Annalyn and Hector’s wedding was a harvest chic celebration that took place at Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City, NJ. The couple exchanged their vows at the beautiful St. James Roman Catholic Church in Ventnor, NJ, surrounded by their friends and family.

Annalyn was a stunning bride. She was adorned with a jacket that read “Til Death Do We Part” and carrying a bouquet of white and black flowers.

She and Hector embraced the harvest chic theme with crystals bringing positivity, energy and good luck to their wedding day. Annalyn also wore a sun and moon on her earrings and skulls on her engagement ring. So many other amazing decor adding to the atmosphere of the night before Halloween. They also made sure the kids had special baskets to keep them entertained!

After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests made their way to the reception, which was held in the Vineyard Ballroom at Renault Winery. The room was decorated with crystals, candles, and other harvest chic elements, such as candles and beautiful florals creating the perfect atmosphere for a night of enjoyment.

The reception was filled with dancing, laughter, and celebration. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife to a romantic song, and the guests showered them with love and congratulations for their money dance where friends and family pay to dance with the bride and groom, and that money helps them start their new lives together!

The newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a delicious meal and the most amazing atmosphere surrounded with love. The couple also had a beautiful wedding cake, which was decorated with the same flowers from the brides bouquet and topped with the best cake topper that read “Till Death”.

As the night went on the guests continued to dance and celebrate. The newlyweds were surrounded by love and happiness.

It was a truly magical night, and Annalyn and Hector were overjoyed to be surrounded by their loved ones as they began their new life together. Of course, they had to finish the evening with a night portrait with their wedding party that featured a champagne bottle and some creative lighting to make the most epic of images for them! Annalyn and Hector also enjoyed Renault Winery’s beautiful ambient lighting throughout the property, and we were able to create stunning night portraits that are simply flawless.

Overall, Annalyn and Hector’s harvest chic wedding at Renault Winery was a beautiful and unforgettable celebration. The stunning natural setting of Renault Winery, delicious food, and perfect atmosphere all combined to make it a perfect celebration of the couple’s love. Annalyn and Hector were overjoyed to have had such a wonderful day. Thank you to both for trusting me with their memories! Cheers to many more wonderful years!

Vendors: 

Photographer: Lauren at Bokeh Love Photography 
Videographer: Tom at Alliance
Venue: Renault Winery
Ceremony: St. James Roman Catholic Church in Ventnor, NJ
Band/DJ: Entertainment Now
Florist: Stemtations
Cake Artist/Baker: Bake Works 
Hair: Maddy Oliver – Tint Color Bar 
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Tux/Suit: Mens Warehouse
Invitations: Minted
Coordinator: Megan & Ally at Renault Winery

Are you planning your Harvest Chic Wedding at Renault Winery? We would LOVE to be there to capture all of your beautiful memories! Reach out today to schedule a free consultation to see if we are a good match for each other!

Lauren Adams
Bokeh Love Photography
www.bokehlovephotography.com

Check out some recent blogs: 
Top 10 Wedding Venues in Atlantic County
Beach Wedding at the Grand Hotel 
Ocean City NJ Beach Session

 

Wedding Venues in Atlantic County, I have my favorites! Below is a list of my Top 10 Wedding Venues in Atlantic County and why I love each one.

10. The Funny Farm Rescue& Sanctuary in Mays Landing, NJ

Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary has created a home for unwanted farm animals, domesticated animals and animals with special needs to live out their natural lives. They also have the most amazing barn, for those wanting to celebrate their wedding or other event with them. They are a private 501(c)(3) Charity, and do not receive any type of federal or state funding. So having your event here helps the farm!  Check them out here: The Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary.

9. Docks Oyster House in Atlantic City, NJ

One of my favorite venues is Dock’s Oyster House! Open since 1897in Atlantic City and still going! You may not think of it as a wedding venue, but they have an upstairs area that fits a small wedding reception perfectly! And the food is BEYOND DELICIOUS! You can check them out here: Dock’s Oyster House.

