Betsy + Matt • Orange Lawn Tennis Club Wedding • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Back in May I had the pleasure of photographing Betsy and Matt's wedding 

for Jennifer Larsen Photography.
Despite the rain we were able to capture so many beautiful outdoor portraits as well as Betsy + Matt's  first look.

Both the ceremony and reception were held at Orange Lawn Tennis Club. 

Caitlin + Ryan • The Princeton Tower Club Wedding • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Caitlin and Ryan planned their nuptials at The Princeton Tower Club,
one of Princeton University's renowned eating clubs.

Their choice of venue was not random, however. Caitlin's uncle has been the manager of this club since she was a child and countless family events and holiday celebrations took place at the Tower. 

Needless to say, being able to hold their wedding there, made their day that much more special!

Caitlin and Ryan's event was a unique twist on the traditional wedding reception. They planned a daytime wedding with a brunch-themed menu!

After hair and makeup were done we photographed Caitlin and her bridesmaids wearing cute satin robes and making a toast for the soon-to-be Mrs. Gilbert! With the help of her friends and her mom Caitlin got into her gown and we all headed out to the park just a few steps away from the venue.

There the bride did the first look with her dad and then walk over to see her groom for the first time. They both could hardly hide their excitement!  

Caitlin and Ryan exchanged their own written vows in an outdoor ceremony in the front yard of The Princeton Tower Club.
After the cocktail hour, brunch was served on the back lawn. 

It was followed by an afternoon of dancing, games, and celebrating the new Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert!

Congratulations to The Newlyweds!

{Read Caitlin + Ryan's engagement story here and featured in New Jersey Bride ~ here}

Christina + Alex • Parents-To-Be Session • New Jersey Photographer

This past March, Christina and Alex gathered together with their family and friends to reveal the gender of their baby.
One of Christina's friends was given a sealed envelope a few days before and she filled the poppers with the correct color confetti. As their guests made their picks- team boy or team girl, the confetti was shot up to reveal that they were having a boy!!! Team blue won!

It was so much fun to capture the excitement of this special moment for the soon-to-be parents. 

A couple of weeks ago we met for their session, and the timing could not have been more perfect! 

It rained all day the day of Christina and Alex's shoot! But the sky cleared for us as soon as we arrived at Frelinghuysen Arboretum and allowed us to take these photos for the parents-to-be. 

Talk about luck!

We also captured their baby's nursery with all the adorable details, toy and books, and took a few pictures of Christina and Alex there. 

Their baby boy is due this August! 

Happy Father's Day!

"Dads are most ordinary men

turned by love into

heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, 

and singers of songs".

~ Pam Brown ~

Let's celebrate all the wonderful dads out there!

Happy Father's Day to my amazing husband - we are so lucky to have you!
And to my Dad - Tato, Kocham Cię!!

Katie + Clint • The Stone House At Stirling Ridge • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I am so excited to finally share Katie + Clint's wedding that I had the honor to photograph in March.

Katie + Clint's day was filled with so many beautiful details and many special touches, like writing their own vows or wedding gifts with very personal and sentimental meaning that tied to the history of their love.

HOW THEY MET

Katie has known Clint since she was 12 years old. He was in the grade above her and used to swim competitively across the street from her house. She remembers being a young girl and completely mesmerized by his shaggy hair and cute smile. She has been crushing on him ever since. 

THE PROPOSAL

~ From Katie ~ 
"Clint and I took turns every year surprising one another with anniversary plans. This is why it came as no surprise to me when Clint told me he wanted to take me into New York City for our 8th. I wasn't allowed to know where we were going or what we were doing and that's how we liked it.
 It just so happened that the weekend he had planned was expecting terrible weather. 
On the morning of our engagement I was begging him not to go! 
Who wants to walk around NYC in the rain?! With very little convincing (because I can't say no to his sweet face) I decided to go. Not without some complaining though ;). 
Clint took me to Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. One of our favorite songs by Mumford and Sons is titled 'Tompkins Square Park' and he's always told me that he'd take me there some day (I know.. he's adorable). After some walking around and a break in the rain, he stopped me, grabbed my hand and told me how amazing the last 8 years have been and how much he loves me. Next thing I knew he was on one knee and I completely blacked out everything else he said because all I could think of was YES! Two officer's in the park having lunch sounded their sirens and lit up their lights for us and bystanders quickly caught on and began clapping. It was more perfect than if it had been written for a movie. Clint had his sister and her fiancé take pictures from afar and also planned a surprise engagement celebration that night with some of our closest friends and family. 
The entire day was in true Clint fashion. So romantic and thoughtful. The best thing I ever did was vow to spend the rest of my life with him!"

Ahh, there were so many emotions involved when reading about their proposal!
Don't you all love a good love story?!

