What a gorgeous day for Dyana & Mark’s fairytale wedding! Dyana was simply stunning and selected the perfect Cinderella gown befitting a princess for a wedding at the Castle at Skylands Manor.  It was really important to Dyana that Mark see her for the first time when she was walking down the aisle to be his wife, so they forewent the first look and decided to wait until after the ceremony and have us create some images for them during cocktail hour.  You can never have enough time to shoot at Skylands Manor and this is especially true if the groom’s dad is late to the ceremony!  Yep!  Future bride and grooms, let your guests know it is very easy to miss the road leading up to the castle and end up in New York!  Knowing we were up against the clock and that daylight was fading fast, Mark asked me, “What should we do, should we start the ceremony?”  Being a father myself,  without hesitation, I said, “You HAVE to wait for your dad, you can’t start without him! It will work out and we will still have some time to create images.” Mark’s dad finally made it, and although we were a slightly rushed with just a little light left, we were still able to capture a few keepers

Special Thanks to Linda and the staff at Frungillo Caterers.

A December to remember… The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, NJ. The last time we had seen Mike and Kim, it was 85 degrees and sunny, as we shot their engagement session at their beach house.  Well, it was not quite as warm this time around! With the help of a willing bride & groom and a extremely elegant venue we were able to make some hot images!  The day started in Pompton Lakes NJ at Kim’s house where she got ready and into her dress by Maggie Sottero. The ceremony took place around the corner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  With the sun down, we headed off to The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey.  Upon arriving the staff gave us free run of the venue to get the images we needed.  I have seen some really, really nice rooms in the last 7 years, but by far, this was one of the most elegant wedding receptions I have ever seen.  It’s all about the light! Not only true in photography, but the lighting in this room was phenomenal! Up lights, pin lights, candles, hanging sconces, trees wrapped with christmas lights visible thru the 25” foot windows behind the head table. Creating all this light and room decor was the super talented NYC Floral and Event Designer, Diana Gould. Friends and family kept the dance floor full as the band, Dave Clark and the Renegades provided non-stop energy playing everything from the classics to just released hits.  With the reception ending, the old saying “you don’t have to go home, but you cant stay here” was not quite true!  In a room around the corner the after party was just getting started!  Again with cool light and even cooler furniture brought in by Diana Gould just for this party, the DJ pumped smoke and super high energy music into the crowd which raged until almost 3am.  What an event!  We also had the opportunity to work with a extremely talented videographer Damon Dietz of Absolute Media Productions.

Congratulations to Mike & Kim… we had a wonderful time and wish you nothing but the best!