8. The Kathedral Event Center in Hammonton, NJ

A new up and coming mid-century, LGBTQ+  Family Owned masterpiece and hotspot, formally a church has been outfitted to meet your every need! This venue is by far the coolest I have ever seen! The built in sound system and the lighting is phenomenal. The Martinn, which is their attaches hotel has been designed perfectly with getting ready in mind. The Kathedral is perfect for any event looking to create their own show stopping wedding (or event)! I was blown away by the detail in the hotel room which made for amazing getting ready photos with the Bride in front of the most gorgeous baroque mirror I have ever laid my eyes on! Simply stunning and highly recommended! You can check them out here: The Katherdral Event Center. 

7. Linwood Country Club in Linwood, NJ

A truly unique setting, Linwood County Club, established in 1920 has been the site of many special events for over a century. They have a rich history, that has been enhanced over the years with the most amazing renovations that really set this venue apart from others in this area. They have a dramatic entry foyer and the most luxurious bridal suite I have ever laid my eyes on. Their freshly remodeled coasted chic ballroom can host 300 guests and the wall of glass windows actually folds open to create a stunning open air transition to the tented patio area! Their golf course is perfectly manicured and you can see the gorgeous view of the Atlantic City skyline, perfect for portraits! Check them out here: Linwood Country Club. 

6. Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor City, NJ

A beautiful golf course by Ron Jaworski Golf and Ron Jaworski Weddings is such an amazing venue. The kind staff and gorgeous grounds makes for the perfect setting for your wedding! The beautiful white beams on the ceilings and floor to ceiling windows allow the light to kiss every square foot of the reception room. At night you can enjoy fire pits on the patio and view the most gorgeous sunset over the golf course! You can check them out here: Blue Heron Pines.

5. The Carriage house in Galloway, NJ

“Where Dreams Become Reality” as stated on their website, is 100% fact! Approaching The Carriage House, you are greeted by large southern pillars, gorgeous landscaping and a glorious lake with a fountain. Huge black shutters line every window. The symmetry is a photographers dream, and the entire venue is everything any couple could have ever wished for. From the fairytale staircase, to the huge 2nd story balcony, the magnificent getting ready suites to the decadent food, you will be in awe the moment you enter this lovely space. You can check them out here: The Carriage House. 

 

4. The Seaview, A Dolce Hotel in Galloway, NJ

“A Tradition of Golf & Gracious Hospitality” described The Seaview to a Tee! They have hosted golf champions, presidents, rock stars for over a century. They are minutes to Atlantic City. You can drive a golf cart to Reeds Bay overlooking Atlantic City for some beautiful wedding portraits. They are quietly tucked away on 670 scenic acres. Their ballrooms are stunning, the staff is lovely, and you will be blown away by the lush grounds and award winning cuisine! You can check them out here: The Seaview, A Dolce Hotel. 

3. Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, NJ

One of the most magnificent wedding venues in Atlantic County, The ACCC is nothing short of spectacular! They have a stunning skydeck, delicious culinary delights and an extraordinary staff! Their ivy wall is picture perfect. And the Atlantic City Skyline is quite the treat! They maintain a tradition of excellence that has spanned over 120 years! I love photographing weddings there and can not wait to visit again! Check them out here: Atlantic City Country Club. 

2. The Smithville Inn in Smithville, NJ

Accommodating up to 170 guests, with beautiful views of Lake Meone and the perfect spot to catch the golden glow of the sun setting over the treetops, this venue is one of my favorite. The rustic interior, beautiful gardens and cobblestone paths really bring this location to life. Check them out here: The Smithville Inn.

1. Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City, NJ

Beauty at every turn! Renault is one of those places that speaks to you. I had my bachelorette brunch here in 2014. I’ve come here as a kid. I’ve brought my own children here. And I continue to enjoy Renault as a wedding photographer today. Every time I visit, I find a new special spot for my couples,  near a tree or around the corner at a hidden doorway. I’ve even found a hidden mickey on the golf course! It is definitely my favorite venue and earns it’s spot on the Top 10 Wedding Venues in Atlantic County! I look forward to visiting here weekend after weekend! Check them out here: Renault Winery. 

