Antonia & Jeffrey 

June 15, 2019

In September of 2010 it was a brand new school year for high school students Antonia and Jeffrey. Antonia was just fourteen years old and Jeffrey fifteen.  They hadn't know each other before this day but met in Mr. Whites last period class.  Mr. White had thought he was doing himself a favor by assigning their seats next to each other. You see Antonia was what many teachers would call a class chatterbox, while Jeff was the quiet, maybe even a little shy guy.  This turned out to not be the best move for Mr. White while at the same time being the moment in Antonia and Jeff's lives that changed everything.  Antonia being the talkative fourteen year old she was got Jeffrey to talk to her, and a lot.  By December 24, 2010 it was official they were a couple.  

One night, while over Antonias house, because you see they were teenagers who didn't have much freedom or options for hanging out, they were watching Antonias favorite movie, Elf, and at some point during that evening Jeff popped the question, "Will you be my girlfriend?"  Of course Antonia said yes!  Lets fast forward six years after they first met, and it's now 2016.  Jeffrey is preparing to ask Antonia another big question.  He had planned out this beautiful proposal and it just wasn't going as planned. He wanted to pop the big question at The RiverRink while they were ice skating, but unfortunately that wasn't in the cards because Antonia was way too cold to ice skate. He came up with another plan, and I think it happened exactly how it should have. His family as well as Antonias all went to Historic Smithville to see the Dancing Christmas Lights Show. Jeff is a brilliant man! Remember six years earlier at the age of fifteen he asked Antonia to be his girlfriend on Christmas Eve after watching her favorite movie Elf. Now all these years later he is asking her to marry him right in the midst of Christmas Season doing a very Christmas related activity. 

While everyone was at dinner Jeff's mother handed Antonia a wrapped present and told her she couldn't open it until after everyone had ordered their food. So when the time came she opened it and it was a photo book of memories from the six years the two of them had been together.  When she got to the last page of the book it said, "Will you marry me?".  Of course she said YES!  Antonia recalls how she felt that day and said that it was so sweet to be surrounded by the people who love them the most, as well as all of these complete strangers who were all so happy for this couple who is so in love. The two of them began planning their wedding day which ended up taking place two and a half years after their engagement. The very first venue they went to was Brigalias and Jeff said, this is the place.  Of course Antonia urged him that they should look around before making such a huge decision, and they did, but after all the tours and visits to different venues they ended up right back where they started at Brigalias because that was their venue!  Antonia has told me that some of their main reasons for their decision was because the staff is amazing, the grounds are absolutely beautiful, which I can 100% agree with as a photographer the photo opportunities are endless there, and the food is delicious! Really what more could you want from your wedding venue? 

Now it's the day of their wedding.  I am excited as a photographer for all of my weddings because I always want everything to be perfect for them.  We do have pressure in our field and I also had an added pressure because I had done Antonias sisters wedding the year before.  All of that disappeared as soon as the day got started. I first went to Jeff to do pre-ceremony photos with he and his members of the bridal party. I want to state that Jeff is definitely a tough guy.  I mean that in all the respectable senses of the word.  He is into the things you would generally associate with a tough guy and the main thing that jumps out at me is his love of motorcycles and of course riding them.  Once Jeff was dressed we got to do some fun photos with him on his motorcycle which I'm fairly certain he referred to as his "other love". I was nervous with some of the shots we did because I didn't want anything to happen to him or his clothes but he was a professional on the bike.  I must say that Jeff as well as all of the groomsmen and groomswoman looked amazing in tux's from Chadmoore Formal Wear. After I finished at the house with Jeff I headed over to Antonia and the girls who were getting ready at Brigalias.  When the ladies arrived they had hair and make up complete and were looking stunning.  They had spent the morning in Tribeca Hair Studio and Blow Dry Bar in Swedesboro getting hair and make up done.  Everything went perfectly with the ladies during the pre-ceremony portion of the day.  I got some amazing shots and Antonia looked like a bride straight from a magazine in her gown from Bridals by Cyndi and her girls looked amazing as well in their dresses from Bridal Manor.  Next came the first look, which I always recommend doing when the ceremony and reception are taking place in the same location just because it really does make your day run so much more smoothly as well as the fact that you can get some absolutely amazing shots during the first look, shots that you would never get otherwise if you do not do one.  I have to say though I could not have imagined that this first look would have turned out the way that it did.  Let me rewind a bit though.  Antonia did a first look with her Father before Jeffrey which was super sweet.  Then it was time to do the first look with Jeff and what happened next I never expected but boy was I glad I was there to capture it!

