Gina & Andrew

When:  January 12, 2019

Where:  The Smithville Inn, New Jersey

Photographer: Angela Riley of BME Event Group

Cinematography:  Bme Event Group

DJ:  BME Event Group

Florist:  Pocket Full Of Posies

     When you envision your dream wedding do you picture Spring, maybe Fall or Summer?  Often times Winter is not what you see.  But have you ever really thought of just how beautiful a Winter Wedding Can be?  The colors, the gown options which so often are underused and underrated even the mens attire can be slightly different then what we are used to seeing. This leads me to the beautiful wedding of Gina and Andrew and how they renewed my love for a beautiful winter wedding. 

  Gina, Andrew and their closest friends and family all got ready at different locations right at Smithville Village.  If you have never visited Smithville and are able to do so I highly recommend it.  It is this adorable little village with little specialty shops, a gorgeous restaurant as well as pizza shops, places for dessert, a carousel, a mini train and many other adorable things for your entire family to enjoy. 

     I started with Andrew and his Groomsmen and family and our Cinema team was along with me for this fun day with Rob meeting me with the guys.  They were all so fun and laid back.  Andrew looked great in his gray suit with white pin strips and his plaid tie with hints of burgundy which I would soon find out looked amazing with Gina and her beautiful bouquet. After spending a little bit of time with Andrew and his crew getting ready it was time to head over to the ladies.  I was able to snap a few shots at the boutique also located right there in the Village and then we headed back to the room where Gina would be getting ready. I was met by Christian our other Cinematographer for the day.  We decided take some shots of  Ginas gown outside of the room hanging from this very pretty black iron fence and entranceway. Ginas gown did not disappoint!  She picked a perfect gown for winter that was so elegant and looked gorgeous on her.  The lace back was just the right touch to an already beautiful gown. Once those photos were finished it was time to get Gina in her dress.  She was surrounded by some of the most important ladies in her life for that moment, her mother, two sisters, soon to be mother in law and junior bridesmaid who is also her niece. Once she was in her dress and ready it was time for Ginas father to see her.  I am so happy that Gina had us provide Cinematography as well because her father said some really beautiful and emotional things to her and while the images were great out Cinema team was able to capture her fathers emotional reactions and words. 

   Then it was time for the the first look.  I cannot express how much I recommend doing the first look especially when the ceremony and reception are taking place at the same location.  It allows us more time to photograph without the pressure of time restraints and it also frees you up to spend more time with your friends and family during cocktail hour or spending some time alone before the reception begins.  Once the reveal and portraits were completed Gina & Andrew were able to relax, freshen up and get ready for their ceremony.  The ceremony was beautiful and I'm fairly certain there was not a dry eye in the room, including me who felt the love and emotion not only coming from the bride and groom but their bridal party and everyone watching.   

   The reception began and we continued with the beautiful winter theme.  We made it snow on the Bride and Groom during their first dance.  It was so pretty and it really felt like we were in a winter wonderland.  Throughout the night our DJ's would make it snow on the dance floor while everyone was dancing and having a good time.  It was like winters version of confetti and it really made for some great shots. During the reception we were able to sneak away with the Bride and Groom along with our Cinema team and grab some perfect night shots for them.  It was cold, but they were great sports and it made their day feel complete for me. The rest of the reception was full of dancing and fun while the bride and groom shared dances with the ones they love.  The even had sing off on the dance floor where it was guys versus girls and it was a lot of fun.

   The night ended, I said my goodbyes to this amazing couple and walked out the door to see snow just starting to fall.  I can't thank Gina and Andrew enough for choosing BME Event Group to not only Photograph provide Cinematography but also DJ and do the Photo Booth for their wedding day among other things.  Everything about their day renewed my love for winter weddings and reminded me that when done correctly they can be just as beautiful if not better then any other season.