New Jersey Wedding Photographer
The Ashford Estate Allentown, New Jersey
Crystal Plaza Livingston, New Jersey
The Hamilton Manor New Jersey
Located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey RYAN SANDS PHOTOGRAPHY

Yearly Archives: 2018

Clarks Landing of Delran, New Jersey Wedding Venue

Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, New Jersey

Clarks Landing Yacht Club is located in Delran, New Jersey and is only a short 20 minute drive from the Philadelphia area. Situated directly on the Delaware River, this beautiful New Jersey wedding venue offers pristine waterfront views of the gorgeous evening sunset. Since Clarks Landing only hosts one event per day, they can give you their undivided attention. This also gives you unrestricted access to their entire grounds, instead of having to share your day with another wedding like so many other wedding venues in the New Jersey area. With a max capacity of 200 guests, Clarks Landing in Delran, New Jersey is the perfect venue for your wedding day or special occasion.

Open 6 days a week from Tuesday to Sunday, Clarks Landing is happy to give daily tours of their beautiful property. Depending on certain factors, the price per head can range from $80 to $115. This price includes five star services such as planning and support from one of their dedicated, highly trained and experienced staff members. Complimentary tasting for the bride and groom and up to four additional family member or friends. At no additional charge, you also receive a customizable champagne greeting into their cocktail hour room which includes gold chavari chairs for your guests. For your convenience, beautiful wedding floral center pieces are included as well as table candles. Their property is fully manicured all year round which beautifully compliments the waterfront view. Clarks Landing also has professionally trained mixologists on staff to create unique, one of a kind drinks for your friends and family. Did I mention that your wedding cake is also included?! How cool is that!

Their award winning chef has over 40 years of event experience and is welled versed in international cuisine. So no matter what the occasion, Clarks Landing will surely impress your guests with it’s wide range of dining options. The Clark Landing staff is more than happy to work with you and your specific dietary need in order to accommodate you.

Not only do you have your very own personal chef to design your menu, but also your own personal bridal attendant. Their team is on-call every second of your wedding day. From the moment you arrive, to the moment you leave, Clarks Landing is there to serve all your needs and desires. You will be treated like absolute royalty. Everything at Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, New Jersey is taken care of for you. From setup to breakdown, to assembling table decorations and accommodating special requests, they handle it all from start to finish.

There are plenty of wedding photo opportunities on the grounds of Clark Landing. Utilize their breathtaking waterfront views on the docks situated right on the Delaware River or enjoy their pure white gazebo. Or perhaps you would like to stroll through their professionally manicured lawn and gardens. Their grand ballroom is perfect for interior photos of both the bride and groom and for family formal group photographs.

Whatever your wedding needs, Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, New Jersey is sure to please.

    Here are just a few more reasons why Clarks Landing in Delran, NJ is a wonderful New Jersey wedding venue.

  • Well over 20 years experience hosting all kinds of event ranging including but not limited to weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, special occasions, birthday parties, corporate events, bridal showers and anniversaries
  • Spectacular waterfront views and beautiful sunsets
  • Located on the pristine Delaware River only 20 minutes from the Philadelphia area
  • Newly renovated with up-to-date details and amenities
  • Separate cocktail hour room for you and your wedding guests
  • Custom wedding cake included in their per head price
  • Private Bridal Suite on-site
  • Personal bridal attendant and Maitre’D for your event
  • Five star service and international executive chef
  • Custom LED lighting above your dance floor
  • Can accommodate up to 200 guests making this the perfect New Jersey wedding venue

About Joyce and Sebastian’s wedding day held at Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, New Jersey

The happy couple started off their day getting ready at Springhill Suites in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Here I started photographing bridal details such as the wedding dress, jewelry and accessories, shoes and other cute items that Joyce and her bridesmaids had so generously gathered for me. After finishing with details, I hopped right into documenting the girls doing their hair and makeup. Sebastian and his boys were right down the hall in another separate suite, which made it incredibly easy for me to bounce back and forth between rooms in order to get all the coverage I needed.

