Wedding at the Park Chateau
Who? : Gabriella + James
What? : Preparations, first look, portraits, ceremony, and reception at a New Jersey wedding venue.
Where? The Park Chateau, East Brunswick, New Jersey
When? : November 2018
Our vision is to capture the real moments of the day between us, and the people we love. We are all about capturing the love in the room and making sure we have memories of our loves ones from this day. While we do want to have the traditional posed photos (for posterity) what we really love are the special, intimate moments, the laughter, the smiles, the tears, the bad dance moves, the hugs, the kisses, the joy and pain and love of the day. However you capture that, we love in your photos. I think we are drawn to the intimacy of your images.
I first met Gabriella and James over a year ago, on the coldest of fall days in Asbury Park. They’d hired me to take their engagement images, and we laughed our way along the boardwalk in the misty, freezing weather. That would be a wonderful wedding to photograph I remember thinking. I hope they hire me when they start those plans.
A bit later I heard from them again – they’d set a date, picked a venue, and were full steam ahead with the wedding plans. On another cold day – this time with brilliant light – we got to work together again, this time when they became husband and wife! What a beautiful day, what remarkable people, what a gorgeous venue. Who says summer is the best wedding season? I beg to differ. Give me a crystal-clear cold winter wedding day anytime! (Especially if it’s with these two!)
Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding:
The Park Chateau is, in a word, ridiculous. (And for those of you who know me, you know that’s a compliment!) The biggest getting-ready room has multiple makeup stations, a place to WASH YOUR HAIR, and a huge main room big enough to fit my entire apartment into. And that light? Don’t get me started!
Cheers to any client brave enough to stand in front of an open door in freezing cold weather because the light is really great when I open the doors, are you okay with that?
Gabriella got ready surrounded by her mother and the other amazing women in her life. I love it when everyone comes together in those final moments of preparation to help out!
James also got ready at the Park Chateau (images forthcoming from my second photographer!) and then waited nervously in the chapel to see Gabriella for the first time.
It was COLD outside. I know I’ve talked about how winter has been coming, but y’all, it’s here. The freezing air took our breaths away, but Gabriella and James were still willing to hop outside for a few quick images by the pond!
After that, it was time to go inside and get warm. We stopped on the famous Park Chateau stairs for an image of Gabriella alone before beginning on our list of family and wedding party groupings.
After the family and wedding party images we had a quick second to dart into the library and take a few images in front of the fireplace, a handful more portraits of the two of them together – and then it was time to warm up and freshen up for the ceremony.
The sweet sunset ceremony was followed by cocktail hour, and then off to the reception!
After the first dance (which was freaking awesome) came some sweet, emotional toasts. Then it was time to dance, dance, dance!
We closed the night out with a few more images in the cold! I am always so grateful to clients who are willing to brave the elements for a few more images!
When describing her hopes for their wedding day, Gabriella expressed her desired day to be “Warm. Romantic. Dramatic. Joyful. Sincere.” The day was all of that and so, so much more. It was a huge honor to be a part of the day, and to get to know these remarkable human beings just a bit better. Congratulations, you two!
