A Romantic & Rustic Renault Winery Vineyard Ballroom Wedding

There are some wedding days that just feel incredibly special from the very beginning, and Jessika and Andrew’s Renault Winery Vineyard Ballroom wedding was one of them. With a beautiful sky blue color palette, black-tie-optional attire, and a wedding style they described as “a little bit romantic and a little bit rustic,” their day was the perfect blend of elegance, warmth, and personality.

But what made their wedding especially meaningful was the people who traveled from near and far to celebrate with them. Andrew is originally from Wales, and it was so incredibly sweet to see how many of his friends and family made the journey to New Jersey to be there for this milestone.

From a Dating App to a Wedding at Renault Winery

Jessika and Andrew’s story began in a very modern way – they met online through a dating app. Their first date was at a bar in Conshohocken, and what was supposed to be a simple drink turned into six hours of talking and laughing.

I think that says a lot about their relationship. From the beginning, they simply enjoyed being together.

The proposal was just as memorable. On September 28, 2024, Jessika and Andrew traveled to Bournemouth, England, to celebrate and surprise Andrew’s dad for his 70th birthday. Jessika had no idea that Andrew had an engagement ring with him.

While walking along the beach, they stopped near the jetties extending into the water to take some photos. Andrew then suggested taking an “all girls” photo with Jessika, his mom, and his sister, asking them all to face the ocean.

Once the photo was taken, Jessika turned around – and Andrew was down on one knee with a ring in hand.

A surprise proposal surrounded by family in England? Pretty hard to beat.

A Wedding Day Filled With Time for What Matters

One of my favorite parts of Jessika and Andrew’s wedding day was something they intentionally built into their timeline: an hour between the ceremony and cocktail hour dedicated to portraits.

Jessika and Andrew chose not to have a first look, which meant we needed to be thoughtful about how we structured their photography timeline. By creating that gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour, we were able to take our time with their portraits without rushing through the moments that mattered most.

And the best part? They were still able to join their guests for the entirety of cocktail hour.

This is something I always encourage my couples to consider when planning their wedding timeline. You don’t necessarily have to choose between having a traditional ceremony without a first look and getting beautiful, relaxed portraits. With a little planning, you can have both.

For Jessika and Andrew, that extra hour gave us plenty of time to explore the grounds of Renault Winery together.

Romantic Wedding Portraits at Renault Winery

Jessika and Andrew were incredible together in front of the camera. They have the kind of chemistry that makes photographing a couple feel effortless. There was so much genuine affection between them, and I loved watching them settle into the moment and simply enjoy being newly married.

We made our way through some of my favorite portrait locations around Renault Winery, beginning with the Vineyard Ballroom courtyard before wandering through the grounds.

We photographed them on the bridge, among the vines near the tasting room and hotel, and throughout some of the beautiful architectural spaces that make Renault Winery such a unique wedding venue.

Their sky blue color palette looked gorgeous against the natural greenery of the property, while their black-tie-optional dress code added an elegant touch to the day.

Sneaking Away for Sunset Wedding Portraits

One of my favorite things about a wedding day is that portraits don’t have to end once cocktail hour is over.

During Jessika and Andrew’s reception, we snuck away for just a few more minutes to take advantage of some of the beautiful views around Renault Winery. We captured portraits overlooking the gorgeous Renault buildings and even photographed them near the lit-up wine barrels.

Those little pockets of time throughout a wedding day can create some of the most memorable photographs. It doesn’t have to be a long portrait session — sometimes just stepping away together for five or ten minutes gives a couple a chance to breathe, reconnect, and remember that they’re actually married!

And Jessika and Andrew made the most of every second.

Bringing American & British Families Together

Jessika and Andrew were especially excited to celebrate their wedding with all of their American and British family and friends together.

Knowing that so many of Andrew’s loved ones traveled all the way from Wales made the day feel even more significant. Weddings are already such an incredible gathering of the people who mean the most to you, but when family and friends cross an ocean to celebrate alongside you, there is something especially emotional about it.

Their Renault Winery wedding wasn’t just about the two of them becoming husband and wife. It was about bringing together two families, two countries, and all of the people who have helped shape their lives.

The Sweet Story Behind Jessika & Andrew

When they aren’t traveling the world or planning a wedding, Jessika and Andrew enjoy some of the simplest things together. They love taking long walks to the pub to watch sporting events and eating ice cream together in the park. And now that they’re married, their dreams are just beginning. They hope to start a family, continue traveling the world together, and most importantly – grow old together.

After hearing their story, I think it’s pretty clear that they already have the most important part figured out: they genuinely love spending time together.

Thailand, Here They Come!

After such a beautiful wedding celebration, Jessika and Andrew are off to Thailand for their honeymoon! I can’t think of a better way to begin married life than heading off on an adventure together.

Jessika and Andrew, thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your Renault Winery Vineyard Ballroom wedding. It was such an honor to document this chapter of your story, from the quiet moments between the two of you to the celebration surrounded by your American and British families.

I hope your marriage is filled with countless more long walks, pub visits, ice cream in the park, adventures around the world, and eventually a lifetime of growing old together.

Congratulations, Jessika & Andrew!

Planning a Renault Winery Vineyard Ballroom Wedding?

If you’re planning your own wedding at Renault Winery, I’d love to hear from you! As a South Jersey wedding photographer, I love creating a photography experience that gives couples beautiful portraits while still allowing them plenty of time to enjoy their wedding day with the people they love.

Whether you’re planning a romantic and rustic celebration like Jessika and Andrew or something completely your own, let’s make sure your wedding photography timeline gives you the freedom to be fully present while still capturing all of the moments you’ll want to remember forever.

Contributing Vendors:
Photography: Susan Hennessey Photography

Venue: Renault Winery – Vineyard Ballroom

Wedding Dress: The Wedding Factor