 

 

 

Gabi and Tim wanted a location that really spoke to them. The have been planning their wedding for a while, and they still have a ways to go! They’re getting married in 2021, but they have their eyes set on having a Rustic Theme. Batsto seemed like the only choice for them for their engagement session. Nothing else was quite as nice. Do you blame them? Batsto is absolutely stunning. I am convinced that it is a place of magic. When they finally decided to have a Rustic Engagement Session at Batsto, I was all on board!

We started walking around the village, chatting and looking at the buildings. It was a quiet day, not many people around, so they were able to feel as if this place was all theirs. Walking hand in hand, snuggling up together, embracing one another and getting goosebumps because they are getting closer to their big day! It’s actually happening, and they’re enjoying their long engagement.

If you are planning a rustic wedding, then you want your engagement session to match your theme. I highly recommend having a Rustic Engagement Session at Batsto. It’s located in Wharton State Forest in New Jersey. On the other side of the village there are beautiful hiking trails, but my heart in truly in love with the village. It’s like falling back in time, and seeing how people lived, how they worked, and provided for their families. It’s deep in history, so make a day of it! If it’s open, stop by the visitors center and check it out!

Congratulations! You are planning your wedding and you are at the stage to book your photographer! This is such a fun and exciting time. You have made the decision to marry that one person that completes you. So, when selecting your wedding photographer there are certainly things to consider.

What is their style and does it match who you are as a couple?

What do I mean by this? I don’t necessarily mean light and airy or rich and romantic. While, yes those are styles of photography, I am more so asking the question of does the photographers style of shooting align with your vision. Allow me explain that deeper. Does your photographer give you and your new partner the space you need to feel each other love, emotions and all of the things that happen on wedding day? Do they get up close and personal, and does that sit well with you? Does your photographer give you instructions, or do they allow you to be organic? These are all questions that you need to ask yourself, your partner and your potential photographer.

Does the photographer use lighting, and do you need lighting?

Lighting is such an important aspect to consider when Selecting your wedding photographer. It is a good idea to ask any potential photographer if they have a lighting kit, and what is in it. You don’t really need the specifics of brands and all of those things, but it’s good to know if they have more than one flash, and if they have any creative gel colors in case you want something creative in the evening. A photographers lighting kit is not uplighting for your reception. That is an extra that your DJ should cover, but it is not always included. Definitely discuss this with your DJ, I recommend purple. It always looks gorgeous! Getting back to photographer lighting, let’s say for example it is a rainy day and you cannot venture outside for your portraits. In this instance, your photographer should be able to set up lighting indoors and be able to continue your day smoothly without any hiccups!

Is an album included, can you purchase one after, and will they help with designing it?

Your wedding album is what you are going to remember your day with. These printed memories are an heirloom that will get passed down to your children, they are your legacy. You are not just printing pictures, but you are showing your family what love is, and how they too can have what you have. Loving someone is the best tradition you can pass down to your children. Love, after all, will conquer everything else. Having a photographer that can sit with you and help with the design process is very important. The last thing you want is designing your album to be a hassle. Also, having the versatility of being able to buy one after is always a great option, but don’t wait too long!

Does the photographer care about your wedding?

This sounds like a silly thing to wonder about doesn’t it? I will tell you, there are photographers who just care about booking another wedding. Selecting your wedding photographer is hard, but asking certain questions will point you into the direction of the photographer who really cares. So, what questions should you ask? You could start with, ‘How long have you been a photographer, and is this your passion?’ A photographer that is passionate about photography will answer this question as if they’re talking about their very own baby. I know, for me, photography is like breathing – I can not go a day with out it. So on wedding day, I know I will share the emotions that you are feeling, because I am so happy that I am able to document this special time in your life.

Selecting your wedding photographer, the final decision!

