Ashford Estate Wedding
Elise and Michel couldn’t have chosen a better backdrop for their wedding day than the Ashford Estate in Allentown, New Jersey. As a photographer, I often get to work in beautiful places, but Ashford Estate wedding photography is in a league of its own. Imagine a venue spread across 30 acres of land, each inch crafted to offer the kind of picturesque beauty you usually only see in classic paintings. From the expansive mansion to the tranquil landscapes, each setting not only met but elevated the couple’s unique vision for their day.
To say that the Ashford Estate caters to a myriad of wedding styles would be an understatement—it’s a place where any couple can see their wedding dreams fully realized, captured in photographs that do justice to both the setting and the sentiments. From the barn to the ballroom, every piece of the day was tailored specifically to Elise, Michel, and their own story.
The couple’s rings were unique and lovely. I especially adored Michel’s wood-accented wedding band.
The couple had a triple-ring velvet box to hold all of their bands, embossed with their new last name’s first initial.
Each of their details were well thought-through, from the invitation suite to Elise’s pearl-studded block heel shoes.
I love Suite 9 at Ashford. The huge window makes a great backdrop for detail and getting ready photos, especially when a wedding dress is involved!
I love that Ashford Estate has an actual salon on the ground floor for clients to get ready!
The couple’s first look took place outside near the Gazebo and the Ruins. The front lawn space at Ashford Estate is massive, with dozens of excellent locations for photos.
We also got to take advantage of the gorgeous tree-lined driveway for more portraits after the first look.
I kept coming back to this path that led to the Gazebo and the Ruins. The light in Elise’s hair was just too beautiful to pass up!
Then it was back to Suite 9 for the ketubah signing! The huge windows provided excellent natural light, and I was so glad to be back in that gorgeous setting again for more photos.
After veiling the bride and putting on the groom’s kippuh it was time to head to the barn for the wedding ceremony.
The ceremony took place in Ashford Estate’s unique 1800s rustic dairy barn, a really gorgeous space, especially during the daylight hours.
After the ceremony we took a few more family photos and then it was sunset time with Elise and Michel. I’ve been to Ashford Estate several times, but this was the first time I got to photograph a couple on the outdoor swing.
Merri-Makers is the exclusive caterer at Ashford. They offer a comprehensive range of services that cover everything from menu planning to decor – they also help with coordination, which was extraordinarily pivotal in ensuring we had enough time with Elise and Michel to take their portraits.
We photographed Elise and Michel for a few more minutes – enough to get great sunset shots, but not so long that they missed cocktail hour!
The details and decor in the ballroom for the reception were meticulous and extremely well-designed.
Cocktail hour took place in the Grand Conservatory before heading into the ballroom for reception.
I love that you can still see the sun setting outside of the windows while Elise and Michel had their first dance.
The Hora is a traditional Jewish dance commonly performed at Jewish weddings and other celebratory events. It’s one of the most recognizable and participatory aspects of a Jewish wedding reception. The dance involves participants forming a circle by holding hands or linking arms around the newlywed couple, who are typically lifted up on chairs by some of the guests. The circle moves in one direction and then reverses, often picking up speed, all while traditional klezmer or Israeli music plays!
The blessing over the motzi, also known as the “Motzi,” is a Jewish prayer recited before eating bread. The blessing thanks God for bringing forth bread from the earth and is a way to express gratitude for the sustenance provided. This blessing is especially significant during Shabbat and Jewish holidays, but it is also commonly recited at weddings!
After the motzi it was time for toasts!
The ballroom at Ashford Estate holds up to 275 guests, making it a great place for a huge party!
