This wedding was so much fun! I am beyond excited to share Alex and Matt’s wedding with you today so you can appreciate the pure joy as much as I do. COVID restrictions were a bit more relaxed on their date, so they were able to make a few changes without completely downsizing their guest list or being forced to postpone like so many other couples. Alex and Matt were able to keep their original venue, The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, but they moved the ceremony outside to make the wedding compliant with COVID restrictions. Ceremony chairs were placed in pairs of two with space left in between. You’ll see below the catering menu changed to individually portioned plates during cocktail hour. Little changes made all the difference in keeping their day safer for guests, without sacrificing all the special touches they had planned!
The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds
It was so nice to be able to document Alex and Matt’s moments throughout the day. The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds is an absolutely STUNNING wedding venue by the way. If you are getting married in New Jersey, I highly recommend! Throughout the planning, I loved getting to know Alex and Matt as their wedding photographer. I always make an effort to connect with each and every one of my couples before the wedding because it makes the wedding photos even better. If you are looking for a New Jersey or NYC photographer, make sure to check out our Mile Square Moments packages here. I would be honored to be considered!
An Outdoor First Look
One thing I loved about this wedding day was how nothing felt rushed. I always love a first look and these college sweethearts – yes, they met at the University of Delaware! – did not disappoint. Just LOOK at Matt’s face when he sees Alex for the first time!! These two are definitely ready to grow old together.
Wedding Couple Portraits Before the Ceremony
Instead of a quick first look, we did all of the bride and groom portraits before the ceremony! I love this timeline alternative. When you take portraits beforehand, it allows for the ceremony to flow smoothly into cocktail hour and then the reception. We also don’t need to worry about “working fast” and trying to get as many shots as possible while the lighting is good. Even more than that, too many wedding days go by quickly without any quality time with the person you are marrying. Trust me, this time together is absolutely precious.
Blush, Blue and Grey Wedding Party
If you happened to stumble upon this blog looking for color inspiration – this wedding is perfect. The couple combined Classic Blue (which, in case you missed it, was Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2020), with light shades of grey, blue, and blush. Often times, couples think it is “safer” to just choose one to two colors and stick to them but when you have an eye for design – like this bride Alex, who is a professional designer – mixing colors can look quite lovely (and will always be unique to you, which is a bonus). The bridesmaids also wore mismatched dresses and patterns, which were absolutely stunning. As you can tell from the photos, both sides of this wedding party knew how to make photos fun! I loved the custom flasks for the groomsmen!
Bride’s First Look with her Dad
After the wedding party portraits, Alex did a first look with her dad and it was precious. Her bouquet has a pop of dark red which matched his tie, and it looked really sharp in the photos. And of course their big smiles and sweet gestures made this a dream to photograph. First looks with a couples’ parents have become so popular this year and for good reason. Ultimately, weddings are about celebrating with the people you love who love you. Your dad (or mom!) will appreciate this time with just the two of you and I can almost guarantee there will be tears in their eyes seeing you all grown up and ready to walk down the aisle.
The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds Wedding Ceremony
With all the portraits and posing out of the way, I couldn’t wait for the ceremony at The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The chairs were set up in pairs of two – designed to encourage a bit of extra social distancing! They also had a mimosa bar set up at the entrance, which was great for guests to grab a beverage but eliminating contact with extra wait staff. When you are planning a wedding during COVID, you may need to take extra measures and make adjustments, but the wedding doesn’t (always) have to look completely different. Sometimes there are small tweaks you can make that make things a little safer, without sacrificing anything you have planned.
Cocktail Hour & Individually Portioned Food
Although the cocktail hour was held indoors, additional precautions were made to comply with current regulations. For example, The door entrances were kept open the entire time for additional airflow. Additionally, there were some activities for guests outside (like signing the Cornhole boards!) and the venue did a great job of staggering the flow of people. Nothing felt compromised – the cocktail hour felt natural (and incredible!). The catering team though really outdid themselves. Typically during cocktail hour, there is a small table of snacks or passed hors d’oeuvres. Neither of those would work during COVID! Instead, Alex and Matt served individually portioned snacks like beef kabobs, tacos, mini charcuterie board plates, Chinese food, and classics like grilled cheese dipped in tomato soup.
Floral Installations and Outdoor Tent Reception Decor
If you read the blog frequently, you know I don’t usually focus as much on the decor as I do all the moments captured on the day. But I could not just gloss over the incredible design Alex and Matt put together for their reception. Make sure you check out the vendor list at the bottom of this post because the florist knocked it out of the park!
When you are getting married, make an entrance
I don’t think I have ever laughed more during a wedding party entrance. Each bridal party couple came in ready to have some fun – the wedding couple included! They jumped right into their first dance (after their AMAZING entrance which had their guests smiling from ear to ear). Even more, the band was incredible. They added such an ambiance to the outdoor tented wedding. Alex and Matt had a mix of funny and sweet moments during their first dance and it was absolutely perfect. After that, everyone had dinner, toasts, and lots of libations. It was a truly wonderful wedding!
Congratulations to one of the funniest couples in New Jersey!
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Alex and Matt. One thing is for sure – I know it’s going to be full of lots of laughs. Their wedding was proof. I’m going to finish with some of my favorite photos from the night – Bride and Groom Karaoke for their guests!
Vendor Squad
Mile Square Moments is a wedding photographer based right here in Hoboken, New Jersey. We get to know each couple personally. Every time. You might be an MSM couple if you aren’t afraid of getting a little up close and personal in photos (PDA is A-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 Allison and Vinny’s unique Aurora Inn wedding in upstate New York.