Every time I document the start of a wedding day, I always make sure to stay silent and unobtrusive. This allows the women to feel at ease with my presence and to relax and be themselves. I want your natural personalities to shine through in your photographs and staying out of the way and hidden is a perfect way to accomplish this. After we finished with the getting ready portion of their wedding day, we all hopped in our cars and headed straight to St. Casimir Church in Riverside, New Jersey.

I always leave the hotel a bit really so I can arrive at church in time to setup my photography gear and capture the bride coming out of her limo. Normally the bride is accompanied by her father into the church. This is a very nice little moment that no photographer should miss. Upon the guests arriving, I always photograph lots of reactions. This is the first time of the day that family members will be seeing each other and these kinds of photos always make for some nice emotion. The bride and groom’s wedding ceremony went off without even the slightest issue. After the church service was finished we quickly started with family group photographs. Once we finished with all the photos we had on our list, the couple and their families went for a short break before we all headed to Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Delran, New Jersey.

Once we arrived at the Clarks Landing wedding venue, we started with creative photographs of the bride and groom. I took the happy couple around the property and quickly and easily captured a ton of really great photographs. On a wedding day, you want to be as efficient as you possibly can be. Shoot each pose/scenario with purpose and waste no time with complicated lighting setups that yield less than stellar results. After the bride and groom were fully satisfied, I completed some really fun bridal party group photos before we all headed back inside for a special Chinese Tea Ceremony.

This tea ceremony yielded a ton of really great emotional moments. I was able to easily capture photo after photo of family members presenting the bride and groom with intimate, special gifts. I love real moments like this at a wedding day where the bride, groom and their family members let their guards down and allow themselves to be emotional with one and other. I have to admit it brings a tear to my eye when I watch moment’s like these.

After their tea ceremony was complete, cocktail hour began. During this hour, I quickly photographed the ballroom , any and all remaining details and setup my photography gear before their reception began. Their party was an absolute blast. First dances, speeches and toasts all went perfectly. The DJ did a great job and kept the crowd really dancing all night long. At the end of their evening Sebastian and Joyce took part in a wonderful little new tradition called The Shoe Game. The couple is asked random questions about their relationship and depending upon their answers, they hold up either the left or right shoe. One for the bride answer and one for the groom answer. This game really makes for some hilarious outcomes.

At the end of their reception I thanked the bride and groom for allowing me the pleasure and honor of documenting their wedding day. I also make sure to congratulate the parents and say thank you to them as well. Overall, Joyce & Sebastian’s wedding day was a great success. I wish the happy couple nothing but health, happiness and many years of love.



Highlawn Pavilion Wedding Venue in West Orange, New Jersey

The Highlawn Pavilion wedding venue is located in West Orange, New Jersey and sits perfectly atop the historic Eagle Rock Reservation. The venue features several dining areas as well as a wine cellar and outdoor patio. 

The main dining room features wall to ceiling windows which offers it’s guests features breathtaking views of the New York City skyline and a gorgeous view of Montclair Township. If you’re looking for something more casual, the Piano Room features a solid oak bar, professional live entrainment and easy access to Highlawn Pavilion’s gorgeous outdoor patio. I’ve dined at Highlawn Pavilion several times and I must say, if you’re into beer, they have an excellent selection. They have both Chamay red and blue plus Leffe and numerous other high end beers on tap. What’s not to love?!

For the wine lovers, Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey offers it’s guests a wide selection of high quality and rare wines via it’s on-site wine cellar. This breathtaking room is located on the lower level of their building and can also be utilized for private events. If you’re in the area and a lover of wine don’t hesitate to visit Highlawn Pavilion to see what they have to offer.

For warmer weather, their outdoor patio is the perfect spot for those looking for a view. Like I mentioned before, this patio features unparalleled view of the New York City skyline as well as Eagle Rock Park and Montclair Township. Be sure to arrive early since seating on the patio is on a first come, first serve basis. Although Highlawn Pavilion does take reservations for their main dining room and piano room.

Want something even more upscale? Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, NJ offers it’s guests the option of a completely private dining experience all catered specifically to your needs by their world class chef. This option is terrific for business dinners, family reunions and any other special occasion where privacy and an upscale setting is of the utmost importance. This option is sure to impress any guest.

