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

When I met Toni-Anne and James, I knew I would love them!

At our initial consultation they told me they chose to have their wedding at Mays Landing Country Club! I really do love country clubs. Maybe it’s because I’m from South Jersey and we have so many here in Atlantic County, or for the simple fact they country clubs are just so elegant and gorgeous. Either way, I was excited about their day! Their engagement session however was at one of my other favorite locations. It was at The Historic Smithville Inn, and when I told them I would be bringing my couch they were so excited! It was November and Smithville just felt so festive! My couch is green, and it went with the whole romantic holiday theme that Smithville had going on. Also, my love for styling shoots was able to shine! I have a special kind of love for embellished pillows! Ask my husband, he knows all too well how I enjoy a fancy couch! Anyway, I saw their eyes light up when they saw my couch and the snugglie blankets! It was so inviting and they were able to get super comfy and cozy! Toni-Anne and James are adorable. They didn’t need help posing, they just knew how to interact with eachother! It makes me happy, because I know that on their wedding day, they’re going to just be naturals! Here are some photos from their engagement session!

From the beginning of their day, I knew it would be amazing. Toni-Anne had the most gorgeous details. I am such a fan of Betsey Johnson shoes it’s not even funny. Maybe because my own wedding shoes were Betsey Johnson, or maybe it’s because they’re just so feminine and pretty. Either way, I loved photographing them! She has so many rustic details throughout the day, and for those of you who know me, know I love anything rustic! Her dress though, was such an elegant princess dress! When she put it on, it was just made for her. It’s the kind of dress that every little girl dreams of for their wedding day. There are no other words! Toni-Anne was STUNNING! Her and her bridesmaids also had the more gorgeous floral robes! I highly recommend these! They just look so pretty!

She did a first look with her dad, which, let me tell you, was one of the most adorable things ever! I have to say, if any soon to be brides are planning on doing this, totally do it. Your dad will cry because his princess is getting married, and you will get to feel like a little girl again showing off your amazing dress up clothes. It’s very emotional, but it is a very proud moment for dad, and definitely makes him feel like he is still special! (And yes, he IS still and always will be special, but it’s a very emotional time for dad, because after all, his little princess is finally growing up)

Details come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. Not just shoes, or jewelry, but special notes from that special man of yours too! James wrote Toni-Anne a note for her to read before the ceremony. I don’t know what it said, but it really did maker her smile! Things like this really make the day memorable. She will most likely keep this card in her wedding keepsakes forever, and be able to look back on it and remember everything he was thinking the day of the wedding!

When the ceremony was about to start, I just knew it would be amazing! The sun was shining and it was so warm outside! The bridesmaids looked fabulous and Toni-Anne and James could not stop smiling!

Amber and Nick had a beautiful rustic wedding at Massos Red Pine Inn.

It is one of my favorite places to shoot simply because of their GORGEOUS waterfall ceremonies. When I met with Amber and Nick, I knew that their wedding would be a lot of fun. They were both super laid back, easy going, and they clearly were in love!

The day of their wedding the weather could not have been better! I had quite a few weddings in May and this was a double wedding weekend for me! Luckily, the weather was amazing, and the photos could not be more perfect! I know every bride always worries about the weather and I try to stress that weather will not determine how your day will go. However, when the sun is shining, everyone cannot help but smile!

Believe it or not, I think it’s pretty hard to have a rustic wedding in New Jersey, because we have so many golf clubs around. Massos Red Pine Inn is the absolute perfect venue for this. It’s a hidden gem, it really is. Massos actually has a few different choices on their property; the crystal manor, the Red Pine Inn, and even a huge tent! You really can’t go wrong here. Anyway, the Red Pine Inn, is quaint, it’s cozy, and it really bring family and friends together. Just wait until you see the pictures below. You will totally understand what I mean. Amber and Nick’s wedding was full of good people, gathering together to celebrate their love! At no point did I feel out of place. Guest were coming up and chatting with us, the staff was amazing, and all in all, it was just a fabulous day.