Remember how I said Jeff was a pretty tough guy?  He assured me that there would be no crying coming from him because well, that's just not his thing.  Often times though, people surprise us, and they even surprise themselves.  I am pretty sure that is what happened when Jeff turned around  and saw Antonia for the first time on their wedding day.  I can see why he would have this flood of emotions though, she did look like a bride from a movie or a magazine.  I have to thank these two because they definitely gave me some of my most favorite "first look" images ever.  The rest of the day went equally as amazing as the first part.  Their ceremony was beautiful, the reception was a blast right down to the fun choreographed father/daughter dance which Antonias mother also joined in on.  We even got to slip away for a few moments to take some night shots which is always fun, especially at Brigalias.  

I absolutely loved every moment of this wedding from beginning to end.  This couple was so easy to work with and I got some of the best images on their wedding day.  It's so beautiful to see couples who meet each other at such a young age and understand the true meaning of loving someone and sticking together through everything.  It all came together perfectly on their wedding day and as their photographer I couldn't have been happier.  

Photographer:  Angela Riley of BME Event Group

Venue:  Brigalias 

Florist:  Petals and Paints in Swedesboro, NJ

Cake:  Country Sweets Bakery in Woodbury, NJ

Brides Gown:  Bridals By Cyndi

Tux's:  Chadmoore Formal Wear

Bridesmaids Dresses:  Bridal Manor

Hair and Make Up:  Tribeca Hair Studio & Blow Dry Bar in Swedesboro, NJ

Jennifer & Brandon

March 30, 2019

Have you ever heard the saying, "A way to a mans heart is through his belly."  That is kind of true in Jennifer and Brandons case. Who knew that Portuguese cookies would bring these two middle school love birds back together so many years later. Jennie and Brandon first met in eighth grade when he was the new kid in school.  She caught his eye one day when he saw her at her locker and he knew he had to ask her out.  Luckily he found the courage to even though he was the new guy, and she happily said yes.  That year the two were inseparable.  You could always find them together between classes, holding hands in the hallway, eating lunch together.  They even rode each others buses home so they could spend time with each other after school.  They went on many family outings together and you could always expect to see Jennie at all of Brandons baseball games watching him play and cheering him on.  

The school year ended, and summer break began and like most grade school loves, the two started to grow apart.  They split up and went their separate ways during the next four years of high school.  They didn't speak at all in high school except for the occasional head nod in the hallways or wishing each other Happy Birthday.  They didn't speak again really until August of  2012 when Brandon contacted her through Facebook to ask her what the name of the Portuguese cookie was her father used to bring home for them during their middle school days.  Maybe they owe Facebook a debt of gratitude for making it easy for Brandon to find Jennie and reach out, maybe it was the Portuguese cookies, or maybe Jennie had crossed Brandons mind over the years and those two factors were just what he used to find a way to say hello again. Did he really want to know the name of the cookies, or did he really just want to talk to Jennie, either way he got both.  They decided to exchange numbers and the two began talking all the time.  They started dating and after five months made it official and became a couple again after all these years on January 13, 2013.  Throughout their entire time dating they lived an hour and a half apart.  Jennie was in North Jersey and Brandon was in South Jersey but the pair was determined to make it work.  They alternated weekends, with Brandon coming to Jennie and Spending the entire weekend there or Jennie coming to Brandon and doing the same. 

On September 29, 2017 Jennie was on her way to see Brandon.  She called him to let him know she was almost there.  He told her to park in a specific spot in his driveway which was odd so when Jennie asked him why he told her he didn't want to worry her because she was driving but a tree branch had fallen on their new camper and put a hole in the roof.  He also told her due to the hot weather there was mold growing in the bedroom of the camper too.  When she arrived he met her in the driveway and next to the camper she saw a bucket with towels hanging out of it.  He opened the door and let her in first so she can see the destruction herself but instead to her surprise she found a bed full of rose petals, candles, flowers and a beautiful note where in it he told her just how much he loved her.  After Jennie finished reading the note she turned around to find Brandon on one knee asking her to be his wife.

