Typically I don’t think of New Jersey as Wine Country, but then again I’m more keyed into the bourbon hemisphere of the booze map. This set is really special to me because I got to see an old friend tie the knot. Christina originally booked me for her engagement photos last winter/spring and she was so pleased with them that she wanted me to do her wedding as well. Obviously, I said yes! Brandon and I had only met for a few hours but we had so much in common and got on so well during the engagement shoot, seeing him at the wedding was like seeing an old friend. They chose a nice little winery in South Jersey for their ceremony/reception. It was really great to catch all the family moments for a family I’ve known for so much of my life. Her parents joked about the “goofy kid from down the block that used to play flashlight tag every weekend”. I told them not a lot’s changed. Without further ado here are the pictures from that very special day. Christina and Brandon thank you so much!

Back when I lived in Jersey City, a couple of friends of mine, Frank and Zoe, used to come see me everyday at my bar. When they told me they were tying the knot , I didn’t out right offer my services. (HUGE MISTAKE) I just assumed they already had all the details hashed out. As the months lead up to the wedding they were planning and everything was going great it seemed. Out one night, I saw them at a bar and I remembered that they were getting married that weekend. I asked them who they had shooting their wedding. Frank told me they looked around but it had just become too late and they were just having lunch with their parents and then doing a New York style ceremony at the Courthouse, not a big deal really. I protested! It certainly was a big deal! And  I demanded that they let me shoot it! Good thing I got a little more assertive, because the pictures came out amazing. It just goes to show you, its a special day because its yours. I have to say this was one of the most relaxed and fun shoots I got to do. I spent time with their families and by the end of the day, I felt like I was family too.

Growing up is a funny thing. One day you’re sitting there watching the Goonies on cable in the dead heat of the summer and then suddenly all your friends are getting married. It can throw you for a loop if you aren’t ready (I have a relatively large dvd collection and a lot of John Cusack movies so I’m pretty well adjusted.) I say all that to say this: I’ve known Kim & Justin for as long as Kim & Justin have known Kim & Justin. Did that make sense? I hope so. Anyhow after courting for several years my two good friends called me up and of course I was overwhelmed with joy to hear the news.

How does the old saying go? There’s nothing like old friends. Back in college Justin used to get us into to trouble, and Kim would get us out. Not a whole lot has changed. One of those classic examples of opposites attract, I suppose. It was scorcher that day, they opted to have the whole ceremony in their back yard. That was fortuitous because afterwards we took the wedding and turned it into a pool party! Man, I love shooting my friend’s weddings.

Did I ever mention I really dig ampersands. You use them instead of writing “and”. In general it’s most appropriate when the two nouns you are connecting have a familiarity or common proximity. Y’know peanut butter & jelly or fish & chips I’m sure you get the point. But that’s just me I’m kind of writing geek. I feel it was more than fitting Brooke & Bob share one when I mention them… they go well together, they look good together, so I say it’s ampersand time.  Anyhow, that really doesn’t begin to describe how excited I was to be present on this day.

Brooke is an old friend. One of the oldest, in fact. You see I moved around a lot growing up. And sadly, you don’t get to take your friends with you when you go. Not so sadly though, there’s an opportunity for new friendships to bloom when you settle back down. So in 5th grade I met Brooke. For the next 8 years we went through school together. We spent more than a few class projects together, worked on the class yearbook, we even did crabwalk relay once. Good times! So when she told me she was looking to a photographer for her wedding reception/vow renewal I jumped at the chance!

Along came the day. My assistant (Melanie McLean of Wayward Winos fame) and I showed up at the hotel and met Brooke in the suite. Mel and I geared up and I went in to see Brooke. I had no idea that all her bridesmaids were friends of mine from high school. It was like a mini reunion. Brooke started to get all teary eyed. She said something to the effect about how blessed she was that we all could be here for her. I told her to stop it or she was going to get me to cry, and I didn’t make it through 8 years of school without having them see me get all emotional to breakdown now. We all laughed and things progressed on a very happy note for the rest of the day.

After hearing Brooke talk about Bob and seeing pictures of their wedding ceremony in Jamaica it was a total pleasure meeting him in the flesh. I got to meet the rest of Brooke’s family as well (I’m not positive but I think there’s a fishing trip I got roped into with Mr. Conaway).

We went from the photos at the hotel to the cocktail hour to the vow renewal and finally got to my favorite part: Dance Floor Mayhem. It was a seriously fun night and great to see everyone. Here are my Top Ten pics from the night (OK Eleven I had a hard time leaving one out).