Ann and Michael celebrated their Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury wedding on a perfect (yet, very warm) summer day. Ever since we started working together, it was clear that these two were SO in love and really compliment and bring out the best in each other! It was an honor to be a part of their wedding day and get to share in one of the most important memories of their lives together!

Ann and Michael met while they were both working in finance in New York City. After both leaving the field to pursue new careers, Ann and Michael happily moved away from the city to Hoboken. Now, they love spending time in their city, and love taking day trips to New York City and out to Long Island, which is actually where Mike proposed! Ann’s description of the proposal was so unbelievably sweet – as she describes, “the Atlantic Ocean in the background and the love of my life proposing. It was the perfect way and day!!!

They had such a great engagement session together in the city last year at The Cloisters! To read more about their session and Mike’s perfect proposal, head over to the Laura Lee Photography blog.

Ann and Michael’s wedding started with Ann getting ready at the Molly Pitcher Inn. I am obsessed with all of the gorgeous details from the bridal prep. Her amazingly talented sister in law, Emily, did the stationary. It was so beautiful! AND THEN, when the flowers by Bloomers Designs were delivered, my photographer’s heart was so freakin’ happy! The colors were amazing!

Everyone including all of Ann’s bridesmaids and both moms got ready at the hotel together. After all the bridal details were done, we all went outside for some quick bridesmaids photos before heading to the ceremony! The girls wore black, as did the guy’s tuxes and I LOVED how elegant it made everything!! The pops of color from the flowers were perfect!

The ceremony was held at St Catherine’s church in Spring Lake, NJ. Not only was this a beautiful church, but it was also the location where Michael’s entire family got married! I love when there is something so special and meaningful like that linked into the day!

After the ceremony, we did several photos of the wedding party and two families on the steps and the altar of the church. Then, everyone loaded up into a trolley to go over to the other side of the lake for a few shots with the church in the background looking across the lake. The whole setting was gorgeous – I thought this was such a great idea!

From there, we went to the venue for family formals, wedding party pictures and bride and groom portraits! Everyone was troopers for dealing with the heat (90+ degrees) and I’m always so thankful to couples and their friends and family for braving weather with me to make beautiful pictures happen!

After we had finished all of the portraits, Ann and Michael joined the cocktail hour with the rest of their guests. This gave my second shooter and I the perfect opportunity to get all the beautiful reception details before the guests walked into the reception area. AND THEN, the reception kicked off with the INCREDIBLE Marcus Reid Band – their motto is that they want you to feel like you’re in college again- ha! THEY WERE SO FREAKIN GOOD.

I loved how passionate each and every one of the band members was. Marcus did an amazing job putting together the best crew. I was mesmerized by watching their passion and joy unfold throughout the night. During dinner, the guests enjoyed Marcus playing some acoustic songs on guitar and I was blown away by his talent! Any couples in need of a wedding band, stop looking and go book them!

After the reception intros happened, Ann and Michael shared their first dance, followed by their parent dances and toasts. It was so clear during the toasts that every single person in the room was so invested in their love for each other. It was amazing to hear the speeches and see how cherished and loved they are by their friends and family!

The rest of the night was one epic dance party with everything from Zedd to Michael Jackson to Ed Sheeran to Dave Matthews and these two had a BLAST! Everyone was out on the dance floor getting down and enjoying the band. It was SO fun to see!

Ann and Michael, thank you for letting me celebrate (and dance!) to your love for one another! It has been such a pleasure and honor working with you two and getting to meet all of your beautiful family and friends. I cannot wait to see and hear more about what the future has in store for you both!