Wedding at the Palace At Somerset Park – Jen & Tristan

When I got the call from Jen about her engagement to Tristan, I was pretty excited. I had previously photographed her sister Danielle’s wedding at Lambertville Station Inn. It was such an honor to be thought of for their upcoming wedding at the Palace at Somerset Park.  Jen was Danielle’s maid of honor and this time around Danielle was to be the maid of honor for Jen. It all comes full circle, doesn’t it?

So take a look of some of my absolute favorites from their wedding day. It’s crazy to think how much more there are to see, but this is just a preview.

Vendor Shout Out:

Venue // The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ

Officiate // Father Tony Akoury of St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Somerset, NJ

Wedding Dress // Elegant Touch Bridal in Nottingham, MD

Tuxedos // Men’s Warehouse in Somerville, NJ

Transportation // Monroe Limousine in Elizabeth, NJ

Invitations // Wedding Paper Divas (now officially the Wedding Shop by Shutterfly)

Reception Music & Photo Booth // Sound Defying Entertainment in Denville, NJ

Sometimes brides have their shoes be their ‘something blue’ but not Jen. Jen is filled with Syracuse University pride and decided to have her shoes be a fun nod to her collegiate roots. And I love that rather than getting ready at a hotel, Jen chose to get ready at her grandmother’s house.

Finally, the moment the bride and groom have imagined for many months (ok, years!).  What do you think of Tristan’s expression when he got to see Jen for the first time?

Having a traditional ceremony at St. Sharbel Maronite Church was important to Jen to honor her heritage. I love learning about different traditions when it comes to wedding ceremonies. Traditionally, the Lebanese not only bless the rings but also crown the couple. The crowning is symbolic of establishing a new kingdom, based on mutual love, and is reminiscent of a Baptism. The crowns are then placed on the heads of the spouses as a sign of victory.

If Jen thought she was safe from the rice-storm, she was very wrong!

There’s a lot of history and wisdom in these hands. Jen with her mother and grandmother.

Photographing a wedding at the Palace at Somerset Park is kind of a wedding photographer’s dream. The grounds are stunning and so expansive! You could literally spend the whole day taking portraits and you wouldn’t run out of new angles and locations.

Gotta show off that gorgeous keyhole back on Jen’s gown!

I know I’m supposed to remain somewhat neutral about which are my real favorites, but come on guys?!  This black and white shot of them just kills me!!! Can you say album cover?!?!

It was such a breathtaking day on their wedding day that we kept all the portraits outside. So much greenery and beautiful light. And it’s so refreshing to have a New Jersey wedding venue be equally beautiful on the outside as it is on the interior. This must be why the call us “the garden state” 😉 Many thanks go to the Palace at Somerset and my new BFF David, the maître d’ who was so incredibly helpful the entire day!!

Apparently, it’s not a real wedding reception if there isn’t a zaffe or zaffah. These guys get the party started with drums, swords and dancing! Ain’t no party like a Lebanese party! These people know how to move!

Sometimes bad fashion from the 90’s will follow you, Tristan. Thanks to our best man for reminding us of Tristan’s roots 😉

Anyone who wasn’t at Jen and Tristan’s wedding at the Palace definitely missed the party of the year. Food, dancing, and music were all top notch. And then, just to make sure their marriage started on the right foot, they decided to add a little fireworks (literally!). Best surprise EVER for wedding guests! Only at the Palace can you fit all your wedding guests outside on the patio so they can all take in the lights.

You know the wedding reception is good when you almost forget the father of the bride and mother of the groom dances.

And that’s all she wrote guys, for now. I hope your honeymoon to Iceland and Norway was awesome. From the pictures, it definitely was. And I can’t wait to show you the rest of the photographs from your wedding day.

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