The couple searched for a year to find a home together and then on November 3, 2018 they finally got to move in and no longer be so far apart from each other. Fast forward to March 30, 2019 and it is now their wedding day.  Leading up to the wedding day I could see that Jennie seemed to be the type that really planned things out and definitely likes to stick to a schedule.  Brandon seemed to be very laid back, and a go with the flow kind of guy.  Once I got to the portion of the day where they were together I saw just why these two work so well.  Jennie was just all smiles and so happy around Brandon.  Brandon you can see really makes her laugh and have fun.  But when Brandon is kind of doing his care free laid back thing, Jennie was able to keep him on track so that we were able to accomplish what needed to be done.  The two of them seemed to be perfect together it really made me smile.  The wedding day was beautiful.  Jennie looked gorgeous in her gown from Claire's Fashions along with her girls in their beautiful pink dresses, and Brandon looked very handsome as well in his tux from Chadmoore Formal Wear and his groomsmen were all great too. The flowers, which were so pretty and went perfect with everything was from Joyful Bouquet. They got married at Barnsboro Bible Church which was a great spot, they did the first look there as well prior to the ceremony.  After the wedding ceremony we went to Bogeys for more portraits and a fun reception.  Bogeys as always looked great, the staff there is always wonderful and does such an amazing job.  BME Event Group DJ's Bob Morgan and Javi Rodriguez were there to keep the party going and they did just that.  The dance floor was great from beginning to end. We Can't forget the cake, from Stella Baking Company,  which was so pretty and quite possibly one of the best tasting cakes I've ever had.  Jennie and Brandon really did have a beautiful wedding day from start to finish.  

I had such a great time with this couple.  I know that all love stories are unique in their own way but theirs made me happy.  Jennie told me that every relationship has obstacles they have to get through but that they realized they can get through anything as long as they stood together, side by side, facing everyone and everything head on...together. She said they promised to always stick by each others side and never stop trying.  I love that, and I know that if they do these things they will have such a long amazing life together. Jennie and Brandon truly feel that fate has brought them together since they had so many miles, and so many years spent apart but what was meant to be found a way to be in the end. 

Photography provided by Angela Riley of BME Event Group

Adrienne & Dave

March 23, 2019

Running Deer Golf Club

The year is 2006 and it is Freshman move in day at the University of Delaware.  Although I did not go to school there I can image it is the same at every college around the United States.  Excited, nervous, hopeful and scared are just a few of the emotions that most freshman feel when moving in.  Will I like my roommate, my neighbors, pass my classes, survive?  Lucky for Adrienne some of those emotions quickly disappeared when she made fast friends with the guy who lived across the hall.  That guys name was Dave.  He quickly became the one she would often times have breakfast in the morning before classes with and even the one that she would hang out with at night after a long stressful day.  He was definitely one of her go to people which you need when making this big transition of being away from home alone.

Summer break after Freshman year Adriennes Grandparents rented a house in Ocean City, New Jersey, and guess who would also be spending some time during Summer break down there?  Dave, who's parents owned a house there.  The two new, but great friends decided it was time to go on their first date.  It was a nice date at a restaurant on the water, but it just wasn't meant to be yet. Maybe it's a great thing they realized it.  If they would have tried to force something that wasn't ready they might not have made it to where they are today.  Thankfully these two continued being friends for the next seven years.  They always kept in touch although sometimes less than others, usually when one of them had a boyfriend or girlfriend.  You see their significant others throughout the years were usually not too fond of their close bond, maybe they could see something that Adrienne and Dave were just not ready to see.

September of 2014 was a big year for the two of them.  It is when they realized they should stop dating other people and give this thing a try. As one of Adrienne's friends said at her wedding, "Not many people can say their love story was over ten years in the making." That line is actually part of the reason I wanted to tell their story.  I mean sure they are a gorgeous couple so that may have helped but more so it was that their love story struck a cord in this hopeless romantic and it made me want to write about it. But back to this amazing couple.  They are dating, finally, after knowing each other for 8 years.  I had asked Adrienne if there were any major obstacles that they had to endure as a couple.  She said, "I almost feel like we overcame a lot of obstacles and solidified our relationship even before we started dating."

Fast forward to November 29, 2017, Adrienne and Dave have officially been a couple for three years now.  They have a date to see one of their favorite comedians John Mulaney who was performing at Delaware University the very place these two met so many years ago.  Of course they had to go.  They had a whole night planned, dinner before the show, a hotel room so they could hang out at one of their favorite bars after, just a great night all around.  Dinner had finished early so Dave suggested they take a walk through campus to reminisce.  They decided to walk down the green and they were just talking about their college years.  They get to one of the college's more iconic buildings, Memorial Hall and Adrienne notices Dave is no longer walking alongside of her.  She turns around to see Dave on one knee.  It was such an exciting moment that they both got swept up in, so much so that neither of them can remember the exact words spoken that day, and no one was there to capture it for them, but they both said they will never forget how they felt in those moments.

