{Purple & White Cape May Wedding} Krista & Joe

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

A few weeks ago, Memorial Day kicked off the summer season & now Jersey girls flock to the shore every weekend.  My pregnant self can't make the trip so I have to settle for featuring Jersey shore weddings like this lovely.  With an iconic Cape May location, family focus & personal details, this wedding is truly a Jersey shore gem.   Art + Life Photography shows us the beauty:

Krista & Joe got married on October 13 in historic Cape May, New Jersey.  The oceanfront location served as a beautiful backdrop to a day focused on their love & their family, specifically Joe's children.  During the seaside ceremony, the Bride & Groom formed a circle with the kids & made a family promise in front of their guests.  It was a touching moment, every bit as important as the traditional vows.  After the sweet ceremony and newlywed photos at the beach, dinner, dancing & general merriment followed at The Grand Hotel reception.  What a great start for this family!

My Favorite Moment: The Bride & Groom sharing a sweet kiss as the waves crash against the rocks.
My Favorite Detail: The incredible window seating chart, made from windows from the Bride's grandmother's home & a local lighthouse.

Congratulations, Krista & Joe!
VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Art + Life Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Reception Venue: The Grand Hotel  /  Florist: An Enchanted Florist  /  DJ: Over The Top Entertainment  /  Wedding Cake: The Sweet Life Bakery

{Hoboken Winter Wedding} K & R: our reception

In honor of our third anniversary yesterday, I've been sharing my favorite wedding photos with you all week.  I hope you enjoyed our getting ready moments, our wedding ceremony & our newlywed moments.  Today, let's take a look at our reception.  While our wedding ceremony was the most meaningful, our winter white wedding reception was the most FUN:

Just a hop, skip & jump away from our beloved Hoboken, our wedding reception was held at the 
Hyatt on the Hudson, a waterfront hotel boasting incredible New York City views.  We wanted our wedding reception to feature the very same views we admire from Hoboken so our wedding guests could enjoy them.  With the magnificent New York City skyline glittering beyond ballroom windows, the winter white wedding decor was kept very simple.  Simple white carnation centerpieces, glowing candles & striped ivory linens graced each table.  An all-white wedding cake, square with cascading orchids, completed the minimal, sweet look.

Our wedding reception was a traditional celebration with eating, drinking, toasting, dancing & general merriment.  Of course, it was the most special night of my life because I was married to my love & surrounded by our loving family & friends.  Some of my favorite memories:

* Pausing to breathe & appreciate the moment.  My husband & I sat hand-in-hand at our sweetheart table & took a few minutes just to look around at our family & friends, realizing the muchness of the occasion.   

* Dancing to "What A Wonderful World" with my new husband, surrounded by our family & friends with the New York City skyline enveloping us.

* Last Dance to the Jersey anthem, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi.  My husband took the mic & belted out the song to a packed dance floor!

In short, we had the time of our lives!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Timothy Glenn Photographers  /  Reception Venue: Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson  /  Wedding Planning: Koru Wedding  /  Day-of Coordination**: An Affair to Remember Weddings & Events  /  Band: Love Jones Band  /  Flowers: EK Designs  /  Wedding Cake: Carlo's Bakery of Hoboken  /  Wedding Gown: WToo from Lovely Bride  /  Bridesmaid Dresses: Cynthia Rowley from Bella Bridesmaid in Madison, NJ  /  Hair & Make-up: Ashimoto  /  Menswear: Men's Wearhouse  

** Please note that I have used the term "Day-of Coordination" because it is the common term.  In reality, Eileen helped me with ALL the final preparations of wedding planning, starting about one month prior to the wedding & ending with the last dance of the reception.  We had such a blast at our wedding because we knew Eileen & her team were taking care of every last detail!   

{Hoboken Winter Wedding} K & R: the new mr. & mrs.!

Today, January 15, is our official third wedding anniversary!  In honor of our anniversary, I'm sharing our wedding photos with you ALL week.  So far, we've covered getting ready moments & our wedding ceremony.  Now, on our third anniversary, let's celebrate us!!  Here are my favorite photos of the Bride & Groom, aka the new Mr. & Mrs., during our wedding photo session:

& last but not least, our favorite wedding photo:

Hoboken is not only our home but an important part of our love story.  We met in Hoboken, fell in love in Hoboken &, three years ago today, we got married in Hoboken.  It meant a lot to us that Hoboken be represented in our wedding photos.  With some careful planning, we had plenty of time to capture sweet newlywed moments with the backdrop of Hoboken.  

