Their Wedding Day: Long Beach Island, NJ

Oh my goodness – this intimate colorful backyard wedding on Long Beach Island was a true dream! Every moment from the second we arrived to ending the night with pizza and wild dancing was a moment to remember. This day truly felt as candid and genuine as it gets. That’s what I loved most about it. Tina and Jason planned the perfect day that allowed real moments to unfold. There was so much time to just soak in all the joy and happiness surrounding them. Plus, their sweet friends and family were so easygoing and fun that it made every second just that much better!

Tina and Jason radiate love, welcoming, and warmth. You can see that in the company they keep. Everyone at their wedding was compassionate and SO kind. So many of their loved ones pitched in to bring their vision together from setting up their succulents in shells on the tables to getting all the cupcakes out in time for cake cutting. It was so special to see how everyone chipped in and helped.

I have to tell you about a few of my favorite details! First, the custom-designed mugs that Tina drew! They were not only super practical so their guests could refill their drinks at the mobile bar, but they were an adorable favor! These two are National Park Service Rangers, so hiking and adventure are huge for them! I loved all the nods and special touches that spoke to their love of the NPS!

I ADORED Tina’s Sorel sandals – comfy, cute, and SO her! Jason’s teal blue/green suit was beyond unqiue and matched their day perfectly!

Oh, and I can’t forget the adorable sand jar ceremony after their first kiss! Jason grew up in California, so his mom brought sand over from the beach he grew up on! Tina grew up on the beach in LBI, so her glass jar held sand from the beaches right where we were! They poured both sand jars into one big jar to blend them together. Such a sweet and unique way to interwine their lives and create a memorable keepsake!

Every little detail was perfect, and these two are a freaking blast! Just start scrolling and you’ll see. <3

Their Love Story

Tina & Jason met over 13 years ago through a mutual friend and for years had a platonic friendship. Jason is from California and he would visit her family on LBI in the summers, so their friendship was built on surfing, margaritas, and sunsets.

They ended up living in Philadelphia at the same time and they started spending way more time together! They realized something more than friendship was developing. They’ve been together for over 7 years now and have lived all over the country while working as interpretive park rangers for the National Park Service.

Here’s how Jason proposed: “Jason proposed March 2019 on a hike in a poppy preserve right around the start of the super-bloom. He gave me a ring that he got from my family that was my great great grandmothers. My parents had flown out to visit us in CA where we were working for Channel Islands NP and they brought the ring with them. He had the ring in his possession for less than 24 hours before he couldn’t wait anymore and had to propose. He asked if my parents would take our picture and he suggested we walk back up the trail some so the poppies could be seen in the photo. As we walked he brought up that the following week was our 5 year anniversary and asked if we should get each other presents. I said that would be fun! Then he said he actually already got me mine and asked if I wanted it now. Jason always gets so excited about the presents he finds me and wants to give them to me early haha. So I didn’t find this out of character at all. And then he handed me a small box that completely caught me off guard. I just stared at it and then at him, haha and he was like, open it! And I did and was completely speechless. That’s when he got down on one knee and asked if I would marry and I said “Well, of course!!” Honestly, after 5 years of being together and knowing that we were going to get married one day, you think I would have seen it coming, but wow was I blindsided haha.”

Come check out some fun adventure sessions we shot in Utah here and here! It was a dream getting to fly out and capture their engagement sessions in such a special place!

Tina & Jason,

Thank you both so much for truly being the most kind-hearted and warm people in the world. I’m so thankful our paths crossed and that I get to call you both friends. It’s been one of my biggest joys and pleasures getting to document these moments in your love story! Your intimate backyard wedding was one for the books! Cheers to the next adventure! Wishing you two a lifetime of laughter, great food, puppy hikes, and so much love! Congratulations!!!