A classic, romantic wedding for two world travelers held at The Palace at Somerset Park…

Kristin shared, “We were immediately drawn to your unique, high-quality photographs and your creative use of color and space.” During our initial meeting Kristin & Brian commented about how different my images looked, that they highlighted the architecture and captured authentic emotion.  They also mentioned how much they liked images with visual drama and contrast.
Kristin continued, “The day of the wedding, we were even more blown away!  You came well prepared with a lot of energy, inspiration and even some back up ideas for the pending rain… but more than that, we felt completely amazed by your creativity and ability to make even the simplest poses and photos look so unique.”
Kristin summarized, “We knew that we could trust you to understand our vision and capture our day using your creative eye and imagination.”  I knew that they were going for a classic, elegant, timeless, romantic look and the moment I saw her bouquet, the full wedding aesthetic came together for me… it definitely had all of those qualities, but was also bold, colorful and dramatic and I understood why they were drawn to my high-contrast images initially…

It was important for Kristin and Brian to have flowers that were bold and colorful, but also to incorporate garland and greenery to bring in the romantic flair.
Kristin shared, “We tried to set the stage for our style from the beginning with the invitations. Hudson Paperie in Hoboken, did an amazing job creating a custom suite that incorporated our classic, elegant, timeless look on the main invitation and incorporated the flowers and greenery on the RSVP, Reception card and envelopes.”
She continued, “We ‘sealed’ the look with our wax seal on the invitations.”  I found the perfect background for them, one that was dark, yet organic and would allow them to boldly and dramatically “pop”.
Kristin & Brian love to travel and often keep journals during their big trips.  This is a journal that Kristin picked up along her travels and I appreciated the worn pages and thought it fit their look and story so well that I used it to photograph their wedding rings.

I couldn’t get enough of these gorgeous blooms and found myself coming back to take a closer look.
Brian shared, “Kristin took on the job of flowers for the wedding since honestly, it was the part of wedding planning she was looking forward to the most. Lidia of Twisted Willow took Kristin’s vision and made it into a reality beyond what she could have ever imagined.”

I kept the simple, clean, dramatic look going for Kristin’s shoes, too.  I like how it almost looks like they are sitting in water here:

Kristin shared, “This teacup was a memento from the where Brian proposed: Château de la Chèvre d’Or in Eze, France.  We purchased them to serve as a small reminder of the day and to use when times get crazy to help bring us back to that perfect day. It was sweet to have them there the day of the wedding as a small reminder to the day that started it all!”

Brian wrote a heartfelt letter for Kristin to read, he even sealed it in gold.   I like the intimate feel as she opens it…

Brian also picked up a unique gift for Kristin when he was in London.  He shared, “It was perfect item to capture our shared love of traveling and also the love Kristin’s bridesmaids have for her.”
Reading their notes and affirmations literally brought tears to her eyes.

Kristin showed me her something blue, it was a piece of one of Brian’s blue shirts that she hand-stitched on the inside of her wedding gown…

Her gown was stunning, a Pronovias dress from Castle Coutoure.  It was classic, elegant and timeless.
Kristin shared, “I loved how the dress’s champagne underlay made the intricate lace stand out and how the long train added to the dramatic feel.”
I pushed myself creatively on this photograph, capturing the lace detailing, the silhouetted bride and her reflection.

I love the intimacy of this moment.  Kristin’s sister brings her the wedding gown and she prepares to slip into it.  The dark, shadowy lighting fits this moment perfectly.

Brian shared, “There is no better person to be my partner through the up’s and down’s of life than Kristin. She is strong-willed, determined, but also loving, compassionate and caring. I have seen her accomplish anything she devotes herself to.”
He continued, “What made me fall for Kristin was the undeniable fact that she is truly my better half. Over the years that we have known each other, she has revealed the best in life to me. She loves life and others in such a compelling way that it really made me see everything differently.”
I have several beautiful photographs of Kristin in her wedding gown, but I find this photo to be especially fitting as it captures both her softness and her strength.  Her facial expression is soft, her hand is over her heart and a single tendril cascades to her bare shoulder.  The lighting is dramatic and strong, as is the angle created by her arm and the side view of her face accentuating her sharply defined cheekbones…

She peers out the window revealing her long tulle veil and train.  The seamstress recommended doing a French bustle on Kristin’s dress to add a bit our European flair, which you will see once the dancing begins.

