Bear Brook Valley Springtime Wedding, Fredon Township, NJ | Jess & Eric

Let me just start out by saying, family is everything! 🙌🏼 From honoring their loved ones on their special day to beginning their own family with each other, Jess and Eric planned the most thoughtful and beautiful wedding day to share with their friends and family! Bear Brook Valley showed off all its goodness for us; this one-year-old venue was the perfect backdrop from the lakeside ceremony space to all of the amazing nature-filled nooks along the property!

Every single detail was so well-planned and thought out, major props to this power-couple for thinking of literally everything!! The colors of the confetti the guests threw as they exited the ceremony matched their wedding color palette, their friend who officiated their wedding played a key role in their love story (keep reading, I’ll tell ya who she is!), Jess’ maid of honor’s thoughtful speech was so fitting with 26 pieces of advice for the newlyweds, and the special birthday shout outs at the reception were just a few of the many moments that stuck out to me! Jess and Eric involved so many family and friends in the most special ways throughout the day, like having an adorable owl cake topper that their sweet flower girl MADE, and the AMAZING photo table runners that Jess put together herself using hundreds and hundreds of black and white photographs (girl, major points for you)! It was such an incredibly special and beautiful day celebrating an even more special couple. I love that family is so important to them, and you can tell how much all their family and friends love them right back. Major heart eyes for this entire day!

Oh, you thought I was done?! Nope – SO many more sweet details to note: Jess’ ring is her grandma’s 20th anniversary ring comprised of 20 little diamonds. Jess’ mom removed a row to give to Jess in a set of earrings a while back, so Jess had the earrings taken apart to create a wedding band to match the setting. One their wedding day, she says, “it will all get put back together for the first time in many years.” How incredible is that?! Her bracelet belonged to her late Aunt Marianne and her earrings were from Eric’s mother. Eric wore a yarmulke for the ceremony that his mother hand-crocheted. Jess also gave him a tie bar and cufflinks as a gift for their big day! Annnd, one of my favorite details of them all: their to-go dessert station had stadium food and Rangers popcorn boxes as a dedication to where they met years ago!

Jess said, “Eric and I met working for the New York Rangers. We were best friends for years before we started dating. Honestly, I resisted his charms for quite some time (who thinks dating someone you work with is a good idea? Not me!). But when I was leaving the Rangers to go freelance for Semester at Sea, I realized that dating your best friend might not be the worst idea, and we’ve been together ever since. The person who used to sit between Eric & I at work will actually be officiating our ceremony. :)”

Their date nights always involve good food, like sushi or small plates at a tiny restaurant! They love long walks and bike rides, morning coffee together followed by bagels and a matinee movie! Such a fun day-date!

Their proposal went a little something like this: “We got engaged over a President’s Day Weekend adventure in Napa, California. We are both lovers of the west coast and wine, so it really was one of the most magical trips I’ve ever been on.” Jess’ Maid of Honor knew someone working at a winery that they were visiting, but when they arrived, he was running late, so the staff there gave them an amazing tour and and tasting. “We had a bag that was supposed to have a Rangers-themed present for her friend, little did I know my ring was in the bag. Eric later admitted he was panicked that the staff there wasn’t “in” on the secret and he would awkwardly have to ask for the bag back… But following a lovely tour we ended in their private tasting room that looked out on the vineyard. Set on the table next to a bottle of wine was a closed ring box and that’s where he proposed. I had an idea it might be happening because we had talked about rings earlier and I didn’t want him to waste money on a traditional ring and decided I would wear my grandmas anniversary ring instead, as it’s always been my favorite!” Wine, Napa, and proposals… I really don’t think it gets better than that!

Jess and Eric, thank you both for being so kind, loving, and just incredible people. I am grateful beyond words to have been a part of your wedding day and the start of your forever. You both deserve all of the love and happiness in the world, enjoy the married life, newlyweds! <3 XOXO

Vendors

Second Photographer | Tori Petrillo
Photo Assistant | Rebecca Sanchez
Ceremony & Reception Venue | Bear Brook Valley
Day of Coordinator | Lisa Mayer
Dress Designer | Wtoo by Watters
Dress Boutique | BHLDN
Veil | Sara Gabriel
Shoes | Badgley Mischka
Hair Stylist | Tami Horowitz
Makeup Artist | A Beauty by Amanda
Bridesmaid’s Jewelry | Samantha Wills
Table Runners | Handmade
DJ | Silver Arrow Band
Florist | Marquis Florals by Kim
Videographer | Off Beet
Cake |  Palermos Bakery
Bridemaids Dresses Designer | Jenny Yoo
Groom & Groomsmen Attire | The Black Tux
Invitations | Mariel Cartin, Innerworkings
Officiant | Jane Stanton
Hair Piece | Twigs & Honey
Flower Girls & Junior Bridemaid’s Dresses | Etsy, Milly Wedding Shop