Free Spirited Garden Party Wedding in New Jersey

Wow, talk about a stunning wedding!! Captured by Christina Lilly Photography, Kristin and BJ were married on a gorgeous September day at a vast private residence in New Jersey. The couple, both writers living in L.A., had a free spirited garden party style wedding with a fresh, modern feel. This event is brimming with personal details and a lovely color palette of shades of green mixed with crisp white. I especially love the movie quotes scattered around the tables and the gorgeous moss table numbers! Be sure to read more from the bride below.

How did you and your spouse meet?

We met on the first day of high school in our first period English class. He sat in the front row. I sat in the back row. We didn’t become friends until senior year, and the first time we tried dating was in the fall after graduation. It didn’t really work out, but there was something we couldn’t let go of and so we disguised whatever it was or might be in a certain kind of friendship. Seven years later we still hadn’t figured out what we we’re to each other and finally let go. Two years after that in 2009 with 3,000 miles between us we found ourselves in a real relationship for the first time, and even though it took me by surprise at first… I guess after all it was always meant to be.

What was the inspiration for your wedding day?

Home. It meant a lot to me to let the place where we met and both grew up be a part of our wedding day. We also wanted it to be as easy for our friends and family as we could make it. It’s a small beach town in New Jersey and the chosen mode of transportation in the summer is a bike– so we put a bike rack out and it was awesome to see a bike brigade of our friends all dressed up gliding in on their beach cruisers. We got married the summer after Hurricane Sandy which made the decision to use local vendors even more important to me. Luckily our hometown is a wonderful community with a lot of hard working, talented, and generous people. Nothing about the planning or the big day felt like business, it all felt really personal and intimate even with 200 people at our wedding.

I’m always asked, “what kind of wedding did you have or what was your theme?” And my response is that it was like if Jay Gatsby had a garden party inspired by Anthropologie and Free People.

Photographer: Christina Lilly Photography // Ceremony + Reception Venue: Private Residence // Catering: Mumford’s // Rentals: Sperry Tents, Ocean Tents & Party Rentals // Bridal Gown Designer: Lindee Daniel // Bridal Shoes:Jimmy Choo // Bridal Veil: Lindee Daniel // Bridal Headpiece: Twigs & Honey // Bridesmaids’ Dress Designer: BCBG // Bridesmaids’ Dress Store: BCBG // Groom’s Attire: Top Man by Top Shop // Groom’s Shoes: Calvin Klein // Groomsmen’s Attire: Top Man by Top Shop // Cake Designer: The Macaroon Shop // Floral Designer: Wall Flowers // Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist: Alyssa at Salon Cartarae // Invitation Designer: Noon Design Shop // Wedding Planner:Gilded Lily Events // DJ: Mike Merrell // Photobooth: DIY // Officiant: Groom’s brother // All images by Christina Lilly Photography // Submitted via Two Bright Lights

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