If you think you’ve come to a point in your wedding planning that you are truly vibe with a photographer and you want to make it official, don’t wait! Chances are if you love them, someone else does too. Dates get booked faster than you can say “I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I WANT WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT!” (yes, that was a Spice Girls reference, don’t judge me). But really, when you find your photographer, book them, don’t wait. Photographers will save your wedding date for roughly 1 week from you contacting them, so when you’re ready, make haste!

*Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

I love Nikon. My first camera was a film Nikon, and I had all Nikkor Lenses (Which are Nikon Lenses). I started the brand, and will never go back. I feel like once you find what you like, thats it. Sure there will be other cameras that are prettier and shinier, however this is what I know and like. Therefore, it is where I will stay. Here I will be listing my top ten favorite Nikon Lenses!

From Favorite to Least Favorite.

Just kidding – I love them all, so there is no order here!

 

1. At the top of my list, the 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens. It is my favorite lens. It makes me very happy and I love the compression. It really works well with my style and my images are always very sharp! I use this lens for weddings and portraits.
   
2. Up next is the 24-70 f2.8 E ED. I love this lens so much. It’s great for newborns, families, and even weddings. It’s nice having the range and the zoom is very convenient.
   
3. The 50mm f1.8 G and 50mm f1.4 G has always be a love of mine. I have both versions, however I highly recommend getting the 1.8 because they do the same thing. The only difference is that the 1.4 is better in low light, because you can go as low as 1.4. My happy place is around an aperture of 2.2. I use this lens for both weddings and portraits.
   
4. If you are shooting details, you need a macro lens! I have the 105mm Macro f2.8 G IF-ED! It has amazing low light capabilities and the detail is unparalleled to any other lens I’ve used. Surprisingly, even though it is a macro, it is also a superb portrait lens! I use this for weddings, portraits, details and product shots.
   
5. Ahh the 85mm f1.8 D series lens. If you don’t know about the D series, you really need to check it out. It’s the older Nikkor lens, that can be used on a film camera. It’s super sharp and one of my absolute favorites!
   
6. Piggy backing on the D series, I want to share my love for another one of my favorites, the 35mm f2D lens! This lens is my go to for wedding day. I found myself using this for details over my 50mm because it gives me a little bit more space, without losing that sharpness I crave! I use this for weddings and portraits. Its perfect for those big family group shots and does not distort the edges of the image!
   
7. Another D series that I love is my 24mm f2D. This is a really great lens for those wide dance floor shots. You do have to really be IN the action, which I think makes it a lot of fun. The edges do have some distorting so I wouldn’t use this for a family portrait, but dance floor – totally!
   
8. The 16-35mm f4 ED is so much fun. It’s not a lens I would use ALL the time though, because I consider it a specialty lens. It definitely has it’s place. I particularly love this lens for weddings, when I want a very wide portrait of the couple kidding and there is beautiful architecture around them. There is definitely distorting, so I don’t photograph more than 2 people with this lens.
   
9. The 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G is a kit lens that is often overlooked because its labeled as a “kit lens”. A kit lens, is a lens that comes with an entry level/hobbyist camera. At one point, I owned an entry level camera and it came with this kit lens. I sold the camera, but I kept the lens. To this day, I use this lens in my Photo Booth. The aperture is not very low, so low light is difficult, but my Photo Booth is lit up with lighting, so it works! Also having a higher aperture helps with keeping everyone in focus.
   
10. The 58mmf1.4 G is like butttahhh. Seriously, this lens is so nice. I rented it when my house burnt down and had to replace all of my equipment for a boudoir marathon. This lens was SO NICE. It’s on my radar for my next purchases. It really is nicer than the 50mm in my opinion, but it’s silly to stick both in your bag. Once I get this lens, I will be retiring my other two, but not selling. I never sell my lenses!
    

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – ‘Favorite Nikon Lenses’. Subscribe to our mailing list and be sure to come back every Tuesday for more amazing Top Ten’s!

*Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.