.png)
We were so happy when we received an inquiry from Mike one day as he was reaching out for more information on our videography services. Mike is a freelance cinematographer, and our conversations with him were so fantastic as he described what he was looking for in his own videography for his wedding day. We couldn’t wait to meet his fianceé, Kaitlyn as well, and looked forward to their wedding event which was over sixteen months from our initial conversations!
Kaitlyn and Mike met in a typical way (at work) however Mike’s proposal was quite different and so special! He took Kaitlyn to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, a wonderful, colorful mosaic art installation on South Street. They’d been there before… it’s a location they both enjoy for exploring and taking photographs. Unbeknownst to Kaitlyn, Mike called the site’s manager earlier and arranged to have the place emptied of visitors immediately after 6:00pm, their scheduled closing time, but allowing Mike and Kaitlyn to remain onsite for a bit. So on that evening, as others were leaving, Kaitlyn remarked to Mike that perhaps they should leave too. He told her, “Nah, lets stay and hide, maybe they won’t see us!”
So when Kaitlyn resumed taking photos and became focused on one piece of art, Mike took advantage of the opportunity to pull out the ring and get down on one knee behind her back. After what seemed like forever, Kaitlyn turned around to find Mike waiting to propose! He was so overwhelmed with emotion that the only words he could say were, “Will you marry me?” Kaitlyn said, “yes”, of course!
Finally, their wedding day arrived! It was a lovely almost fall day but it still had all the feels of summer. We just knew this wedding was going to be a ton of fun, mixed with a lot of emotional moments and love… and we were so right!
Kaitlyn and Mike got ready for their event in separate suites at Staybridge Suites North Brunswick. The atmosphere was relaxed as Kaitlyn and her bridal party wore fun t-shirts with their role for the day printed on the front while they had their professional hair and makeup done by Pin It Up Bridal.
But before getting into her gown, Kaitlyn read her love note from Mike. In it, he Mike expressed his excitement for the day and for their years together to come. And Kaitlyn opened her gift from him as well, a beautiful framed photo of the two of them. And it was obvious how overcome with emotion Mike was getting as he read his card from Kaitlyn, then opened his gift from her, framed lyrics to a song they both love. We just love capturing these moments that we know they’ll treasure forever.
When it was time to get dressed, Kaitlyn’s mother helped her put on her beautiful wedding gown, a gorgeous strapless design from Provonias, all covered in 3D floral lace, with a sweetheart neckline and a subtle mermaid silhouette. She wore her hair down in graceful waves swept to one side, with a glittering brooch fastened in the back and a long veil for the ceremony. Her eye-popping deep red shoes coordinated beautifully with her luscious bouquet from Brandywine Floral Design with its dark red and pink blooms.
And Mike looked so dapper on his wedding day! He had on a burgundy tie, straightened by his loving mother, that matched perfectly with Kaitlyn’s bouquet and shoes and with the bridesmaids burgundy dresses. His groomsmen wore tuxedos that matched Mike’s, aside from their black ties. And Mike completed his outfit with those dark sunglasses, of course!
Kaitlyn shared a tender first look with her father before leaving the hotel… so sweet! But Kaitlyn and Mike knew a first look wasn’t for them. So once they were all dressed and ready, they each headed to St. Mary’s Chapel in Middletown, New Jersey for their ceremony. Mike couldn’t help but say, “Wow!” when he saw Kaitlyn for the first time as she walked down the aisle with her father. Then, Father Jeffrey Kegley celebrated their traditional Catholic wedding Mass, and before long, the two were reciting their vows and saying, ‘I do’!
At their reception venue after the ceremony, the couple and their bridal party (and Kaitlyn and Mike’s two precious pups!) had photos taken with our friend and an amazing photographer, Paul, and his wonderful second shooter from Paul Francis Photography. Some of the couple’s photos on the lake were also taken with fabulous smoke bombs in the background! Kaitlyn and Mike changed into their customized burgundy Vans for the shoot and Kaitlyn also wore two incredible hand-painted leather jackets in some of the photos as well. And you can see just how much fun the whole group had during their photo shoot! Be sure to also scroll down and check out Paul’s Facebook page to see some of the photos from the day!
Smoke drifted along the floor in the ballroom at their beautiful venue, The Estate at Farrington Lake, as the couple entered and had their first dance seemingly on a cloud. It was so beautiful to watch.
And the toasts given that evening were so perfectly written and delivered, simply spot-on! Kaitlyn’s father delivered a wonderful welcome speech and tribute to his daughter and to Mike, including the delightful story of how he gave Mike his blessing to marry his daughter. Kaitlyn’s maid of honor illustrated all of Kaitlyn’s beautiful traits and expressed her appreciation for her and for their friendship. And we loved how Mike’s best man gave us a picture of Mike is his college days, and how he described Mike today, ready to start the beginning of the rest of his life with Kaitlyn.
Following those fantastic speeches were the sweet parent dances, and the cutting of that delectable four-tiered, semi-naked cake from Palermo Bakery shortly after. The whole day flowed just beautifully. Laura and Andrea from LoveHaus Events did such a fantastic job in helping to plan and coordinate this perfect wedding event and we enjoyed working with them very much.
The night wasn’t over yet though! The music was so awesome, as Extravagant DJs played a variety of pop and rock songs that catered to every guest and kept everyone on the dance floor! And Kaitlyn and Mike had a festive sparkler salute outside with their bridal party to celebrate their love and their wonderful day.
Everyone had such a blast on this special day… including us! We thank Kaitlyn and Mike for allowing us to share in their wedding day and wish them all the best as they begin their lifetime together.
Photographer: Paul Francis Photography – Morristown, NJ
Floral Design: Brandywine Floral Design – East Brunswick, NJ
Hair Stylist: Pin It Up Bridal – Ashley Murchio – Belmar, NJ
Makeup Artist: Pin It Up Bridal – Christine Ortman – Belmar, NJ
Wedding Dress: Provonias
Bride & Groom Shoes: Angela Nuran; Vans (custom for the reception)
Entertainment: Extravagant DJs – Manalapan, NJ
Cake: Palermo Bakery – Little Ferry, NJ
Wedding Planner: Lovehaus Events – Laura Bonadonna & Andrea Petrucci – Philadelphia, PA
Officiant: Reverend Jeffrey Kegley – Middletown, NJ
Church: St. Mary’s Chapel – St. Mary, Mother of God Parish – Middletown, NJ
Venue: The Estate at Farrington Lake – East Brunswick, NJ
Accommodations: Staybridge Suites North Brunswick – North Brunswick, NJ
#ashleymurchio #pinitupbridal #staybridgesuitesnorthbrunswick #provonias #theestateatfarringtonlake #paulfrancisphotography #extravagantdjs #angelanuran #christineortman #revjeffreykegley #vans #palermosbakery #stmarymotherofgodparish #stmaryschapel #andreapetrucci #brandywinefloraldesign #lovehausevents #laurabonadonna