Nicole & Nick // Bedminster, New Jersey

Meet the new Mr. & Mrs. Bruno! Just one short week after Becca and Chris’ wedding at Fiddler’s Elbow, I was excited to be back making memories again! Nicole and Nick first met in 2004 (almost twenty years ago - if you can believe it!), at a recreation camp the summer Nick moved to Holmdel. Fast forward to 2016, the pair connected again when Nicole was visiting a mutual friend in the city (before heading back to school in North Carolina!). Nick was there too (as he had just started working full-time in Newark) and as you’ll see from their Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club wedding - the rest is history! The weather was gorgeous and it truly was the most incredible fall wedding day. I can’t wait to share a few of my favorite moments on the blog today.

Kind Words from Nicole & Nick

The best decision we made during the wedding planning process was booking Lizzie as our photographer! She was just INCREDIBLE and I would recommend her 10000 times over. Her communication is on point, her photos are absolutely stunning, and she is the sweetest human. My husband and I are incredibly camera shy and Lizzie made us feel so comfortable and she was just so easy to interact with; we felt like she was a friend of 20+ years. There was not one photo from our sneak peak that we didn't like and we are SO thankful that she was able to capture our wedding day. THANK YOU Lizzie for being such a big part of the best day ever!!

Getting Ready at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club

There was so much excitement and anticipation when I arrived at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club to capture Nicole and Nick getting ready for their day. One of the things that I love about weddings at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club is that they have two getting-ready locations so both members of your wedding party can get ready on-site (and as an added bonus - both locations have great lighting). Nicole looked breathtaking and elegant in her Justin Alexander gown and as soon as they were both ready, I set them up outside for their first look in front of the iconic stone architecture of the venue. We were all set for the wedding festivities to begin!

Stunning Outdoor Wedding Photo Locations

I will never get tired of the gorgeous outdoor backdrops at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. After an absolutely joyful first look, we spent a little time snapping classic wedding portraits before their wedding ceremony. The sun was shining, and these two were absolutely glowing from the inside out. Like so many of the couples I work with, Nicole and Nick were worried about feeling shy or awkward in front of the camera. They didn’t need to be worried! It felt like mere minutes before it was time to leave for their wedding ceremony.

Beautiful Church Wedding Ceremony at St. Vincent Martyr Church

The beauty and grandeur of a traditional Catholic church will never get old. Nicole and Nick’s wedding ceremony was emotional and sweet, as the two of them exchanged traditional vows in front of all of their family and friends. My favorite part though? The look of pure joy as they exited the chapel married.

Outdoor Wedding Portraits

After the wedding ceremony, we headed back to Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club for the rest of their wedding portraits before their wedding reception. Nicole and Nick chose the venue because they loved how country-esque and rustic the place was, while still remaining very elegant. From the moment they had their wedding venue tour, they just felt the charm of this beautiful New Jersey wedding venue. Needless to say, we made the most of the space during their wedding (and wedding party!) portraits.

An Elegant, Yet Lively, Wedding Reception

Nicole and Nick kept their wedding reception decor elegant, with a classic color palette with subtle pops of rust and copper metallic tones. From the handwritten seating chart to the stunning fall-inspired florals, there was beauty everywhere you looked. As guests arrived, the room filled with joy and celebration of the two newlyweds. Nicole and Nick wanted to have a “let-loose” atmosphere where everyone could simply eat good food and enjoy an evening of drinking, dancing, and celebrating. They got what they hoped for!

An Ice Cream Truck Surprise

Finishing off an incredible evening was a surprise from Nicole! One of their favorite things to do as a couple is eat chocolate ice cream on their porch and recap the day. Toward the end of the reception, Nicole brought Nick out to see a Mr Softee ice cream truck waiting for him. His reaction was priceless.