Long Beach Island Microwedding | Jersey Shore Wedding | Erica & Joe

A little over a week ago, I photographed Erica and Joe’s modern, minimalist and elegant Long Beach Island Microwedding. For their beach wedding, they had a color palette of white, blush and “sunset hues” for the bridesmaids and shades of blue for the men. Their happy day was filled with a lot of laughter and plenty of champagne!

Erica and Joe met at Ursinus College, they were both seniors and they began dating in March of 2012. Their first date was at a pub called DaVinci’s down the street from their campus, they had spent time together before but it was their first date by themselves. Early on they knew each other was “the one”. They had started doing long distance, which lasted two years a few months into their relationship, so it got serious very early. By the summer of 2012, they were already committed.

Engaged on 08/10/2018, the proposal from Erica “Joe had planned the day for months. His parents were in town visiting us (in Chicago) from New Jersey. They were ‘in on the plans.’ We went out to a nice dinner, and afterwards Joe and I went for a walk by Lake Michigan where we have a sailboat. He proposed to me on our walk. We came back to our apartment and he surprised me again by having a planned reception party for us on our rooftop. His parents were there with our friends AND my parents (who also live in New Jersey). Joe had flown them in secretly that day.”

Erica and Joe’s modern, minimalist and elegant Long Beach Island microwedding was perfect. The day began at a private residence, which served as the backdrop for their LBI wedding. When I arrived, the ladies were having their hair and makeup done on the 2nd level while the men were hanging out on the first level of the home. Upon arrival, I immediately  began photographing all the well thought out details, I loved their invitation suite and Erica’s pear shaped engagement ring was to die for! Their amazing details did not stop there, I loved Erica’s Lillian West gown and Joe’s Allen Edmond shoes and matching belt. After everyone was dressed, I separately took Erica and Joe to the beach for a few portraits before their roof deck ceremony.

One of the things Erica and Joe were most looking forward to on their wedding day was seeing one another at their ceremony since there was no first look and sharing their personal vows. Their emotional and highly personal ceremony was officiated by Joe’s sister’s husband and both mother’s had readings. Once a few tears were shed and they said “i do”, we had a romantic flower petal toss before we went to the beach with all their guests for portraits. We had perfect beach conditions for their couple photos and after we concluded portraits on the beach, the driveway that led to their private residence was another great backdrop for photos! I was so happy with all the variety we captured before these two went off to cocktail hour.

Their dinner party reception was filled with more champagne, sweet speeches by both sets of sisters, sunset portraits on the roof deck followed by a sweet first dance by the bride and groom with stunning views of the ocean and a cotton candy sky.

When they are not wedding planing, they love to travel and they been to Peru, Germany, Ireland, Holland, Mexico as well as and many places in the US. They also love to go to Steelers football games, cooking Italian food, trying new recipes, wine tasting, sailing and going to concerts. Now that they are married, their dream is to continue to live a happy life together. They want to keep traveling, buy a house, have 2/3 kids, succeed in their careers and keep growing together.

Erica and Joe’s advice to future couple’s planning is to not wait too long. Their engagement had been over two years due to COVID postponements and if they could do it over, they would have gone small and short from the start. Now that they have finished planning their Long Beach Island microwedding, they are planning a Mediterranean  honeymoon once it is safe to travel.

Thank you Erica and Joe for allowing me to document your intimate Long Beach Island microwedding!

Contributing Vendors:
Photography: Susan Hennessey Photography

Venue: Private Residence in LBI

Wedding Dress: Lillian West – STYLE 66049

Bride’s shoes: Betsey Johnson

Bride’s earrings: Swarovski

Bridesmaid Dresses: Brideside

Menswear: The Black Tux

Invitations: Minted

Hair & Makeup: Kiss the Bride Hair & Makeup Design

Florist: Reynolds Garden Shop & Floral Market

Cake: Dulce

Videographer: Toast Wedding Films

Officiant: Jesse Thompson, brother in law

Rentals: Oceantents

Are you looking for a photographer for your Long Beach Island Microwedding? Click here to view all the recent microweddings I have photographed! Ready for more info? Click here to fill out my contact form.