NJ LGBTQ+ Wedding Photography
Join Katie, Ash, and me as we celebrate love and diversity by revisiting their beautiful LGBTQ+ wedding day.
The moments and memories of their epic day showcase the power of acceptance and inclusivity.
From the emotional start of the day to the bumpin’ reception, every beautiful moment is full of heart and soul.
Soak in the yummy, lovey goodness of the gallery, and continue below to hear their story, and be inspired by the love shared by this amazing couple.
Ash & Katie’s wedding is A true representation of the fact that love knows no boundaries.
I’m also humbly honored to have received a Fearless Photographers Award for a tender moment captured that you’ll see below.
For the record, it’s all about the moment that presented itself to my lens, and I am fortunate to have been there to immortalize it.
Thank you, Katie & Ash, for sharing your LOVE with my lens, and for inviting me to tell your Love Story!
How did you meet?
Katie: Ash is my tinderella! We met on Tinder, but it’s funnier than that. As we started talking and (naturally) investigating one another’s social media accounts, Ash realized I knew her rugby coach, Chris.
The funny story about Chris I moved to Delaware in June 2018. My first weekend I was scheduled to referee in Pennsylvania all day on my 25th birthday. The referees were like there’s a ref here that knows you. I was adamant that I didn’t know a single referee with East Pennsylvania rugby referees.
Chris walks up and I immediately recognized him. He was an assistant referee for me in Savannah, GA in March 2017. Moreover, he was in the background of my Facebook profile photo. Chris realized it was my birthday and stayed to watch me referee the championship match that day and reward me with a birthday six pack of Bud light orange.
So in the small world of rugby, I and Ash connected through Chris.
Even funnier was Chris reached out and asked me to referee his team the weekend before me and Ash even had our first date. So I refereed the match and Ash and I pretended we never knew each other to avoid bias and awkwardness. Thankfully for my reputation, I had a good match and her team won!
Ashley: Katie’s story sums it up pretty closely except for the fact that I was VERY new to rugby and had been playing for maybe a year. I loved it but the thought of dating someone who knew rugby extremely well made me very nervous and I did not want to make a fool out of myself! Then to find out she was refereeing our game before we ever even met in person was my anxious self’s worst case scenario! LOL However, everything worked out and we met up the following day to actually spend time together because the day before at my game we didn't even speak a word to each other to not look suspicious to my teammates or the other team that was there.
How has your relationship grown over the years?
K: Through chaos! Ash has been my constant from day 1. She’s always felt like home so nothing feels like it’s drastically changed from day 1. We’ve traveled the world together, gone on countless trips together, and gotten through two doctorates!
A: Our relationship has really been steady over time. I think that is what sets us a part from other relationships we have found ourselves in. We have a friendship that allows us to dig deep and really talk about the various things that come up in our lives and troubleshoot issues together. It is a really comforting place to be.
How did you get engaged?
K: We were supposed to get engaged in April 2020 in North Carolina mountains on vacation. However, COVID had other plans. As a result of the depression of isolation and shutdowns in early March 2020, the ring was burning a hole in my pocket. So we went to Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware for the day on March 21, 2020. I put the GoPro on our dog, Kilo, and while walking on the beach I asked Ash to marry me. I was 100000% awkward and didn’t even get on one knee because screw the patriarchy and tradition, but Ash asked me to get on one knee lol so I did eventually.
Later, Ash proposed back to me on a trip to North Carolina in June 2020. We stopped by my alma mater, Wake Forest, and Ash proposed in front of the picturesque Wait Chapel on the Upper Quad.
A: Katie and I did some ring shopping together so we knew where we both stood with getting engaged, it was just a matter of when/how! The pandemic really threw a wrench in Katie’s plans but it was still a special day. We definitely just wished we were able to celebrate more back then, but the wedding day made up for that!
What are some fun things you do together as a couple and with friends?
K: Rugby and travel run our world. I am typically reffing or teaching new refs each weekend or Ash is playing rugby so we are usually running around the eastern seaboard doing that. Outside of that, we are blessed to travel a lot for work, so we’ve been to Amsterdam, London, Manchester, Dublin, and Krakow among other locations together. When we do happen to be home for a weekend you can find us with friends watching the Eagles, college football, or just hanging out.