Finally, for the true music lovers, Highlawn Pavilion features live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Numerous pianists and trios perform regularly at Highlawn Pavilion and provide the perfect acoustical backdrop to any meal.

Highlawn Pavilion – The perfect spot for any New Jersey wedding

Sophisticated elegance and their award winning cuisine make this venue perfect for your wedding or special event. No matter what the occasion, be it a lavish ceremony with hundreds of friends and family, or a small, intimate event featuring your closest friends and family, Highlawn Pavilion offers everything you need to host the perfect celebration. From first hand experience, I know that their staff handles every one of your needs and does it all with ease. Not a single detail of your day goes unnoticed. They have hosted weddings and other special events for more than a quarter century. That is experience you can count on.

The main draw of the Highlawn Pavilion is their generously sized Pavilion room which is used to host events of all kinds including but not limited to weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, bridal showers, corporate events and special occasions. This room is connected to another generously sized room used to showcase Highlawn’s exceptional cocktail hours and vast amount of desserts.

Their delicious menu is personally created by their on-staff world renowned chefs and their fine dining experience is second to none. Highlawn Pavilion prides itself on working within your budget to help make your dreams a reality. Their extensive food menus are tailors to your specific tastes and the personal style of your wedding or event. For couples of all cultures, their staff is well versed in ethnic food and deserts. They are beyond committed to making sure your special day goes perfect from start to finish. That is just one of the many reasons why Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, NJ is one of the top North Jersey wedding venues.

With over 100 years of history, Highlawn Pavilion is the clear choice if you desire something more high end and upscale.

    For your convenience, here are just a few reasons Highlawn Pavilion is the perfect location for your next New Jersey wedding

  • Beautifully landscaped lawns and gazebo perfect for outdoor ceremonies of all kinds
  • Large ballroom perfectly designed to hold a generous amount of guests with separate space for DJ and cocktail hour/desserts
  • Exceptional wedding menu all perfect crafty by Highlawn Pavilion’s world renowned executive chefs
  • Highlawn Pavilion not only offers and outdoor ceremony space, but an indoor one as well
  • Same sex marriages and civil union friendly
  • Professionally trained waitstaff with years upon years of high level dining experience
  • Onsite wine cellar featuring unique and rare wines
  • Excellent selection of high end beer and cocktails
  • Situated in West Orange, New Jersey, only a short drive from NYC
  • Highly experienced in the following types of events: Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Special Occasions, Birthday Parties, Corporate Dinners/Events and Bridal Showers

About Barbara and Corey’s wedding day at The Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey

Barbara and Corey’s North Jersey Highlawn Pavilion wedding started off at the Hyatt House in Whippany, NJ. The bride and groom had separate suites only one floor away from each other, which made photographing both sides of the bridal party a breeze. I always enjoy when couples choose to get ready at the same location. It saves on driving time and I’m able to accomplish many more photos in a shorter amount of time.

The bride and her bridesmaids started off the day by having their makeup and hair professionally styled while the boys shared some delicious cold beer before getting officially dressed for the start of the happy couple’s wedding day. During the “getting ready” time at the hotel, I normally will photograph all of the couple’s details such as the wedding dress, rings, flowers, shoes, suits, cologne/perfume and any other misc. jewelry and accessories.

After the bride and groom were officially dressed and ready we all headed over to the Highlawn Pavilion for first look. The “first look” is something of a newer tradition that started several years ago. Instead of seeing one and other for the first time during the start of their ceremony, many couples are now opting to see each other earlier in the day. Once the couple is officially married they can go straight to cocktail hour and enjoy this time with their friends and family. It really is a win/win for everyone and I try to suggest this to all my brides and grooms. Think of it this way, the moment you first see your bride walk down that aisle is gone in an instant. She takes around 15-30 seconds to walk into the church or ceremony space and then you’ve both set off right into your ceremony. There is hardly any time to relax together and enjoy this moment. If you choose to do a “first look”, this moment can last for 5-10 minutes. You see your bride in her wedding dress for the very first time and then you can spend as much time together as you like. Hugging, kissing, whispering in each other’s ears and taking in this moment together, instead of having it gone in an instant. Now there really is no right or wrong way to have this reveal. It’s all up to the couple.

