Jackie & Andrew’s Long Beach Island Wedding at The Bonnet Estate

On a cold day in NYC we met Jackie and Andrew for coffee in their local Starbucks. Within minutes we discovered a mutual love of travel, the boys of sports and Jackie and I of our interest in sign language. While common interests make working with a couple more fun, it was their “lovey” glances at each other that made me want to photograph them!  When Greg and I left Starbucks I turned to Greg and said, “oh I really hope we get this wedding!”

And we did.  And it was so much greater than even my wild photography imagination could’ve dreamed up!

When you arrive at The Bonnet Estate you can’t help but be in awe of it’s seaside charm charm mixed while an elegance from long ago. It was the perfect setting for the wedding and Mother Nature was beyond kind that June day!

Everywhere you looked their was something beautiful for your eyes to gaze upon.

The invitation set the tone created by the talented Stephanie Somodi.

This custom vintage poster was a wedding gift from friends, we just loved it!

Jackie’s dress was stunning, created by designer Augusta Jones.  Her veil pictured on the bottom left image was the veil her mother wore when she married Jackie’s father.

Jackie and her beautiful younger sister, the Maid of Honor!

Friends and family came by to say hello, greet her with big hugs and heighten the level of excitement!

Grandma squishing her shoulders up when she saw Jackie is the best!

With all the fun it was easy not to notice the clock ticking away.  Jackie sat down to get the finishing touches done by her make up and hair team.  Both of whom were extremely professional and stayed cool under pressure!  I would highly recommend both of these artists. Make up was by Lindsey Jones and hair by Wayne Standaloff.

Jackie’s Grandmother held her hand while little sister was busy doing up the back of the dress.  Family teamwork at its best!

Meanwhile Grandpa, who I soon learned is a very enthusiastic photographer, was off doing his thing!  Greg captured this shot of Grandpa photographing the beauty of the estate . (Top right, there he is, Grandpa!)

And on a floor just under the busy bride, you could find the handsome groom and the boys getting ready.

And since men take about 7 minutes to get ready Andrew and his brothers were able to sit and relax and mug it up for the camera!

The men looked amazing in their custom Lucca Hill suits.  I love how the stitching on the jackets’ buttons are purple to match the Maid of Honor’s dress. Also the monogrammed cuffs on the shirts, very classy touches!

Jackie & Andrew decided that they would do a “first look”. This is when the bride and groom plan to see each other before the wedding ceremony. It’s always so special and we just love photographing them.  The location was the English garden just to the right of the Chapel.  It was a perfect setting and as you will see it offered the perfect view for friends and family to watch the “first look” from the estate’s back windows.

Andrew waits in position and was strictly told not to turn around!Family and friends in place, Jackie walks underneath them and gives them a little twirl!  They respond with cheers that make Andrew even more tempted to turn and see his bride!

Look at that radiant Jackie!!!  Look at that beyond thrilled Andrew!!!!

And finally the time has arrived for them to see each other in their wedding attire on their wedding day. It’s always such an honor to be able to capture these incredible moments. Lots of hugs and kisses with tons of cheering in the background!  I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye on those balconies!

After taking in her amazing dress, the two give their family and friends a big wave!

One of the wonderful aspects of the first look is that the bride and groom can spend some time before the ceremony taking some portraits, allowing time after the ceremony for the cocktail hour.

The Bonnet Estate is a great place to take pictures as its landscape is really varied.  From rustic barn walls to sea grass to a pier that leads out to a little bench on the water!  I love this picture of them and how they can’t stop looking at each other!The locals on the water couldn’t contain their enthusiasm either!

Remember what I said about Grandpa?  Well by the time we got back from portraits, he had already downloaded his first look pictures and had an audience to see them! That’s one modern day Grandpa!I wasn’t sure if this day could be more fairytale-like and then the Cantor Ellie Schafer showed up for the Katubah signing. She was sensational and the world would be a better place if we all had just a dab of her energy and pizazz for life!Andrew and Jackie read aloud their marriage contract while family and friends look on.Jackie is congratulated by her close friends while Andrew is given a little kiss by their sweet flower girl!

In the moments before the actual ceremony, Andrew’s Mom, so full of love and pride hugs her son!The wedding ceremony took place in the Boathouse Chapel.  A rustic little barn made of blue wood and large stones, it was the perfect intimate setting for Jackie and Andrew to say their vows and exchange their rings.

Guests were offered refreshments on their way in to the chapel in these adorable Mason jar glasses.

The flowers were nothing short of works of art.  Fantastically created by MDS floral.

That’s one good looking bridal party with a little darling of a flower girl!

Even though Jackie and Andrew had already seen each other during the “first look”, nothing takes away from seeing your bride walk down the aisle!

The ceremony was beautifully executed by the Cantor.  The room went from big smiles, to tears to laughter!  One of my favorite moments is when suddenly Andrew kissed Jackie on the forehead! Pure joy, pure love and pure happiness!

The flower girl wasn’t feeling so shy now that all eyes were off her and she decided to spread some of those flower petals!

All of Jackie and Andrew’s family members came up and joined hands for a blessing.  It was such a moving part of the ceremony.

The vows were said, rings were exchanged and now it was the moment everyone was waiting for!

Of course, not without breaking the glass first!  The Cantor had the whole room in hysterics when she announced “Andrew, this will be the last time you will ever be able to put your foot down!”Married!!!!Jackie and Andrew left the chapel with their family and friends cheering them on.  They kept on walking in celebration and finally gave everyone what they wanted, a big dip and a kiss!!!While everyone went off to enjoy the cocktail hour, I was able to spend some time photographing the details of the room for the reception. I love the use of the wine corks by Grandpa to create place card holders.

The ballroom was stunning, everything was just perfect!

As I was photographing the table, I noticed a glass of wine that someone put down on the window sill. The light was hitting it perfectly, but what really caught my eye was the reflection of the chapel!

As the sun started to set and the golden hour of light was casting it beauty, I stole Andrew and Jackie away for some more portraits!Then it was time to celebrate the night away!Nothing gets the fun going like the Horah!Family and friends took their turn welcoming the guests and giving everyone a good laugh and some tears as they recounted their past and wished the newlyweds well for their future!

As darkness fell, you could look outside the reception windows and see the the chapel was lit up with the couple’s initials, creatively executed by Ray Cerwinski of Fennelli Design.

Jackie and Andrew each had a dance with their parent, Jackie with her Dad and Andrew with his mother.

Everyone danced the night away to the incredible music of the Dexter Lake Club Band. Jackie and Andrew and all their guests enjoyed getting crazy for the photo booth by Garden State Photo Booth!

The view from the Chapel,  looking onto all the fun from the outside!

As it should be, no one had more fun than this gorgeous couple!If you think the night ended after the reception… well you’re wrong.  The guests simply moved over to a different room where a DJ played everyone’s favorite songs and enjoyed some late night pizza!  Then Jackie surprised Andrew with cupcakes with all his favorite sports teams!

Jackie and Andrew we are so honored to have been there to document your wedding day!  Your wedding will go down in the record books as one of the greatest!  Congratulations!

It was wonderful to work with videographer Bryan Sarkinen and Merri-Makers caterers on this event.