March 23, 2019 the long awaited wedding day.  Everything was to take place at Running Deer.  As a photographer I always love working at Running Deer the venue is beautiful and the grounds are great for photographs and the staff is always so amazing.  When I arrived Adrienne looked absolutely stunning in even just her pre-wedding attire.  Everything was perfect from the decorations, to her dress and make up, the bridesmaids dresses and the guys suits.  It was a gorgeous wedding from start to end.  The ceremony was beautiful and the speeches given by the people who have been with this couple since the very beginning were amazing.  You couldn't have asked for a better day.  I loved so much about this couple and their love story but I think what really made me happy was they weren't stressed about the small details or the things they couldn't control.  They were there to be married, spend time with the people they love, and dance the night away.  And they did just that.  The dance floor was packed all night long with the music being taken care of by BME Event Group's DJ's Rick Perez and Eric Fantauzzi.  The couple had a great selection of songs they wanted played throughout the night and they mixed them in perfectly to provide them with a night full of nonstop dancing and fun.  I am so thankful to have had a chance to meet this wonderful couple, photograph their wedding day, and tell a little bit of their beautiful love story.

Venue:  Running Deer Golf Club Pittsgrove, NJ

Brides Dress & Veil: Jay West in Haddonfield, NJ

Brides Hair/Make Up: Make Me Sparkle

Jewelry: McGarrys Jewelers in Collingswood, NJ

Lashes: Dawn Lewis Designs

Suits: Jos. A. Banks

Flowers: Joyful Bouquet

Cake: Stella Baking Company

Photography:  Angela of BME Event Group

DJ:  Rick Perez and Eric Fantauzzi of BME Event Group

This is the love story of Tori and Nick....

It's not often that you meet the love of your life and realize it as a teenager, but Tori and Nick did just that.  Although they grew up in the same area and had some of the same friends they didn't really know each other until they both had become single, Tori only seventeen and Nick nineteen at the time. One night Tori's friend gave Nick her number. She hadn't really thought anything of it and didn't imagine anything would come out of this until they spoke for the first time and hit it off immediately.  Fast forward to today and they have been together for ten years now. 

A lot has happened in both of their lives that would put even the longest and oldest of loves through some very trying times. Not everyone would have made it through, and while they had taken time apart at one point they realized that their love was stronger then even the toughest of times. One of the many obstacles the couple endured was dealing with the fact that Tori might not be able to conceive a child.  At a younger age the idea of this didn't bother Tori as much because having a child was not on her mind. As she got a little older this was something that weighed heavily on her.  Through all of this Nick never made her feel less than, and she knew that he would stick by her regardless of what the outcome would be.  Suddenly all of those worries faded when Tori received the biggest surprise of her life.  She was pregnant!

It was late in 2017 when the couple was now dealing with yet another unexpected life changing situation, but this one was a much needed and deserved one that brought them both so much joy.  They were not married yet, and it became very clear that it meant a lot to Tori's Grandfather that they get married before baby Valentina arrived and he wanted to marry them because it is something he has done for others many times as a retired judge. On April 6, 2018 while Tori was still pregnant they had a small exchanging of traditional vows at a restaurant with just their immediate family present. Both of their brothers were the witnesses.  They wanted to keep this wedding ceremony very private because they knew that they wanted to celebrate in a big way with all of the people that they love when the time was right. Not everyone understood at the time, and many were upset about it but Tori and Nick had a vision for their love story and they intended to see it through. They wanted to have a vow renewal and everyone they loved and who have supported them through the years would be present. 

That brings us to April 6, 2019 at The Terrain at Styers.  Tori looked stunning in her perfect gown she got from Lovely Bride in Philadelphia which was custom fitted to her gorgeous figure by Michelle from Sew Pretty in Haddonfield. Her hair and make up which was absolutely beautiful was done by Amelia Paris Salon in Glen Mills, PA. We can't leave out Nick who looked very handsome in his gray suite from Menguin.com The bridal party were dressed perfectly in very classic black dresses and suits. The flowers which were not only stunning but fit perfectly with the rustic feel of the venue were done by Katie Blevins at Terrain and their beautiful cake from Sweet Eats Bakery in Voorhees, NJ.  BME Event Group not only DJ'ed (Chris and Johnny) but also provided Cinematography (Christian and Rob) and Photography (Angela) for their special day.  

Now let's talk about their day.  WOW, the venue was so beautiful and unique providing so many gorgeous places for perfect photographs.  The Mushroom House that Tori got dressed in was so pretty.  The ceremony site I can't even put into words how gorgeous it was but it provided the perfect backdrop for the heartfelt vows that they wrote for each other.  I know there were not many dry eyes there by the time they were finished. The reception site was the prettiest I have seen in such a long time and the food not only was amazing but the presentation was flawless.  The music was great, the dance floor was on fire and Tori and Nick got the celebration that they knew they wanted, with the people who mean the most to them, in a location that couldn't have been any better. The best part of it all, their baby Valentina, their own little miracle that Tori had feared she might never get, she was there to see it all.  Her Mommy and Daddy, who fell in love ten years ago as teenagers, who stood by each other threw the toughest of times, celebrating their love with everyone they love, who love them back.

