Kristy and Andrew have a special kind of love story, and I couldn’t wait to share their wedding details on the blog today! These two have known each other since the 5th grade! When they finally started dating six years ago, it was definitely worth the wait. These two secretly eloped in their backyard last year (they sent me sweet pictures after the fact!) so this blissful Jersey City micro wedding at Porta was a vow renewal meets giant celebration. When I asked what they were most excited about on their wedding day, Kristy and Andrew both agreed it was “all of it”. Really, they just couldn’t wait to have a special day with everyone they loved. I was honored to be a part of it.
Mile Square Moments Reviews
Last week, I talked about how this has been one of the most challenging (but most rewarding!) years of my career. Without a doubt, seeing these love stories come to life has been an incredible adventure, and sweet reviews like the one from Kristy below make it all worth it. I can’t help but gush a little reading this. I’m so grateful for every single person I’ve had the chance to work with this year.
We absolutely loved working with Devin of Mile Square Moments for our micro wedding in Jersey City! She makes you feel special right from the first phone call, and you can tell she is genuinely excited to get to know you as a couple and be part of your special day. Devin is so organized and professional – we could really just exhale and enjoy throughout the planning process and on our wedding day. She’s super responsive, clear about all the logistics and pricing, and is just overall someone who makes you feel good. The best part is that Devin’s photography is gorgeous and made our day look like a piece of art. The candid, special moments she was able to capture mean so much to us and our family. Thank you Devin!!
First Look Wedding Photos at Van Vorst Park
Kristy and Andrew planned an evening wedding (something I absolutely love about micro weddings is the timeline flexibility!), so we met at Van Vort Park for their first look at 5:00 p.m. Andrew’s brother showed up to help him look his best, which was such a sweet moment. I loved capturing the candids between the brothers! Once Kristy arrived, I set them up for their first look in front of the fountain. We spent the next half hour around Van Vorst park taking couple portraits and as you can tell, they had such a sweet and loving energy together that just shone through. At 5:30 p.m, their family met us for some group portraits before we all walked over to Porta for the ceremony!
Capturing Details Before the Wedding Ceremony
I usually capture detail shots during getting ready photos, but since we started with the first look, I raced to the ceremony/reception space a little early to capture some of the gorgeous details they had put together. Kristy and Andrew truly made the micro wedding venue their own. They had so many fun and sweet details, from menu cards to custom koozies, to a champagne wall that greeted guests as they arrived for the reception. They are both naturally creative (they enjoy gardening and painting together regularly!) so I knew the details would be just incredible.
Porta Wedding Ceremony
I’ve had a chance to photograph quite a few wedding receptions at Porta this year (it is one of the best micro wedding venues in New Jersey!) but I have to admit, it was so special watching the place come to life during the ceremony! They used the “be married” sign in lieu of a ceremony arch and it was honestly the perfect backdrop. The reception tables did “double duty” as guests sat in their seats as Kristy and Andrew exchanged their vows. Kristy and Andrew couldn’t take their eyes off each other for a single moment.
Wedding Reception at Porta
I’m always a fan of a pizza reception but for Kristy and Andrew, pizza was a perfect choice! On their very first date, they enjoyed pizza together at DeLorenzo’s pizza place. At the time, they were still navigating the waters of “are
we friends, or is this a date?” I always think it’s so special how something like pizza can make you realize just how far your relationship has come. Nowadays, some of their favorite date nights are cooking together at home.
Another Stunning Jersey City Micro Wedding
If I could just take one more minute to gush about these two, their thoughtful and sweet nature comes through in everything they do. Even when they told me their engagement story, there were so many special moments and details. During a summer trip to Montreal, Andrew planned for them to go to the botanical gardens with their tripod (for the photos they would take). He suggested they stop and take in several moments and when Kristy finally agreed, he got on one knee and proposed. The thoughtfulness was evident because he proposed with her grandmother’s ring which had already been sized to fit perfectly. Once she said yes, he surprised her with a helicopter tour around the city.
As you can tell, I love to celebrate love stories around here. Seriously, we have a lot of love here in New Jersey! If you are currently planning your wedding day in New Jersey, New York, or beyond, make sure to check out my galleries of real weddings and more love stories below!
Vendor Squad
Bridal Clutch: SHEIN
Mile Square Moments is a wedding photography company based in Hoboken, New Jersey. If you are new around here, you should know that we love getting to know each couple personally. Wondering if we would be the right fit? You might be a MSM couple if you aren’t afraid of getting a little up close and personal in photos. We love natural chemistry and a little PDA around here! BUT, also enjoy a night in binge-watching Netflix. Are you planning a wedding in New Jersey? If you are, Contact us here to find out about our photography/videography packages. We also love stories on Instagram. If you want more micro wedding inspiration, check out this Jersey City micro wedding at Porta as well! Enjoy!
