Emma and Kevin had the most unique and non-traditional wedding that was filled with so much love! After capturing their incredible engagement session, I knew their wedding day would be special. Their unique wedding celebration had so many little details and moments that made it one-of-a-kind. Keep reading for all of the details!
A Unique & Heartfelt Wedding At Long Branch Distillery
Getting Ready At Home & Giddy First Looks
The couple wanted to spend a relaxing morning with friends and family, so they got ready at Emma’s aunt’s home in Long Branch, not too far from the wedding venue. Everything was so sweet and full of love – the girls helped Emma get ready in one room, while the guys did their preparations in another. Everyone was just so happy to be there supporting them! During these precious morning moments, I couldn’t help sneaking a bunch of photos of Emma’s Louboutin shoes (they were too pretty not to, and a special gift from the groom!), but the most special moment I got to capture was Emma’s mom helping her put on her grandmother’s necklace. It was such an emotional moment and I could feel how important it was to both Emma and her mom.
Once everyone was ready, we moved on to the first looks! Even though the girls had helped Emma get ready, seeing her in her final bridal look was so exciting – their reactions were priceless. Then came Kevin’s turn, and when he saw Emma for the first time, he just took in every detail of the moment and admired her with the biggest smile on his face. She was showing off her dress and they simply couldn’t keep their hands off each other!
Portraits With The Bride And Groom And Their Families
For Emma and Kevin’s portraits, we took a laid-back approach that matched their style. Since they wanted to prioritize in-the-moment, documentary-style wedding photography throughout their day, we had their portraits before the big events of the day. Following their first look, we utilized Emma’s aunt’s beautiful home to capture some of my favorite shots – the gorgeous backyard and the character-filled stairs inside the house were absolutely perfect for their photos. Before the big day, Emma told me how magical her aunt’s home is, and it truly was!
Later, just before the ceremony, we snuck in a few more portraits at the venue, where I couldn’t resist borrowing them for just a few extra minutes to capture some stunning shots in front of this amazing big mirror. Breaking up the portraits this way meant that once the wedding festivities began, Emma and Kevin could fully immerse themselves in celebrating with their loved ones, without worrying about stopping for more photos.
The Non-Traditional, Lively Ceremony
The ceremony was so unique and perfectly them! It took place at Long Branch Distillery (which is unfortunately no longer open), but the venue matched Emma and Kevin’s vibe in every way. While there wasn’t a specific theme to the wedding, everything felt beautifully cohesive – even with the bridesmaids wearing completely different colors and styles of dresses to match their unique bouquets.
Their ceremony was anything but traditional! Emma and Kevin were so in love they couldn’t help but sneak a few kisses before they were even officially pronounced married. The whole thing felt like a celebration, with their guests cheering and clapping throughout the ceremony!
The most touching part was when they shared their vows. Emma and Kevin truly spoke from their hearts, leaving not a dry eye in sight. It truly is a privilege to witness and capture moments like that. Even I got a little teary-eyed!
A Laughter-Filled Reception
The reception kicked off at the Distillery right after the ceremony, where guests mingled and enjoyed the night together. I got to capture so many amazing documentary-style photos during this time – lots of laughing and genuine moments! One of my favorites was catching some sweet photos of grandma and grandpa together. The whole night felt extra special since Emma and Kevin curated their own playlist for the celebration. It was the perfect personal touch!
A Review From The Couple
I received this lovely text from Emma and Kevin: “We just got done looking at the photos and can’t say thank you enough – they are absolutely breathtaking. From my grandmother’s necklace to our first dance, every little special moment and look captured. It’s beyond what we could’ve dreamed. I just cried and laughed for the past hour…Relieving everything was just so amazing 🤍 we are just back in the wedding bliss”
Emma & Kevin’s Wedding Photography Package
Emma and Kevin invested in my eight-hour package, which was perfect for their celebration of 85-100 guests. Since their wedding was larger than an intimate gathering, having those full eight hours meant everything stayed relaxed and we had plenty of time to capture all the meaningful emotional moments throughout their day.
The Vendors
A special shoutout to the amazing vendors:
Hair & Makeup: Lock & Shade
Venue: Long Branch Distillery
Dress: Castle Couture
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Suit: Malawian Cleaners
Jewelry: Etsy
Decor: DIY/Etsy
Catering: Falco’s Catering
Florist: Harley Rose Floral (Asbury Park)
Cake: Chocolate Carousel
Chrissy Marie Photo Co. | NJ + Destination Wedding Photographer
Emma and Kevin’s unique wedding at the distillery perfectly captures the kind of celebrations I love to document. Their day was filled with so many genuine moments, from emotional first looks to non-traditional wedding elements that were uniquely them. As a New Jersey wedding photographer specializing in documentary-style wedding photography, I believe every couple deserves to have their story told authentically, whether it’s an intimate gathering or a larger celebration like Emma and Kevin’s.
My wedding photography packages are designed to fit your unique vision – from the 8-hour coverage that gave Emma and Kevin a relaxed, well-documented celebration, to shorter or longer options depending on your needs. Every wedding tells a different story, and I’m here to capture yours in a way that feels true to you.
Ready to start planning your wedding photography? Let’s chat about bringing your vision to life! Contact me today to discuss your perfect wedding package and let’s create some memories together!
