I don’t know much about challenging career choices (I was an English major), but I’ve been told that the two roughest things someone can experience, is going through residency as a doctor and trying to pass the bar to become a lawyer. In the past year, I’ve watched Veronica take on the latter virtually via Facebook. I’ve read her posts as she crammed, fought tooth and nail and succeeded in her path to become the most amazing lawyer New Jersey will ever see. Going into her wedding, I knew it was going to be more than just a culmination of her love for Jeremy (a truly righteous dude, too), but also a celebration of years of hard work.

But this post isn’t about law or struggle; it’s about a kick ass winter wedding. Speaking of which, when you are planning a December wedding, you kinda know what you are getting yourself into. There’s no doubt in your mind that it’s going to be cold, there might be snow on the ground and the sky is going to darken way earlier than you want it to. But there’s also the pleasure of having all your friends and family home for the holidays, Christmas lights and decorations to cheer you up and that warm sense of knowing that every bride in the world isn’t clamoring for your wedding day.

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of photographing Veronica and Jeremy’s wedding at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church and Nanina’s in the Park (located in my backyard). I think it’s safe to say that we went into that wedding week with all the above expectations, only to find our minds blown by a record-breaking 70 degree wedding day. I was actually sweating in a three-piece suit, outdoors, in the middle of winter. I’d thank a higher power, but I’m pretty sure my second shooter made a deal with the devil to get us such awesome weather.

After a moving ceremony at St. Ann’s, family and friends headed to Belleville, NJ for an evening of hard partying, loud music and a ton of fun. For four hours, Veronica and Jeremy owned the room as hundreds of well-wishers packed the dance floor, singing, break dancing and even taking on some percussionist duties. The highlight of the evening was easily the first dance. As the newlyweds whispered sweet nothings to each other, Brad Paisley’s “Them” filled the room. “I remember trying not to stare/ The night that I first met you/ You had me mesmerized/ And three weeks later/ In the front porch light/ Taking 45 minutes to kiss goodnight/ I hadn’t told you yet/ I thought I loved you then.” Truer words have never been spoken. Here are a few of my favorite photos from their magical wedding.

A big thank you to Moses “I Eat Bullets For Breakfast” Cruz for serving as second shooter, secret agent and master of disguise. His photos are peppered throughout. As are a handful of shots by Alexander “That Sexy Beast” Meseguer, who worked his magic on my Fuji X100s and left me some pleasant surprises when I got home.

Check out Veronica and Jeremy’s sick wedding video courtesy of the best cinematographers in the world, Abominable Productions.

KICK ASS VENDORS

Ceremony
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church
Officiant: Father Remo DiSalvatore
Hoboken, NJ
www.st-annchurch.com

Reception Hall
Nanina’s in the Park
Belleville, NJ
www.naninasinthepark.com

Videographer
Abominable Productions
Kutztown, PA
www.abominableproductions.com

Cake Architect
A Little Cake
Park Ridge, NJ
www.alittlecake.com

DJ
Jam Music Entertainment
East Rutherford, NJ
1800jammusic.com

Florist
Floral Expressions
Woodbridge Township, NJ
www.floristofwoodbridgenj.com

Hair Stylist and Make-up artist
Imana Hair Studio
Nutley, NJ
www.imanahairstudio.com

Wedding Gown Designer
Paloma Blanca found at I Do… I Do… Bridal Studio
Morristown, NJ
www.idoidobridalstudio.com

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