A Late Summer Wedding at The Ryland Inn

Jen and Anton have known each other over 20 years (their parents are also friends, so they were destined to be in each other’s lives)!  Last Saturday, they surrounded themselves with their closest friends and family for a spectacular wedding at Church of St. Bernard Clairvaux and The Ryland Inn.

After the “I dos,” we headed for Anton’s grandparents’ house in Tewksbury to take pictures of the newlyweds. Being a Tewksbury native, I know this wonderful town has some spectacular views – and this home has one of the prime locations! Just look at the beautiful view from their backyard! As an alternate to a veil, Jen wore a “cape” and we featured it a lot in the portraits – cascading down the stairs, fanned out across the grass – I must say, I am a huge fan of this modern spin on the classic cathedral length veil!

While weddings are always full of beauty, they’re ultimately about people and relationships. Looking through the pictures, you’ll see so clearly that this group of people love each other – the smiles and joy are irrepressible. That first time you tell the groom to “hold your wife,” or tell the bride to “kiss your husband,” and they beam at their new titles. This is my favorite part of any wedding day!

I haven’t shot The Ryland Inn in a while, so I was thrilled to be back. The Ryland Inn is a crisp restoration of a 19^th century manor house and barn complex, but careful attention was given to the material selection during design and reconstruction.  If you look carefully, you won’t notice any materials that couldn’t have been incorporated into a building or landscape well over 100 years ago (I love the fireplace in the ballroom!)  And so, The Ryland Inn provides an elegant backdrop to the timeless, elegant and – as she put it, ‘Raph Lauren’ wedding.  She achieved this vision perfectly.

Jen and Anton’s details need a special note.  They only included items with significant meaning to themselves, their friends and their family.  Jen placed her wedding dress on a hanger fringed with lace that belong to her grandmother. Another, what may seem, minor detail, was a sprig of mint that was from a clipping of her Grandparent’s farm. Such a sweet addition to the tradition and details in this wedding. Jen’s simple, elegant pearl earrings are with her every day, a gift from Anton during their second year together.  She wore them last Saturday, and she couldn’t have made a better choice!

If you’re looking for inspiration for a late-August wedding day full of joy, smiles, vodka gimlets, and s’mores, set amid the beautiful Somerset Hills of Northern New Jersey, look no further. Jen and Anton, what a fantastically beautiful day you had, and we loved having a small part in it! Congratulations!

Venue: The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse, NJ

Church: The Roman Catholic Church of St. Bernard Clairvaux, Bridgewater, NJ

Florist: Jardiniere Fine Flowers

Makeup: Jacqueline Adevai Cole

Hair: Boho Bridal

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Wedding Bands: Greenwich St. Jewelers

Dress: Justin Alexander, Jaehee Bridal

Cake: Seed to Sprout Bakery

Videographer: Lorenzo Media Productions

Entertainment: Elegant Music Group