Lauren’s email to me right after getting engaged sounded something like this: “I have been following your account for a few years and I just love your romantic, timeless, and bright photographs. I knew once I got engaged I would have to reach out to you!” What a message to receive! I was thrilled to have Lauren and Danny’s date available! What I quickly learned about Lauren is that she is one of the most honest and sincere people. We were just about strangers when she swung the door open wide and invited me in as a friend to capture her engagement session in Central Park and then the most important day in her and Danny’s life – their wedding day.

What I learned about Lauren from those closest to her – her friends and family during the toasts – is that she is an optimist, and also a very determined person. When Lauren makes up her mind about something or someone, she devotes herself completely. When she connected with Danny on Hinge, she was convinced that Danny was the one, even before their first date. With warnings from friends about being “practical” about her first date, Lauren had an intuition about Danny, and she was right. Danny was her first and last date in NYC.

During their ceremony, Lauren and Danny read their written vows to each other. I forgot to ask about it later, but they both wrote about the first time they realized each other were the one. It was the same exact moment in Central Park, on their second date while they were sitting on the Great Lawn watching the sunset. By the look on Lauren’s face, this was a revelation that they had the same feeling at the same time, and remembered it so perfectly. It was such a sweet moment that I will never forget.

They married under a Chuppah cloaked in colorful blooms and greenery, with Lauren’s grandfather’s talis to cover them, with two kiddish cups – one old and one new – to represent their past and new life together. Danny wore his grandfather’s gold tuxedo studs on his shirt and his mother hand knit yarmulkes for Danny, both fathers and the groomsmen. Every detail had a purpose and intention to make this day so special for the newlyweds.

Lauren and Danny made us feel like we too were a special part of their day. Lauren loves photographs, and even had her red mini cooper decked out, Peonies to Paintchips decorated the car with florals. It was Lauren’s idea to take the car down the long driveway leading to Brooklake for pictures – and I absolutely loved it! They were willing to do everything, take pictures everywhere and any time throughout the day. It’s a joy that they possess that just leaps out of every picture, and reminds me of why I do what I do.

Lauren and Danny, I feel so blessed to have met you and had the opportunity to work with you over the last couple of years! We are so happy for you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!

Venue | Brooklake Country Club, Florham Park, NJ

Planner | Maria Falzo, Peony Events

Florist | Peonies to Paint Chips

Makeup | House of Luciano

Hair | JC Hair Design

Dress | Anne Barge from Kleinfeld’s

Rings | Zolands

Groom/Groomsmen Attire | Suit Supply

Invitation | Little Black Dress Paperie

Rentals | Broadway Party Rentals

Live Painting | Event Painting with Gina

Videographer | Little Green Truck Productions

Entertainment | Atomic Funk Project