Spring Icona Windrift Wedding | Julia and Aaron | Jersey shore Wedding

Spring Icona Windrift Wedding. Julia and Aaron’s wedding day was just beautiful. I am so lucky to have the best wedding couples. I enjoyed getting to know these two, and I loved capturing their special wedding day moments. Julia was super organized, and together with our photography timeline, the day went off without any issues.

I first met these two last year when they booked me to photograph their April 2022 wedding at the Jersey shore. We had so much fun at their engagement session. They chose to use the beaches in Cape May. So I took them to a couple of my favorite beaches. It was a bit breezy the day of their session, and Julia wore the perfect dress. Check out their engagement session here.

A sunny but breezy day

Mother nature kept teasing us with nice weather, then she would threaten us with a bit of rain. I know that is typical springtime weather, but watching the weather daily, hoping to have the best weather, can make you crazy. The wedding day was a bright sunny day, but we had to deal with the wind. I guess it was a compromise, ha-ha.

I met Julia and Aaron the morning of the wedding at the Windrift resort in Avalon, NJ. My day started with photographing all the wedding details, Julia’s dress, and the bridesmaids in their matching robes. I then headed down the hall to find Aaron and the guys. Aaron had a fun group of groomsmen. Their wedding party and family were so excited for these two and were all so helpful in making their day perfect.

Spring Icona Windrift Wedding

After photographing all the getting-ready photos, we headed down to the beach to set up their first look. Aaron could not wait to see his bride. I loved his reaction and the way he kissed her…oh my! The sun was bright, and the sky was blue, perfect for their wedding colors. The wind came in handy because it made Julia’s dress move, which looked fantastic in the pictures. We all ate a bit of sand, but getting those shots was on the top of Julia and Aaron’s photo list.

Julia and Aaron said their vows in a quaint catholic church just a few miles from the resort. The priest read emails he received from Julia and Aaron during their ceremony. It was fun to hear what they loved about each other and their plans for the future. Before we headed back to the resort for family and wedding party photos, we took some time to get pictures inside and outside the church. The images we took outside the church are some of my favorites.

Cocktail hour, choregraphed first dance and reception

When we were planning the timeline, Julia and Aaron wanted to make sure that they had time to enjoy the cocktail hour. Having a first look makes this easier as most of the couple’s photos are done before the start of the festivities. After the ceremony, we arrived at the Windrift to finish family photos and wedding party photos on the beach and were still on time to get to them to the start of cocktail hour. Since they had spare time, they took a few moments to practice their choreographed first dance. The videographer and I were so happy they chose to do that. I love those images of them dancing with the ocean and dunes in the background.

After they were introduced at the beginning of the reception, they surprised their guests with their dance. It was perfect. Their evening was full of love, laughs, dancing, family, and friends. The Windrift is gorgeous with its big windows overlooking the shore, and their staff was dedicated to making everything perfect for Julia and Aaron. Everyone had a moment of excitement when the fire alarm went off just before the party was scheduled to end, and they had to evacuate. That didn’t stop the party once they were allowed back in, as everyone stayed at the bar until 12:45 am!

Shades of Blue and white

Julia and Aaron had all their siblings in the wedding party and Julia’s niece and nephew as the flower girl and ring bearer. Julia’s bouquet had white/ivory roses and other white flowers, hints of blue, and greenery. She wanted a classic look of white and green for florals as everyone was wearing blue. Julia likes roses and wanted all the flowers to be real. The flowers were so lovely. Marie’s Flower Shoppe did a fantastic job.

Julia’s wedding dress was the second dress she tried on, and she knew it was the dress. The lace and details were her favorite part. She would have changed nothing about her wedding dress as it fit great once altered, and the bustle held up all night. She also loved the dusty blue bridesmaid’s dresses and blue suits for the groomsmen. They were perfect colors for the beach.

Anticipated moments and Advice for future wedding couples

This couple was looking forward to the first look and performing their first dance as it was a surprise for the guests—Julia and Aaron’s advice for future couples: “Book vendors early as demand is high. Keep florals simple to save costs. Guests won’t know the difference unless you spend $10k+ on florals—reuse ceremony decor/flowers and bridesmaids’ bouquets for your reception to save costs. Use real flowers. Book a wedding videographer and ask your photographer for referrals. It’s essential they know each other and can work well together. Plan for the unexpected have bridal emergency kits with trash bags, scissors, medicine, fashion tape, etc. Have a wedding website like The Knot and do online RSVPs. Online RSVPs save time and money. No one will be as excited for your wedding as you are.”

Beautiful Wedding

I could not wait to photograph this wedding. I have often said that I am lucky to have the sweetest wedding couples. Julia and Aaron had taken such pride in their wedding plans that I loved seeing it all come to life for them. Everything was perfect, minus the darn wind! I am sure that their married life will be so happy, and I hope to continue capturing the future chapters of their life together.