Andover, New Jersey
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It truly felt like I had been waiting for this wedding for SO long — and it’s because I had! Marisa and I first connected via Instagram many years ago, and she initially reached out to me to do a couple’s session with her and her then-boyfriend, David. We did their session on one of the coldest days ever on the Jersey City waterfront, but I got along with them both right away and regardless of the freezing temperatures, we were laughing the entire time.
Little did I know, fast forward to 2023 and I would have shot their engagement photos, Marisa’s bridal shower, AND their Perona Farms wedding! When Marisa first reached out to me about their wedding, I couldn’t have been more excited. I had, of course, seen their engagement in Instagram, and I couldn’t help but hope that I would be their choice of photographer for the big day. It was so much fun working with them again for their engagement photos, and got me even more excited meeting their family and friends at Marisa’s shower!
A how-they-met story after my own heart, Marisa and David met on the dating app Hinge. As Marisa tells it, “David sent me about 2-3 messages and was like, “Here’s my number. If you want to go out, cool. If not, no worries. I’m not going to message you for 10 days for it not to go anywhere.” Our first date was at Stingray Lounge in Hoboken.” Clearly David’s tactic worked, because they have been together ever since!
Marisa’s engagement ring is absolutely stunning, an oval with a hidden halo set in a thin gold band. “It was EXACTLY what I wanted. I had no idea. The day before he proposed, I made some sort of comment along the lines of, “Okay your brother is married so when is it our turn?” And that’s how David knew I was completely oblivious.”
When Marisa and David began planning their wedding and looking at venues, Perona Farms was an obvious choice. “Of course, getting married in June, you’re hoping for nice weather. However, you cannot predict or control it. Perona had the best option for both an outdoor and indoor wedding. Plus it was the perfect combination between rustic and industrial.” Their vision was, put simply, secret garden — they envisioned tons of florals and incorporating their wedding colors of lilac and yellow throughout the entire day.
This vision was flawlessly brought to life by Marisa and David’s incredible vendor team. Their day truly could not have been more beautiful, and an impending severe thunderstorm during their ceremony even held off. I think these two agree their wedding celebration could have only been more perfect if their two furbabies, Kona and Brewer, could have been in attendance — but I guess we can settle for their signature drinks.
It was a journey so many years in the making, and I couldn’t have been happier that Marisa and David chose me to come along for the ride. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Van Moffaert!
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Vendors:
Photography: Jill Sahner Photography
Planner: Ness McGovern Events
Venue: Perona Farms
Videography: Jack Cognetta
Florals: Thistle Bee Florist
Hair: Hairstyles by Charlotte
Makeup: KC Glamour
DJ/Entertainment: CNT Entertainment
Gown: Olivia Bottega from White House Bride
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Azazie
Cake: Palermo’s Bakery
