Fall November Styled Bridal Wedding Inspiration East Brunswick New Jersey Photographer

When you don’t have sweeping mountaintops or endless golden deserts, you choose to highlight the beauty that surrounds you. Here where I live in New Jersey, that’s a whole lot of woods. They are looked over and driven by, but for those who actually take the time to walk through these vast hidden gems, there’s a lot to fall in love with, especially as the seasons change.

Warm November leaves covered Frost Woods Park; this simple-toned palette gave us a lot of creative freedom when it came to adding pops of color and texture. In hopes of focusing on nature’s beauty, it was important to me to appreciate this location instead of simply using it. I knew from the start this shoot was meant to be set in the woods, so from there, I envisioned the burgundy and golden hues with hints of green and cream to add some more life.

Every single setup blew me away. I could not have seen this dream through without the help of these unbelievably selfless, talented, and thoughtful vendors. One eye-catching focal point to me was the hedge wall bar setup. I mean, who doesn’t want to stop for a drink while you stroll through the woods?! Not only was it a breath of life among many fallen leaves, its purpose as a bar area did not stop there. It doubled as a photo booth backdrop and is a really modern version of a classic wedding-day station for the bride and groom to offer to their guests. “You, always.” stood out to me for its simplicity and poignancy; it covers everything that matters on a wedding day – the everlasting love between two people.

From the stunning A-line, sheer-sleeved dress, to the mini jam jar in the welcome gift, this shoot was full of small details that came together and burst with a rustic elegance. Some of my other favorite details (if only I could mention them all!) were the invitations and escort cards written in refined hand-calligraphy, the moss-lined sweetheart table, the whimsical hand-made macramé ceremony backdrop, the three-tiered-floral cake, the bride’s elegant updo, and the artichoke accents throughout the table. As silly as it may seem, artichokes are my absolute favorite, so I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw them lying alongside the vintage China and burning taper candles. Oh, and I certainly can’t complain about our sweet little guest, Estelle, who made an appearance at the ceremony arbor.

An important detail to note, in my opinion, is that a styled shoot gives vendors the ability to show off a vision that is uniquely their own. With that in mind, I knew I wanted a stunning wedding cake. However, I am vegan, so I rarely get to enjoy the cake and desserts when I am a guest at a wedding. It was a shot in the dark, but I asked if this cake could be made vegan, and much to my surprise, our amazing cake artist agreed. This cake wasn’t for me, this wasn’t for the vendors (although, we all got to enjoy the vanilla and banana-nut layers after!), this was to support the creatives who are willing to bend over backward to accommodate their client’s needs. I was SO thankful to have found someone so open to my requests, being that dietary restrictions are sometimes overlooked at large events. Every single one of these vendors was that type of person, and I could not be more grateful for their efforts. Couples, search hard to find the vendors who will work with you to create your dreams; there is no chance for a yes without asking.

This shoot focuses on the love between our incredible couple who were both so willing to bear the cold to help see this styled shoot through. They would light up when they looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh together when their cold noses would touch. It is always a gentle reminder that on every wedding day, beyond all of the beauty going on around them, the couple and their immense love for one another is the absolute most important part of the day. Christina and Ryan, your love is infectious and so heartwarming to see. You truly embodied the quote we chose, “You, always.” We are all wishing you the absolute best on your journey together.

Working on this big project gave me such an appreciation for the craftsmanship that every wedding professional and vendor maintains. Although I knew of their talents before, this shoot was the first time I was able to truly appreciate the process from start to finish. I am so humbled by their graciousness and heart when it came to my visions and ideas. Thank you, all. I could not have asked for more; you all outdid yourselves tremendously!

One of my favorite parts of a collaboration is seeing how different creatives capture the same day! I am so fortunate to have had my sweet friends and talented videography team Tone Media document our shoot. Here is a behind-the-scenes and highlight film that brings this dreamy day to life alongside the images! My heart is so full, thank you to everyone!

Vendors