I know I say this every week, but I am really excited to share Allison and Vinny’s Aurora Inn wedding on the blog today. This micro wedding actually happened last year (November 2, 2019) before COVID was even remotely on our radar here in North America. I can’t decide if it feels like a million years ago, or literally just yesterday. This lucky couple got to have a small wedding because they wanted to!
At Mile Square Moments, we never want to miss a moment to celebrate. And after a crazy year, it brings such joy to celebrate this fun loving couple! If you are looking for a wedding photographer in Hoboken, New Jersey (or beyond), you can read about our services here. We would love to capture your chemistry!
Proposal Planning in Hoboken, New Jersey
I was honored that Allison and Vinny asked me to be their wedding photographer after I shot their proposal photos! We originally met when Vinny hired MSM to shoot the proposal. He planned to propose on Allison’s 30th birthday (December 2018). They walk their dog Baloo every night on Pier A in Hoboken, so he knew he would be able to surprise her. It was a cold, rainy night on Pier A in Hoboken, but the images came out so moody and romantic. My favorite.
Finger Lakes, Upstate New York Wedding
I was thrilled to travel with Allison and Vinny up to the Finger Lakes in New York. We have such beautiful wedding venues here in New Jersey, but I love the opportunity to travel with my wedding couples as well. The Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York is such a special place. If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, I highly recommend it!
Getting Ready Photos at the Aurora Inn
I love how much of their personalities Allison and Vinny infused into their outfits. Even on your wedding day, you want to look and feel like yourself. Allison looked stunning in her lace A-line wedding dress but added some fun boots to complete the look. Vinny wore converse shoes with his suit. Mixing classics with a pop of personality is definitely something we can get behind!
A Fun First Look!
Although it’s not unusual for the groom not to know what the bride is wearing, it is unique for the bride to have no idea what the groom is wearing! This added some fun into this outdoor first look session. Allison surprised Vinny with matching socks that had their dog Baloo’s face printed on them since he couldn’t physically be at the wedding with them. He was involved in the proposal so he had to show his face somewhere at the wedding! They put these matching socks on after the ceremony (before cocktail hour!).
Bride’s First Look with her Dad
A bride’s first look with her father is always an emotional moment in the day. These two were SO sweet together. There was smiling and there were a few tears of pure joy. One of my favorite moments (that was unique to this first look!), was that after the father/daughter first look, Vinny came and joined them and her dad greeted him with open arms and a big smile. We usually see this at the reception, but it was so sweet the way you could tell Vinny was completely accepted into the family long before the wedding!
Wedding Photos Before the Ceremony
Before the ceremony, we took lots of photos around the Aurora Inn. The Inn has some absolutely stunning views and the rock walls are such a unique backdrop. Perfectly fit for this couple! Being that the wedding was in November, it got a bit chilly so Allison wore Vinny’s leather jacket to warm up in between a few of them! I actually love the photos of her in her wedding dress and the leather jacket – they are some of my favorites in the whole gallery!
The Wedding Ceremony at the Aurora Inn
With beautiful burnt orange chairs and autumn leaves in the background, Allison and Vinny had the perfect setting for their 23-person micro wedding. And of course, the stunning view didn’t hurt either! They had a tent covering the ceremony and they celebrated only with their nearest and dearest. This was before COVID last year, so they weren’t forced to downsize. They wanted to keep their wedding small and intimate and to be honest, it made the whole day feel so special. On top of all that, Allison and Vinny wrote their own vows which made the ceremony feel even more intimate and personal.
Cocktail Hour
Before the cocktail hour, Allison and Vinny put on their custom Baloo socks. It was such a cute way to include him on their wedding day. We all love our dogs but it can sometimes be a logistical nightmare to include them on your wedding day (unless, of course, you have a backyard wedding like this one). I love that Allison surprised Vinny with these socks!
Wedding Photos at Sunset
During the cocktail hour, they got to mix and mingle with their guests and we also got to sneak out to take a few sunset photos just outside the Aurora Inn. I love the photos of them running toward the dock! Couples that aren’t afraid to have some fun on their wedding day and not take life too seriously are some of my favorites. Although it was a cloudy night, the sunset added such a glow to the photos on the water. The Aurora Inn has a stone structure right on the water which was the perfect unique background to finish off with.
An Intimate Aurora Inn Wedding Reception
Even with a smaller guest list, there was nothing “micro” about this wedding. The evening was filled with delicious food, lots of laughs, and toasts that didn’t leave a dry eye anywhere! Allison and Vinny chose to have everyone seated at one table, no bridal party or sweetheart table, and it just felt like family.
A Perfect Wedding Night!
After the cake cutting and toasts, we brought out the temporary tattoos! Honestly, it was so much fun watching Allison and Vinny have fun with their guests in unique ways! We also finished with a group photo – something you can truly only get away with at a micro wedding! In 2020, we have been forced to find perks of small weddings but truly, this wedding proves that these advantages existed well before 2020!
All this to say, I want to wish a huge congratulations and happy first anniversary to Allison and Vinny! I loved reliving this day!
Vendor Squad
Venue and Day Of Coordination: Inns of Aurora
Mile Square Moments is a wedding photography based right here in Hoboken, New Jersey. If you are new around here, you should know that we love getting to know each couple personally. In fact, you might be a MSM couple if you aren’t afraid of getting a little up close and personal in photos (PDA is okay!) but also enjoy a night binge-watching Netflix just the two of you. Are you planning a wedding in Hoboken, New Jersey? Or beyond? You can contact us here to find out about our photography and videography packages. Or, if you want, we are constantly sharing love stories on Instagram. For more micro wedding inspiration, check out Ashley and John’s Ryland Inn Ceremony.
