Amanda + Gaston • Bear Brook Valley Wedding • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

 Amanda and Gaston were one of the couples affected by Covid and had to move their wedding date to fall 2020. After an emotional rollercoaster, heartbreak and disappointment, their wait was rewarded with the most beautiful day - weather wise, it was quite the opposite of their cold and gloomy original date!

It was just meant to be!

I must admit, it was nice to be back photographing what felt like 'a normal' wedding day and the masks were the only thing indicating we were still in the midst of a pandemic. 

The couple said: "Bear Brook Valley is a magical place. A beautiful venue tucked away in northwestern New Jersey, with a heart shaped pond, a whimsical forest swing, a gorgeous farmhouse ballroom and a menu made for the foodies we are! From the grounds to each and every detail, Bear Brook Valley is truly a hidden gem. We both fell is love with the beauty and elegance of this venue".

Amanda and Gaston's wedding theme was rustic elegance with soft blush florals and greenery with pops of berries. They love lush open flowers, hydrangeas, roses and soft eucalyptus leaves, and felt that the soft blush linens and the simple teacup candelabras complimented it so well. 

The couple exchanged their own handwritten vows in an emotional ceremony that showed how truly profound and deep, tender and caring their love was for one another. There wasn't a dry eye in sight including mine...

Congratulations to the New Mr. & Mrs. Peralta! 

May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy and happiness!

Amanda & Gaston's wedding was features on New Jersey Bride!

Laura + Adam • Normandy Beach Minimony • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I don't think I could ever get enough of beach ceremonies, sessions, etc.! 
I was so excited when Laura and Adam reached out to me to photograph their minimony on Normandy Beach. 

They, as many other couples affected by Covid, had to reschedule their wedding to a later date but decided to still become Mr. & Mrs. in 2020. 
Surrounded by their closest family and friends, Laura and Adam exchanged their vows in an intimate beach ceremony, and it was absolutely perfect!  
I must say these two know how to have fun together and don't take themselves too seriously! 🙃 

Here is their love story!

How they met

"We met in May 2014 at Three Sheets Saloon in NYC. We were both attending a work-related happy hour event (our companies worked together but Adam was new and we had never met). It was a little rowdy for a work event as we played beer pong together and then kept the night going at a karaoke bar. We totally hit it off and the chemistry was so obvious to all our coworkers. However, Adam forgot to ask for my number, so the next morning he emailed me at work to make his move. The rest is history!"

First date

"Our first date technically was a few nights after we met when Adam invited me over to his apartment to watch Mad Men with his roommates. Not very romantic, so we consider our first date the second time we hung out - We went to a speakeasy, The Blind Barber, for cocktails followed by dinner at a delicious Spanish tapas restaurant in the East Village."

The Proposal

"In September 2018 we were headed to Piermont, NY to what I thought was Adam’s dad’s 60th birthday party. When we arrived, Adam insisted we check out the views of the river quickly before heading inside the restaurant. Piermont is one big pier and it was beautiful. As we walked over to the water I realized there was a gazebo which was all decked out with photos, roses, string lights, and champagne. He popped the question inside the gazebo and then our families came running out from hiding spots to congratulate us! There was no birthday party!"

Favorite things to do together...

"Adam loves cooking and Laura loves eating. We both love cozy nights in (especially these days) and watching true crime documentaries together or playing games while sipping bourbon (him) and wine (her). We love little weekend adventures, trips to the shore, and particularly Cape May."

Laura loves that Adam is very patient, calm, decisive, wise (like super Jeopardy smart), level-headed, caring, and loving. She admires him and says he is her rock. She adds: -"I love that he balances out my crazy."

Adam's favorite thing about Laura is that she is fun-loving, outgoing, incredibly perceptive (she notices everything!), and selfless. She brings out the best parts in him and is his constant cheerleader, always pushing him when he needs it the most. "Best part, she laughs at all of my jokes, no matter how stupid they are."- He adds.

If you could pick one word to describe you as a couple, what would it be?  Cozy

Congratulations, Laura & Adam! 

I am so excited for your big celebration this December! 

Samantha is 9!

 

I swear I feel like I blinked and she went from a baby to a tween! 

Samantha is mature beyond her age and I often catch myself in disbelief she's only 9!

This past year has been so challenging for all of us and I am so proud of how well she has adjusted to the new reality and has been navigating through all the changes. She became very independent, she can make her own breakfast, wash, dry and fold her own laundry (!!!), and hardly ever asks for help with her school work. 

