A Romantic Mid-Summer Coastal Wedding

There are so many different ways to get married. It’s one of the reasons I love my job. No two weddings are the same. It’s an entirely different setting every time, and very often in locations that keep me traveling – which I love! Danielle and John fell in love with their reception venue, the Wave Resort in Long Branch, overlooking the beach. A new venue when they booked it, but so beautiful and just so happens to be in close proximity to where they met at Monmouth University! Danielle knew she would want to take wedding pictures at their college so the venue worked out perfectly.

A year ago, I was able to explore this gorgeous campus, surrounding Wilson Hall, where Danielle and John took their engagement photos as well! I don’t think there is enough light in one day to really explore all that this gorgeous location has to offer. So, why not go back for the wedding day? We were able to explore some locations we didn’t even get to at their engagement session. Therefore, the pictures feel familiar, but also varying enough to not look identical to their engagement session. Inside Wilson Hall are beautiful wrought iron doors that Danielle loved. We were not going to pass up the opportunity to take pictures inside there! On a hot day with no indoor air condition in the middle of July, the answer is yes, it was worth going for.

The main color theme for the wedding day was a light rose gold, with varying styles of bridesmaid dresses from Jenny Yoo in the color Petal. Three adorable bridesmaids dotted the landscape of the day with their cute puffy tulle white dresses and floral headbands, while their exuberant nephew posed as the most adorable ring bearer.

Everything about the wedding day was sentimental. Not only in their portrait locations, but even where we started out our day. Danielle and John now own Danielle’s grandfather’s home which they completely renovated as their own. This is where I met Danielle and the girls, and it was the perfect open floor plan for hanging out and getting ready for the ceremony. From there, Danielle drove around the block for a first look with her Dad in her childhood home where he joined the party bus to escort his daughter to the church.

Once we arrived at the Wave Resort, the guests milled around the 6th floor cocktail hour space admiring the view from the balcony overlooking the Atlantic ocean. The sun was beginning to set and the sky turned into varying shades of pastels.

From the first dance to the toasts to party dancing, the guests never lost sight of the beach and ocean below. The floor to ceiling windows offered amazing views of the vista and a vibrant Long Branch below. They danced their fairytale wedding away and we were so honored to capture all of it!

Congratulations, Danielle and John! We are so happy for you and loved celebrating with you!

Church: St. Agnes Church, Atlantic Heights, NJ

Portrait Location: Wilson Hall at Monmouth University

Reception Venue: Wave Resort, Long Branch, NJ

Photographer: Lauren Kearns Photography

Makeup: Jacqueline Krajunus

Hair: Charlotte Ewertz

Wedding Dress: Eve of Milady

Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo, Bella Bridesmaids

Florist: Bloom (Freehold, NJ)

Invitations: Paper Princess

Videographer: Live Picture Studios

Entertainment: SCE, Nick Spinelli