After first look, we went straight into some creative photographs of the bride and groom. Highlawn Pavilion’s property is vast, which makes it easy to capture many different scenarios in a short amount of time. No golf cart needed, just simply stroll around their beautiful manicured lawns and shoot away. The key to really relaxed bride and groom photographs is to get the couple to interact with each other in a way that feels natural. Get them holding hands and walking together. Something couples normally do all the time. Get them to hug and embrace each other in a location that feels romantic. Allow the bride and groom this time to be together and let their real emotions for each other come through. A good photographer will be able to see these moments and create beautiful photographs without the need to shout directions and interrupt the couple’s time together.

Once the beautiful bride and groom photos from Highlawn Pavilion were complete, we started on photographs of the bridal party with the happy couple. Again, super easy to shoot on the North Jersey wedding venue’s property. We completed these photos just in time for the wedding ceremony to begin.

The bride and groom chose to have their ceremony outdoors using Highlawn Pavilion’s beautiful gazebo situated right atop Eagle Rock which provides the guests with awesome views of the NYC skyline and Montclair Township, NJ. Their wedding ceremony was absolutely perfect. The weather held up and I was able to capture a ton of really beautiful, emotion filled photographs for the couple to cherish for forever.

Upon finishing ceremony the bride, groom and their family and friends headed inside for a spectacular cocktail hour provided by the Highlawn Pavilion’s excellent waitstaff and world renowned executive chef. I’ve shot several weddings at Highlawn Pavilion and I can say from experience that their food does not disappoint. The venue even provides the couple with their own specially designed signature cocktail.

Their wedding reception was held upstairs in the very large Pavilion room. The bride, groom and their guests danced the night away with music provided by their excellent wedding DJ. Receptions are one of my favorite parts of a wedding day. I really do enjoy running around the dance floor capturing tons of super fun dance photos. If anyone has ever been at a friend’s wedding where I am the photographer, you will definitely remember my smiling face running around the dance floor having just as much fun taking pictures as the people are having fun dancing haha.

At the end of it all, Barbara and Corey’s wedding was a blast. The couple was happy with each part of their day and their wonderful friends and family were nothing but helpful and supportive. All of the vendors did an amazing job helping to make the bride and groom’s day a happy and joyous occasion. I want to personally thank Barbara, Corey and their family for allowing me the honor of documenting their wedding day. I wish the happy couple nothing but the best as they start the next journey of their lives together as husband and wife.



If you wish to contact me to inquire about pricing and information for your wedding, feel free to email me any time at info@ryansandsphotography.com. PLEASE NOTE: I book up 1-2 years in advance, so if you’re interested in hiring me for your wedding, do not hesitate to contact me. All dates are on a first come, first serve basis and I only book one event per day.



Perona Farms Wedding Venue in Andover, New Jersey

Perona Farms Wedding Venue in Andover, NJ

The Perona Farms wedding venue was first started in 1917 in Andover Township, New Jersey and still remains there to this day. Family owned and operated for over 100 years, this beautiful North Jersey wedding venue has been extensively updated over time to remain current, while still offering their guests old world charm in a surprisingly upscale country setting. This sprawling estate is home to several different venues, perfectly landscaped gardens, multiple outdoor patios, an on-site orchard and beautiful Perona Lake. Multiple outdoor areas include three different ceremony locations, two cocktail hour patios and upon request, a field that offers brides, grooms and their guests an evening fireworks display.

Perona Farms offers it’s guests countless options for creative wedding photographs. From Perona Lake and it’s own island, to the historic barn and it’s gardens, not to mention the wooded pathway that is lined with gorgeous trees. I’ve shot at the Perona Farms wedding venue around a dozen times and I can say from personal experience, that this North Jersey venue has everything you could possibly desire for your wedding photos.