Amber’s bridesmaids wore the prettiest shade of purple, and Nick’s groomsmen looked dapper in their matching vests! The flowers, and the greenery, everything was amazing. But enough of me chatting about it, I know you want to jump right to the images. Check them out, and enjoy!

Amber and Nick, thank you for trusting me with your memories, and congratulations!

xoxo,
Lauren

 

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A huge part of why I am a successful wedding photographer is because I LOVE what I do. The rest of it, it from studying in a dark room, learning my camera, and connecting with fellow photographers. I love this industry that I am in. I can’t say that enough. The people I have run into and made friends with is one of my favorite aspects of it. I meet tons of vendors from cake designers to event planners. Today, I decided that I wanted to share a vendor with you all. This vendor is a friend and one heck of a florist! Her name is Karen, and she is the owner of Karen Fowler Floral Design. She is based out of Cape May, New Jersey and has her own studio. All of her flowers are special ordered from all over the world and during the summer months she also uses flowers grown locally!

BLP: Hi Karen! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I’d love to ask you some questions about your business. Let’s start with what year you became a florist?
KFFD: I started in January 1999 at a small flower shop in Philadelphia
BLP: Wow that’s wonderful! When was Karen fowler floral design established? 
KFFD: It was established in 2012.
BLP: What made you want to open your own studio?
KFFD: I wanted to be part of the brides special day … I wanted the ability to get to know them personally instead of just From a file that someone handed me at work
BLP: I love that, being personal is so important.
KFFD: Yes it is!! I love adding my special touch after getting to know them
BLP: This year I am seeing a lot of pink ombré dresses on Pinterest, is that something that you’re seeing with flowers? Pinks and whites?
KFFD: Yes and no … I’m seeing a lot of vintage everything pinks peaches silvers gold’s whites
BLP: Do you have any projections for what will be “in” for 2015?
KFFD: If its anything like this summer is going to be than it will be amazing!! I’m booked full most weekends until October
BLP: That’s fabulous! Also this year you won Best of The Knot, didn’t you? How has that helped your business?
KFFD: It has made it crazy good!!! People love that fact!
BLP: It’s definitely an honor to be proud of! Now you are engaged yourself, will you be designing your own bouquet and wedding flowers?
KFFD: Omg yes!! I have dreamed for years about my own wedding I will be having two different bouquets one for the ceremony and one for the reception
BLP: That’s amazing! I’ve never even thought about that!

KFFD: For my cousins wedding she did all white bouquet for her ceremony and she told me she was walking into her reception to “walking on sunshine ” and I made her a all yellow bouquet with roses and sunflowers and a brooch that said candy corn rocks! It was a fall wedding and loved candy corn, again personal touches; I love to do when getting to know my brides!
BLP: That is so creative! I bet you have a lot of fun with each bouquet you design because they are all so different! Being a wedding photographer that has also been married, allows me to reach my brides on that level of understanding. How is planning your own wedding, helping you with your current brides?
KFFD: I completely understand all there struggles now! I understand their budget more now! I know it’s all very expensive! Every vendo, I can sympathize more now
BLP: Same here! Can you tell us how Brides can reach you, see your work on the internet, etc.? I’d love to share your work with them!
KFFD:
I’m on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenFowlerFloralDesign
Website: www.capemayweddingflowers.com
Email: capemayweddingflowers@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: (call or text): 609.334.3568
BLP: One more question before I go, what is YOUR favorite bridal flower for 2014?
KFFD: Ranunculus!

(image provided by Karen Folwer Floral Design)

BLP: They are gorgeous!!! Thank you SO MUCH for your time, Karen! I wish you best of luck in the 2014 AND 2015 wedding season!

Karen Fowler Floral Design is such an amazing business and I couldn’t reccomend her more! She is definitly someone who makes you laugh, helps you create your vision, and becomes your friend throughout the process! Here are a few photos of flowers that Karen did while collaborating together on a styled bridal shoot! Karen’s work speaks for itself and definitely stands out! These bouquets were definitely jaw droppers! I cannot wait to work with Karen again and see what her imagination comes up with! She – is – FABULOUS!

XOXO,
Lauren
Bokeh Love Photography