Sara and Chase have a lot in common. They first met as undergrads at The College of New Jersey because they were members of the school’s athletic teams. Going to the movies for a first date seems foolproof, right? Wrong. For Chase and Sara that was definitely not the case. They went, chatted, saw the movie and quickly said their goodbyes, complete with “an awkward butt-out hug” (Sara’s expression, but I’m thinking of stealing it!).
Luckily they didn’t let the first date phase them and quickly realized they were perfect for each other. Last November they drove up to Montreal for a little vacation. Unbeknownst to Sara, Chase planned on proposing. At first, the plan was to propose during a wonderfully nice dinner. But when the maître d’ asked for Chase’s coat ( ::cough:: where the ring was ::cough::), he knew the moment wasn’t right. Instead, he waited one more day while they were taking a stroll to the top of Mount Royal Park. Looking out over Montreal, he got down on one knee and revealed the ring that had been burning a hole in his pocket the entire trip. And of course she said yes!
Thank goodness their story didn’t end with that first date and instead with wedding bells at their Florham Park wedding at the Park Savoy Estate.
When I first met the Sara and Chase’s bridal party I had to wonder if maybe they had auditions for the part of bridesmaid and groomsmen. Literally everyone was super good looking AND crazy nice, helpful, fun to be around. I know the bride and groom have hearts of gold so they must just be awesome at picking great friends and got lucky in the family department. All day I could hear my inner Derek Zoolander saying “It’s not my fault I’m really, really, ridiculously good looking!”
I think I found my favorite spot for photographing portraits near the Park Savoy Estate. If you’re ever looking for a New Jersey park to take a stroll in, I’ll let you in on my little photography location secret: The Cross Estate Gardens. You’ll see what I mean when you see the rest of their photos.
I love the comfort that Sara and Chase have with one another. Prior to this moment, they were an adorable bundle of excited and happy nerves. After they folded into each other with calm assuredness, it was as if it was just any other day, in the best way.
Chase doing his best GQ impression and obviously killing it!
It took a lot of restraint for me not to post hundreds of portraits of these two in this wedding teaser! I can’t get enough of them and it’s physically impossible for them to take a bad picture.
Check out that view!!
I’m right there with ya Chase!
The classic shot from the Park Savoy.
No groom is ever safe from the Best Man toast… especially when it’s your brother!
Sara and Chase’s wedding at the Park Savoy Estates has to be the danciest reception I’ve ever been privileged to photograph. Mad props to the guests, for really bringing their A game to the dance floor. I have a feeling a lot of them took Monday off for recovery. It may have been the open bar or the amazing DJ but the dance floor was packed all night long!
Wedding Venue // The Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park NJ
Officiant // Father John Michael O’Sullivan in Manalapan NJ
Hair & Makeup // Ore Makeup Design in Denville NJ
Flowers // Solstice in Glen Gardner NJ
Wedding Cake // Conca D’Oro Catering in Union NJ
Wedding Rings and Jeweler // Zoland Jewelry in New York NY
Music & Entertainment // Showoff Productions in Flemington NJ
Sara’s Wedding Dress // Rosa Clara bridal gown from Three Graces Bridal in Lebanon NJ
Chase’s Tuxedo // J.Crew Bridal Salon & Tuxedos