     I am so excited to tell you about Angelica and Dave and their beautiful love story, but before I do that, I want to go back to the day that I got to meet this couple for the first time.  Dave had been in communication with the owner of BME Event Group in November of 2018 and they were discussing our company DJ'ing their wedding on February 23rd of 2019.  Their wedding wasn't far away as you can see, and they had seemed to possibly be interested in some of our other services as well but we weren't quite sure. While this might have been very stressful for most couples, Angelica and Dave just seemed to be fine, not rushing, and taking the time to make sure they were making the right decision.  Sometime between Dave and Bobs initial discussions and them deciding to go with us there was a Bridal Show at Ramblewood Country Club.  While at this bridal show I met this adorably friendly, sweet and happy couple and I spent lots of time talking to them.  If you have ever been a vendor at a Bridal Show you know this isn't something that happens often.  They are hectic, and loud and basically you get to meet couples for a brief moment and give them some information and that is it.  But not this time.  I laughed with them, talked to them and really enjoyed speaking with them and fast forward a week or so later and they decide they wanted us to not only DJ but Photograph, provide Up Lighting and Cinematography for their special day.  

     When we had our final meeting with them, I threw some curve balls their way suggesting how the timeline of their day should go.  This was completely opposite of what Angelica wanted.  She in her sweetest way possible voiced her objections and we met somewhere in the middle.  I of course will always do what a couple wants I just like to provide them with as much information as possible so they can make the best decision for them.  It was later brought to my attention during their ceremony which was performed by Dave's Aunt that they both are very indecisive and possibly with a slight tendency to procrastinate.  But somehow at the same time know exactly what they want and how they want it and they do it all with such big smiles on their face that you can't help but love them even more for it. 

     Throughout their wedding day I got to learn so much more about this couple and their journey and it really just made me love them all the more.  It was soon clear that while it took them a while to get to their big day, it was a beautiful journey along the way.  So here goes, Dave and Angelica met for the first time in early May 2011.  Angelica had just moved into the apartment below Dave the day before and they said a simple hello and shook hands and one of Daves dogs jumped on Angelica and greeted her as well.  Angelica could always hear Dave and his pups walking around upstairs and somehow someway although I'm not quite sure of the details, because she could hear him she found a way to start "borrowing" his internet and AC.  Three weeks after their initial hello Angelica decided to make some brownies and made plenty of extra so that she could give some to her new neighbor.  She strategically placed them in a glass bowl so that Dave would have to give it back to her at some point which would give them a reason to talk.  It took Dave some time to get the bowl back to Angelica because a few times when he attempted to return it she didn't answer the door because she was in her pajamas or looking a mess.   But he did get to give it back eventually.  By June of 2011 Angelica asked Dave if she could join he and his dogs on some walks around their apartment complex. You see Angelica wasn't from the area and besides some work friends didn't really know anyone.  They would walk and talk for sometimes hours at night and after a while they finally went on their first date the end of July 2011. They didn't become official until October 29, 2011 because as we previously mentioned....they procrastinate and really like to take their time with things. After about three years of dating they got engaged very late in the evening of December 29, 2014, and four years later we finally arrived at their wedding day on February 23, 2019. The Ramblewood Country Club was beautiful from the ceremony to the cocktail hour and reception.  The nighttime outside shots were so fun to do and the staff was amazing from beginning to end. 

     Angelica and Dave discovered during one of their first walks together that they both absolutely loved Christmas and both loved decorating for it.  They even found out that they both loved and collected snow globes too.  So it makes perfect sense that they would chose to have a winter wedding and it made even more perfect sense that they would decide to do it at Ramblewood Country Club since they met right there at the Ramblewood Apartments.  Of course Dave would make all of the beautiful decorations as well as the bouquets and everything because we already established, he loves decorating for Christmas.  As if this all doesn't melt your hearts he also gave Angelica a beautiful snowflake necklace as her wedding gift. We also made a quick stop at where it all began in front of their old apartment building for some perfect shots on their wedding day. Who knows maybe the new tenants are falling in love right now just like Angelica and Dave did eight years ago. I know every love story is beautiful, and I enjoy them all, but this couples love story really made me happy.  It also made me feel truly honored to have been chosen by them, to photograph their day.  A couple who takes their time, doesn't rush, knows exactly what they want and how they want it, and they chose me but not only me but also Bob and Eric to DJ their day and Christian and Rob to do the Cinematography.  So on behalf of BME Event Group we thank you for allowing us to be a part of this day with you and to have a special part in your beautiful love story.  

