Sara and Matthew held an elegant and classy wedding reception at Preakness Hills Country Club in NJ. They had already eloped and wanted to celebrate with their friends and family. I really enjoy non-traditional shoots like this every once in a while because we get to focus on the fun-filled celebration and watch the guests have a blast. Keep reading to see more of their gallery!
Modern Bride and Groom Photos
Sara and Matthew’s bride and groom photos were very simple and chic. We captured them right out front of the country club, with the beautiful venue in the background. I loved the architecture of the building—it fit right in line with their aesthetic. Matthew wore a black suit while Sara wore a corset gown paired with a pearl mini bag. Their outfits also paired beautifully with the interior—there was this gorgeous chandelier and stained glass skylight that was so timeless and really made the gallery pop.
A Moody & Boozy Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour was the best of both worlds. Since the guests could move between rooms, the bar room was more moody and dark, while the dining area was almost completely white. This allowed me to be more creative on my end, and I love how everything complemented each other! The guests were mingling all over the place, and it was so wonderful to see everyone engaged in conversation.
A Lively Wedding Reception at Preakness Hills
Their reception was huge and so lively! There were the usual speeches, first dances, and live entertainment. Everyone was having a blast and it really showed through the photos. My favorite part was the Hora—if you’ve ever been to a Jewish wedding, you know it’s so much fun. The guests get the bride and groom into chairs and raise them up and down in a celebratory manner. It’s a bit chaotic and scary for the couple (in a good way), but always a joy to capture!
Chrissy Marie Photo Co. | NJ/NYC Wedding Photographer
I had the best time photographing Sara and Matthew’s reception at Preakness Hills Country Club! The staircase portraits were so chic, and the Hora had everyone cheering—this celebration was seriously one for the books. I’m currently booking 2027 weddings, and I always offer the option to customize your package to fit exactly what you need. So if you’ve already eloped like Sara and Matthew and want to celebrate on a different day with photo coverage, we can definitely make that happen! Want to see more of my work? Head over to my other wedding blogs to see more galleries and get inspired!