Kristin shared, “We brought in more of that classic, elegant, timeless feel by selecting neutral light blue/grey dresses for the bridesmaids. We followed a popular trend by having the bridesmaids select their own dresses within that color scheme and having different textures and colors with some girls in tulle, chiffon, lace or glittery lace.”
She continued, “Each dress brought out their personalities and personal preference.  The tulle and lace tied nicely into the look of my veil and gown.”  Make-up was provided by Dina’s Kiss and Makeup, they were great to work with and had everyone looking beautiful…

Kristin said, “My bridesmaids are some of the most fun, loving and fiercely loyal people I know. I am lucky enough to call these women my friends and life companions. Some I have known for almost 15 years, I have gotten through high school and college with them, lived with them, traveled with them, climbed mountains, ran marathons, and generally enjoyed every aspect of life with them.”
She continued, “I admire each one of them so much. I absolutely loved having them with me the day of the wedding, they could read when I was nervous or stressed getting ready and instantly found ways to make me smile and relax.”

Now, on to Brian’s turn in the spot light!
While I was photographing Kristin and the ladies, Kris was photographing Brian and his groomsmen.  Dang, he knows how to tie a tie.  Kris captured this one swooping motion perfectly and used the same dramatic lighting technique that I used for Kristin’s preparation photographs– I love it!

Kristin shared, “While Brian is handsome, funny, incredibly smart and hardworking, what made me fall for him was the way he made me feel when I was around him. He brings a unique perceptive to life, one that makes every moment better and brighter.”
She continued, “His dedication and commitment to his family and those he loves showed a selflessness that inspires me every day. He is always thinking about how to make sure I am happy and feel loved, and gives me a confidence I never had before. He challenges me to be the best version of myself and is truly my better half.”
Timeless– check, classic– check, I’d believe that this was shot in 1960, 1930 or today!

Kristin elaborated, “Brian is my number one supporter, sounding board, and the best partner in life I could have imagined. I never stop learning from him and I look forward to a lifetime of journeys together.”
I really like how these photos capture Brian’s serious side, on the morning of the wedding he was focused on the details and really wanted all of the logistics to go smoothly.  I’m so happy that Kris was able to capture his intensity, drive and dedication to his bride and this wedding, it was very sweet.
GQ called, they want their model back 😉

Brian shared, “The groomsmen and I were in three-piece suits as a way to subtly incorporate my family roots in Ireland. In old family photos, the men in my family were always dressed in shirts, vests, and a jacket.”
He went on, “For me, it was important to honor the sacrifices and hard times my family went through to create a better future for us, and a way for us to always remember their humble beginnings. Having the suits be fitted was an important piece in pulling our look together.”

I had the pleasure of working at St Mary of Mount Virgin Church in New Brunswick again for Kristin & Brian’s wedding.
I love capturing moments of candid, authentic expression.  Here the bride arrives at the church and is noticed by a few wedding guests.  The young ring-bearer’s wave is especially adorable…

The church was incredible complete with hundreds of hand-painted frescos!
Brian explained, “We really lucked out with the church. The church we originally reserved for our wedding had a pipe burst 5 weeks before our wedding date, and because of the structural damage from the flooding, we would no longer be able to use it.”
He continued, “So after some panic stricken days looking for other churches, St. Mary of Mount Virgin just happened to be available on that day and we reserved it immediately. It really felt like a gift from God. Each and every time we walked into the church, we were awe struck and we felt like its beauty embodied our love for one another.”
In this photo I wanted to showcase the frescoes and the epic size of this venue.  Kristin and her father begin to ascend down the aisle, their reflections echoing subtly in the marble floor…

Brian shared, “I was still thinking about the logistics and hoping women had arrived without any issues. Then when I saw the doors at the end of the church open, and I was able to lock eyes with Kristin, I forgot everything I was distracted with. A wave of relief came over me!”
He went on, “I just thought, ‘Nothing else matters now.’ My ability to view everyone else in the church seemed to become blurry as I just focused on Kristin and how utterly stunning she looked.”
Kristin shared, “I was filled with a sense of calmness and joy as I locked eyes with him and walked down the aisle. He looked so handsome in his suit and the reality of it being our wedding day finally hit.”
Kristin’s father kisses her on the cheek as he entrusts her to Brian.  I like that you are able to see Brian’s expression and that of a few of the wedding guests, also the stained glass and her bouquet.

