Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
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Three out of four winter weddings this year in the books, and it was another beautiful celebration! Chiara and Mackenzie knew that getting married in February might bring snowstorms or unbearable cold, but these two lucked out with a gorgeous (although slightly windy!) day. Shooting at the Ryland Inn is always one of my favorite settings, and the venue did not disappoint even in the winter — the grounds were still perfectly manicured and it almost felt like springtime.
These two first met in college, but as Chiara tells it, “It was definitely not love at first sight. We met in college at UConn during Mac’s senior year (I was a junior at the time). Our sorority and fraternity were assigned as homecoming partners. My group of friends and Mac’s friends meshed well and we all ended up hanging out a lot together. After college, I was in law school and Mac was in engineering school both in the greater New Haven area. We kept in touch and would grab dinner (always sushi, of course) every few months. We did not start dating until after I took the bar exam and moved back to New Jersey. Mac definitely made the first move to take our relationship just beyond friends. He would deliver food to my friends and I while we were studying for the bar exam. We had our first “real” date at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, and the rest is history.”
Chiara and Mackenzie got engaged in Napa Valley, California at Chateau Montelena in November of 2021. “We were planning the trip for a long time, but it was delayed over a year because of the pandemic. The trip was to celebrate both of our 30th birthdays. We ate a lot and drank a lot of wine, so overall it was a great trip and memory.” Chiara’s ring is absolutely beautiful. “It is set on 6 platinum prongs, because I am clumsy and Mac knew I would definitely be whacking my hand on things. My dad’s childhood friend is a jeweler, so Mac had it custom-made by him. My mom’s ring was also made by the same jeweler. We did not pick it out together, but I have a simple and classic style so we discussed it briefly before.”
Together Chiara and Mackenzie live in Asbury Park, NJ and love going to the beach. “We spend our summers between the Jersey Shore and Green Hill Beach in Rhode Island. We both grew up going to the beach with our families all summer, so we both enjoy just lounging, reading and playing beach games.” These two also love to eat and try new places and cuisines together, visit NJ’s wineries and breweries, and entertain at their home.
From start to finish, this wedding was absolutely beautiful. From the lush, hanging greenery that filled the Grand Ballroom to the palpable love for this sweet couple from their guests, every moment of their day was a joy. A big shoutout to the wedding party for braving the wind for the sake of beautiful light for photos, and of course to Chiara and Mackenzie for taking photos outside for a full hour and a half (even though I knew they were chilly).
I couldn’t be happier to have captured this special day, congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Corliss!
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Vendors:
Photography: Jill Sahner Photography
Venue: The Ryland Inn
Florals: Mark Bryan Floral Designs
Hair: Painted by Bella Basile
Makeup: Make Me Up Eva
Band: SCE Event Group, Christian LaGrotteria
Invitations: Minted
Bridal Gown: A Little Something White Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Tessuto
Cake: Palermo’s Bakery
