Oh my goodness, what a way to kick off summer! Jess and JT’s wedding at Skylands Manor was nothing short of spectacular! Jess is a planner to her core and is SO good at making sure every detail is taken care of. Their wedding was June 1 and being that June can be hit or miss with weather, we were delighted to have a partly cloudy day with no rain until the second the ceremony ended!! Their colors were blush and grey and everyone was just lookin on fire with their suits and dresses!

I arrived at the bridal suite and was greeted by so many familiar and friendly faces! I was thrilled to be shooting alongside one of my favorite video teams – Authentic Photo and Tim and I kicked off the day with bridal details which were STUNNING. Jess’s bouquet from Peonies to Paintchips was TO DIE FOR and I got to work with her jewelry, flowers, invitations and special details.

While I was shooting the details, the girls were getting glammed by Mon Sheri Beauty. This bridal suite at Skylands Manor is pretty spectacular with its ornate wood walls and furniture, and after everyone was done with hair and makeup, we had a serious throwdown of a dance party while the girls popped champagne. When we wrapped up these pictures, I had all the bridesmaids hide out in the foyer of the bridal suite while Jess got into her Maggie Sottero gown from Bijou Bridal with the help from her Maid of Honor, Jenna and her mother. We were so excited to do a reveal with the girls when Jess had her dress and veil on – it was such a great moment!! Soon after, Jess had a first look in the bridal suite with her Step-Dad which was a moment we were all holding back tears for.

While all the girls were getting ready upstairs, JT and his groomsmen were getting ready downstairs in the library (um how awesome). Scott was my second shooter for this wedding which is always a blast and he had a great time with this wedding party! Plus, he’s friends with half the bridesmaids which is always super fun for him!

When everyone was ready, it was time for Jess and JT’s first look out in the gardens! This is the moment we’d all been anticipating all day and it was so amazing to watch all the anxiousness and the nerves melt away for a little bit while these two saw each other for the first time. I love this venue and all the unique spaces we have for portraits! We took a few portraits where we did the first look and then joined the wedding party in the front of the CASTLE. Yes, Castle, for wedding party pictures.

The wedding party pictures were definitely some of my favorites of the day! I mean seriously how can you beat the backdrop of a castle with ivy growing up the walls?! Oh wait, you can’t. Everyone was so fun to work with and we took tons of photos of the wedding party, bridesmaids, and groomsmen here! After that, I snuck a few photos of Jess and JT in front of the castle because how could I NOT? Then, the family started to arrive and we want back into the back gardens for tons of family formals!

After family formals, the guests were all seated at the ceremony location which was a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the lawn. The ceremony was held at Skylands Manor just like the rest of the wedding day (which makes my job a serious dream – so much less stressful!!) Jess’s dad walked her up half the aisle and then Jess’s Step-Dad walked her up the rest of the aisle to a beaming and excited JT. It was an unbelievably special ceremony as their priest actually married Jess’s mom and step-dad 20 years prior. He was emotional about it which made ME emotional about it too. A few friends and family shared readings during the ceremony, and once it was time for the first kiss I got my cameras ready because they had a CONFETTI CANNON!!! This was so fun and I kinda wish everyone did this haha!

Immediately following the ceremony, the skies opened up and it started to pour! JUST in time for everyone to get inside and enjoy an incredible cocktail hour! I went into the ballroom to photograph the amazing reception details while guests enjoyed plates of seafood and a myriad of other delicious appetizers!

The reception kicked off in the ballroom to an amazing introduction of the family and wedding party – everyone clearly ready to party. Jess and JT kicked it off with their first dance, followed by Jess dancing with her dad and then her step-dad, and JT with his mom. I definitely cried through all of these dances…it’s fine.

After the formal dances were finished, we got to hear some amazing toasts by their best friends and family and then dancing kicked off for the remainder of the night! DJ Express Entertainment did a great job keeping the dance floor packed and everyone had a BLAST! Scott even stayed til the very end of the reception but since my feet were about to fall off, I headed home around 10! I have no doubt everyone went home with just as sore feet as I did.

Jess and JT, it was seriously SUCH an honor to be a part of your wedding day. Thank you for choosing me to be the one to document these beautiful memories. I’m so thankful for amazing couples like you and I wish you a lifetime of happiness, joy and love for decades to come.

Wedding Cake – Frungillo Caterers

Bride’s Dress Boutique – Bijou Bridal

Bride’s Dress Designer – Maggie Sottero

Bridesmaids Dresses Boutique – Kleinfeld Bridal Party

Bridesmaids Dresses Designer – Kleinfeld Bridal Party

Groom Attire – Mens wearhouse

Groomsmens Attire – Mens wearhouse

Florist – Peonies To Paint Chips (Sabrinna)

Band/DJ – DJ Express Entertainment (Joe Ziza)

Ceremony Music if applicable – Art Strings Ensembles

Videographer – Authentic Photo (Tim Kuder)

Hair Artist – Mon Sheri Beauty