Laffler Photography Blog

I did a great engagement session with Sam and Dave a few months back in Asbury Park, so I already had a great sense of this couple together. Sam was a little nervous about the rain today, and although it did in fact rain, it was kind enough to wait until everyone was safely inside the reception and dancing the night away! Sam and Dave were surrounded by friends and family throughout the day and was just awesome to witness. Their reception was held at the beautiful Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale NJ. I had a great time photographing your wedding today guys! Congratulations, and enjoy your time in Florida!

As I was photographing Sam’s dress, her dad came into the room and began practicing putting on his bow tie. I love this image.

I’m not much of a sports fan, but this image just reminds me of like a football locker room with all the “uniforms” hung up ready for the “big game” and the little kid looking up in awe at them.

I think this would look good next to the first ceremony image I posted (Sam coming down the aisle with her parents). She walks in with her parents and then walks out with a husband!

I love the look on Sam’s face in this shot.

Yummers!

Let it be known that Jenna openly thinks I’m awesome! Ok, now that we have that little piece of housekeeping out of the way, let’s talk about this AMAZING wedding which all took place at one of my favorite venues, The Crossed Keys Inn in Andover NJ. I can’t remember the last wedding I shot that had such a gorgeous day to work with as we did today. Not a cloud to bee seen, the sun was shining, and the temperature was just perfect! I photographed Jenna and Nick’s engagement session a few months back at the Grounds for Sculpture, at which time I learned just how photogenic each of them are, and how cute they are together! Yay! Jenna and Nick decided to see one another before the ceremony so we could have more time for photos, double yay! Are you guys starting to put all the pieces together yet!? Fun and expressive couple + great location + good light + time + me = slam dunk! Another great thing about today was seeing and working with my friends Rob and Leyda from Rockmelon. They are the only videographers I ever refer people to, and with good reason, they are awesome, not to mention a blast to work with! Also, this was my first exposure to the band, The Rhythm Shop. Holy crap, this 12 piece band ROCKED! Hire them if you can! Jenna and Nick, thank you SO much for having me along for the ride on your day of days! Enjoy Aruba!

I love everything about this photo!

Love this one!

The last time I was at Crossed Keys, I got a similar shot, but it was with the flower girl.

This was a very emotional ceremony, as you will see.

I love this shot of the flower girl sucking her thumb as her mom wipes a tear away.

It wasn’t all tears though. I love the expression on Jenna’s face just before she slips Nick’s ring on his finger.

After the ceremony it was off to the corn field for a few shots.

A 30 second exposure practically right out of the camera! That’s a bonfire glowing on the right hand side.

Jenna’s parents giving a toast.

And then Jenna’s brother.

I think someone is trying to avoid being “reeled” in!

A closer look at the bonfire.

Although you don’t see their faces, I think this photo still sums up Jenna’s close relationship with her twin brother.

What a gorgeous day for a wedding! Fall is certainly in the air my friends! Kaleia and Ted had their ceremony outside at Mayfair Farms and their reception inside. Kaleia and Ted are movie buffs and had a cinema theme happening at the reception. In fact, Kaleia was born right around the time Star Wars came out and her name does actually have some tie ins with princess Leah. And although we were running on “Dominican Republic” time, as Kaleia called it, which apparently moves much slower, everything did get done…eventually. I had a great time with you guys today, congratulations!

Apparently Kaleia is more startled by loud noises than Ted is!

Kaleia and Ted in the photo booth.

