Though I live in New Jersey, I seldom get to photograph weddings here. Don’t get me wrong — I LOOOVE NYC weddings, but who doesn’t love a classic golf club wedding? That goes double for people as amazing as Julia and Brendan (& their families). We all felt the love in the room as J+B danced the night away, including dancing physically on TOP of the speakers. Oh, btw, just a few months earlier, I was at another Hackensack Golf Club wedding — my best friend’s (I was a bridesmaid!). Photos of that HERE 🙂
Plus, it was SO nice to reunite with a past couple, Mary & Mark who are close friends with the newlyweds!
Rehearsal Dinner Photography at Five Dimes Brewery
The wedding weekend kicked off with a rehearsal dinner/welcome party on the top floor of Five Dimes Brewery in Westwood, New Jersey. A stone’s throw from Julia’s parents house (and my house tbh), the sunset provided the perfect backdrop for pre-wedding rooftop beers & bonding. It’s funny, I’m literally always at Bergen County Camera buying film & other camera gear, but I’d never been to Five Dimes until now! Best believe I will be returning.
Hackensack Golf Club wedding details
Julia and Brendan were drawn to Hackensack Golf Club by the timeless look of the venue. Every nook and cranny of HGC is beautiful, clean, and classic. The color palette was perfect for their late summer-early-autumn golf club wedding (like, one day before the official start of autumn). Light blues and greens, ivory, and dark green accents. Plus, perfect — and I mean perfect — LIGHTING.
Julia’s Jenny Yoo Wedding Dress
Let’s talk about the dress. wore Jenny Yoo on her wedding day. The silhouette was a classic A-line gown, strapless, beautiful buttons down the back, and a modest train. Plus, a gorgeous tulle veil. A truly timeless look, and perfect for their golf club wedding at Hackensack.
Julia’s bridesmaids were able to choose from a palette of pastel blues and greens. From flowy, green floral patterns to form-fitting satin in baby blue, each girl was able to make the styles and colors their own.
The Ceremony
Speaking of Mary & Mark, their ceremony was *also* at Saint Elizabeth’s in Wyckoff, NJ. A beautiful space, with enough room in the vestibule for SO many “CONGRATULATIONS, NEWLYWEDS!” photos.
Golden Hour Wedding Day Portraits
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, golden hour is the best time for portraits. Even just taking 10 minutes for this portion of the day can mean dozens more photos with so much variety in color, texture, lighting, etc.
Hackensack Golf Club Wedding Reception
Light blue hydrangeas and white roses adorned each table, accented with forest green napkins and a traditional ivory patterned table cloth. Having attended my best friend’s wedding at HGC back in May of this year, I knew the food was going to be delicious. Cocktail hour meant plenty of sushi, made-to-order pasta, and passed hors d’oeuvres. Dinner was a choice of filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, or chicken Milanese. Drink-wise, the custom cocktails consisted of a Ghia mocktail, an old fashioned, and a Hugo spritz.
I’m not one for top 40 songs, so when Julia and Brendan entered their reception to “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin, my eyes (and ears!) lit up. Right then, I knew the reception music was going to be something special and unique. And of course, Brendan’s mom Eileen was the star of the dance floor when “Come On, Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners came on.
Film Wedding Photography
Julia and Brendan opted to add film photography to their package, which is something I ALWAYS encourage. It adds such a special quality to your photos/gallery, one that simply cannot be replicated with digital cameras and editing. See for yourself! Film below is a mix of 35mm & 120mm.