Kristin recalled, “I anticipated feeling nervous, standing up in front of all our family and friends, but as soon as I got to the alter and held Brian’s hand everyone else disappeared. Nothing felt more natural than being next to him and saying my vows to him.”

I keep an eye out for natural, authentic moments and emotion throughout the day.  Here one of Kristin’s bridesmaids wipes a tear as she views the ceremony.

Kristin shared, “Everything we did in the church felt so simple, but when you gave me a sneak peek at a few of the images on the back of your camera, we were amazed by your ability to make everything look so vibrant and unique!  We were absolutely blown away by the way you were able to capture the beautiful fresco and colors!”

Brian shared, “A wave of relief came over me.  With Kristin by my side I truly felt emboldened to take on anything any day thereafter.  There is no better person to be my partner through the up’s and down’s of life than Kristin.”
Applause from all of the wedding guests and smiles from the newlyweds, annother fantastic shot by Kris…

One more kiss before they leave the church.  I love their silhouettes framed by the pipe organ and stained glass…

As they headed outside of the church it was apparent that is was raining– they stayed close under the cover of umbrellas.
I like the honesty of this image.  The slick, black umbrella, drenched and beading up with water, Kristin in white, smiling, dry and elegantly descending the staircase with her veil and dress in one hand and holding her hair back from the wind with the other, all while smiling and looking back at Brian who appeared impressed by this incredibly capable woman.
I’m not sure what they were thinking during this moment, but I knew Kristin had her heart set on outdoor photographs in the Palace gardens, I can’t help but think that is one of the thoughts on her mind as they escape the downpour for the shelter of the Bentley.

When we arrived, it was still raining, but I had watched the forecast and knew it was a possibility.  I also knew that the Palace had a perfect entrance that could protect us from the rain and still capture the gardens and columns that Kristin loved so much as well as the Bentley provided by Action Limos…

We headed inside for a bit.  Here I photographed their reflections in the mirror.  I liked how this one image is able to capture the ornate gold-work on the mirror, the staircase that ascends to their bridal suite, and hints of the columns and woodwork throughout.

Kristin shared, “We knew a large bridal party would be a lot to manage and were really impressed with your ability to wrangle our bridal party for traditional photos without becoming overwhelmed, even when *we* were!”
I used the Grand Foyer of the Palace to pose this bridal party of 20.  I liked the dramatic background of the columns and drapery and wanted the photograph to have a classic, sophisticated feeling while still being different and unique.
It took me a little bit of time to perfect everyone’s poses and the lighting, but the bridal party was great and willing to ‘get down,’ haha, so that I could fit all of them in one shot.

The weather cooperated and we were able to return outside!  I captured a few traditional portraits of Kristin and Brian. This is one of my favorites…

Brian explained, “At the heart of it, we are each other’s best friend. Faithful companions in life’s adventure, challenging each other to be better tomorrow than we were today, and to know that no matter what, we will love and support each other.”

Such a loving, warm, embrace– I like the intimate feel of this image and that you can see both of their wedding bands…

Kristin was ecstatic about being able to walk the Palace at Somerset‘s gardens.  I captured the surrounding architecture as well as the plants and trees as they walked arm in arm.
Brian added, “Our relationship is based on genuine love and respect for the other, and we treat each other in a way that we feel upholds those ideals.”

I believe, in life, when you are given lemons, you make lemonade, so when rain was forecasted, I wanted to make the best of it and create something truly unique for them!
Kristin shared, “We appreciated the energy and preparation that you invested in our wedding day.  When we were walking through the Palace gardens and you asked us to stand near the puddle, we would have never imagined the photograph that you showed us on the back of your camera, full of texture and dynamic layers!”
She continued, “We feel so fortunate to have our lives’ memories to be captured by you.”

