything went according to plan. Imbedded in this garden theme were some really cute outfits worn by the kids participating in the bridal party.
Although our schedule was busy, our checklist was short. Without a doubt, our favorite part of the day was knowing how much emphasis Angie and Leighton had on celebrating the day with loved ones. Carrying this in mind helped us to really concentrate on photographing the moments of the day, and for that, we are very grateful.
Thank you Angie and Leighton for trusting us + having us there for your big day. Congratulations to you both!
Hair and Makeup: Mable Pang || mable@mablepang.com
Ceremony and Reception: Westbury Manor || info@westburymanor.com
Photography: Dreamlite Photography || info@dreamlitephotography.com
Saneta + Kensheen|| Crystal Ballroom Weddings
Saneta and Kensheen’s story began some fifteen years back, when they first met in middle school. After nearly a decade of writing that love story, an engagement session at a “you won’t believe it till see you see it” spot in Central Illinois, they asked us to join them at their wedding celebration here in New Jersey.
The morning started off great; the bride and groom in their own respective locations getting ready. There was some mandated dancing on the groomsmens’ end (google ‘chinese wedding door games’) before the groom could see his bride. After a brief tea ceremony to honor some family members, we headed off for outdoor portraits.
Although quite chilly for a spring wedding, we were thankful that Saneta, Kensheen and their bridal party braved the portraits at Rutgers Gardens. Thankfully, there were some gorgeous cherry blossoms abloom at the garden, allowing us to incorporate some incredible and soft colors in the photos (also which seemed to compliment the bridesmaids’ colors just perfectly.)
The rest of the day’s festivities took place at the Crystal Ballroom at the Radisson Freehold in Freehold, NJ. The remainder of the night was filled with fierce dance moves, heartwarming speeches and even a raffle event for their reception guests.
Congratulations once more to our newlyweds Saneta and Kensheen!
Valerie + Mike || The Place on the Lake Weddings
If you were there for their engagement session, you too would realize that Valerie + Mike are one of the goofiest couples we have ever had the chance to spend time with. Fast forward a couple of months to this past autumn, and we were given the opportunity to celebrate their marriage– a marriage full of good memories, and plenty of laughter.
We spent the day at The Place on the Lake, a gorgeous + cozy venue, hidden away in a little corner of East Brunswick. With pleasant weather amidst, we enjoyed every moment with Valerie and Mike. Their easy-going personalities definitely helped make our day all the more smoother. We began with a much anticipated ‘first look’ by bride + groom, followed by noontime portraits, and then an outdoor ceremony that included the newlyweds’ dog come down the aisle with a GoPro on her back. The cocktail hour included a floating lantern ceremony; something pretty special that we’ve never had the chance to witness in New Jersey. Mike and Val’s reception was packed full of dancing, laughs, crazy dance moves, and a whodle lot of celebration and some great gowns from a wedding gown shop in san francisco ca.
Eileen + Chris || Loew’s Hotel Philadelphia Weddings
Chris and Eileen had their wedding in late October, which also happens to be our favorite month to photograph weddings. The autumn season is a mix of soft daylight and very comfortable weather, both factors which contributed to an exceptionally memorable wedding event.
We can happily write that we spent the day in what is quickly becoming one of our top cities to photograph in. Philadelphia is overflowing with Revoutionary history, modern architecture, richly ethnic neighborhoods and urban revitalization. Chris and Eileen chose to have their wedding at the Loew’s Hotel Philadelphia , perfectly situated in the heart of center city. Being in such a prime location allowed us to stop by Love Park and City Hall during the day for some portraits.
With a well planned schedule, Chris and Eileen had their first look on one of the higher levels of the hotel. It’s safe to say you could feel the excitement and joy in the grooms’ eyes when they first saw eachother (even through his blurry eyes). At night, we had the opportunity to escape the reception and access the rooftop of the Loew’s Hotel, for an absolutely unbelievable view of the Philadelphia skyline. Certainly a breathtaking view of the Philadelphia, and one that we hope to get again in the near future.
Thanks again to our newlyweds for inviting down to Philadelphia, and congratulations on your marriage!
Jen + Tim || Chimney Hill Estate Inn Weddings
In one of our last email conversations together leading up to their wedding day, we asked Jen what was most important on her wedding day. This was her response:
“In general, I am going for a very laid back ceremony and reception. I’m not very sentimental when it comes to items, but I am with the people in my life. A theme that keeps popping up in my head in the planning of the details is the phrase ‘Rejoice always’ from 1 Thessalonians 5:16. So that’s what Tim and I are trying to do, and what we want this ceremony and reception to be about.”
We’re so thankful for the opportunity to document their wedding celebration. Beyond the delicious brisket, curiously fuzzy alpacas and the beautiful May weather, it’s always refreshing to have a bride + groom whose heart is focused on something Greater than a perfect execution of wedding day details.
For the record, we absolutely loved working at the Chimney Hill Estate Inn in Lambertville, NJ. The staff were incredibly cordial, and everything from the food to the grounds to the alpacas made for an impeccable experience. A very special thanks is in order to staff + management at the Chimney Hill Estate Inn. Only with their cooperation and service did we truly enjoy our visit there.
Rose + Joe || Ballyowen Golf Club Weddings
Every once in a while, we only get to learn about a couples’ love story on the day of their wedding. In the case of Rose + Joe, our respect for their relationship grew tremendously when the wedding officiant revealed that their long-distance love story had stretched 7,393 miles… from Shanghai to New York.
Our bride + groom decided to tie the knot a year earlier, and thus, when they contacted us about their May event at the Ballyowen Golf Club, they highly emphasized their day being a “joyful celebration” rather than simply a wedding. We certainly kept that in mind as we documented this love-filled day.
