Jes and Brian’s wedding at Eagle Manor in Fairfield, NJ was early September at its sweetest. The sun was shining and a prevailing breeze pushed away the late summer heat as Jesmin and Brian got ready before their ceremony. That sunshine stuck around all day, illuminating the stained glass of the church’s sanctuary at St. Mary’s Church in Salem where they committed their lives to each other before a gathering of their close family and friends. Vows were professed and sealed with a kiss before they exited the church in a shower of bubbles into a vintage Lincoln Continental that Brian had arranged as a surprise for Jes.

Wedding festivities began with cocktail hour on the patio and sloping lawn of Eagle Manor where guests were treated to popsicles along with their drinks and snacks. Loungers and adirondack chairs were set out were guests could look out and watch eddies forming on the water of the Cohansey in the mellowed afternoon sunlight. As the party moved down toward the water, Jes and Brian were announced and spun around the dance floor deck which they had decorated with cafe lights, linen canopies and swags of eucalyptus. At long tables and up on the deck, Jesmin and Brian and their guests dined alfresco, mingling and laughing. As the last of the sunshine left the horizon, Jes and Brian surprised their guests with a fire breather, because, according to Brian, a wedding with a fire breather is always better than one without a fire breather! I think he’s probably right.

Jes and Brian told me that they chose to have their wedding at Eagle Manor because they were looking for something different. Those of you who have or are planning a wedding know that it can be a very impersonal process. For Jesmin and Brian, Eagle Manor gave them the opportunity to be as creative as they wanted, to make their day personal and create an atmosphere for their guests that was intimate and relaxed. As you’ll see from the pictures, they really nailed it. Beyond the arresting scenery, all the special details the bride and groom included, as well as fantastic work from their vendors, made the day especially sweet.

Throughout the day, Jes and Brian tucked little meaningful gestures into every aspect of their wedding. One of my favorite being the little key Brian wore around his neck, a childhood token Jes had been saving since she was a little girl meant for one special person. It could be seen peaking out of his suit jacket as they got their first glimpse at each other as bride and groom. Watching their teary-eyed embrace under towering trees was one of the sweetest moments of the day.

I have to say that when I met with Jes and Brian for the first time and they showed me their ambitious design ideas for the reception, I was interested to see how they were going to pull it all off. I got my answer on their wedding day seeing how family and friends, in addition to a great team of vendors, played a big role in bringing everything together. Beyond planning their reception, Jes and Brian put their brilliant creativity into so many of their details. Jes hand wrote their invitations and made her own veil, while Brian created their flower-laden wooden wreath, charcuterie board, and ingenious unfolding flower for their rings. Even their sweetheart table was a unique thrift store find! In Jes’s words, “Overall, the day was perfect, and the sunset was beautiful and Brian & I enjoyed the time with our family and friends! It was a good day to celebrate our love and it could not have turned out any better!” I would have to agree. It was the perfect day.

I so enjoyed Jes and Brian’s wedding and I was really excited to spend more time with them the following Monday for their bride and groom portraits. You won’t find those images included here, because that session deserves its own post, so stay tuned!

Jes and Brian, your wedding day was one of the funnest I’ve ever shot, so thank you for inviting me to document it! I loved working with you two and I’m wishing you all the best in the adventure ahead of you!

Caterer: Merighi’s Savoy Inn

Dress: Hayley Paige

Alterations: Toile

DJ: Terrace DJ

Bouquets: Savannah’s Garden

Reception Florals: Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden

Videography: Samuel C. Morrison Jr.

Jeweler: James Cuggini

Day of Coordinator: Carisma’s Party Planning

Venue: Eagle Manor

Dessert: Lil Pop Shop

Krust ‘n Krumbs Bakery

Wedding Cake: Jes Made Bakery