As we departed the church, twilight fell as we headed to the heart of Hoboken.  The vintage taxi stopped on a charming cobblestone street in downtown Hoboken & we tumbled out for pictures.  Then we went to the Waiting Room at the historic Hoboken Train Station, known for its gorgeous architecture & amazing stained glass ceiling.  I had accompanied many of my Brides & Grooms here on their wedding day & it was such a treat to make my own wedding day memories here!

Deep winter darkness had completely descended upon us as we left for our wedding reception at Hyatt on the Hudson in Jersey City.  We ended up making a last minute stop before the hotel.  For the first year or so of our relationship, R worked at (the now dearly departed) Lehman Brothers on the waterfront in Jersey City, just a few blocks from the hotel.  I'd spent more time than I care to admit on the little cobblestone street, admiring the downtown New York City skyline & (patiently or not so patiently) waiting for R to finish work.  It seemed like a fitting way to end our photo session- parked in our vintage Checker taxicab on that very same cobblestone street with its incredible Manhattan views.   

Now it's time to celebrate!  Coming tomorrow: eating, drinking & dancing at our wedding reception! 

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Timothy Glenn Photography  /  Photo Locations: Downtown Hoboken, Waiting Room at Hoboken Train Station & Waterfront Jersey City  /  Wedding Planning: Koru Wedding  /  Day-of Coordination*: An Affair to Remember Wedding & Event Planning  /  Flowers: EK Design  /  Vintage Checker Cab: Film Cars  /  Wedding Gown: WToo from Lovely Bride  /  Hair & Make-up: Ashimoto  /  Menswear: Men's Wearhouse

*Please note that I have used the term "Day-of Coordination" because it is the common term.  In reality, Eileen helped me with ALL the final preparations of wedding planning, starting about one month prior to the wedding & ending with the last dance of the reception.  We had such a blast at our wedding because we knew Eileen & her team were taking care of every last detail!    

   

   

{Hoboken Winter Wedding} K & R: our ceremony

I hope you're enjoying our winter wedding celebration in honor of our third anniversary!  In case you missed it, I featured our getting ready moments yesterday.  Today, let's take a look at our beautiful wedding ceremony when we officially become husband & wife:

While the rest of the bridal party stayed warm & cozy in the limo, I walked to Saint Ann Church for our wedding ceremony.  I was set on it, although everyone tried to talk me out of it because of the snow & ice lingering from previous snowstorms.  I refused to change my mind & the three block walk through the streets of Hoboken on that cold January afternoon are absolutely treasured.  The short walk gave me a few quiet moments for my mind & heart to reflect on the muchness of what lie ahead.  I arrived at the church in a peaceful state, ready to marry my Groom.  

During a traditional Catholic ceremony at stunning Saint Ann Church, we got married on the afternoon of January 15.  As the church is absolutely gorgeous with its unique marble altar, lovely stained glass windows and beautifully painted ceilings, no additional decor was needed.  A traditional Catholic ceremony is a traditional Catholic ceremony but we made it our own by adding special people & cultural customs that meant so much to us.

I walked down the aisle accompanied by my Uncle Frank & Uncle Denny, who lovingly took place of my Dad who died when I was younger.  I hadn't seen my Groom since we'd said good-bye at the end of our rehearsal dinner & I admit my heart soared when I saw him so handsome & so true at the end of the aisle.  I was so happy to grab his hand, stand beside him & get married.  What followed were the customary marriage rituals, laced with readings by friends & family & songs sung my godmother.  We also added three Filipino customs in honor of my Groom's heritage, the veil, the cord & the coins.  After exchanging rings & a sweet kiss, we were pronounced husband & wife.  As you can see from my big old grin, I was (still am!) the happiest girl in the world!

We departed the ceremony in our vintage Checker taxi, taking a fun ride through Hoboken (during which my husband fiddled with his wedding ring the entire time as pictured!) to photos & our reception.  Coming tomorrow: fun moments as the new Mr. & Mrs!

VENDOR LOVE:

Photography: Timothy Glenn Photography  /  Ceremony Venue: Saint Ann Church  /  Wedding Planning: Koru Wedding  /  Day-of Coordination*: An Affair to Remember Wedding & Event Planning   /  Flowers: EK Design  /  Vintage Checker Cab: Film Cars  /  Wedding Gown: WToo from Lovely Bride  /  Bridesmaid Dresses: Cynthia Rowley from Bella Bridesmaid in Madison, NJ  /  Hair & Make-up: Ashimoto  /  Menswear: Men's Wearhouse 

*Please note that I have used the term "Day-of Coordination" because it is the common term.  In reality, Eileen helped me with ALL the final preparations of wedding planning, starting about one month before the wedding & ending with the last dance of the reception.