If you asked us, we would definitely say that our favorite images were all the little moments in between the formalities. Such as the time that Joe unabashedly picked up his wife and spun her in the air during portraits; or the time that our newlyweds were joking around with one of the flower girls during some downtime at the reception. The table centerpieces were very clever as well: a cup of “joe” and a rose were fittingly centered at each of their reception tables.
Regardless of our personal picks, we hope you all will share in all of the joy of our couples’ celebratory day as you browse through these images.
Vivian + Anthony || Destination Wedding in Granada, Nicaragua
When once-in a-lifetime chances come knocking on your door, you better make sure you answer.
This modus operandi rang constantly in our heads as we reflect back on Vivian and Anthony’s wedding celebration. More than a year has passed since we first received their email, inquiring for their wedding in Nicaragua. “Nicaragua?” we thought, “is this e-mail for real?” At the time, we had never done a destination wedding in Latin America before, so this e-mail left us feeling both a bit skeptical and elated. A few e-mail exchanges and a Skype meeting later, every ounce of doubt escaped from our heads.
Anthony + Vivian are truly a incredible couple with an incredibly unique story. Their relationship started well over twenty years ago (as the story goes) during their kindergarten years. As life would have it, a combination of moving neighborhoods + schools eventually caused their lives to part ways. At the advent of social media, these two ultimately reconnected… and their love story continued.
Visitors of our blog may remember this couple’s awesome engagement session in Austin. If you enjoyed those photos, you certainly won’t want to miss the images from Vivian + Anthony’s wedding. From newlywed portraits underneath the starry night sky to groundshaking firework explosions, their wedding day was full of beautiful moments. Our bride and groom tied the knot in the historic Catedral de Nuesta Señora de Asuncion, followed by a wonderful reception at Hotel Granada.
Personally, this trip was quite special to us both at Dreamlite Photography. Not only was it our first time traveling to Latin America for a destination wedding, but Nicaragua was where Jon spent a month of his life, back in 2011, doing photo work with a local not-for-profit. That trip kickstarted his hunger for travel, and those connections undoubtedly led to us at this wedding (Vivian + Anthony found us while googling Nicaragua wedding photography).
A million and a half congratulations to our newlyweds. From Austin to Miami to Nicaragua, we thank you for trusting us with your day, and we wish you the very best in your new life together.
Mark + Mariam || Coptic Wedding Celebration at the Tides Estate
Mark + Mariam’s wedding celebration is finally here on the blog. We really enjoyed working with this super friendly, slightly goofy and very much down-to-earth couple. From their early morning engagement session at Lambert Castle a few months back, we learned just how easy-going and humorous this couple was.
On their wedding day, we felt like we were hit by a hurricane. The beautiful blend of culture + faith was very much evident in their traditional Coptic Orthodox wedding ceremony, followed by an elegant wedding reception at The Tides Estate, and topped off with seemingly endless amounts of dancing. Sandwiched between the festivities was a bridal party like no other. The twenty bridal party members surrounding our lovely bride + groom were certainly memorable. To say that they too were excited, wacky, outrageously funny and ready to celebrate this new marriage would have been a great understatement. All twenty of them were a riot to be around— full of enough energy, jokes, and antics to keep us on our feet all throughout the evening.
Our favorite part of the wedding day was definitely the reception. The entire evening of celebration– dancing, slideshows, numerous speeches, and surprise flash mob (led by the bride herself)– was so much fun to be a part of and document. Weddings, after all, are all about the celebrating and honoring of a covenant, and not simply just one big checklist and fancy clothes… and the way this couple celebrated their wedding, surrounded by a sea of loved ones, was very much proof of that covenant.
Congratulations once again to our newlyweds, Mariam and Mark !!
Cindy + Derek || Winter Weddings at The Addison Park
Almost one year ago today, we were delighted to have wrapped up our wedding season with Cindy + Derek’s gorgeous engagement session in Savannah, Georgia. Once again, we find ourselves finishing off the 2014 wedding season with the same amazing couple… and we couldn’t be more honored to do so with anybody else.
Truth be told, we at Dreamlite Photography have been looking forward to this day for quite some time. Having already “tied the knot” on paper, Cindy + Derek emphasized this particular marriage celebration be exactly that– a celebration. Shedding away many of the traditional wedding day formalities allowed this couple to have a really beautiful, easy-flowing schedule. By doing so, this couple made room for a whole lot of dancing, laughter, love, and a few tears along the way (the good kind).
Although the winter weather was in full swing by this weekend (with temperatures dipping to the 20’s), you probably couldn’t tell by the portraits we took around the Princeton University campus. That’s how brave our bride + groom were. We consider ourselves blessed by having such courageous couples to work with. Even when things got really cold, Derek + Cindy pushed through, knowing that these portraits would be worth it.
Typically, our blogposts are filled with real moments… authentic emotions, crazy dance moves, and candid images that reflect our couples’ wedding day stories. And in doing so, we hardly ever shine the spotlight on the details. Not that we have anything against details, but we simply prefer to highlight the living over the inanimate 🙂 However, there was no way we could share this wedding without applauding Nada and her team from DB Events for being the creative force behind all the wedding details. The amount of creative energy poured into making this all possible was truly unspeakable. Every single detail– from the suspended wedding cake to the elegantly designed centerpieces to the dream-like ambiance of the reception room– can be credited to the folks at DB Events. We even had the opportunity to watch two separate dance performances that evening: an Irish dance troupe, followed by Pali Dabke Arabic dancers, to honor our couples’ Irish and Palestinian backgrounds. Thank you DB Events for making the magic real.
Above all else, congratulations to Derek + Cindy on celebrating their new marriage!
(To see more of our work, and even more photos from their celebration, visit us on our facebook page)