If Sami and Mike look familiar, it’s because they are regulars here on the Mile Square Moments blog. I met these two for the first time when Mike hired me to document their proposal (If this is something you are interested in – click here for proposal planning tips!). From there, I met them again to capture their engagement photos on Long Beach Island and then finally, it was time for their Liberty House wedding! One of my favorite things about being a New Jersey wedding photographer is getting the chance to truly and authentically connect with each one of my couples (so that I can better capture their REAL chemistry in their photos!). Sami and Mike were absolutely magnetic with one another and there was so much joy between them as they said their I Do’s and danced the night away!
I’m about to share their Liberty House wedding… but first, a moment for their lighthouse engagement photos
While I would love for you to head here and see all of the gorgeous Long Beach Island engagemnet photos of Sami and Mike, I wanted to share just a few of my favorites here. We personalized their engagement photoshoot by kicking things off at their favorite restaurant and met on the beach for some dreamy oceanfront photos at sunrise (yes – 6am!) so we could ensure the same soft golden hour lighting without the crowds. It was my favorite way to spend a morning!
Getting Ready Photos at Residence Inn by Marriott
Over two years from the date of their proposal, it was time to get these two married! I met Sami and Mike at the Residence Inn by Marriott and was overjoyed to find them both in a state of eager anticipation and excitement for the day ahead. Their details were gorgeous (the navy blue and white palette felt classic, yet elevated!) and I absolutely loved all the pearls on Sami’s jewelry, shoes, and veil!! Pearls have been making a big comeback on wedding days and I absolutely love it!
A little hot tip for future wedding couples: Sami’s mom bought her white gloves to handle her wedding dress before she put it on, which is ALWAYS a good idea! They even had an extra pair for me so I could hang up her dress and adjust it for photos without worry. Plus – it made for such fun photos!
First Look Before Their Wedding at Liberty House
Sami and Mike both love a good view, so naturally, we took advantage of the fact that their wedding venue has one of the best! Sami and Mike shared a first look on the lawn, with the iconic NYC skyline as their backdrop. The way they looked at each other was better than any view, though!!
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Liberty House
From Bumble to this! With blue skies surrounding them, it truly was the perfect day to have an outdoor wedding ceremony. Sami and Mike’s ceremony was extra sweet and because a close family friend officiated it, it was personalized to these two lovebirds. Sami and Mike wrote their own vows and read them in front of all their family and friends – they didn’t take their eyes off of one another the entire time, though.
A Tip for Planning Your Wedding Ceremony Timeline
One of the reasons Sami and Mike started their ceremony later in the day was to take advantage of that perfect “golden hour” glow throughout the entire ceremony (instead of reserving that lighting for a few portraits). After the ceremony, I snuck Sami and Mike away for more wedding portraits before they joined their guests for cocktail hour. The lighting was soft and romantic throughout (although that might be partly because of the “just married” vibes these two were exuding!). I will always love a later ceremony for THIS reason!
Elegant Wedding Decor at Liberty House
Sami and Mike kept their wedding decor classic and elegant, with acrylic menu cards, gold flatware, and an abundance of baby’s breath on every table. They also added in a few lively and fun touches to showcase their fun-loving personalities. Their signature cocktail sign just might be one of my favorites! Sami and Mike really wanted to create a gorgeous and enjoyable ambiance for their wedding at Liberty House. They truly couldn’t have done better. It was perfection!
A Fun Liberty House Wedding Reception + An Outfit Change
Halfway through the reception, Sami changed into a head-turning reception dress. Although I LOVE an outfit change – that wasn’t the only thing I loved about Sami and Mike’s wedding reception! It was filled with joy as guests toasted sweet words and danced the night away. Seriously, you couldn’t catch these two without giant smiles on their faces all evening and it just made my heart so happy for them. Above all, these looks just FILL my cup!
Finishing with Film Photography
Adding film photography to my couples’ wedding photography packages has brought me so much joy and made me feel rejuvenated at the end of the 2022 wedding season (after a crazy few years!). I couldn’t be more excited to kick off the 2023 wedding season with more incredible couples in New Jersey and NYC. I have the best job ever. Congratulations, Sami + Mike!
Liberty House Wedding Photography Review
I can’t gush enough about the sweet review Sami left after receiving their wedding gallery. I am BEYOND grateful to have had a chance to work with both of them. From proposal to engagement to wedding – I loved being able to document such special chapters of their love story.
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Devin. We worked with her for almost 2.5 years, as my husband hired her to photograph our proposal and she was so amazing that we continued to use her for our engagement session and wedding day. From the moment we met her, it was like getting pictures taken by a friend. She put us at ease and made us feel comfortable, but at the same time was incredibly professional. We appreciated that she made the effort to have check-in chats with us throughout the months to keep us excited, hear updates about the wedding and really understand our vision for the photos.
On the day of the wedding, she was a true joy to work with. From getting dressed, to our first look, to the ceremony, to the reception, Devin was always there, capturing every moment without ever being in the way. She was able to capture the essence of our wedding day perfectly, from the big moments to the small details. The final product was beyond our wildest dreams.
Our photos are stunning, and we’ve received countless compliments from family and friends. We will cherish these photos forever, and we have Devin to thank for that. Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our wedding. Devin is an incredible talent, and we would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a wedding photographer. We will definitely be using her again when another milestone comes along!
Vendor Squad
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 are considering a Liberty House wedding, make sure to also check out this rainy and romantic wedding at Liberty House last year! Enjoy!