Brooke-Ann & Andrew 

January 19, 2019

     I can honestly say that I was very excited to be a part of Andrew and Brooke's wedding day! They just seemed to be such a fun couple that balance each other out so well.  Andrew always the jokester, keeping Brooke and everyone else laughing and Brooke being funny as well trying to keep Andrew in line.  Their wedding day did not disappoint and it had all of the elements that made me a happy photographer.  

   They decided to have everything take place at Running Deer Golf Club, which is an amazing venue in South Jersey.  One of the great things about Running Deer is that there is plenty of space for the entire Bridal Party to get ready right on site, as well as have their ceremony and reception there. Over the years these types of venues have become very popular.  Of course church weddings still do exist but many couples like the idea of just doing it all in one place for many reasons.  Wedding Days are always extremely hectic and stressful so not having to add the pressure of traveling to and from multiple locations always helps.  

   Brooke and Andrew decided to do what is commonly referred to as The First Look or The Reveal where they see each other prior to the ceremony to do all of their portraits so that they can be free to enjoy their cocktail hour with their family and friends as soon as the ceremony is finished.  The First Look has become extremely popular in the most recent years, but is also still something many couples struggle with deciding whether or not they should do it.  The most common reason is that they fear that it will ruin that moment when they first see each other at the ceremony.  In situations like Brooke and Andrews where everything is taking place in one location and you are also dealing with daylight issues due to it being winter, The First Look is such a good idea.  In my many years of being a photographer I can tell you that it does not ruin that moment.  They are two different feelings and emotions.  One is private between the two of you and the other is shared with family and friends and it is when it hits you that you are indeed getting married. Just to prove this point, Andrew and Brooke laughed and talked and told each other how great they looked during The First Look and Andrew still got emotional as he watched her being escorted down the aisle towards him during the ceremony.  I actually love the shot I grabbed where Brooke's brother, who just so happened to be one of Andrews two best men is comforting Andrew while they both watch her coming down the aisle.  Is it an award winning image?  Of course not, but sometimes they just don't have to be.  It is real.  It is the feeling of love and happiness captured in an image.  Frozen for us to look back on and remember forever.  It doesn't have to be perfect by an other standards that any image would be judged on. If you look back on an image I captured and feel those emotions then I did my job well. 

   After Brooke and Andrews beautiful ceremony they joined their guests for their cocktail hour followed by their entrance into their reception where they danced their first dance as our DJ's made it snow on them. There was plenty of dancing and fun had by all, and later in the night we decided to go outside for some night time shots with our Cinema team as well.  To our surprise it was raining but that didn't stop them, nor did it stop us from going out there and making the most of it.  I kind of loved it because earlier in the day we got to capture them in the snow, which was Brookes dream come true, and then at night we got to capture them in the rain, and while it is something most couples dread on their big day, there is still something so romantic about it. We also took a few moments to have some fun with the Bridal Party in the guys locker room where there is a poker table.  They had  fun tossing around some chips, cards, money and who knows what else.  I definitely left for the evening having laughed a ton, smiled a lot, shed a tear or two, and felt fulfilled as a photographer which is something you always want to feel at the end of a wedding day. Congratulations to this amazing couple and thank you for allowing me to be a part in your beautiful, snowy winter wedding! 

Photography By: Angela Riley of BME Event Group

Cinematography By:  Christian Lucas and Eli Skwirut of BME Event Group

DJ's:  Bob Morgan and Eric Fantauzzi of BME Event Group

Venue:  Running Deer Golf Course

Floral Designs By:  Archway Programs

Up Lighting and Dancing In the Snow Effect: BME Event Group

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. 

The engagement session is a private, easygoing, and comfortable contrast to the wedding shoot. It allows the couple to get to know and form a relationship with the photographers so that when the wedding day comes, they know exactly what to expect and aren’t intimidated by the person pointing a camera at them at all times of the day.

The truth of the matter is: cameras are intimidating. Having an engagement shoot allows the couple to understand poses and get used to being themselves in front of the camera so that when the wedding day comes, the pressure is off, they know what they’re doing, and photographer can collaborate with the couple with no misunderstanding or hesitation.

Aside from the comfort that results from engagement sessions, these shoots also allow the couple to explore alternative locations during any time of the year so that they have even more beautiful and intimate images together than just the ones captured on their big day. Imagine taking the perfect photo in a winter wonderland, a summer getaway, a crisp autumn paradise when your wedding date falls in a completely different season. The engagement shoot allows for some wiggle room, so you have a nice variety of breathtaking photographs to cherish forever.

The perks don't stop there. Think of your engagement session as a totally personalized addition to your total package. This couple decided to incorporate different traditional outfits into their engagement photoshoot to highlight the union of two cultures in marriage. The results were absolutely stunning and inspirational. 