All of the rain made the Palace gardens lush and vibrant and I utilized the cloud cover to make it look even more soft and romantic…

It continued to rain on and off, but Kristin and Brian embraced it and trusted my vision.  I was able to experiment with new techniques that resulted in truly unique images for them.  Probably the two most important resources I need to experiment like this are trust and time, and Kristin and Brian shared both…
Ok, I’m going to get a little deep here… for me this image truly reflects two souls becoming one.  The rainbow orb between the two of them was captured in camera.  The photograph shows flowers (which can symbolize new beginnings and romance) and rain (which can symbolize tears and things not going as planned).  In life we have both and rain makes the flowers grow.  😉

Wedding guests were greeted by an over the top cocktail hour featuring multiple chefs and stations.  One chef entertained guests creating mouth-watering, hand-pulled, fresh mozzarella for their Caprese salad appetizers, some also enjoyed the made-to-order cheese with proscuitto, boccacini & bruschetta.
Other chefs created other appetizers including this asparagus, beef wrap carving station below as wait-staff passed butled hors d’oeuvres.

Kristin explained how she incorporated their love of travel into the reception, “With the Vintage Postcard table numbers and place cards, it was a way to share some of the places we have traveled with the people who are most dear to us while imparting that timeless, classic feeling to our guests.”

Each of the table numbers were actually antique postcards displaying the various destinations that Kristin and Brian had traveled to– some stateside– New York, Texas, etc.  Others abroad: Paris, Bali, Cinque Terre, Costa Rica, Barcelona and more.  They strategically sat guests at certain tables, part of Kristin’s family was seated at Texas, while several of Brian’s family members were seated at Ireland.
She continued, “Brian’s parent’s both moved here from Ireland. One of Brian’s siblings lives here now and then his three other siblings still live in Ireland.  He still has many family members there, who we love to visit.  He was so happy to have so many of them make the trip to the states for our wedding!”

Brian shared, “Our entrance into the reception was one of our favorite parts of our wedding day!  The energy and excitement was so high!”

He continued, “We chose a Frank Sinatra song for our first dance to stick with a classic love song and also to incorporate a piece of Hoboken as well as it is Frank Sinatra’s birthplace and the place where Kristin and my love really blossomed.”
I love capturing moments like this– a dip and kiss as the bridal party applauds in the background…

Though I *really* love moments like this!
Brian shared, “Adrian caught us by surprise, he doesn’t usually say much but he gave a comedic and incredibly well delivered speech!”  Everyone was roaring with laughter, especially those gathered around the sweetheart table… I love everyone’s unique expressions!

Cheers!  I climbed to an interesting vantage point for this part of their toasts as I wanted to capture them clinking glasses and show the architectural elements including the beautiful fireplace and chandelier as well as Kristin & Brian caught in the moment…

Kristin’s sister’s speech was incredibly thoughtful and touching.  Here Kristin wipes a tear as she listens to it:

Kristin explained, “While I have a lot of close friends, I only have one sister. Being Rebecca’s big sister has always been a big part of my identity. I’ve learned so much from her, especially as we’ve grown up. We went from fighting over clothes, to helping each other get through tough times. I respect and admire her more than she knows and am so happy she was our maid of honor.”
The speech was followed by a huge hug!

Kristin said, “We were just pleasantly surprised by everyone (young or old, dancers and non-dancers) up and dancing and having fun!”
She continued, “Mazz Entertainment and DJ Paul Desisto did the most fantastic job keeping our guests entertained and keeping the energy levels high all night, our dance floor was packed until midnight!”
I have probably have a hundred photos of the wedding guests dancing, so it was hard to choose just one to blog, but I really like this aerial view.  You can see just how packed the dance floor is, yet still make out individual couples and groups dancing together.  I wanted to really show off the setting, the columns, chandelier, fireplace, etc.

Brian shared, “What I am looking forward to with her is a life of endless adventure. I have gone on many trips with family and friends, but no one person is a better companion than Kristin. That sense is also true for my life. There is no better person to be my partner through the up’s and down’s of life than Kristin.”

Kristin shared, “Having Brian by my side makes all adventures more exciting and challenges more easy to face. He reminds me to stop and enjoy life’s little moments and pleasures when I might rush through things to get to the finish line. I never stop learning from him and I look forward to a lifetime of journeys together.”
They stepped out in the rain to enjoy some time alone together in the cool of the evening…

While I love the dramatic, colorful image above, I really like the classic, timeless look of this photograph:

Kristin & Brian, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and for allowing me the pleasure of photographing your wedding!  I hope these images are just as unique, colorful, creative, classic, timeless, architectural, emotional and dramatic as you had hoped!  I can’t wait to hear what you think of them!
If you would like to see more of Kristin & Brian, you’ll want to check out their engagement photography session in Hoboken, here.  I absolutely loved that, too!