I was really holding out for another dry wedding today, but alas, those pesky weather people actually knew what they were talking about for once, as it did in fact rain today, just as they had predicted. Believe it or not, a photographer friend of mine actually likes when it rains on wedding day, sadly, I don’t share her enthusiasm for the wet stuff! Anyway, Alicia and Eric certainly didn’t let the rain put a damper on things. They just kept on truckin’ and were real troopers wandering around the Meat Packing District with an umbrella, and looking for nice dry overhangs to work under. Alicia and Eric’s ceremony and reception took place at one of my favorite places to photograph, Studio 450. It provides couples with a blank white slate to add their own touches to. Sojourner Auguste and her team from erganic design did an amazing job transforming the blank canvas of Studio 450 into an awesome environment to host a wedding! And even though the ceremony couldn’t be held out on the rooftop as planned, I thought the improvised ceremony space totally rocked! One really interesting thing I picked up on from their wedding was the use of Eric’s Swedish tradition of seating people next to people they don’t know, to encourage conversation and perhaps even cultivate new friendships! I had an absolute blast photographing your wedding guys, thanks for being the awesome laid back couple that you are! Congratulations!

I just loves me an all white space!

On our way over to meet Eric for some photos before the ceremony.

September…check! 2009…check! NYC…check! Awesome couple…check and mark!

A little practice on that 1719 violin before the ceremony.

This little guy was so stinkin’ cute!

I’m not sure if it comes across in this shot, but I photographed this from a small opening between the ceremony space and the space where Alicia was waiting before coming down the aisle.

Alicia’s brother and his daughter.

Two “New Yorker” buildings for the price of one! Yes, this image was flopped.

I love this shot of Alicia and her dad right after he gave his speech.

I had to rock my wide angle most of the night for this dance crew!

Eric’s brother and sister’s speech.

Alicia’s matron of honor’s speech. There were an awful lot of speeches tonight!

The woman on the lower right of the frame was on fire on the dance floor, but I guess it’s true what they say, the star that burns twice as bright…

…burns half as long! Goodnight everyone!

To see some more shots from Alicia and Eric’s wedding, click on over to my friend Michelle’s blog.

This had to be one of the funnest weddings I have ever had the privilege of photographing! I already knew these two were a super fun and unique couple after photographing their engagement session a few months ago, which also happens to be one of my favorite ones! I think Q and Gary’s personalities were perfectly reflected in how they put together their wedding. Q picked up on the color scheme for the wedding from her pink hair and blue framed glasses and I think it just screamed “FUN!” Let’s see, some other coolness factors today were the guys wearing Chuck Taylor’s, two bridesmaids sporting some 60’s retro beehive hair dos, Gary’s boutonniere which wasn’t really a boutonniere at all, but a Star Trek pin which Q had a matching pin on her wedding dress too, their comic book inspired wedding invitations, Han Solo and Princess Leah cake topper, a Star Trek logo ice sculpture at cocktail hour, funny vows, mini light saber favors, a hilarious toast by the best man that kept my camera shaking from my laughter, a bridesman, entering the reception to the Star Wars theme, the groomsmen receiving Light Sabers as wedding gifts, hysterical guests on the dance floor, a bridal battle, Q and Gary’s own play list for the reception, last song of the night being the Ewok Victory Celebration, did I mention the light sabers!? I had such a BLAST working with you guys today, thank you so much for having me along. Enjoy that honeymoon in Hawaii! Live long and prosper! Sorry guys, I tried really hard, but just couldn’t resist.

Q was the only one who got the coveted purple Mace Windu Light Saber…

…as seen here.

Super cool shot of Gary courtesy of my friend Christopher David

Another shot by Christopher David

It almost looks as though Gary is trying to use the force to make his tie dance.

Another shot by Christopher David

So, I thought we were having a great day up until now, but then all of the sudden…

…Gary comes to blows with one of his groomsmen, and then…

…a full on bridal brawl breaks out! All this over who’s better, Kirk or Picard! j/k

The cake topper.

And the Saber Favors.

A group huddle before being introduced into the reception.

Q and Gary’s grand entrance!

It’s hard to beleive that this is the same guy who was playing classical guitar during the ceremony!

I took the guys outside for some night time light saber action!

Chris had the idea of photographing Q and Gary in front of these lights which were strung up in a tree. They kind of look like stars a bit don’t they?