And remember, a professional photographer wants to make sure you are getting exactly what you want with your photographs. You’re not engaged forever, and your wedding only lasts one day, so timing is everything. Photographers want to make sure they have the time with you to get every pose, every detail just right, so when things start moving faster and your day is finally here, it’s free of chaos and it’s exactly what you’ve always wanted it to be.

We encourage you to explore and experience the newest wedding trends. Here are some popular trends featured in today’s weddings:

Uplighting: This creates a beautiful, luminescent atmosphere at a reception. Uplighting heightens the mood for when the party really starts.

Fireworks projections: A magical light show right in the ballroom; this is a perfect feature to capture on camera or to simply experience in the moment. Firework projections heighten the magic and the excitement of the day.

Dancing on the clouds:  As the dance floor fills with fluffy clouds, your ballroom or venue turns into a  dreamlike atmosphere.  Imagine dancing on the clouds in your beautiful wedding dress with the love of your life. It’s a surreal, unforgettable experience. (Don’t worry, this does not set off any fire alarms. These clouds are made of water vapor to ensure a safe, smoke-free dance floor).

Snow: The weather is unpredictable, and sometimes that perfect snowfall never comes when you want it to, but it doesn’t have to be that way on your big day. Enjoy a beautiful light snowfall right in your ballroom. Dance with your favorite people  in a winter wonderland.

Stars: Good music, beautiful people, and a romantic starlit sky right in your ballroom to top it off. Brighten your night and heighten the romance with this amazing effect.

These new features among many others change the game and make your special day an event that you’ll want to relive over and over again.

Years of memories, experiences, and growth all led to the very moment Becca and Jim saw each other for the first time on this beautiful summer day. Becca’s face lit up as soon as Jim eagerly turned around, as if everything came together the way it was always meant to be. Moments like this make for breathtaking images -- images that we as BME photographers and cinematographers strive to perfectly capture.

The ceremony was held on a private veranda, also known as Abbie Holmes Estate's Springhouse Chapel, where Becca and Jim were perfectly framed by the beautiful wooden structure adorned with silky white drapery, like a modern-day fairytale. But even fairy-tales have their share of imperfections and humor, and sometimes the best man drops the ring when it’s time to hand it over, but this only made the wedding more lighthearted and fun, just like Becca and Jim’s personalities. Alongside all the pretty things, the BME photographers never miss these quirky, candid moments, because they’re what make the day more unique, sweet, and memorable.

After the ceremony, we took the couple for a walk through Woodland Village, where we found charming spots to perfectly capture the newlyweds. The warm evening sunlight was the perfect touch to Becca’s already beautifully sparkling, laced look. 

The reception that night was so nostalgic from the music with BME’s talented DJ’s to the sentimental speeches made by the bride’s sister and father, and the groom’s two brothers. Not to mention the mouth-watering entrees by Abbie Holmes Estate's Xenia Catering and the deliciously personalized cupcake-desserts by Courtneycakes Bakery. It was so exciting and fun for the BME crew to experience the night with the rest of the party and capture each moment. Congratulations to Becca and Jim DeBenedictis. Thank you for the wonderful memories, and for letting us capture your beautiful day!  

The Greenview Inn at the Eastlyn Golf Course always provides a stylish and superior atmosphere fit for each blossoming couple on their big day. No matter where you look, there is always a beautiful landscape or alcove to capture the perfect image. The classic couple Samantha and David, along with their charming bridal party, only enhanced the quality of the venue.

The “first look” is a moment we as BME photographers never want to miss. Samantha and David chose to have theirs on the The Greenview Inn’s beautiful stone patio, where their family and friends could be close-by and witness the beautiful moment with them. Samantha’s look of anticipation while waiting for David’s arrival was priceless. We could go into further detail about the overwhelming emotions that come into play here, but Sam and David’s faces truly say it all.

As we explored the area surrounding the Greenview Inn, the wide open landscape at the Eastlyn Golf Course created the perfect backdrop for Samantha and David. The fields of green complemented by accents of purple and blue in Samantha’s stunning bouquet by Savannah's Garden, paired with the utterly radiant couple themselves, made our job as BME photographers painless and truly pleasurable.

The couple finally became husband and wife under Eastlyn’s gorgeous outdoor pergola. It was a drizzly, overcast day, but the pure joy and love surrounding Samantha and David illuminated the atmosphere. Finally, the sky opened up just enough for us to capture the most magical wide-shots of the ceremony. A blue sky with white fluffy clouds  above, green grass and a lovely wedding below - it doesn’t get much better than that.

