I remember watching TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress and seeing Lauren, and hearing her story. I remember laughing and really enjoying the show! I also said out loud, “Call me!” hoping she would somehow find me on the internet, and book me for her wedding. She sounded like the kind of bride I would love to work with. Well, as it turned out, I received an email from her! Out of the blue, and she booked me! She loved me and I loved everything about the wedding she was describing! She told me her wedding would be at a church, where she dreamed of getting married in since she was a little girl. Our Lady Star of the Sea. She told me she would have an amazing party (and she totally did) at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ. She told me how much she loved her fiance (now husband) and how perfect they are for each other. I developed a beautiful relationship with Lauren (we even share first AND middle names).

As I mentioned, Lauren was featured on Say Yes to the Dress on TLC. If you don’t recognize her, you could do a quick good search for “Say Yes to the Dress Classy Porn Star” or click here. You do have to purchase the episode since it’s been a few months since it’s aired, or if you own the dvd’s, etc. you could just watch it there. Anyway, to clue you in, Lauren wanted to look like a classy porn star, but all of the dresses she picked out looked like gorgeous ball gowns. She ended up with the dress she is wearing, and it doesn’t say classy porn star in my opinion, it says beautiful bride! Her wedding was also featured on another episode of Say Yes to the Dress, and you can find that by clicking here. It’s exciting because we get to relive her wedding at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ, and you get to see some video from the day!

Lauren is the kind of girl who lights up a room, it’s no wonder that Anthony fell madly in love with her! Lauren’s smile is so contagious, I found myself laughing behind the camera. The emotions in the room made me cry, made me feel like I was right there in the moment along side of her. Maybe I was extra emotional because I was 6 months pregnant, haha but I am totally going to go with the fact that they are amazing people! Lauren & Anthony’s friends and family are so lucky to have them both in their lives, and they are lucky to have so many people that love them in their lives as well. I felt nothing but love and support in the room. And when it was time to party, wow. This is a crowd that knows how to party! We had the SnapBooth there, and boy did it get used! So many people in such a small space, but they made it work and wow it was a blast! I stopped in a few times and couldn’t believe how much fun everyone was having!

Congress Hall is seriously one amazing venue. Lauren and Anthony had their wedding while it was decorated for Christmas! It is a tradition of theirs that they always have photos taken by the Christmas tree. Well, they had one heck of a large Christmas tree to take a photo in front of! I love Christmas, and Congress Hall, does Christmas RIGHT! It’s a serious winter wonderland inside. Even the doormen dress like toy soldiers. It’s adorable. I can’t help but mention that the staff is beyond amazing. Everyone is so helpful and kind. Lauren and Anthony had their dream wedding here, and it was SO worth it! If you want to have a wedding here, I highly recommend it! It’s definitely a phenomenal place to party your night away!

Lauren and Anthony, I wish you nothing but love, success and prosperity in your future together! Thank you so much for trusting me, and allowing me to take part in your special day, and for sharing your memories with me! I will forever cherish you both in my hearts! xoxo

Cape Resorts – Cape May
Lady Star of the Sea – Cape May
Kleinfeld Bridal – NYC

Jillian and Ken decided to get married at Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, NJ. It is an absolutely GORGEOUS venue with the most amazing staff! Their food is delicious, their ballroom is amazing, their rooms are just MADE for weddings, everything is so pretty. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have natural light in your getting ready room. This place was made with natural light in mind, and I couldn’t be happier with the images we’ve created. I love showing off all the pretty details that a bride prepares for her wedding day. The shoes, the veil, her dress, the flowers. Every little thing is just perfect!

If you want to have that ocean look close to home in South Jersey, check out Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, NJ. It’s perfection!

Jillian and Ken, thank you for trusting us to capture your special day!

Venue

Alison and Greg had a Scotland Run Golf Club Wedding in Williamstown, NJ! The day could not be more beautiful for the two of them!

Scotland Run is one of my absolute favorite venus. Yes, I know, I say that about so many places, but lets be real here for one moment and talk about the luscious garden they have! Wow. Seriously, I just can’t contain my excitement for this place. It’s like a tropical oasis! It’s no wonder they chose this to be the place they tie the knot! It will forever have a magical place in their hearts.

To see their engagement session in Ocean City, NJ : CLICK HERE

Their day at Scotland Run started off, well, hot. It was a warm day but the sunshine was shining and I couldn’t be happier with these images! Alison looked breathtaking and her dress, that veil, those shoes! It was a photographers dream! She really did find the perfect dress and I am so honored to have been able to capture these memories for her.

If you have been thinking about where to get married and you are local to the area, or don’t mind going to Williamstown, NJ seriously check out having a Scotland Run Golf Club Wedding. The gardens are drop dead gorgeous and you will have the most amazing photos to share with your friends and family, and adorn your walls with!

Alison and Greg, I can’t thank you enough for trusting me with your special day, to capture these beautiful moments and share a glimpse of your lives with me. I am truly honored and love sharing these images with the world! xoxo

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