Not only does Perona Farms offer its clients endless options for wedding photographs but they now also offer the option of bride and groom suites. Looking to relax before your wedding day begins? These suites are jam packed with amenities ranging from big screen TVs, foosball tables, fully stocked liquor cabinets and beer fridges, comfy couches and your own personal kitchen. Did I mention that Perona Farms gives you your very own personal attendant to make sure your every need is taken care of? If you end up visiting Perona Farms, make sure to ask for Samantha. She is a wonderful bridal attendant and does everything she can to make sure your stay is as magical as possible.

No matter what your style, the Perona Farms wedding venue in Andover, NJ has your covered with three different ceremony spaces. The Barn, The Reserve and The Venetian all offers patrons a completely different vibe and appeal. I’ve shot weddings at all three locations and each one is a highly enjoyable space. Their reception rooms can host parties for as little as 30 guests all the way up to a massive 300 guests.

Originally built in the 1930s and extensively upgraded over time, The Barn at Perona Farms can comfortable hold up to 150 guests without being too crowded. If you’re looking for a rustic barn themed north jersey wedding, Perona Farms has you fully covered. Like all other couples, brides and grooms who choose The Barn at Perona Farms for their wedding day have the option of either an indoor ceremony or outdoor ceremony space.

The Reserve at Perona Farms recently opened in March of 2018 and features an on-site apple orchard, both an indoor and outdoor ceremony space option and a completely new redesigned rustic themed ballroom. I recently took a tour of Perona Farms new areas and I must say they did a fantastic job with the renovations. The ballroom is completely transformed and now offers it’s guests a very upscale, rustic theme complete with beautiful new chandeliers, new wood time and stone accents all through the room. It really is a gorgeous ballroom.

The Venetian room at Perona Farms has a conveniently located indoor bar, an indoor and outdoor option for your ceremony and a dedicated DJ area so that your guests are never “on top” of your music. The Venetian room is also directly connected to your outdoor cocktail hour space, so your guests never have to walk far to get where they need to be.

Hungry? No problem! Perona Farms has their very own on-site greenhouse for growing numerous different types of fruits and vegetables which they use throughout their extensive menu. They not only have a greenhouse, but also a smokehouse. This gives them the option of providing delicious smoked meets and fishes upon request. The best detail is your food is only picked moments before it is plated so you have the freshest ingredients possible. No matter what time of year, the Perona Farms culinary staff develops new and extensive menus all year round, so you will have something new to try each time you visit this fantastic North Jersey wedding and event venue.

Since I have photographed so many weddings at Perona Farms in Andover, NJ, I can tell you from my vast experience that this is a great North Jersey wedding venue. Their property is gigantic, their food is fantastic and their staff is extremely helpful. They are also very friendly to all wedding vendors which is a real plus. Some venues can be downright rude to your vendors, making it harder for them to do their jobs. Not Perona Farms! They do whatever they can to make sure each vendor has what they need in order for everyone to work together in harmony to make sure your day is a big success. That is the kind of service you want at a wedding venue, especially when you’re spending this kind of money for a once in a lifetime day like your wedding.

    Perona Farms in Andover, NJ is the perfect Note Jersey venue for the following types of events:

  • Weddings
  • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
  • Bridal Showers and Engagement Parties
  • Birthday Parties and Special Events
  • Anniversaries and Family Gatherings
  • Corporate Dinners and Holiday Parties
  • Baby Showers

    Interesting in booking Perona Farms for your wedding day? Here is detailed list of what makes Perona a perfect North Jersey venue and event space.