In the evening, the reception at The Greenview Inn’s spectacular ballroom tied everything together into a romantic, celebratory package. A lot of elements go into receptions. Samantha and David’s was packed with delicious food, and a beautiful cake and cupcake arrangements from House of Cupcakes, an incredible light display by BME Event Group, and the perfect playlist mixed masterfully by BME’s talented DJs. It was so special to capture Samantha and David’s first dance, along with their parent dances and emotional speeches from David’s father, David’s best man, and Samantha’s maid-of-honor. We had so much fun photographing such a lively crowd that seemed to genuinely and deeply love one another. 

It’s always an honor to be a part of such a special celebration when two families come together as one. We would like to congratulate Samantha and David on their marriage. Thank you, from BME Event Group, for having us be a part of your special day.

Being asked to photograph someones  wedding is such an honor.  Being asked to photograph someones wedding when either they, or their immediate family are in the wedding industry is one of the highest honors you could imagine.  That is how I felt when Kristen and Rich decided to have me for their photographer.  Rich's Mom worked for one of the well known florists in our area, and she encouraged her son and future daughter in law to meet with me.

From the minute I met with them, I was so excited to be a part of their day.  Kristen was not only beautiful on the outside but the sweetest person you could ever find.  I looked forward to their day from the minute they booked because of how photogenic they were as a couple, but also just how kind, and happy and caring they are to everyone around them.

Their wedding day did not disappoint!  The day started at Rich and Kristens home where Kristen, her parents and siblings and her Bridal Party girls got ready.  She was all smiles, as well as her girls and family and capturing those getting ready shots were a lot of fun.  We left their house and headed to  The Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course where they had a gorgeous outdoor ceremony followed by their cocktail hour and reception.  The weather was perfect, the sky was so blue and full of beautiful white fluffy clouds, which made the backdrop for this couples awesome ceremony and portraits that much better.  After the couple said their vows and walked down the isle hand and hand as the new Mr. and Mrs. we immediately began doing family portraits.  The family portraits where followed by Bridal Party shots where we got to explore the grounds of Eastlyn Golf Course a little more.  I always love working at Eastlyn from the amazing staff, to the beautiful  set up from inside to out, right down to the delicious food it is an amazing spot to celebrate your Wedding Day.

Once portraits were complete it was time to enjoy the rest of cocktail hour with their family and friends before BME Event Group DJ Bob Morgan did introductions.  Kristen and Rich's first dance was just as lovely as they are and the parent dances were full of as much emotion and feeling as you could imagine.  The speeches and toasts were full of heartfelt messages from the Maid of Honor and Best Man too.  Once all of the formalities were finished, it was time to party.  DJ Bob Morgan along with DJ Angel Santiago kept the dance floor packed all night long with the night ending just as amazingly as it began.  Thank you again to Kristen and Rich for not only choosing me to photograph your wedding day, but for choosing BME to DJ your day as well.

Everyone looked lovely and they were such a joy to photograph.  Especially our beautiful bride.

Our next location was Trump National in Pine Hill, where we would spend the remainder of the day.  We first met up with our groom Joe and captured some getting ready photos of him before heading out to take advantage of the wonderful landscape at Trump National for some Groomsmen Portraits.

We were able to grab another portrait of Ali while she was anxiously awaiting  for the ceremony to begin where she would finally be able to see her soon to be husband waiting for her at the end of the isle. What an amazing ceremony these two had.  Sitting on top of the hill, with a beautiful blue sky with all of their loved ones witnessing their uniting in marriage, you really couldn't have asked for a better day.  Nothing could beat Joe's face as he watched Ali walk towards him escorted by her father. And then the ceremony began. Throughout the ceremony it was evident to everyone there just how much these two loved each other.   Now you may kiss your bride!

After the ceremony we did our portrait session with both families and the bridal party.  Everyone looked so great that it made photographing this couple a dream come true.  Not to mention the awesome backdrop that Trump National in Pine Hill provided.

After portraits it was reception time.  BME DJs Rick and Chris were ready to get the party started but first it was the bride and grooms first dance.  As if these two couldn't get any cuter after speeches Joe sat Ali down and sang to her, which was a complete surprise to everyone. Parent dances were emotional and again you could feel the love in the room.

We decided to briefly take advantage of the beautiful landscape and sunset during dinner once the bride and groom were  finished eating.  We were very glad we chose to do that.  Wow!

Now it was time to party.  That is exactly what everyone did too.  What an amazing night. Our DJ's were having a blast too!  Ali and Joe, thank you so much for choosing BME not only to Photograph your day, but to DJ do Cinematography and also provide Photo Booth.  You were a dream couple and we were so happy to be a part of your special day!