The Mill Lakeside Manor Wedding

Summer New Jersey Wedding

Matthew & Daniela

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Their love story started in college and a proposal came together with the help of family making this summer wedding at The Mill Lakeside Manor one of the best days of Daniele and Matt’s life (read about their engagement here).

Getting ready

As with most weddings, you prepare by having some morning chaos with your chosen group of loved ones in a hotel room. Not these two, they were calm and collected. I think they were so ready to have this day to take place. Being a music fan if I had to place a song to the moment think of that Bob Marley lyric “The sun is shining, the weather was sweet” and Spring Lake, New Jersey was all that on June 11th.

All the tiny details are chosen with care. The vibes for the group were in the “Let’s F*cking Go” energy in the hotel room. Once the group was looking fly we had some fun with popping bottles and clanking beers.

Once we traveled the party from the hotel to The Mill Lakeside Manor we had some time to finish up getting ready on the property.

First Look & Portraits

Then it was off to first look and couples portraits. Okay, sidenote; so for the couples that are on the fence about doing first looks. Take this small bit of advice. Naturally, there are always butterflies at this moment but I tell you they will melt away once you see your partner and have a small moment together before the ceremony. Moments like this won’t happen much for the rest of the day UNLESS you schedule it in the timeline. Please please please consider extra time to be together alone.

After some bridal party portraits, it was time to have some family photos. I always recommend to couples to get the immediate family photos done before the ceremony. Who’s in the immediate family you ask? Parents, siblings (with/without partners), grandparents, and sometimes godparents.

If you say “Hey Simone I want to shmooze and party during cocktail hour”. I’m going to suggest doing these group shots before the ceremony. If the group photos can’t happen until after the ceremony or it’s not that important to you or you are short on time. An unconventional idea is just having one big group shot and not breaking down into individual groups. There is more to this conversation but I’ll go into that on a wedding call with clients beforehand.

Family Photos, Ceremony, Reception

Intros & Dances

Sunset Photos

The Mill Lakeside Manor Wedding Vendors

So folks I have to give it up to the excellent behind-the-scenes Friendors on this day that made everything come together.

The Mill Lakeside Manor had a very attentive staff with the bridal party, the food was delicious, and there were so many awesome little photographic spots for photos. Ms. Carla and April with Details Made Simple conducted the wedding planning and had the day running smoothly. The ladies had a glam-tastic time with MiaFarah Beautique for makeup and hair. The stunning flower arrangements by Narcissus Florals and the exquisite cake design by Chocolate Carousel. DJ Jose with TWK Events made sure the music made the people get out and dance. Last but not least I got to creatively work alongside my friend Nino Gallego and his squad operating on videography. Thank you John Defiora for being my second photographer. It was a fantastic vendor day had by all.