When you run in punk rock circles, it’s very easy to get to know just about every person in your area with your general taste in music, particularly if you grew up during the mid-’90s punk scene. Back then, every kid was throwing backyard concerts to keep themselves busy and off the street. That’s how I met Andy Partridge. Andy is one of those people that knows  everyone. He is the nicest guy in the world and my personal circle of friends grew by leaps and bounds when I started hanging out with him. Through Andy I met Phil, one of the most laid back guys with an amazingly dry sense of humor and a great taste in music. While I knew Phil well, I only hung out with him occasionally and I didn’t know he was engaged until I received a call from Lindsey (who was referred to me by my past bride and all around cool gal, Tara). When I showed up to the consultation, I was shocked to find Phil sitting on the couch and was immediately excited to photograph their wedding.

Fast forward a few months to the big day and I find Lindsey equal parts relaxed and excited about the day’s events. “Can we take a photo with my bulldog?” she asked while the usual chaos the precedes a wedding went on around us. “No problem,” I said, excited to meet a new furry friend. Right then and there, I knew the day was going to be nothing but fun. After a first look and relaxed portraits at the Mayfair Farm’s gardens, family and friends gathered in the backyard of the wedding hall for an elegant ceremony. Lindsey looked absolutely radiant as she walked down the aisle to meet Phil (who cleans up amazingly well) in front of a makeshift alter. I squeezed through the bars to capture a few photos of the two as they shared quick glances and smiles throughout the ceremony. An exchange of rings and a long kiss later and the party was on.

For me, Lindsey and Phil’s reception was like a homecoming of old friends. I got to watch Andy tear up on the dance floor while the DJs shifted from dance tunes to punk classics, my dear pal Chuck serve as dance commander of the evening’s festivities, and Phil was just the happiest guy ever as he swept his bride his arms to The Cure’s “Halo.” “I never felt like this with anyone before / you only have to smile and I’m dizzy / you make the world go round a thousand times an hour / just touch my head and send me spinning.” Robert Smith couldn’t have been more right on. 

VENDORS

Venue: Mayfair Farms
West Orange, NJ
www.mayfairfarms.com

Cake: Palermo’s Bakery
Ridgefield Park, NJ
www.palermobakery.com

DJ: Sizzling Sounds
Livingston, NJ
www.sizzlingsounds.com

Florist: Caldwell Flowerland
Caldwell, NJ
www.caldwellflowerland.com

Make-up artist: Jillyan Scarpa
The Skin Bar
Little Falls, NJ
theskinbar.com

Hair stylist: Steve DeLuca’s Townhouse
Montclair, NJ
stevedelucastownehouse.com

Wedding Gown Designer: Demetrios Bridals
Wayne, NJ
www.demetriosbride.com

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