A: We spend a lot of time traveling but we also enjoy our nights-in together with our 3 cats and dog. We also both have a love for working out and being in nature so we go camping a few times a year too! We are lucky to have friends who enjoy many of the same activities we do so we often go with other families and/or couples!
What’s new since being married? What’s solidified/bonded/grown in your relationship since?
K: Nothing. If things changed, that would mean we did something wrong! The fact that everything is the same proves we did the right thing.
A: Truly nothing major has changed and that seems to make sense to us because we feel like getting married was just us leveling up as a couple. I think if anything, it has allowed us to feel even more stable as a union.
What were the details and theme of your day?
K: We wanted to combine our two favorite colors green/purple, so Ash’s side wore sage and my side wore dusty lavender. The theme overall was modern with rustic flares if I had to guess. The favors were all over! We had a donut wall (“Hole lot of Love” and plus warm chocolate chip cookies. Overall I wasn’t big on the favors concept, because I hate waste so I didn’t want to do another “bottle opener” with our name/date on it, because people won’t care and that just promotes alcohol and isn’t inclusive. So we opted for extra photo prints and gave people a magnetic photo booth frame holder, that way everyone got to keep their photos and show them off. Overall, throughout the day we tried to promote inclusivity (i.e., having a signature Mocktail), having both of our parents walk us down the aisle, and eliminating some of the patriarchal gender norms of typical weddings.
Why did you choose your venue?
K: We had a personal connection that recommended the venue which is always nice, but beyond that, they were the first venue where staff treated us like any other couple. Miranda was so sweet, and immediately asked to see our rings, so it really was the first time where it felt like people were excited to meet us. Other venues were so awkward and virtue signaling by saying things like “My son’s neighbor is gay, we love gay weddings” to make it seem like they were inclusive...it was just weird because it’s just a wedding (you don’t call it a straight wedding, so why call it a gay wedding), and we didn’t have any of that with Miranda or Running Deer!
What was your menu, and what was your cake flavor?
K: Again with the theme of inclusivity, we wanted a buffet that way everyone could get something that they’d like and we wouldn’t have to stress about dietary restrictions. So we tried to include vegetarian options, non-dairy/vegan, as well as different meat options. Additionally, instead of a champagne toast, we made a sparkling cider toast so everyone (non-drinkers, sober, pregnant, etc.) could participate! For the cake, we did 3 layers, each a different flavor. The bottom layer was chocolate chip with buttercream, the middle was lemon, and the top was coconut. Everyone agreed the cake was fantastic–which you never hear at weddings, so we cannot thank our baker enough! We also had an entire dessert/chocolate room–this way everyone could get coffee/tea and a little small bite of different types of desserts and didn't have to commit to cake if they didn’t want to, while still satisfying their sweet tooth!
A: We were also very graciously gifted a donut wall from a friend that is associated with the venue and it goes along with our inside joke of giving each other donuts instead of an engagement ring. It was a sweet touch.
Description of your attire?
K: I wore a jumpsuit, with pockets! I just didn’t feel the need to spend thousands on an outfit I would only wear once. My mother and I went to 6 places, and in typical Mom fashion, the first place we went to had the dress I wanted. It was simple which is very me and the pockets were nice because I am lactose intolerant and had to make sure I had dairy pills on me for dinner time LOL.
A: As much as I would like to say we did not splurge on my dress - we totally did. I am very grateful that my mom paid for my gown and it was everything I could have wanted for my wedding day. It was the first dress I tried on but didn’t commit to until returning for a second fitting. It was totally not my “norm” as it was full of lace and sparkle but it felt like it made it that much more special for me.
What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?
K: Twofold. After the ceremony, we spent 15 minutes tucked away together enjoying our cocktail hour snacks and signature drinks while warming up. The second was at the end, we sent everyone out of the venue and had a final dance between just the two of us. It was beautiful and intimate.
A: I couldn't have said it better myself - we share the same favorite moments from our wedding!
One detail you couldn’t live without?
K: The blankets. Naturally, it was 70 degrees and sunny the weekend before and after our wedding, our day was 38 and overcast. So we had blankets with ties on them “Wrapped up in love” that we provided the guests before the ceremony and I think that made a world of difference.
Beyond that, our reading. We didn’t want the typical religious reading because I am a scientist and don’t delve in religion. We had Ash’s cousin Becky, who stole the show with her natural beauty, read the closing lines from Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court ruling which legalized gay marriage:
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
I think reading this made everyone aware of the privileges afforded to all of us to marry the one we love. It was beautiful.
