I love traveling and I have always wanted to visit Puerto Rico. I was so excited when Yesenia told me that her and Joe were getting married at the beautiful destination of Isabela! They chose Villa Montana Beach Resort as the backdrop for their destination wedding in Puerto Rico!

If you have ever visited Puerto Rico, you know that it is a beautiful tropical location. Isabela is located on the West Coast, and there is so much salt in the water, that no matter who you are, you will float! I found that out the day after their wedding when we went to Jobo Beach with the bridal party and my underwater camera! I also found out after I had come home that we were swimming with a barracuda!

When Planning a destination wedding in Puerto Rico or anywhere really, it is so important that you have a wedding planner and that you are able to hire key vendors that you have met with and can bring with you to help make your day perfect! Like a destination photographer! I am there with you for 3 whole days! Day 1 is your welcome dinner/rehearsal, Day 2 is the wedding and Day 3 is your day after session!

Because this was a destination wedding in Puerto Rico, many of the guests stayed on the resort property. Villa Montana Beach Resort was absolutely stunning and very accommodating! I highly recommend them!

No Destination Wedding in Puerto Rico would be complete with out a trip to the beach the very next day! We went to Jobos Beach to swim with the fish, soak in the sun, float and eat delicious water ice! Joe and his groomsmen decided to take a trip up the cliff’s to smoke some cigars and enjoy some quiet time!

A few weeks ago, I photographed Nicole and Nick’s intimate wedding in Malaga NJ. Their wedding was informal, but beautiful done. They had fresh flowers lining the walkway up to their front porch. They exchanged vows in front of their cabin and someone near and dear to their heart preformed the ceremony. They were surrounded by the people who love them, and drove off into the sunset on a motor cycle. How much more romantic can it get? When I met Nicole, I was so happy she asked me to capture these memories for her. Photography can be that one thing that you never think of until the moment has passed, and you always wish you had a photo of that one time… Not in this case. Nicole and Nick have beautiful images to remember the day they said, I DO!

Nicole and Nick, thank you for trusting me with your memories. I wish you nothing but love and sucess in your marriage together!

If you are having an Intimate wedding in Malaga NJ, email me today! I’d love to chat with you! lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

That time I had an Anniversary Photoshoot in Maine… I knew growing old with my husband would be the most amazing thing ever…

Love isn’t perfect. Everyone knows that. Making the decision to love someone is probably the most difficult decision in the entire world, so to do it, takes strength, vulnerability, compassion, and giving someone else your own heart in hopes that they protect it. Barbara and Gary show each of those qualities each and every single day. Sure, they fight, who doesn’t? What’s different about these two, is they never go to bed angry, they don’t even leave the house angry. No matter how upset they are with each other, they always make sure the other one knows – they are loved, and they seal it with a kiss. I have never in my life met such a special couple. The first time I remember meeting them, it was total chaos, and then out of that chaos the entire kitchen stopped spinning, so Gary could have a few seconds to lean in, and kiss his wife on the lips, just to say “i love you, i will see you tonight”… and off to work he went.

This year, they are celebrating 37 years of love. 37 years of chaos. 37 years of happiness. 37 years of joy. 37 years of togetherness. and 37 years of dedication. I admire Barbara and Gary, even when things get crazy, I KNOW that they are perfect for each other, and that their bond will never be less strong than yesterday. They will continue to grow closer, and continue to get to know each other, and continue to find out their likes and dislikes. They will never stray and they will always walk hand in hand into the wind together. Kisses will never stop, and blanket snuggles will ALWAYS be a thing. And of course, getting dolled up for an Anniversary Photoshoot will ALWAYS be a possibility!

I wish them the best of luck, love and happiness from this day to their last day. I am so happy to be a part of their family so I can watch them grow old together, because after all, isn’t that everyones dream? Cheers to them, they are certainly living it!

If you are celebrating an anniversary, and you would like to book an anniversary photoshoot, please email me! I would love to celebrate with you, and to create and capture beautiful images for you and your family to love and adore!

Beach Sessions in Brigantine NJ are my absolute favorite! Beach sessions in general, I love – but there is just something amazing about Brigantine. It’s where I grew up going to the beach. The sand is just so soft! The ocean is a bit chillier here, but the sun is hot and once you get in, you do not want to get out! My favorite time to go is around 6:00pm and later. It’s when everyone starts to leave the beach, and the sun is getting ready to go down. It’s so relaxing, and some of the best memories are made during the golden hour!

This handsome little man came to the beach for portraits with his Mom and Dad! He loved the beach and wanted to come back again and again! (And I don’t blame him!) Who doesn’t love the beach!? Family sessions make me so happy, I personally make it a point to have a family session each summer. No matter what! My children will thank me one day when they can look back on the gorgeous photos and remember exactly how much fun they had, and can see how they’ve grown each year!

If you are visiting New Jersey for the summer or live here and would like to have your beach sessions in Brigantine NJ send me a message so we can plan your experience!

Beach Sessions in Brigantine NJ, the best way to remember your summer vacation and create amazing memories!

Travel for a wedding to Gabriellas Manor in Greene, NY? Umm.. YES!

When I received the inquory, it was from Danielle’s sister, Bridgett. Another photographer! She was looking for a wedding photographer to document her sisters wedding at Gabriellas Manor, and wanted to make sure she was in good hands because pictures are so important to them! I have to be honest with you, documenting a wedding where there is a photographer in the family is always stressful. Not because I can’t do it, but moreso, because I am so terrified that I won’t do the job up to their standards! I am so happy to announce that Danielle LOVED the images! It made me so elated, but more so, it made her family happy! My job was done, and I am proud to show off these beautiful images.

Danielle and Lee have known eachother for quite some time now. They decided to exchange their vows at the beautiful Gabriellas Manor in Greene, NY which was established in 2013. It was quite a drive for me, but I love to travel and see new places, and was up for the challenge! Gabriella’s Manor was very quaint and pretty. The view from the porch and the ceremony location was simply breathtaking. We don’t get views like this here in New Jersey!

The theme for her wedding was so fun too! Bright pinks, rich grays, and black suits. Danielle did a lot of DIY for her wedding with the help of her mother, her friends and her family. It was a lot of fun, oh and of course, she had to have glitter covering local wine favors! Danielle and Lee even had a vintage truck parked out front! It was the most vibrant orange I had ever seen! At the end of the night we did some light writing AND a sparkler send off. I love when sparkler send off’s are on steps coming down right toward me. It came out so amazing, and I am so happy with how everything turned out! I can’t wait to travel again!

Take a look at all of these gorgeous images from Danielle & Lee’s wedding at Gabriella’s Manor in Greene, NY!

Vendors:

Photography: Bokeh Love Photography
Venue: Gabriellas Manor
Flowers: Sams Club
Dresses: New York Bride (Syracuse, NY)
Tuxedos: Tuxedo Junction (Johnson City, NY)
Makeup: DIY
Hair: Lori and Ashley Salon (Binghamton, NY)
Cake: Sams Club
Jewelry: Comfort and Sons (Vestal, NY)
Decorations: DIY – Bride, Bride’s Mother, Family & Friends
Truck: Grandma Wilcox and Grandpa Gary (Wilcox Towing, Vestal, NY)