As summer starts to wind down and I have a chance to reflect on some of the most incredible couples I’ve photographed this year, I couldn’t wait to share Giselle and Anthony’s dreamy mansion wedding with you! These two are one of the absolute sweetest couples — they met on Bumble and have been inseparable since their first date. In 2019, they got engaged over a weekend trip to Newport, Rhode Island. Now in 2021, they hosted their friends and family in the dreamiest Mansion wedding venue I’ve ever seen. Seriously, their entire relationship is as dreamy as their stunning mansion wedding!
Before I dive into alllll of the beautiful mansion wedding photos, if you are looking for a wedding photographer to capture your New Jersey or NYC wedding, you can learn more about my wedding photography and videography packages here or connect with me (Devin!) directly here.
Getting Ready Photos at Mystic Marriott
I have to admit, I always love taking getting ready photos at a hotel. Everyone seems more relaxed, the lighting is often fantastic, and I can almost always find a clean surface for the flatlays (those are those detail shots you love to look at!). Both Giselle and Anthony had just a few close people with them during the getting ready photos and it was such a great way to start the day. Another one of my favorite getting ready moments is always when the bride’s mother helps her put on her dress. It’s these seemingly little moments on your wedding day that end up meaning the most – trust me – and this is why you are going to want to book your wedding photographer for the whole day!
First Look with Her Dad
This might be the most emotional first look with a bride’s dad I have ever had the pleasure of capturing. Giselle’s dad was choking up even before she came outside and when he finally saw her — it was the sweetest moment ever. If you are planning your wedding and have a close relationship with your father (or any parent figure!), I highly recommend a first look with just them. You’re going to want to give yourself a second to feel all the feelings!
First Look Wedding Photos
After the first look with Giselle’s dad, we brought her over to a separate location for her first look with her soon-to-be husband! If you are considering a mansion wedding, private estate wedding, or any outdoor wedding venue, it’s nice to take advantage of all of the space you have! Don’t feel confined to just one beautiful area. Giselle and Anthony’s first look was so sweet and after they had a chance to connect, we took wedding couple portraits all over the gorgeous venue (I was obsessed with the unique architecture!).
Wedding Photos Before the Wedding Ceremony
After the wedding couple’s portraits, we took the family portraits followed by photos with the wedding party. When you have a first look, it’s so nice to have all your wedding photos taken before the ceremony so it’s “out of the way” and you can just enjoy being present for the rest of the day. Gone are the days of extended time between the ceremony and reception (at least for most couples!). If you are considering an alternative timeline for your wedding day (and don’t exactly love the idea of taking photos for hours between the ceremony and reception), I recommend scheduling them earlier in the day. I promise I will make them as fun as possible, but I know taking photos will never be as exciting as the ceremony or reception!
Stunning Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
With the photos done, Giselle and Anthony were ready to get married! In their timeline, we left 30 minutes before the ceremony for them to relax so, as their wedding photographers, we could capture the ceremony set up before guests arrived! This is why we work with each couple to help them finalize their timeline. We know you have been spending months (years?) thinking up every detail. As your wedding photographer, we want to capture every single moment and detail for you.
Giselle walked down the aisle with both her parents and Anthony waited at the end of the aisle, grinning from ear to ear. They exchanged their own personal vows and I don’t think there was a dry eye anywhere to be found! As their officiant said (and I completely agree!), no two love stories are ever the same. We might have the same markers (first date, first kiss), but there’s nothing the same about any love story. Each one is authentic and unique.
Outdoor Tented Cocktail Hour
Yet another benefit of having a first look? You get to attend your own cocktail hour! Giselle and Anthony enjoyed cocktail hour mingling with their guests (and a few of their signature cocktails – margaritas!). If you are considering a similar timeline, during their cocktail hour, they still had a grand entrance (because who doesn’t want that on their wedding day?!) and chose to have their first dance together as well as dances with their parents. After that, cocktail hour was over and everyone headed indoors to be seated for dinner.
Mansion Wedding Reception
When I asked Giselle and Anthony what they were most looking forward to on their wedding day, they both agreed they couldn’t wait for the dancing — lots and lots of dancing! Their reception (and wedding guests) did not disappoint! Giselle and Anthony kept finding and dancing with each other and their guests all night and it honestly filled my heart with so much joy. I love watching a couple’s wedding day vision come to life right in front of me.
Don’t forget the sunset wedding photos!
Did you think it was over? I also snuck Giselle and Anthony away in the middle of their reception for just 15 minutes of dreamy outdoor wedding photos as the sunset. We headed straight to the waterfront and the lighting was PERFECT. In case you are scouring this blog post for wedding planning tips, working this into your timeline is highly recommended!
Congratulations to Giselle and Anthony!
As you can tell, it was such an emotional and truly beautiful day. I was beyond honored to be there capturing every second of it. Their videographer, Move Mountains Co, also absolutely knocked it out of the park so if you want to see this blog post all come together, watch their short teaser video below. Prepare to cry though! And of course, if you are looking for a wedding photographer, I would love to learn more. Contact me via the button below to get in touch!
Vendor Team
Invitations: Minted
Hair & Makeup: Upstyle
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 outdoor wedding inspiration, check out one of my favorite backyard weddings here. Enjoy!