A: Becky did not even know what we were asking her to read until that day too - which she shed a few tears about because she is so supportive of our love.
We also added little photobooth sized frames to everyone’s tables that were magnetic - I always think photobooth photos can easily get lost so this allowed everyone to have a way to take it home and easily hang it up! The pictures from the photobooth are some of our funniest photos
Did anything go wrong?
K: The weather! I thought I paid extra for the beautiful sunset and 60-degree weather, but apparently, that check didn’t clear. The cold weather was tough, but it is okay because we had a short ceremony so we only froze our butts off for 10 minutes.
A: It was quite cold that day which made for minimal outside photos, but it was fine and it made everyone extra snuggly at the end of the day. My one thing is that I wish that we were able to have a photo or video of our bridal party seeing us get on the bus as this was the first time we saw EVERYONE that was part of our day. We also definitely could have continued partying a little longer with everyone - I feel like the day flew by!
First dance song?
K: Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran
Where did you honeymoon?
K: We were fortunate to go to Amsterdam 3 weeks before the wedding for my work, but apparently that doesn’t count! We currently leave for Europe again this month for Ash’s work and I’ll be tagging on some of my work while there. So between these two trips, the thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we haven’t had time to honeymoon. We hope to schedule one for our one-year anniversary.
A: We have quite the list of travel locations we want to see in our lifetime! I am sure we will find a way to honeymoon eventually.
How did you find out about me? What was it about me and my services that told you I was the one?
K: Recommended by New Jersey Bride magazine! The second we met you on FaceTime we knew you were the one. Daniel was so excited for us and just loves love. I felt he cared about our day more than we did! I cannot recommend Daniel enough.
Any advice for other brides?
K: Have lists for everything. Assign someone to have your phone during the ceremony and reception to take photos that way you can relive the day before your photographer gets back to you. Additionally while getting ready, have a bridesmaid’s spouse/partner or someone not in the wedding, but in the wedding by proxy, be a runner for you. Our bridesmaid’s spouse was a game changer–Danny got everyone drinks, coordinated the first look, was given the envelopes with cash tips for all vendors and made sure the right people got them at the ceremony. We couldn’t do the day without people like the phone carriers and Danny!
A: We really tried our best to be organized and prepared! However even our timeline was quickly pushed when hair/makeup took longer than anticipated - we were racing to beat the clock a little but it was still the perfect day. Definitely make sure you have a list of everything you need where/when and what photos you want to have! We had a huge bridal party and thankfully everyone made the day a little bit easier - everyone was ready to help!
Officiant- Our close friend, Sarah (Red) Anderson.
Gown/Attire-
K: Shit, I got that jumpsuit at Nordstrom! $140 babyyyyyyyy
A: Free Love Bridal in Cape May, New Jersey. It was my first stop when shopping and I had the best experience trying on dresses but since it was the first day shopping, I did not want to make a decision. About a month later, I decided to go back and re-try on the FIRST dress I ever tried on and the bridal consultants there helped me work out getting a custom back put on the dress and it was perfect.
Jewelry- K: I wore my mother’s diamond earrings paired with a diamond necklace that was given to me at my undergraduate graduation from my Aunt and Uncle that was my grandmother’s stone. I also wore a bracelet given to me by a late cardiac rehabilitation patient of mine upon graduating with my Master’s Degree.
Hair- Ash’s CrossFit friend, Tara Funk (Colton Michael Hair Salon)
Makeup - Stephanie Wilson - She was a venue-preferred vendor and she was absolutely FABULOUS and our bridal party looked amazing.
Bridesmaids Dresses- Azazi! We just gave everyone a color, this way they could buy a dress style that fit their body type, comfortability, budget, etc.
Groomsmen Attire- Men’s Wearhouse.
Flowers- Driftwood Floral - we cannot recommend them enough! They worked with our smaller budget and delivered the most beautiful bridal bouquets and venue decor.
Cake- Through the venue, but the bakery was Stella Baking Company in Sewell, NJ
Videographer- Nick Meriage - Creative Digital Masters– Nick filmed Katie’s parents’ wedding and offered to do ours! He was also Katie’s father’s groomsman and former roommate.
Invitations- Zola
Music- Inspire Entertainment - Tommy!