LAUREN & JOHN

MARRIED | THE RYLAND INN, WHITE HOUSE STATION, NJ

It’s Wedding Feature Friday! (I totally just made that a thing). I am so excited to share the highlights from Lauren and John’s Ryland Inn wedding from this past weekend! Their wedding was truly spectacular. Lauren and John are one of those couples that are very cognizant of the details and make things special by personalization, creativity and tradition. This was not only reflected in their wedding day plans, but from the very start when John proposed to Lauren!

Their proposal story is the sweetest (and brought me back to the way Joe proposed to me!). John told Lauren to head out for the day and he was going to make a special dinner for them when she returned. Little did Lauren know, John spent the whole time transforming their apartment. The savory aromas she was expecting from the kitchen when she got home were replaced by fresh scents from all the candles John had lit everywhere. He led her through the apartment where cutout shapes of countries hung on the walls – each one had the name of the country or a city spelled out. Still trying to take in the scene, Lauren completely missed that all the locations were connected in a life changing way. John had used the first letter of each place to spell out “Will you marry me?” Finally she weaved through to the last room where John was waiting for her. In his own excitement and nerves he completely forgot the speech he had prepared and simply got down on one knee and asked her the question in person. Of course she said yes, and the rest is history. We celebrated with family and friends in the grand ballroom all night long!

When I arrived to photograph Lauren’s details, I was over the moon to find that almost everything she was wearing was an heirloom. And GORGEOUS ones at that! Her rings were her grandmother’s (just wait until you see this stunner). Her earrings and blue clutch were vintage as well, as the small infant bonnet that has been passed down for generations. Every detail was complimented by the muted blush, ivory and green tones from her bouquet (crafted by the amazing Thistle Bee The Florist). I was in my glory styling all of these things and could have probably spent all day on them! The girls arrived, and we got Lauren in her dress. She was absolutely breathtaking. I was so glad the back of her Essense of Australia gown was full buttons so I had extra time to keep photographing her!

Portrait time with these two was just magical. After sharing a sweet first look, we walked the grounds of Ryland Inn for romantic portraits and candid moments. When I say these two are the most loving, kind, generous people I mean it! It was so easy to photograph them because they are just so in love and everything I asked them to do came so naturally to them – it was as if “the nuzzle” and forehead kisses were already a part of their daily routine! They were THAT good. Lauren’s smile never faded. I’m not sure if her cheeks were sore the next morning, but she just looked absolutely radiant in literally every moment; and her “laughing smile” almost made me fall over with joy. I couldn’t stop smiling (and clicking) because they were just smiling so much! (1. This makes for a lot of photo ops, and 2. This makes for an extra long blog post because I can’t cull down my favorites any further!)

They had a beautiful, intimate reception in the Grand Ballroom complete with their vintage, rustic, glam theme. Their tables were adorned with candle-lit wooden lanterns nestled into a bundle of greenery and colorful blooms. A floral arch framed the sweetheart table and pillar candles were elevated by antique gold holders. Everything was perfect, and after a night of dancing, eating and drinking, all their guests crowded onto the back patio and raised sparklers to send off the newlyweds. Congratulations Lauren and John, I had the most wonderful time celebrating your love and wish you all the happiness in the world as you start this new chapter in your love story!!