Mary Beth and Andrew’s Windrift Hotel Wedding in Avalon, NJ was an amazing way to kick off April wedding season! The fog floating along the beach didn’t dampen Mary Beth or Andrew’s spirits one bit, it was honestly pretty magical! Their blush.navy and neutral filled color palette was gorgeous!! Not to mention it looked so beautiful with the beach scenery surrounding the venue! This was my first time meeting Mary Beth and Andrew since they didn’t do an engagement session and I have to say, it felt like I’d known them for years!

In the morning the girls got ready at the Windrift Hotel where the reception would be held later that day. They had the cutest light blue robes on, covered in floral print which coordinated perfectly with the floral design on their invitation suite! We laughed hysterically as all the girls shared their favorite or funniest memory with Mary Beth and popped champagne which made for the best candid pictures! Mary Beth’s mother and Maid of Honor helped her into her into her Kate McDonald dress from Lovely Bride Philadelphia. I loved the layers of detail on her dress and the unique bow in the back!

The guys got ready at Mary Beth’s family beach house, and my friend Josiah was my second shooter! We kept joking that it was our first time hanging out on the East Coast cause everytime we see each other it’s at a photography conference in Arizona. He was AWESOME and I know the guys had a blast with him! I love when couples are just so incredibly amazing that their friends and family equate in amazingness. As a couple Mary Beth and Andrew are so down to earth, fun, and joyful and their family and friends were too! We had so much fun with this wedding party!

Before seeing Andrew, Mary Beth had a first look with her dad! These are always special moments shared with family that are almost just as emotional as first looks with the groom! This really is one of my favorite parts of the day! They shared this sweet moment in their hotel room and his reaction was pure joy!! Right after, Mary Beth and I went down to the beach for her first look with Andrew!

It was drizzling and misting rain out so I had an umbrella at the ready just in case but I am SO SO glad these two were down for pictures outside regardless!! We simply had a bit more fog than usual and this ended up giving us the most magical portraits you could imagine!! Andrew’s reaction was pure joy just like Mary Beth’s dad and these two couldn’t stop smiling and laughing through their whole hour of portraits. These are some of my favorite spring bride and groom portraits because of just how much LOVEEE is radiating from them!

Luckily, despite the drizzle and the fog, we still got to do wedding party pictures outside like we had hoped!! And they came out even more epic than I imagined!! The fog made for the perfect backdrop!! I am so happy these two didn’t let the drizzle or fog stop them from having such a great time. They’re truly such incredible people. I was OBSESSED with the colors of their wedding party attire for the guys and the girls and quickly changed my own wedding colors to be similar!! I lovedddd the neutral color palette of the girls dresses with the navy of the guys’ suits!

We had an amazing location on one of the walkways down to the beach that was perfectly hardened sand so we didn’t end up with sand all in our socks and shoes and just gave the perfect location for pictures. They had a huge, super fun wedding party and I’m so thankful they all made my day such a blast! These two are so loved by their friends and family! Once we were done with the wedding party pictures, it was time to go to the ceremony!!

Their ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Church in Avalon. Mary Beth’s dad walked her down the aisle to a beaming Andrew, and these two literally couldn’t stop smiling the whole ceremony! Love just radiates from them! They shared vows and exchanged rings and then when they were pronounced husband and wife the room completely erupted in applause and you couldn’t wipe the smiles from their faces if you tried! Right after the ceremony we took family formals at the church then headed back to the venue for cocktail hour!

When I walked into the reception space I had to pick my jaw up off the floor!! The details for their reception were INCREDIBLE! From the light streaming through the windows to the garland on their tables, to the tower of cupcakes for the dessert, everything looked AMAZING. As soon as the cocktail hour ended, the wedding party lined up, the guests got their seats and the intros and special dances began!

Mary Beth and Andrew shared their first dance as everyone watched in admiration. This was followed by parent dances and toasts from Mary Beth’s dad, the Maid of Honor, and Andrew’s two best men. This is always my favorite – hearing just how incredible these individuals are as people and as a couple – and what was said about Mary Beth and Andrew made my heart sing!

Once the toasts were finished the dance floor started and NEVER stopped! Their band, Ebe Sydney, did an INSANELY amazing job getting the dance floor packed all night and I really don’t think it could have been any better. I even did the worm in a dance circle for the first time in years!! Dancing ensued for the rest of the night and the dance floor was packed all night long! I have no doubt that everyone left with sore feet, full hearts, huge smiles, and joyful spirits.

Mary Beth and Andrew, it was seriously SUCH an honor to be a part of your wedding day. Your love for each other, your friends, and your family is truly so amazing, and listening to the speeches and toasts everyone gave on your behalf made me light up with joy. 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 – Chocolate Face

Bride’s Dress Boutique – Lovely Bride Philadelphia

Bride’s Dress Designer – Kate McDonald

Bridesmaids Dresses Designer – Jenny Yoo

Groom Attire – Ruddi’s Formal Wear

Groomsmens Attire – Ruddi’s Formal Wear

Florist – Maura Rose Floral & Event Design

Band – Ebe Sydney

Stationery Design – Madeline LaRosa

Catering – The Windrift

Ceremony Venue – Sacred Heart Church

Reception Venue – The Windrift