A Spring Wedding at Bay Head Yacht Club

Kallan spent her summers as a child down the shore, where her parents and grandparents shared the neighboring houses at end of the block in Bay Head. Later in life, with Matt, they spent the work from home months cooped up at the beach house to escape the city for a little while. It’s their happy place, so where better to plan their wedding?

When I arrived on this little block on a rainy Saturday morning, there were three houses in a row that the wedding party and family shared to prepare for the day. We could easily jump from one house for hair and makeup to the next quiet location. Kallan had all her details ready, along with her dress for a quiet and intimate moment with her Mom and sisters to start out the day. This and all the other little details made the day. Every location was sentimental and no detail was overlooked. An ice cream truck at the rehearsal dinner, local beer served at the welcome party, and local bakery crumb bun in the welcome bags allowed the wedding guests to experience the Bay Head that Kallan and Matt love about their little corner of the world.

I love to capture the rehearsal dinner/welcome parties prior to the wedding day. It gives me a little insight into the couple that their friends and family know. The toasts are more personal and honest, and it gives me more time to get to know the key members of the wedding day so that I can walk in the door like an old friend. One additional perk for Kallan and Matt was the weather. Friday’s welcome party was basking in glowing light as the sun set over the bay. We knew it would not for their wedding day. Kallan fully understood this and took every opportunity to get her golden hour portraits! Let me tell you, the sunset was spectacular.

It did rain on the wedding day. It rained the entire day. However, it did not even phase Kallan or Matt. They were determined to have the best day despite the weather, because it’s their wedding day! Kallan and her bridesmaids kicked off with a Taylor Swift dance party while they waited for the trolley to take them to the church.

Bay Head Yacht Club has a surprising number of great covered locations. They weren’t going to be arriving at cocktail hour via hacker craft, because of the weather. They were, however, able to get pictures in it in the ship yard! I have to say, these photos of them floating in the hacker craft are even more beautiful than anything I could create from a boat sailing away from me. Even the pictures of Kallan and Matt on the deck of the yacht club, with the rain drops falling all around them are some of my favorite pictures ever, and perfectly tell the story of their romantic wedding day. The change in weather can create a beautiful and unique outcome.

The reception hall at Bay Head Yacht Club was glowing. Candles and bistro lights illuminated the wooden beamed ceiling and florals floated all over the tables. The napkins were embroidered with Kallan and Matt’s initials, and brought the whole design together beautifully.

Once they were introduced as the newlyweds, it was a fantastic dance party the rest of the night. Kallan and Matt did not leave the center of their dance floor once, except to cut their cake. With only their parents and grandparents to watch, they cut their cake in the corner as the party continued on. We left with them having the time of their lives.

Congratulations, Kallan and Matt! Your wedding was gorgeous, your willingness to go anywhere and everywhere with a smile on your faces was most admirable, and we had such a great time capturing your day!

Venue: Bay Head Yacht Club, Bay Head, NJ

Wedding Planner: Stacey Sainato, Peony Events

Photographer: Lauren Kearns Photography

Florist: Jardiniere Fine Flowers

Makeup: House of Luciano

Hair: JC Hair Design

Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri

Rings: Zwikker & Zacher

Groom/Groomsmen Attire: State & Liberty

Invitations: Little Black Dress Paperie

Transportation: Long Branch Trolley

Videographer: NST Pictures

Entertainment: Time Machine Entertainment