A Summer Wedding at Natirar

How often do you get to work with your friends? I work with mine every day. I’m not just talking about my photo friends (who are amazing!), but also my brides! I am so fortunate to have incredible brides who share so much of their wedding process with me, and Kelsey is no exception! As soon as I walked into the bridal suite, she shrieked and ran over to give me a hug. This pretty much sums up the energy of the entire day, whether it was joyful shrieks or sentimental tears.

There were so many sentimental tears in fact, that finally toward the end of the night as I caught Kelsey’s Mom and sisters crying, her Mom looked at me and said “oh stop!” I’m pretty sure she knows how many of those pictures I have. I learned this flood of emotions was completely expected though. Kelsey’s Mom gifted her daughter a handkerchief that said “Keep your sh** together” resulting in lots of laughter turned tears.

I have to admit that putting this sneak peek blog post together was difficult! It’s always difficult to take so many moments and sum it up in a couple hundred images. I had so many little moments that I wanted to include, but I also wanted to get these images posted in a timely manner!

To start off her day, Kelsey stole a few moments away with her family to see her Dad for the first time as a bride, and later in his speech at the reception he said that the only other time someone took his breath away, the way she had that day, was when he saw his bride so many years ago. These are the sentiments that stay with you for a lifetime! Kelsey and Joe chose not to see each other before their ceremony behind Natirar’s mansion, so we stole them away for a few minutes while their guests were being ushered into the ballroom. We only had a couple minutes for portraits, but when you’re working with models like Kelsey and Joe, they make every moment count!

And how will I ever forget Joe’s sister, who spoke so lovingly about her brother and new sister in a toast before dinner, and went into labor just moments later, making Joe and Kelsey first time Aunt and Uncle on their wedding day?!

Anyone who has gotten married can tell you that the day will fly by like you wouldn’t believe. The memories of the day are a blur, but bits and pieces of those fond memories catch up with you. This is no different for me as a photographer. Every wedding flies by. It’s only with the images that I jog my memory and reflect on those fleeting moments.

Kelsey and Joe, I hope these captured images help you to freeze those fleeting moments long enough for you to fully remember them for years to come. Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us, I couldn’t have imagined spending my August 5th, 2018 any other way! Thank you, Barbara Wentzel for being an awesome assistant and amazing photographer as well!

Photographers: Lauren Kearns & Barbara Wentzel

Venue: Natirar, Peapack, NJ

Wedding Planner: Stacey Sainato, Peony Events

Florist: Jardiniere

Makeup/Hair: Jamie Saunders

Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes

Engagement Ring/Wedding Bands: David So Diamonds

Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale

Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Ermenegildo Zegna

Invitations: Paige Tuzee

Calligraphy: Penned by Alice

Videographers: Wedflix Productions

Band: Hank Lane Music