Ocean City Beach Wedding | Beautiful October Wedding | Alyssa and Matt

Ocean City NJ Wedding.  Alyssa and Matt had a beautiful warm October day to celebrate their love on the beach in Ocean City, NJ. They had to change their original wedding plans due to the pandemic.  In 2 months, Alyssa and Matt planned a perfect wedding day.  Looking back at their day they both would not have changed a thing!!

Ocean City New Jersey

I was recommended to Alyssa and Matt from another one of my bridal couples, Katie and Max, whom had a beautiful beach wedding in Ocean city this past July.  When we spoke to put together their wedding timeline, I knew that they were a fun couple and I couldn’t wait to meet them.  They had their ceremony on the 11th Street beach and a small reception with close family at the famous Flanders Hotel.

Their Love Story

Alyssa and Matt went to the same High School in Downingtown East in Exton, Pa.  They hung around the same friends but were not super close in high school.  They both went to different colleges and did not really keep in touch with each other.  After college they ran into each other again while hanging with their high school friends.  This time the stars were aligned, and they started seeing each other seriously after that night of fun with their friends.  A year later they got an apartment in Manayunk, Pa and lived there for 4 years with their kitty named, Yunker.  In December 2019, they bought a house and moved to Malvern, Pa. This is where they are starting their newly wed life.

A proposal in Newport News, Virginia

In August 2019, Alyssa and Matt traveled down to their favorite yearly music festival in Hampton, Virginia.  They had some time before they were supposed to be at the music festival, so Matt had suggested that they try this restaurant he read about on line.  Matt had a plan!  When they arrived at the parking lot Alyssa didn’t even see a restaurant but the view was gorgeous with the setting sun. They were on the Inner Harbor in Newport News.

They decided to take in the view and walked to the railing overlooking the harbor.  This is where Matt got down on one knee and asked Alyssa to marry him!!  Matt had a photographer all lined up to capture the moment! (Guys, this is a good thing!!) Alyssa then found out later that the restaurant that Matt had suggested wasn’t even open. They had dinner at a little Crab shack and celebrated the rest of the weekend.

Planned a wedding in 2 months

Alyssa and Matt had planned a big formal affair but had to change their plans due to the virus.  They both decided that since they both love the beach and spend a lot of time in Ocean City that a beach wedding would be perfect for them.  A wedding planned in 2 months can be stressful but can be done!!  Alyssa’s advice for brides is to ” Have fun with the planning process. Everything, the planning and the day of the wedding, goes by so quickly that you need to make sure you are enjoying the once in a lifetime opportunity!”

ocean city beach wedding

Alyssa’s best friend and bridesmaid, Sarah Wait, styled her hair for the wedding day. It was a gorgeous loose braid with sparkly flowers and vines weaved through it. Her other friend, Sarah Weber, did her makeup, which was perfect!  Alyssa wore a simple sleek sheath dress with lace and rouching on the side. It was the perfect dress for the beach.  Her veil was borrowed from her friend, Kelsey.  Alyssa went barefoot for the ceremony but then switched into sparkly Steve Madden sneakers for the party.  Her bridal party wore different dresses all in various shades of blue.  Matt chose to wear typical beach attire of a white button-down shirt and khaki linen pants.  His guys wore different shades of blue tops and matching pants.  It was so pretty to see all the different shades of blue in the wedding party.

The Flanders Hotel

The Flanders Hotel is a landmark in Ocean City.  It has been there for almost 100 years.  I just love all the antiques and decor inside the hotel. So many great photo opportunities thoughout the hotel.  Alyssa and Matt had their party in the Garden Room.  It is a pretty room with high ceilings and gorgeous light.  After introductions Alyssa and Matt danced their first dance as husband and wife.  So much love was just beaming from the two of them.

Alyssa’s dreams came true when she started to walk down the beach to marry her man and Matt loved seeing his beautiful bride walk towards him!

I just love small intimate weddings and when it happens on the beach makes it even better!  Thank you, Alyssa and Matt, for choosing Memories by Maria Photography to capture your day.  May you have a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness!

The Flanders Hotel Weddings, Karen, Event Planner

https://www.theflandershotel.com/weddings/

DJ: Kenny

http://www.kennyi.com

 

If you enjoyed reading about Alyssa and Matt you may like to read these blogs:

Cape May NJ Wedding | South Jersey Beach Wedding | Stephanie and Joe

Brigantine NJ Beach Wedding | South New Jersey Beach Weddings | Kristen and John