During the pandemic, Sam started taking acting lessons just for fun but it quickly became apparent how passionate she was about it. She's been taking voice lessons and even had a small concert before Christmas! She is soon to begin in-person acting classes which she is very excited about! She may have squealed a little when she found out! 

Samantha’s dance recital looked a little different last year. There may not have been a big stage, bright lights and an audience to perform in front of but it was just as special! She got to wear her costume, she still got to dance, and she was honored for her 5 years at the West Side Dance Center! 

2020 was also the year of Sam's First Holy Communion although covid made us wait for this special celebration a few months longer.

She is bossy and sweet, knows what she wants and goes for it (subject to mom & dad's approval ;), she's funny and fun, fearless and tenacious! 

Happy 9th Birthday, Samantha! 

I have no words to describe how proud we are to be your parents! 

We love you more than you will ever know!  

Melissa + Chris • WoodsEdge Farm Engagement Session • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

This was such a fun session! 

Melissa and Chris chose to have their engagement photos taken at their wedding venue, WoodsEdge Farm in Stockton, New Jersey. It was such a great idea to scout the grounds and practice a few poses before their wedding day. And the best part? Well, we got to hang out with the llamas! 

This totally got me excited for their big day!

Here is their love story and a few of my favorites from their session. 

How they met

'We met in June of 2013 after initially meeting on Tinder. We first met in Manhattan’s East Village at The Cube, a sculpture located in Astor Place and a big landmark that made it easy to find each other. We were having such a great conversation that we walked in circles around the East Village, passing our destination several times.'

The proposal

'On January 19, 2019, we had planned to go into the city to go to the East Village and revisit some of our favorites bars and restaurants from when we were first dating. There was a state of emergency going into effect that night for an impending snowstorm but Chris was adamant that we would be back home before the weather turned so we stuck with our plan. He parked his car in a garage in the East Village and as we walked to the restaurant I thought we were going to, we passed the Cube at Astor Place where we first met and Chris proposed. I was in complete shock and immediately started sobbing happy tears. There were only a handful of people around because of the snowstorm but a stranger on the street shared a couple of photos she took when she realized what was happening. I remember it was so cold but we just kept walking in circles around the East Village like our first date but this time we were calling friends and family to share our good news. '

Melissa & Chris got married in October 2020 at WoodsEdge Farm. 

I cannot wait to share their beautiful wedding day!

Congratulations!

Kaitlyn + Tim • Hoboken Engagement Session • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Cobblestone streets and some of the best Manhattan views! 

Kaitlyn and Tim chose Hoboken for their engagement session because this is where they first met and where they both used to live. 

We took a stroll down cobblestone streets to the waterfront and then back to the park nearby Kaitlyn's old apartment. It was so nice to get to know them, their love story, and the details of their fall wedding. 

How they met

'We met on a dating app, Bumble. We were both living in Hoboken at the time and decided to grab drinks at Cooper’s Union. Tim was late despite only living only a block from the bar leaving

Kait feeling rather skeptical. When he finally arrived, the two of us engaged in such effortless banter, which derailed us both off our traditional first date scripts. Everything, from day one, was unlike every other dateeither of us had been on. I guess you could say the rest is history.'

The Proposal 

'Tim knew he was going to propose right as the country was locking down in March. As a

result of the pandemic, he had to hold on to his “secret” for several months despite being couped up in a One-bedroom condo with Kait and her relentless detective skills. Once the time came to finally pop the

Question, Tim informed Kait’s best friends and the told Kait that we should have dinner in Hoboken since The restaurants were open again and we hadn’t been there in a while. Kait decided to invite her best Friends out to dinner since we had not seen them recently. They quickly agreed to dinner plans. Kait

Was under the impression that she had set the whole night up, while Tim was pulling strings in the back-

Ground with Kait’s friends to lure her out to the Pier right before the skies opened up for a torrential

Summer thunderstorm. Tim popped the question, Kait said “yes” and we sprinted back inside before the Rain.'

Congratulations, Kaitlyn & Tim! 

I cannot wait for your wedding day this November! 

Rachel + Greg • LBI Beach Minimony • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

2020 was one interesting year, to say the least! So many couples had to postpone their wedding, some more than once. A few of them, like Rachel and Greg, decided to hold a small ceremony in 2020 and their big wedding in 2021. 

Their beach minimony was absolutely beautiful and so romantic! 

