Amanda and Marc were having their wedding at Ron Jaworskis Blue Heron Pines!

Which happens to be one of my favorite venues! I love the location, the staff and the grounds. I have never been treated better at another venue, and neither have my couples. I write that a lot about this venue, but I just cannot stress enough, how much of an amazing venue it is, and how well they take care of their brides and grooms. After all, it’s customer service like this, that you should really look for to host your special day.

When Amanda first contacted me to shoot her wedding, I asked her who I can thank for the referral. I was shocked when she told me to thank my husband! Apparently, they played volleyball together! I am instantly blown away by anyone who plays volleyball on a team, because I could not play volleyball to save my life! (Amanda is amazing by the way! Just ask her for a friendly game of Vball!) When she told me she was having her wedding at Ron Jaworskis Blue Heron Pines, well let’s just say I couldn’t have been happier!

Amanda & Marc’s wedding could not have been on a more perfect day! The sun was shining, and the grass was so green! I was looking forward to getting right to the bridals because that is usually my favorite part of the day, but when I saw all of her gorgeous details, I had to take my time and play! She had two different shoes (seriously, such a smart idea!), a pretty perfume bottle, special cuff links that the groom’s sister would be giving him later that day, a necklace from her grandmother and so much more… Amanda was so prepared for her wedding day! I try to help out as much as I can with this, and she listened 150%! Going above and beyond for my clients is so important to me, so when I hear of tips and tricks for your wedding day, or how to better prepare, of course I share as much as I can!

The day went so smoothly, and everything was on time, if not early! Thankfully we had an amazing timeline! Her colors were bright pink, which really popped with the green grass. I love everything about her wedding, and how amazing the theme transpired throughout. The pink was found on the cake, in the custom sunglasses, the groomsmen’s vests, the centerpieces and napkins and more!

At the end of the night, we had a sparkler exit and even did some light writing!

All in all, I truly believe she will cherish these photos forever, and I am so happy that she chose me to capture this special day. Amanda and Marc, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with your memories and being such amazing clients!

I cannot wait to go back to Ron Jaworskis Blue Heron Pines!

xoxo,
Lauren

Vendors:

Photography: Bokeh Love Photography
Venue: Blue Heron Pines
Flowers: Shoprite 
Makeup: Makeup By Catrina

We adore winter weddings, and snow in general. Egg Harbor City is my home away from home. We love to shoot all over this town, including their very own wedding venue, Blue Heron Pines! In fact, we are on their preferred vendors list! Their weeping willow is one of our favorite aspects to their venue, among other things their staff is absolutely priceless! They’re kind and always accommodating! If you are looking for an Egg Harbor City photographer for your upcoming wedding, please reach out to me today at lauren@bokehlovephotography.net 

I wanted to do a styled shoot in the snow, and when I heard we would be getting some snow, I ran to my closet to check the size of the dress I had purchased earlier this year. It was a thrift store find. A lot of beautiful dresses are worn once, and either tossed to the side of a closet, given away or sold to regain some money back after its use. Being a resourceful photographer, I often find myself looking into thrift stores to find some hidden treasures. Months ago, as I was skipping down the dress aisle (yes, I’m serious) I saw this dusty rose gown staring at me. It wasn’t just a prom dress, or an evening gown. This was a pink, taffeta wedding dress! I couldn’t believe my eyes. The size said 16, but there was no way it could be a 16. Whoever had this dress obviously had it fitted to their body. So, as you know how difficult it is to find someone to fit a dress that has been taken in, it just sat in my closet. I began imagining all of the different styled shoots I could come up with centered around this dress. Would it be a trash the dress? Would it be a bunch of roses? Never did I think of snow!

In two days, I was able to find a bride for the dress, a florist to make a bouquet (Karen Fowler Floral Design), and scout out some amazing locations. Believe it or not, finding a tree lined road, AND Christmas tree’s is a bit tricky. Thankfully, I’ve got some secret locations up my sleeve! Of course I had to add some personal touches as well (my wedding shoes that survived my house fire, my crystal champagne flutes that I bought for boudoir sessions, and the Bride even brought along her Grandmothers fur coat!)

This was going to be EPIC! Not only did it snow, but also it was a perfect day to shoot. We had nice, even lighting and of course my amazing assistant, my hubbs helped drive us around in his truck, and toss some snow on the Bride! Special thanks to him, and Theresa from Forever Sunshine Photography (Yes, she’s a photographer!) and Karen of Karen Fowler Floral Design!!! Check them both out and show them some love! Thanks Ladies!!!

Oh, and PS – As it turned out, the dress was a size 8!!!!!

I can’t wait to chat with you about your upcoming special day, and be your Egg Harbor City Photographer!

Dress: Good Will
Flowers: Karen Fowler Floral Design
Model: Theresa Michele of Forever Sunshine Photography
Shoes: Blue by Betsey Jognson Wish Platform Pumps
Champagne Flutes: Waterford Crystal
Fur under shoes/Champagne flutes: Nicole Miller Home Faux Fur Throw
Fur Coat: Model’s Grandmothers
Hair & Makeup: Model

Patti and Steve… where do I even begin? First of all, Masso’s Crystal Manor was the most amazing venue! I loved it there and the two of you are such a beautiful couple. It’s not everyday that you see as much love in someones eyes, as I did on your day! The way you two hold hands, the way you glance at eachother from across the room, the way you smash cake in one anothers face. (haha). You two honestly did marry your best friend. Some people go years without finding their true love, and you two, have got it! Hang on tight, and never let go!

Masso’s Crystal Manor is such a beautiful place. I hadn’t heard of it before your wedding, I even got lost! I kept thinking I was passing a bakery or something, but no, it was the venue! I drove into a parking lot, and didn’t know where to go, thankfully I saw the mother of the bride and she helped me find my way. When I turned the corner, I was shocked to see a fully shaded BEAUTIFUL waterfall garden! WOW! I couldn’t believe my eyes. This gem is hiding in South Jersey! People give our state a lot of grief, but New Jersey has some GORGEOUS locations! This, is just one of them, and I am so glad I was able to shoot here, and document this perfect wedding!

Take a loot at this wedding, and how truly amazing it was! If you’re looking for a gorgeous wedding venue with a waterfall behind you as you married your love, than look check out Masso’s Crystal Manor! Congrats you two and thank you again for trusting me with your memories!

xoxo,
Lauren

When a Bride tells me she would like her engagement session to be at two different locations, I get so excited! Engagement sessions are so much fun when they have two totally different looks. The beach is always hard though, especially when it is hours before sunset. There is nowhere to hide from the sun, it’s bright, and it’s really a huge challange. Luckily for us, we went to the Brigantine Jetty, where there are some bulk heads to hide behind. (Believe it or not, when I was a child, there was water all the way up to these bulk heads, but since then, the water has moved out, and the Jetty is now accessable on one side all the way out!) It’s definitly different from when I was a kid, but it made it a great place to take pictures when the sun is super bright! The next location was none other than the Historic Smithville Village! I mean, you can’t go wrong here! When Krista showed up with this adorable green floral skirt, it was perfection! These two are such cuties! The one thing they said was, please – no corney photos! I think they were executed pretty darn well if you ask me – and I see no “corney” photos here, just 120% cuteness!

Krista & Alek – I hope you love these photos! I sure do!!!

xoxo,
Lauren
Bokeh Love Photography