Victoria + Jonathan // Winter Wedding, Hackettstown New Jersey

Everything came together on this magical winter day for Victoria and Jonathan. When the snow started falling right as the girls and guys were getting ready, the smiles started creeping up as the moment actually became real. Today they were saying I do! 

Victoria and Jonathan met almost 10 years ago. TEN YEARS. Before they were freshman in high school. They kept in touch on and off throughout high school and college but it was when Jonathan invited Victoria to attend the end of the year military ball at his college that things started to seem a little different for them. When Victoria got a job for Group Mission Trips running a mission site for Christian Youth in York, PA, where Jonathan is from they reconnected and a few weeks after she headed back home, they decided they wanted to be together. 

When Victoria and I first talked about her wedding in January in New Jersey, snow was obviously on both of our minds. She was really hoping for a light dusting of snow on the ground and for the day to be magically winter without being you know...like annoyingly winter when you get trapped under feet of snow and can't go anywhere. The forecast changed on and off throughout the week leading up to the wedding day and we honestly had no idea what to expect when the day finally arrived. 

While the girls were getting ready, the flakes started to gently fall. They were soft and beautiful and everyone started to get so excited that it might actually stick around for a bit and make for some beautiful photos later! And exactly that happened! We headed to the church and it was snowing pretty steadily at that point and by the time they had said their vows and promised their lives to each other, it was a winter wonderland outside!

Everything about their day worked out beautifully. The timing was perfect, the snow was perfect, their love for each other IS perfect. The glow in both of their eyes knowing that today was finally here was enough to make both Paul and I tear up a few times during the day. 

We had so much fun working with these two and getting to know their family and friends a bit better. Christ was truly glorified as these two joined together in covenant and I am so incredibly excited for the two of them. 

Special thanks to Paul for assisting throughout the day and to Rosemary Green for 2nd shooting! Congrats to the happy couple who is currently enjoying their honeymoon in paradise...aka...Jamaica!! 

All the vendors that made this day extra special!

• Venue: Panther Valley Golf Club
• Church: Trinity United Methodist Church, Hackettstown, NJ 
• Dress: Three Graces Bridal
• Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal
• Groom & Groomsmen: Mens Warehouse
• Florist: Greenway Florist
• Cake: Palermos Bakery via Panther Valley 
• Band: The Nick Campbell Band
• Hair: Turning Heads Salon
• Make Up: Maria Hunter

Dave + Jess // Outdoor Winter Wedding

When Jessica first contacted me about shooting her wedding in December....outdoors, part of me was like say waaaaahhht? And part of me was like, ohhhhh fun!! You never really know what you are going to get in December in New Jersey (19 one day and 45 the next) so we were definitely taking a risk. But it was so incredibly worth it because these two had the absolute perfect day in every way and I am so glad Paul and I were there to be a part of it. 

You might remember these two from their engagement session in the Fall. Their wedding was in a park that Dave used to live near and the two of them would frequently bring the dogs too so it had a very special place in their heart. Even though it was an intimate celebration with their family, the details were still so "them"! I loved how they incorporated bits of who they are throughout.

Dave's brothers flew in from Washington and Arizona and his dad performed the ceremony. He read his favorite poem during the ceremony and it was such a special touch that they weren't expecting. When Dave's brother was prompted to hand over the rings, he handed over two ring shaped dog toys at first because Dave and Jess are totally obsessed with their two dogs Champ and Slate. It was such a funny moment that they totally weren't expecting. Their vows was one of Paul and my favorite parts because they had the same vows and they took turns reading them back and forth finishing each other's sentences. I haven't seen anyone do that before and I thought it was so special! 

They both wore brand new boots and Jessica had her aunts shawl to keep her warm on the chilly 30 degree day. Neither one of them like the smell of fresh flowers so her bouquet and his boutineer were made of wooden flowers! They were so cool! She also had a turkey pin from her dad since he passed away when she was much younger and couldn't be there on her special day. It was all so lovely. 

After the brief ceremony in the gazebo, we did family photos and then did some portraits of the bride and groom and then we all got in our cars to warm up!! It even started snowing the tiniest bit right as we were leaving. Figures!! 

Dave and Jessica, you two are so good together and I am so glad we connected. Congratulations to you as you enjoy this new season of married life!!