Linda and Ray’s wedding at Corto was complete with whimsical and romantic details, and to be honest, I’m a little elated reliving this precious wedding day. I always love working with the team at Love Wed Collective (they are easily some of my favorite Hoboken wedding vendors), and this spring wedding day was a perfect reminder of why I love this incredible team – and intimate weddings in general – so much. Small guest lists can truly be magic. I love to document that energy – my couples mingling and loving on their closest family and friends is always one of my favorite things. Linda and Ray were such a joy throughout their wedding day, and I can’t wait to share a few of my favorite moments with you on the blog today!
A First Look at Riverview Park
From their first date at Destination Dogs to this! Linda and Ray are the type of people you can’t help but connect with – they felt like old friends from our first conversation. They are both creative (Ray is musical and Linda is crafty) and I just felt like we instantly connected. On their wedding day, I met Ray at Riverview Park to set up for their first look. Before their wedding day, in their own words, they said “We are silly and not sure if we can take a first look seriously, nor do we intend to!”. They wanted me to capture their day (and connection) organically so they could look back and remember this moment in time, exactly as it was. When Linda arrived, I set her up to tap Ray’s shoulder and the rest was history.
Outdoor Wedding Photos in Jersey City
After their first look, we snapped a few wedding portraits around Riverview Park. I was just swooning over their connection and if you love a “how they met” story as much as I do – you’ll love Linda and Ray’s. Officially they met on OK Cupid, but Ray insists he messaged Linda two years before she responded. When he came across her profile again two years later, he tried his luck again. This time, she responded.
Four years later, they were talking about marriage and Ray was asking her to share ring styles she loved. Shortly after, on an impromptu taco date, Ray said he had good news and bad news. The good news? He bought her the ring. The bad news – she needed to pick out her favorite stone. I had goosebumps hearing their story! After their wedding portraits, their family met us at Riverview Park to have their group portraits taken before the wedding ceremony.
Small Wedding Ceremony at Corto
A short walk away, we headed to their dreamy intimate wedding venue at Corto. The ceremony was joyful and untraditional – Linda and Ray mingled with their guests before they walked down the aisle. Their ceremony was officiated by one of their friends, and it was joy-filled and incredibly personal. Linda and Ray are both empathetic individuals, and their friends and family couldn’t wait to celebrate with them. You could feel it in their air and in the words exchanged during their wedding ceremony at Corto.
Mingling During Cocktail Hour
After their wedding ceremony, Linda and Ray relaxed with their guests while the fantastic team at Corto flipped the ceremony space into a gorgeous wedding reception venue. Their cocktail hour had an untraditional timeline (they had their first dance and cake cutting before the reception!), but it was just so beautiful. The venue has an eclectic, vintage vibe perfect for such a beautiful and unique couple. Linda and Ray wasted no time celebrating and even mentioned before their wedding day that they were looking forward to their smaller guest list. They wanted to feel like they could really spend time with each and every person. They were ready to leave with lifelong memories (mission accomplished).
Whimsical Wedding Reception
Connecting over a good meal is something that’s really important to Linda and Ray, and they brought that into their micro wedding at Corto. They always love to try new restaurants and cook together, and it was nice bringing this part of their relationship into their wedding day. In fact, some of their favorite dates took place at one of my favorite unique engagement photo locations: Asbury Park. For Linda and Ray, their favorite dates always involve a delicious dinner and sitting on the beach. Corto was absolutely the perfect wedding venue for this sweet couple and Love Wed Collective delivered the gorgeous florals and personal details to really make their wedding reception unique to them. The family-style catering added to the intimate vibe they wanted on their wedding day!
An Intimate Restaurant Wedding at Corto
I couldn’t be more excited to see what Linda and Ray do next together – I have no doubt that it’s going to be incredible. Although it’s already been six months since their beautiful wedding at Corto, looking back at their wedding photos it feels like just yesterday. One of my favorite parts of being a Hoboken wedding photographer is really connecting with my couples, and with a smaller guest list, you really leave feeling like you’ve gained friends. If that’s the feeling you are looking for, I would love to learn more about your wedding day. I have a few spots left for 2023, and you can learn more about the Mile Square Moments experience here, or head straight here to get in touch. I’m here for all of the New Jersey romantics!
Love Wed Collective Vendor Squad
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Wedding Venue & Catering: Corto
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 New Jersey wedding inspiration, check out my favorites from 2021 here. Enjoy!