Ah, Meg and Joe’s wedding day at Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, NJ was such a dream! We had the most beautiful weather, and couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. Meg and Joe are the absolute sweetest, and it was so fun to spend the day with them capturing so many memories as they celebrated their marriage with family and friends!
Meg had some of the most thoughtful and special heirlooms as part of her bridal details! She included orange blossoms in her bouquet that were passed down from her grandma’s wedding bouquet (she got married 69 years ago) to Meg’s mother and aunts and now to her! It was amazing to see what perfect condition they remained in and how beautiful that little sentiment was to her family’s legacy. Her grandmother passed away recently, so this was Meg’s special way to remember her on her wedding day. In addition to the blossoms, her necklace was her “something borrowed.” Meg’s dad had given it to her mom on their wedding day 35 years ago. It was such a special moment when Meg’s mom put the necklace on Meg after she got into her wedding dress. Another sweet little detail, Meg’s mom took material from her blue mother of the bride dress, and stitched it in the shape of a heart inside Meg’s wedding dress to be her something blue. Inside the little heart shaped pocket of fabric she put 3 pennies from three different years: 1987 (Joe’s birth year), 1988 (Meg’s birth year), and 2018 for their wedding year! This was a meaningful surprise for Meg from her mom, and Meg loved this thoughtful idea!
This day was extra fun, especially because I got to work alongside my amazing videographer friends from ToneMedia, Justin and Steph! I can never say enough good things about this duo – they are seriously the best videographers and most wonderful people! You can check out their highlight video at the bottom of this post, and see more over on their blog post here!!!! With them, we took Meg and Joe’s stunning bride & groom portraits at the gorgeous Frelinghuysen Arboretum!! This gem of a location had the most beautiful gardens to explore and such perfect golden light, heck yes!
I also absolutely loved that Meg & Joe wrote their own vows, they were so sweet! I think it’s extra special when couples make the ceremony personal through ways like writing their own vows and adding their own special touches to their “I do’s!”
I remember just falling in love with these two and their story from Meg’s first few emails. I asked them to tell me a fun fact about them and she said that when she thinks about one of her favorite gestures Joe has done for her, it has to be that he surprises her with a plate of nachos on a rough day and pours her endless glasses of wine! Joe knows what matters most! 😉
How these two cuties met: “Joe and I met through my best childhood friend, who is his cousin! We had actually met each other a few times through the years, but the very first time we met was at my best friend’s birthday party in 3rd grade! I don’t think we said a word to each other or even noticed each other at all, but there is photographic evidence! We then saw each other again at different parties and get-togethers, and after we graduated from college, we would hang out with a big group of friends. It was after this that we started dating.”
If you want to read about their proposal story, head over to their sweet winter engagement session post! It involves spending the whole day together all while Joe had the ring in his pocket! At home that night, Joe had a little smirk on his face, and next thing Meg knew, he was down on one knee! The moment was so full of love and it was exactly what she had always hoped for: an ordinary moment turned extraordinary.
Meg and Joe, I love you two! You’re such genuinely nice, kind, thoughtful people. It was such a joy being a part of your special day, I loved every minute of it! Thank you for being so much fun! Congratulations newlyweds!! Xoxo
ToneMedia is truly amazing!! See how they captured Meg & Joe’s love story on video in their highlight film below!!!! I’m pretty sure I tear up at every wedding video they ever do!
VENDORS
2nd Photographer | Tori Petrillo
3rd Photographer/Assistant | Tori Kelner
Videographer | ToneMedia
Ceremony Venue | St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison, NJ
Reception Venue | Westin Governor Morris
Dress Designer | Enzoani
Dress Boutique | I do I do
Shoes | Badgley Mischka
Hair Stylist | Flair for Hair (Jessica Marchese)
Makeup Artist | Dina’s Kiss and Makeup (Dina Racciatti)
Wedding Rings | W. Kodak Jewelers
DJ | Pure Event Group (Joe Violante)
Florist | Main Street Bloomery
Cake | BerryRich Bakery
Bridesmaids Dresses | David’s Bridal
Groom & Groomsmen Attire | Tuxton Formal Wear
Invitations | PersonAli Yours
Transportation | Action Limosine
Officiant | Rev. Msgr. George F. Hundt
Favors | Grammy’s Cookies