  • Three different event spaces all on one property, giving you endless options for your wedding day
  • Multiple ballrooms and both indoor/outdoor cocktail hour spaces
  • Gorgeous landscaped lawns, beautiful trees, their very own lake and even an adorable little bridge
  • Plenty of wedding photo opportunities throughout their grounds – they even provide a large golf cart to chauffeur you and your guests around the large property
  • On-site greenhouse providing you and your guests with incredibly fresh fruits and vegetables
  • On-site smokehouse that offers guests the options of delicious, fresh smoked meats and fish
  • From the moment you arrive, your very own bridal attendant will see to your every need
  • Friendly, knowledgeable and highly experienced waitstaff
  • Perfect for events of all sizes ranging from as little as 30 guests, all the way up to 300 guests
  • Recently updated bride and groom suites provide you and your bridal party with a place to relax before the start of your wedding day
  • Beautifully crafted wedding menus, signature cocktails and a large beer selection
  • The option of outdoor fireworks or a sparkler exit to send your guests off in style

About Jennifer and Travis’ beautiful Perona Farms Wedding Day

On the morning of their wedding day, I arrived at Perona Farms early in order to setup the bride and groom’s photo booth. Jennifer and Travis added on my photo booth package to their wedding day and needless to say, their guests had an absolute blast. I bring more unique wedding props than any other photo booth in the trig-state area. It’s not even close to being a competition.

    Interested in a wedding photo booth for your New Jersey wedding? Here is just a shortened version of my prop list:

  • Stars Wars masks including talking Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Master Yoda, Storm Trooper Helmet plus full sized light sabers and other misc Star Wars movie props
  • HUGE oversized plush masks including but not limited to: Bunny, Bear, Sloth, Raphael from TMNT, Spongebob Squarepants, Deadpool, Chewbacca, Scooby Doo, Shark, Panda and Llama
  • Super Mario hats and masks
  • Movie and video game weapon replicas including King Leonidas’ blade from 300, Axes and Hammers from World of Warcraft, Link’s Master Sword from Legend of Zelda and Captain America’s full size 24 inch shield and my personal favorite, Kratos’ new axe from God of War 4
  • Tons and tons of emojis masks, including Poop Emoji!
  • Day of the dead eye masks for the ladies
  • Mardi Gras style masks and headpieces
  • More ears than you can imagine – bunny ears, cat ears, pikachu ears, playboy bunny ears and much more!
  • Endless amount of funky glasses and steampunk styled goggles
  • Wacky horse head masks, zebra masks, unicorn masks, panda masks, pigeon masks and more!
  • Video game props such as Mega Man’s real light up LED helmet and Master Chief’s real spartan helmet
  • More hats than you can handle – bride’s hats, asian hats, cowboys hats and many, many more
  • Necklaces, oversized jewelry, hawaiian leis and Mardi Gras beads
  • Super hero masks including but not limited to Spider Man, Wolverine, Batman, Captain America, Iron Man and The Hulk
  • Minecraft mask, Itchy and Scratch masks and Jason Voorhees’ mask from Friday the 13th

See what I mean? There is simply no competition. Your guests will be blown away when they see my booth at your wedding day.

The girls started their day at a salon called The Arrangement in Ledgewood, New Jersey. The bride and her bridesmaids had their hair styled and their makeup professionally applied. Everyone looked gorgeous! I made sure to capture plenty of smiling faces, group photos and all the action that happened at the salon. As you can tell from the photographs in their wedding gallery, all the girls had a great time having at the salon. Once the women had finished up at The Arrangement salon, we all left to head over to Perona Farms to finish the getting ready portion of their day utilizing both the bridal suite and the groom suite.

Upon arrive at Perona Farms, the girls headed to their suite and the boy’s headed to theirs. The men enjoy numerous cold beers while the ladies enjoyed an ice cold champagne toast. Like I do with all weddings, I always photograph the bride and groom’s details before everyone starts getting dressed. The bride’s unique shoes, beautiful wedding dress, heirloom jewelry, invitations, perfume and wedding/engagement rings. Nothing goes un-photographed. Not to mention the groom’s tux, his shoes, watch, cologne and any other misc details he may have like the groomsmen’s gifts. After all the details have been photographed, I finish up the “getting ready” portion of their day by photographing all the girls in their beautiful dresses before we head out to the couple’s first look.

