Erin and Kenny’s wedding marked the end of an amazing 2018 wedding season and I could not be happier to have spent my last wedding of the year with Erin and Kenny! What a beautiful winter day it was…Erin and Kenny celebrated with all of their family and friends at the gorgeous One and Only Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park NJ. Each and every one of the winter, Christmas inspired details combined with the joy of everyone in attendance made this a winter wedding for the books!

Erin started her day with hair and makeup at a nearby hotel. As soon as I walked through the door, I was showered with congratulations from her family and bridesmaids for my OWN engagement! I have never felt so much love! I knew right from the get go that it was going to be a great day! I was able to start by taking photos of all the details in an empty hotel room which gave me tons of freedom and time to have fun photographing all of her Christmas-y wedding details!!

After I finished photographing Erin’s bridal details, we all headed over to the venue to get some pictures of the girls in their robes poppin’ champagne and getting in their beautiful gold sequin dresses! Then, all of the guys arrived at the venue too. They took the other half of the bridal suite (thanks to some sliding doors that divided the suite!) The girls were eager for the guys to get there because they had planted a surprise…a SMIRNOFF ICE for each of them! It was great and all the guys were champs and got down to chug the sugary goodness LOL.

With her mom’s help, Erin stepped into her dress and it was seriously such a beautiful moment. She looked absolutely stunning in her Justin Alexander gown! Once she was dressed, it was time for the first look with her dad! We did this down in the bridal suite and it was so so sweet when they saw each other for the first time! After hearing his speech, it’s so apparent how close their entire family is and I’m so glad we got to capture this moment!

Then, it was finally time for Erin and Kenny’s first look!! We put Kenny in position upstairs by the Christmas tree while we got Erin ready to see her groom. He was so excited when he turned around and they embraced and hugged and kissed in front of the beautiful twinkle lights until they were ready to do portraits together!

From there, we all went outside for their portraits in the courtyard behind the ballroom. This was great for two reasons. First, there were beautiful evergreen trees out here which made the perfect backdrop! And second, it was on patio pavers so we didn’t have to worry about Erin sinking into the grass or getting her dress dirty! Win, win.

After tons of amazing portraits out there, Erin and Kenny were joined by the wedding party and their families for the rest of the portraits. Their wedding party was SO MUCH FUN and literally the sweetest, best wedding party a photographer could ask for. They made us feel like part of their friend group and family all day long. I was so thrilled I could end my season with this group! Their family just welcomed us with open arms and Kenny emailed me after the wedding to tell me that he felt like we were part of the family – I almost cried!

After we finished all the formals, I asked Erin if we could take a few photos with her dress’ train on! We went inside and clipped it on and she transformed yet again into a (still) stunning sight! Her train was long and full of fluffy tulle and lace and it made my photographer’s heart SO DANG HAPPY. We took a few portraits with this on and then everyone hopped in cars and limos to head to the ceremony!

The ceremony was at Seton Hall University’s Chapel – Immaculate Conception and it was decked out with beautifullllll Christmas decor! Poinsettias, flowers, wreaths, and gold accents everywhere. They had a catholic ceremony with readings from beloved family and friends and many of the girls from their wedding party sang hymns! Erin was part of an acapella group in college so needless to say her AND her friends are insanely talented!

And the best part of the whole ceremony was the second they were pronounced husband and wife. Everyone screamed and clapped and cheered. It went on for like a solid MINUTE. I’ve never heard a congregation cheer a couple on so much. They are so so loved and it’s because they’re so incredible!

From the chapel, we went back to the venue, the One and Only Westmount Country Club. Erin, Kenny and the wedding party enjoyed a pre-cocktail hour in the bridal suite while we photographed the reception room. Then, the cocktail hour kicked off with delicious food and the venue’s famous Martini bar!

Once the cocktail hour ended, the wedding party and family lined up along with Erin and Kenny for their entrances. Because Gemini DJ’s were so insanely awesome, as well as the wedding party, the entrances were nothing but epic!

Erin and Kenny kicked the night off with an adorably sweet first dance to ”Then” by Brad Paisley followed by incredibly sweet parent dances. I bawled through the entireeeee set of dances to the point that I had to go wash my face cause I had eyeliner ALL over me. #embarrassing.

After the dances came the toasts, and if anyone ever doubted that Erin and Kenny were two of the most incredible people ever, all they’d have to do is listen to the toasts their friends and family gave. First, came Erin’s dad Colby who made me well up with tears as he talked about both Erin and Kenny’s work ethic, love for family and their careers, loyalty to friends, family and each other, and more. I’ve never seen a more proud father!

Next, came the best man, Kenny’s brother Russ and Erin’s two Maids of Honor, Meghan and Campbell speeches. All of them were special, funny, tear jerking and so so sweet. And then, when we thought the speeches were done, the best surprise of the night came! The Maids of Honors passed the microphone on to one of Erin’s other bridesmaids and she announced that they had prepared a surprise acapella set!! Erin wiped away tears with her napkin as they sang a compilation of songs, ending with 1000 years by Christina Perri.

I said it all day long to Erin, and even said it after the wedding, but her and Kenny surround themselves with the BEST people and this was proof. They are so loved! When all the formalities were done, the dance floor kicked off and didn’t stop for the rest of the night. Erin bought santa hats on Amazon that everyone enjoyed, and the dance floor was just insane!

I snuck Erin and Kenny outside for a few last minute pictures outside and I’m just so thrilled we got the chance to capture them with all the Christmas lights! When we said our goodbyes, they both embraced me and told me how special and personal and wonderful the entire wedding experience was. I got in the car afterwards and couldn’t stop talking about how incredible the entire day was, how special they are as a couple, and how thrilled I was that I got to end my season with these two incredible people!!

Erin and Kenny, I love you guys so much and I’m SO SO happy I got to be the one to capture your INCREDIBLE wedding day!! I know you have absolutely nothing but a lifetime of love ahead of you and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you both!! I hope our paths cross again soon!!!