Nothing warms my heart as much as a referral from one of our past couples. When Jaime reached out to me, I had shot her sister Michelle’s wedding a year prior. Unfortunately, I was already booked up for their wedding date (all the COVID reschedules had me working overtime last year!). I happily suggested having associate photographers take the photos, but I would still take care of the pre-planning and post-production editing. This way, I could ensure Jaime received the same style of wedding photos that she fell in love with. Jaime and Howie trusted me and my process and I couldn’t be happier with how their wedding photos turned out! This wedding at Lake Mohawk Country Club was definitely one for the books!
There have been so many times over the past couple of years where I have been grateful for my network of incredible photographers. Jaime and Howie’s wedding day though? Was absolutely one of the highlights. I love that I can trust fellow NJ wedding photographers to show up and treat my couples like their own. I can’t wait to share their gorgeous beach wedding on the blog today!
Fall Engagement Photos
Autumn is clearly a wonderful time for these two because it’s also when we got together to take their engagement photos just one year earlier. I absolutely loved their engagement photo session because you could just tell how comfortable the two of them are together. We were able to capture photos both indoor and outdoor that just felt cozy. Even though I couldn’t be there on their wedding day, I absolutely loved getting to know them during this session.
Afternoon Getting Ready Photos
With an evening ceremony, you can start getting ready after a good night’s sleep. After all, you aren’t setting your alarm for the crack of dawn. Jaime and Howie both mentioned during the planning process that they were really looking forward to enjoying their time with their wedding party. The women in Jaime’s party were a mix of her sisters as well as friends from elementary school to college, and Howie’s groomsmen were mostly made up of his best friends from high school. It truly felt like a group of friends that had all been through life and grown up together. Everyone was looking forward to celebrating the next chapter for Jaime and Howie.
A Beachy First Look Outside their Wedding Venue
Just steps away from their wedding venue, Jaime and Howie shared a first look before their wedding ceremony. Before their wedding day, they both admitted that this special moment was one of the things they were most looking forward to on their wedding day, and it did not disappoint. They both looked absolutely incredible – and the contrast between the fall foliage and ethereal beachy setting made for an absolutely phenomenal backdrop. Jaime and Howie took a few moments to embrace one another and remain present in the moment, and then we took more wedding photos of just the two of them.
After their first look photos, we met up with their wedding party for more photos! One of my favorite things about a first look, and I will say this over and over again, is the fact that you can get your photos out of the way, with no timeline stress, and then simply remain in the moment from your wedding ceremony to the reception. Jaime and Howie’s wedding party was a team of some of the biggest cheerleaders and not only did they make it easy to take photos, they also ramped up the energy and excitement for the ceremony!
An Indoor Wedding Ceremony at the Lake Mohawk Country Club
The sun set about half an hour before the wedding ceremony, so the venue was adorned with string lighting and the most incredible evening view. Together with their guests, it felt like they were the only people in the world. Jaime and Howie knew they didn’t want a long ceremony, it was maybe 30 minutes at the most, because they wanted to spend as much of their wedding day as possible celebrating with their family and friends. They exchanged traditional vows – for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health – before they shared their first kiss as husband and wife!
A Short Cocktail Hour After the Ceremony
Jaime and Howie planned on attending the full cocktail hour with their guests, which is why it was so important to capture all of the photos they wanted before the ceremony began! After the ceremony, they started their cocktail hour right away which rolled effortlessly into the reception. Their cocktail hour was short but guests enjoyed live music as Jaime and Howie mingled with their guests on the open air balcony.
A Fall Wedding Reception at Lake Mohawk Country Club
Their wedding reception decor was complete with an abundance of rustic and classic wedding touches. Jaime and Howie chose their wedding color palette around the fall season – burgundy, burnt orange, navy and eucalyptus – and everything came together flawlessly under the string lights of the venue. As a photographer, I also couldn’t help but swoon a little about how they included their engagement photos in a few different places to make their wedding reception feel even more personal.
A Timeless & Charm-Filled Wedding Reception
At the end of the day, Jaime and Howie’s wedding was jam-packed with joy in every single moment. Their wedding reception was no exception – from the moment they cheered and entered the venue (to a crowd of adoring family and friends) until the last dance of the night – these two could not stop stealing glances and smiling at each other. They even snuck away for a few evening wedding portraits outdoors which were pure magic and ended up being a few of my favorites from the entire gallery.
A Fairytale Waterfront Wedding
If you can only imagine a beach wedding in the summer, I hope that Jaime and Howie’s wedding photos have inspired you to give the fall time another look. I can’t imagine a more picturesque setting, for two people who are without-a-doubt head over heels for one another. Even though I couldn’t be there personally, I was beyond honored that Mile Square Moments was entrusted to capture their wedding day memories. This fairytale waterfront wedding was definitely one for the books! If you are looking for a New Jersey wedding photographer, inquire here for availability. I have a very limited number of spots left for 2023!
Vendor Team
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. A little PDA is encouraged 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 beach wedding inspiration in New Jersey, check out one of my favorite Atlantic City weddings here. Enjoy!