WEDDING DAY

Katie + Clint's wedding ceremony and reception took place at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge.

Katie was getting ready at her aunt's house nearby. I was so excited to photograph all of her gorgeous details! Her dress was absolute perfection! And let's talk about those shoes for a moment! Simply exquisite!
Once Katie was in her dress we all headed to The Stone House along with her five sisters and two sisters-in-law who were part of her bridal party.
After the bride-to-be did a first look with her dad, we headed outside for a very emotional bride and groom's first look.
This must be one of the sweetest moments of the day and one that makes me weak at the knees.
I love watching the couple's emotions and facial expressions as they see each other for the first time.
From tears of joy to ear-to-ear grins, Katie and Clint couldn't contain their excitement to soon be marrying each other!

Their first look and portraits were followed by family and wedding party photographs.

We then headed inside for their ceremony and reception.
It was such a beautiful celebration of their love and commitment to one another.

Congratulations to the Newlyweds!
Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Rachel + Dave • Cherry Blossom Engagement Session • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I am so happy that Rachel and Dave chose to have their engagement session during the cherry blossom season! 

Nothing says romance quite like these gorgeous pink blooms! They are simply magical!
Rachel and Dave's pup, Stanley, joined them for a few photos!

How They Met

Rachel and Dave met on match.com in 2013. They were both about to cancel their subscription but found each other just in time. They chatted back and then one date turned to two and many more. 

The Proposal

'Dave proposed in October 2017 on Friday the 13th. He was home and prepping for the big moment. I worked later than expected and it had been a long week. I called Dave to discuss plans for dinner and he told me he wasn't in the mood to do anything. I was pretty frustrated when I got home because I was looking forward to going out and relaxing. 

As soon as I got home he greeted me at the door and told me he had put some mums he had purchased from a work fundraiser in the back on the house. I looked at him confused and rolled my eyes, thinking why in the world would you put them in the back where no one would see them?!

We headed to our sunroom and out to our deck that overlooks a beautiful golf course. 

Dave then got down on one knee and proposed.' 

Rachel and Dave are getting married this June and I am super excited to capture their wedding day! 

Happy Mother's Day!

"Motherhood:

All love begins and ends there".

~Robert Browning~

Happy Mother's Day to all the Supermoms! 

To My Dearest Mom:

"Spośród wszystkich mam na świecie, tak się cieszę, że jesteś moją."

Kocham Cię, Mamo!

Crate & Barrel Private Registry Event • Bridgewater Commons • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

It was such a treat to be part of Crate & Barrel Private Registry Event back in February.
When Stacey Sainato of Peony Events reached out to me I could not contain my excitement!

I remember when my husband and I were putting together our wedding registry over a decade ago, with Crate & Barrel, and I wish we had participated in an event such as this. It is an amazing opportunity to meet the wedding professionals, ask any wedding planning related questions, get to know the latest trends, and to get inspired!

Crate & Barrel at Bridgewater Commons was sure to be filled with inspiration! From the gorgeous floral installation and center pieces by Jardiniere Fine Flowers, hand lettered menus by Little Black Dress Paperie, to place settings hand picked and styled by Stacey of Peony Events, and the delicious desserts by Montclair Bread.
 Let us not forget the stunning makeup and hair by Amy and Jessica of Beauty On Location NJ, along with the latest wedding fashion from I do I do and Bella Bridesmaids.

Elegant Music Group provided entertainment and a photo booth for the event.

Head over to Crate & Barrel blog to read more about the event.

Other Vendors:
Catering ~ Mangia Organica
Sampling ~ Nespresso || KitchenAid || Cuisinart || Coravin

Photography ~ Monika de Myer

Brielle + John • Parents-to-be session • New Jersey Photographer

Boy, oh boy! 

I was so excited to photograph Brielle and John's parents-to-be session at The Waterloo Village a couple of weeks ago. 

I met Brielle at a local college while taking photography classes a few years back. Later on I was honored to photograph their wedding which happened to be my very first. 

So, needless to say, I was over the moon when they asked me to be part of yet another special time in their life! 

Brielle and John are expecting their first baby this May! A little baby boy! 

And I could not be happier for them! 

Chloe + Gavin • Pleasantdale Chateau Wedding • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I am not exactly sure whether it was their love story or the incredible amount of love they had for each other that truly touched my heart. 

Chloe and Gavin tied the knot on the 9th anniversary of their first kiss!

Their ceremony and reception were held at the magnificent Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey.

Chloe and Gavin invited their family and closest friends to be a part of their first look. It was such a special and emotional moment.

After family formals and newlywed portraits we headed to ceremony hall.
Chloe and Gavin glowed with happiness as they recited their own thoughtfully written vows.
I don't think there was a dry eye in the room.

They celebrated the beginning of their life together surrounded by family and friends.

Shot for Brielle Kaschak Photography