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!