On the day of their wedding, the bride and groom chose to have a first look at Perona Farms. A first look between a bride and groom is great for numerous reasons. Instead of seeing each other for the first time at the start of their ceremony, the bride and groom can now spend an extended period of time together and make this moment last. Most couples don’t realize that once you see the bride coming down the aisle, that moment is over in just a few short seconds and you’re now going straight into your ceremony. Like I said before, with a first look, this time is extended so the bride and groom can take it all in. Not only does this make for a more enjoyable experience for the bride and groom, but it also helps with the schedule of the day. If the couple opts for a first look, we are able to immediately head into all the other photographs of their day and get them accomplished well before ceremony time. This means that the happy couple can head straight to cocktail hour and enjoy this time with their friends and family, instead of spending it taking photographs away from the party.

After Jennifer & Travis had their first look, we headed immediately into the rest of their photographs. I quickly and easily took them around the Perona Farms property to shoot a ton of really great creative photos of the two of them together. Getting the bride and groom to interact naturally together is in my opinion the best way get your couple to relax. Of course a little bit of direction is always helpful but you never want to overwhelm your clients by shouting or barking orders at them. Let these moments happen naturally by suggesting poses the couple is comfortable with and capture the emotion that comes out naturally from these scenarios.

Once we were finished with the bride and groom’s photographs, we invited the bridal party to join us. Good thing we finished when we did because we were fighting the rain all day. I quickly grouped the bridal party together, photographed a combination of fun, off the cuff poses and we were on our way into the venue to complete the formal group photographs. We made it just in time before the rain really started to come down.

We headed up into the barn where Jennifer and Travis chose to have their wedding ceremony. It was decorated from wall to wall. I have to admit, it looked amazing! Perona Farm’s rustic barn really is a gorgeous place to shoot in. I feel very lucky each and every time I get to work there. I quickly setup for their formal group photos and we started right away with our list. When my couples sign with me, I provide them with extensive amounts of paperwork to help guide them through your day. Once of those papers is the formal group photo list. This list contains all the typical formal configurations one would expect to see on a wedding day such as bride and groom, bride and groom and parents, bride and groom plus maid of honor and best man, etc… I provide this to my clients in order to help them craft a list of their most important group photos that they would like captured on their wedding day. I consider this part of my job as a wedding photographer.

The wedding group photographs were complete and the guests were starting to arrive for the bride and groom’s official wedding ceremony. Everyone took their seats and we were off. Their ceremony was absolutely beautiful and filled with many emotional moments. I always use a Canon 70-200 f2.8 ii to photograph ceremony which allows me to start nice and far away from my couple and their bridal party. This allows them to not feel my presence and to relax and be themselves. I also don’t want to block any view from the audience.

Their ceremony was complete and they were off to cocktail hour. During this time I always photograph the details of the ballroom and setup my photography equipment for the start of the reception. It’s also basically the first time I will have had a short break since the day began and it’s a good time to feed myself before the evening begins. Once the ballroom details were officially photographed, I checked my photo booth equipment to make sure everything was setup properly. Once the guests start to pile into the ballroom, it is always a mad rush to the booth and it can become quite overwhelming. The last thing you want to be doing is fiddling around with your equipment during this exciting time.

Overall, the couple’s reception went off without even a single issue. Perona Farms and their staff did an amazing job. Everyone enjoyed the food, the desserts, the dancing and the couple’s own signature cocktail. Did I mention that everyone at their wedding absolutely raved about my photo booth? Because they sure did! Everyone had a blast. They couldn’t stop talking about the sheer amount of awesome props. The booth was crowded from the start of the evening all the way up until the very end. The DJ even had to make an announcement for guests to please sit down for dinner! Haha

All the other vendors helped make Jennifer and Travis’ wedding day a huge success. Like I said before, Perona Farms did a great job and their staff was a pleasure to work with. I want to personally thank Jennifer and Travis’ for allowing the pleasure of photographing their wedding day. They were an absolute delight to work for. I wish them nothing but health, happiness and many years of love.

If you wish to inquire about my services for your wedding day feel free to contact me at info@ryansandsphotography.com. I’ll be happy to answer any and all of your questions. PLEASE NOTE: I typically book 1-2 years in advance and only book one wedding/event per day. All available dates are on a first come, first serve basis and dates cannot be held without a signed contract and retainer.