What a way to end the year! Samantha and David’s wedding at The Tide’s Estate last weekend was beautiful, joyful, (brutally cold) and every detail was executed perfectly. Samantha thought of everything, and had such stunning and unique details. From the color of the bridal dresses, to her absolutely stunning gown from Kleinfeld, designed by Eve Of Milady, every single part of the day was jaw-drop worthy. Honestly, I was there for 14 hours and I still didn’t want to leave.

I arrived early in the morning, while the girls were still in hair and makeup to begin shooting the details, and I’m so glad I did because her dress was absolutely magnificent and I wanted to be sure to get an incredible shot of it with her bridesmaids dresses. It took nearly 30 minutes to get them all hung because I had to climb up on a ladder to get that high! I think it’s time to order a retail clothing pole to hang things in high places! Once I got everything up there, I photographed her dress and all her details. I was especially obsessed with her veil and the beading on the edge, as well as the two Mrs. Boxes that held her rings! One for her maiden name and one for her married name!

While the girls got ready at the Tides Estate, the guys got ready at David’s parents house in Franklin Lakes, where my second shooter Tori documented them getting ready. I am blown away by how beautiful the interior of the house is! I was totally fooled and thought maybe they took these at the venue after coming over, but it was the master bedroom! So so stunning!

Once everyone was dressed, we did a first look with Samantha and her father, and then brought David outside for their first look (in the 21 degree temperate). They were SUCH troopers, and I’m so glad they decided to man the cold because the light outside was beautiful! You’d never be able to tell it was so cold (until you see the pictures of them in a Mink ha!) but Samantha made the perfect choice to wear a long sleeve gown.

After their portraits, we did wedding party outside and then went inside to dethaw and photography family formals. David’s family owns the venue, so it was really special to have them inside with the entire family! When everything was done, the family and wedding party got in a limo, and Samantha and David got into the old car they rented to head over to the ceremony at St. Anthony’s in Hawthorne. It was dark by the time we got out of the ceremony, so it was good that we were done with pictures by then!!

We went back over the the venue and started photographing the beautiful reception details that Samantha so wonderfully and beautifully planned out. Every seat had a custom laser cut name place, and the florals were beautiful palm leafs, which was such a cool juxtaposition to the wintery feel and palette of the wedding. They had a big “Mele” sign in front of their table which was such an awesome way to bring a personal touch in. They had Adelle Marcero, a Live Painter do a painting of their reception and it was so insane to watch her bring the night to life through her art. Their band, from Ariel Music and Events had every up and dancing all night and I knowwww that these guys really partied all night! It was such a blast celebrating their love story!