꧁ ꧂

Rachel and Greg met during college at Rutgers University.

The Proposal

Greg told Rachel they were going to brunch at the Boathouse in Central Park for one of his coworker's going away party. While walking through the park (and after taking a very roundabout route) Greg got down on one knee and proposed! Rachel was in complete shock and so confused that there was no brunch or going away party! They came back to Hoboken, called their friends and family, and the two of them enjoyed a lovely brunch at a local spot.

On the weekends, you will find them cooking new recipes, trying new wines from around the world, or watching whatever sports are in season. They both love the Yankees, tailgating for Rutgers football games, and binge watching Breaking Bad for the millionth time.

Rachel says that Greg is always doing something: whether it's planning their next trip, making an excel spreadsheet to organize their lives, or rearranging their furniture for better feng shui. He always encourages her to have fun and live her best life. Greg is constantly surprising Rachel with her favorite snacks, flowers and notes that make each day brighter.

Greg says that Rachel is his biggest cheerleader. She knows he can succeed in anything that he puts his mind to and she continues to push him to be the best version of himself. She just makes him a better person.

One word to describe them as a couple- Team

Congratulations, Rachel & Greg! 

I am so excited for your big celebration this summer! 

Samantha + Bret • Liberty State Park Engagement • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

 

Samantha and Bret did not let a little bit (ok, A LOT) of rain ruin their engagement session! 

The sky did not look promising as we met at Liberty State Park back in August. We did have some "dry" time before the downpour but I must admit that the rain added a little bit of magic to their photos.  

HOW THEY MET

Samantha & Bret were introduced by a mutual friend who is now one of Samantha’s bridesmaids! They hit it off right away and began dating. A few months later Bret finally asked to make it official. On March 13, 2015 they first said “I love you” to each other and now 6 years later on that same day they will be getting married in front of all their family and friends.

HOW HE PROPOSED

On March 7, 2020, Bret had been living in Charleston, SC and Samantha in New Jersey,

Bret flew up to spend the weekend. 

Samantha and Bret love going for walks on the many beaches that their travels have taken them. 

And they decided to go for a walk on the beach at Point Pleasant. 

It was a chilly and windy day, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. After playing a few games at the arcade, Bret winning them all, as usual, they continued to walk down the boardwalk. 

The beach was technically closed for the winter, but the two of them snuck in in order to walk closer to the water and look for sea glass. At that moment, Bret knelt down as to grab a piece of sea glass but instead took a gorgeous diamond ring out of his pocket and asked “Will you marry me?” 

Samantha of course said “Yes!”

Congratulations, Samantha & Bret! 

I cannot wait to capture your big day in just a few weeks!

2020 Family Sessions Recap • New Jersey Family Photographer

I feel so incredibly blessed to have so many amazing clients ("old" and new) whom I had the pleasure of photographing last year! 

Despite the pandemic I was able to capture a few special moments for them that brought back some "normalcy". 

Here is a quick recap of 2020 family sessions. 

 

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Carey + Christian • Princeton University Engagement • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

It was my very first time photographing at Princeton University campus and I am totally in love! There are so many amazing spots for photos and the architecture is just stunning! 

I first met Carey and Christian at Carey's sister's wedding earlier this year (see it here: Maegan + Ryan). I was so excited when Christian proposed to Carey and they asked me to be their wedding photographer! Such an honor!!

HOW THEY MET 

"We met at The College of New Jersey where we both went for our bachelor degrees. We had some mutual friends and we were active in the same Christian organization on campus. Christian was two years older than me and we really didn't start hanging out until his senior year. Christian made it seem platonic but clearly he had different intentions!"

HOW HE PROPOSED

"We went on a sunrise hike at High Mountain in North Haledon, NJ right near Christian's grandparents. From the summit, you can see clear views of NYC and it provides breathtaking views with the sun rising behind the buildings. This place was significant for Christian because it was where his parents got engaged 30 years ago. We sat on one of the rock outcrops overlooking the city when Christian asked me to stand up and then he got down on one knee. The rest was history."

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Carey + Christian tied the knot this November! I cannot wait to share their gorgeous wedding very soon. In the meantime, enjoy so many favorites from their engagement session at Princeton University. 

Merry Christmas from The de Myers!

 

2020 has been a year to remember or some may say, a year to 'forget it ever happened'! 

Hoping this holiday season and 2021 brings us better days and much happiness. 

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. "

Agnes M. Pahro

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from The de Myers!