I love to gush over my couples’ love stories. But seriously, I work with the most incredible wedding couples in New Jersey. This micro wedding on Long Beach Island has me feeling all of the feelings. It’s hard to believe looking at them, but Chelsea and Jeremia are just as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. As I had a chance to work with them, I have to say that they are two of the most genuinely kind people I have ever had the chance to meet and even though I say this all the time, it was an absolute honor to be their wedding photographer!
Photography and Videography in New Jersey
If you are not familiar with Mile Square Moments, allow me to quickly introduce myself before I dive into all the details that made this micro wedding so special. I’m Devin. You can read more about me and MSM here , but the short version is that I’m a NJ and NYC wedding photographer for the deep in love and the hopeless romantics. If you are a wedding couple in the New Jersey or New York area looking for photography and videography, we have partnered with Murphy Studio – an incredibly talented videographer in Hoboken, NJ! You can check out our package services here or contact me here to book . Above all, thank you to Murphy Studio for sharing this teaser of Chelsea and Jeremia’s wedding with us! That is to say, it was an incredible day and this video is proof.
VIDEO
New Jersey Engagement
Chelsea and Jeremia were together for over ten years before they got engaged. On a (seemingly) regular Saturday in May, Jeremia suggested they celebrate the end of tax season (he’s a tax preparer) at a restaurant in Long Beach Island. On their way to Long Beach Island, they started talking about engagement rings and how they were going to make a trip down to NYC in the near future. That day, there was a local jeweler who had a pop up event and Chelsea, who had no idea what was next, purchased a necklace. Once they left, Jeremia said he “left his card inside” but really told the jeweler he was going to propose!
A Proposal on Long Beach Island!
Every summer, Chelsea and Jeremia spend some time at the same house on the beach. First, while they were on LBI, they decided to check out the beach nearby. After that, Chelsea and Jeremia sat on a bench talking about life and watching the waves. Suddenly, Jeremia complimented her outfit and said he was going to take some photos. All of a sudden, he told her to turn around and he was on one knee with the most incredible ring, filming Chelsea’s reaction! After she said yes, they headed to the restaurant where six of their closest friends surprised them to celebrate. If that isn’t one of the sweetest stories you have ever heard, I don’t know what is!
New York City Engagement Photos
For their engagement photos, we started at a coffee shop. Kind of a toast to their first date which was at a Starbucks in 2008! I love getting to know each of my couples personally so we can really capture their love story, and one of there favorite things to do is grab a cup of coffee and try out new cafes together. It was a natural starting point. We took photos at a couple different locations but the coffee shop ones at Felix Roasting Co. in Manhattan are some of my favorites!
Getting Ready for their Long Beach Island Micro Wedding
This micro wedding has kind of an interesting back story. Although they had other plans originally, COVID forced Chelsea and Jeremia to cancel their large wedding on their original date (May 9, 2020). Similarly to many other 2020 couples, they chose to get legally married on the same date anyway. Because their wedding attire hadn’t arrived by their wedding day, they ended up planning this micro wedding in September where they exchanged vows in front of their guests and got to get dressed up in their wedding day attire. Chelsea and Jeremia wanted to wear their wedding attire and celebrate with a micro wedding in a place that’s so very meaningful to them — Long Beach Island. And it honestly felt so special.
The First Look on Long Beach Island where they got engaged
For the getting ready photos, they actually took place in the house that I mentioned in their engagement story. Exactly, where the two of them love to spend their summers! After that, we headed down to the beach where they got engaged for their first look. Truly, there are so many reasons why I love when couples do first looks before the ceremony. Not only does it get rid of any nervous jitters before the ceremony, but as a couple, this might be the only time you get to spend with “just the two of you”. Having these photos at the same place Chelsea and Jeremia got engaged made the first look even more special.
Long Beach Island Wedding Ceremony
After that, Chelsea and Jeremia’s closest family and friends met them on the beach to witness them exchanging their personal vows together. After the ceremony, they had their first dance to the song that they were originally going to dance to in their May wedding plans. This was actually a last-minute decision. When Jeremia was getting ready, he showed Alan (the videographer from Murphy Studio ) and me that the name of their first dance song was embroidered inside his jacket. It was really special to them. Alan had the idea of playing the song on his bluetooth speaker (he always brings this with him on shoots and it’s been a lifesaver on more than one occasion) and giving them their first dance on the beach after they read their vows. It was so emotional.
After the ceremony, we took some family photos on the beach (I couldn’t resist sharing the one of the bride with her grandma!) and then Chelsea and Jeremia and their guests celebrated with a champagne toast at the house before getting ready for the reception.
Beach Haven Reception at Pollys Dock and Clamhouse
I can’t possibly gush enough about this sweet couple. Above all, they are two of the kindest and most generous souls. As just one example, they invited my husband and me to join them at their reception. After that, they even put us up for the night at a local hotel. As a photographer, this was totally unexpected and forever appreciated. Seriously, it was SO sweet. I love connecting with my couples so deeply.
Chelsea and Jeremia had their reception at Pollys Dock and Clamhouse. They didn’t rent out the restaurant or anything – it had a more casual and intimate feel. Instead, the restaurant gave them a more private space so they could cut the cake and mingle amongst each other. We also snuck away for some fun sunset couple photos around the area and they turned out INCREDIBLE. I love photographing in front of the “You Can’t Cancel Summer” graffiti art!
Congratulations to the Newest New Jersey Newlyweds!
Before COVID, I asked Chelsea and Jeremia what they were most looking forward to on their wedding day. Before the day, they both agreed to spending time with their loved ones and dancing together as most important. As you can tell, I am so thrilled we got to capture that magic for them. Chelsea and Jeremia work so well together – they’re a true team and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. I believe there is nothing better. With that said, this is why I love to take the time to get to know each of my couples before the wedding day. With this time, I can capture this incredible chemistry. Cheers to the newest New Jersey Newlyweds!
Vendor Squad
Mile Square Moments is a wedding photography based in Hoboken, New Jersey. If you are new around here, you should know that we love getting to know each couple personally. As you can tell, I knew instantly that Chelsea and Jeremia were an MSM couple. When we met, they said “We enjoy being adventurous but also enjoy the simplicity of sitting on the couch together, laughing at memes on our phones.” Same. 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 Ryland Inn Ceremony.
Devin, that was a fantastic read! A beach wedding is one of the most natural and romantic venues for the start of your life. With the ocean in the background and the pleasant sea wind for company, couples throng to the seashore. The best part is that even if you are not a New Jersey resident, the state provides a variety of beach locations along the waterfront.
Thank you, Alina! I totally agree! New Jersey has lots of beautiful beaches to choose from for wedding couples!