Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
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I absolutely love each and every one of my wedding couples, but there is just something so special about shooting a wedding day for two of your dear friends.
I have known Ali and Pete for several years now — actually thanks to my husband, Matt. He and Pete first worked together at an HR startup in the city, and are still working together at a another company, a legal tech startup based in San Francisco. The very first time I met Pete, he told me he was planning to propose to his then-girlfriend, Ali, on a trip to Curaçao a few weeks later. I was so excited for the two of them (despite only knowing Pete for a few minutes at the time) and little did I know three years later I would be documenting their wedding day at Renault Winery!
Backing up a little bit, Pete and Ali actually met at the very same company where Matt met Pete! They were all working there together at the time, and although Pete and Ali started out as friends it quickly turned to so much more. To be honest, they couldn’t be a more perfect fit and I really think it was kismet that they found their way to each other.
Since the first day that I first met Pete, I have photographed his and Ali’s maternity photos — together these two have a sweet little boy named Chase — as well as Pete’s sister’s wedding last May at Wave Resort. I feel like I have truly been along on their wedding journey since the beginning, and this day was so many years in the making that I couldn’t believe it was finally here.
If you know Ali at all, you KNOW she loves wine. And, like many guys his age, Pete loves golf. So, Renault Winery was clearly the obvious choice when these two were looking at wedding venues. In the days leading up to their wedding, it was… less than favorable conditions. The Canadian wildfires had sent hazardous smoke down the each coast, and naturally the NYC area was getting the worst of it. Not to mention there was rain in the forecast all week too. While it felt like the odds were against us, by the time Ali and Pete’s wedding day was here the skies had cleared and there wasn’t a drop of rain to be seen.
It was an absolutely perfect day celebrating these two sweet souls. I work with a lot of families on wedding days, but Ali and Pete’s truly made me feel like I was so much more than just their photographer — I was part of the family myself! And although technically I would have been a guest had I not been photographing the day’s festivities, as my husband was invited and attended, I still had such an amazing time documenting a celebration that was so many years in the making.
Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Cole, I couldn’t be happier for the two of you and I love you both so much!
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Vendors:
Photography: Jill Sahner Photography
Venue: Renault Winery Resort
Videography: Live Picture Studios
Florals: Blossom and Bee Floral
Hair: Oak & Stand Salon
Makeup: Make Me Up Eva
DJ/Entertainment: Star Shield Entertainment
Invitations: Truly Engaging
Gown: DayDream Bridal, Trish Peng
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey
Groom’s Attire: Generation Tux
Cake: Classic Cake Philly
