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Joanna and Matthew are such a fun couple and how they got together and engaged were such fantastic stories! The two met when they worked at the Wells Fargo Center, and although Joanna knew Matthew liked her, he just wouldn’t take the next step. So in order to keep other women away from him while she waited, she told a story about him to ensure they wouldn’t take an interest! Two months later, he finally asked for Joanna’s phone number. The rest, as they say, is history!
Matthew’s proposal story is equally cute! On Christmas Eve, he told Joanna that they should take a “family” photo in front of the Christmas tree with their cat. Knowing it would be a funny picture, Joanna agreed and as they were posing, Matthew knelt down on one knee and popped the question! It took three minutes of convincing on Matthew’s part for Joanna to believe this wasn’t a joke, and she said ‘yes’!
Joanna and Matthew had a true all-in-one wedding event at The Bradford Estate in Hainesport, New Jersey. With their theme colors in sage, ivory, yellow and beige, the venue spaces reflected such a soft, spring-like feel (even with the weather feeling a lot more like summer that day!).
The couple and their wedding party all got ready early that afternoon in separate suites at their beautiful venue. The girls all hung out and had fun together in their matching robes as their hair and makeup was finished by Aadore Beauty. Then, they dressed into their lovely sage green dresses. They were so beautiful!
And we got our first look at their gorgeous floral bouquets from Stemtations! They were overflowing with white, ivory and yellow blooms, including all those bright and sunny sunflowers.
Then Joanna dressed into her gorgeous gown with help from her sister and maid of honor. Her dress featured a lovely princess silhouette with a beautiful lace overlay and a stunning, plunging illusion V-neckline. Her long, flowing veil was edged in the same beading as her beautiful gown. Joanna looked absolutely amazing. And those sparkling tennis shoes were a fantastic find, perfect for being on your feet all day at your wedding!
Meanwhile, Matthew and the guys had a great time before they got dressed, relaxing and even squeezing in a game of table shuffleboard and pool! Afterwards, they dressed into their matching tan suits, Matthew in an ivory tie with the rest in sage, all looking so handsome on this special day.
Once they were dressed and ready, the two had a first look outside at The Bradford Estate. It was so sweet how the two laughed so much when they saw each other! Then, photos of the couple and their wedding party were taken inside and outside on this beautiful, sunny day. The party had such a great time during their shoots, and it was a pleasure to work with the team at Diamond Street Photography. Check out some of the photos on their blog!
After their fantastic photo shoot with Diamond Street, we headed back inside for Joanna and Matthew’s wedding ceremony. Again, the flowers that flanked the aisle chairs and filled the couple’s geometric arch were so vibrant and beautiful. The couple had a very personalized ceremony, as their officiant led them in reciting their custom vows to each other. After a close-call, ring pop mix up, the real rings were exchanged and Joanna and Matthew made it official!
Then it was time to celebrate Joanna and Matthew’s brand new marriage at their reception! The ballroom was filled with elegant, towering floral centerpieces and flower accents. And the couple’s sweetheart table was simply overflowing with all those gorgeous, summery yellow and ivory florals.
The wedding party’s entrances were announced, with Joanna and Matthew’s highly anticipated arrival at the end. And they definitely made an entrance, with Joanna on Matthew’s back! They then danced a beautiful first dance together on the dance floor, their very first as ‘husband and wife’.
As the dinner hour began, we were treated to beautiful toasts from Joanna’s sister, from Matthew’s best man and from his parents. We absolutely loved Matthew’s wonderful father’s poem about Matthew and Joanna! And the toasts from Joanna’s maid of honor and Matthew’s best man were also completely from the heart (and so funny, too!). You could certainly see how much love and devotion they all have for each other. And Joanna and Matthew shared another sweet moment as they danced with Matthew’s parents on the dance floor.
Then it was time to really get this party started! SCE Event Group brought the music that rocked the house, and everyone had such a ball dancing the night away! Joanna even included the traditional bouquet toss in the celebrations!
Joanna and Matthew took a break from dancing to cut their delectable, sunflower-adorned three-tiered cake from Isgro Pasticceria. Then it was back to dancing until the last dance was called.
It was so wonderful to be a part of capturing Joanna and Matthew’s fantastic wedding day! Congratulations to the newlyweds! May their years ahead be filled with lasting love and joy.
Photographer: Diamond Street Photography – Abington, PA
Floral Design: Stemtations – Northfield, NJ
Hair Stylist: Aadore Beauty – Moorestown, NJ
Makeup Artist: Aadore Beauty – Moorestown, NJ
Entertainment: SCE Event Group – West Long Branch, NJ
Cake: Isgro Pasticceria – Philadelphia, PA
Officiant: Lorraine Hatcher
Venue: The Bradford Estate – Hainesport, NJ
#diamondstreetphotography #sceeventgroup #isgropasticceria #thebradfordestate #stemnations #aadorebeauty