Last September, I photographed Jaclyn and Tom’s Martell’s Waters Edge wedding in Bayville, New Jersey. Jaclyn and Tom met through mutual friends at Rowan University and have been together for over seven years. After a couple of weeks of hanging out together with their friends, they finally went on their first date. On their first date, Tom took Jaclyn to a German restaurant in Philly that they still go back to from time to time on their anniversary or Valentines Day. It was such a random place to go but it was definitely memorable!
From Jaclyn: “I knew he was the one because we never wanted to spend a minute apart when we met; he became my best friend very quickly. We also persevered through a lot of life changes in our 7 years together: graduation, living long-distance, moving in together, rescuing and raising our two dogs together, and some career changes. From the time we got to know each other on a deeper level, I couldn’t picture my life without him!”
Jaclyn and Tom were engaged in August of 2016 while kayaking in Treasure Island at Riverfront Park in Point Pleasant, Tom is so sweet that he even woke up earlier that morning to dig “Say Yes?” into the sand! Jaclyn had a feeling he would propose soon, but this was a complete surprise! I was fortunate enough to do their engagement session and get to know them last December in Asbury Park.
Jaclyn and Tom held their Martell’s Waters Edge wedding here as they love the beach and they were going for a rustic, yet beachy vibe since the venue is oceanfront. For their wedding, Jaclyn and Tom were most looking forward to the ceremony and being surrounded by their family and friends while saying their vows. Their ceremony did not disappoint and between their dogs being a part of it and the sweet personal words given by Rev. Christine Schmeider, it was the perfect ceremony on the bay. Jaclyn and Tom personalized everything at their reception venue – they handwrote the names and table numbers on sea shells, had fun signage all over the ballroom from Etsy and they even closed the night with a wall of donuts, which is my all time favorite dessert!
These two are also avid Jeopardy watchers, they love to hike, kayak and camp. According to Jaclyn, they’re beach people, so they love living in Point Pleasant, where they can walk to the beach together, listen to island music, read, and relax together. Jaclyn and Tom had a New Zealand honeymoon planned for the December following their wedding, I am sure this adventurous couple had a blast there!
Contributing Vendors:
Photography: Susan Hennessey Photography
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Martell’s Waters Edge
Bride’s Dress: BHLDN – Willow By Watters
Bride’s Shoes: Laura Porto/BHLDN
Bride’s Hair Piece: CassandraLynne/Etsy
veil: SimplyBlueBridal/Etsy
Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Macy’s
Bowties: Etsy
Hair & Makeup: Daneene Jensen & Associates
Invitations: PaperPeachShop/Etsy
Officiant: Rev. Christine Schmeider
Florist: Flowers by Amber & Earth
Cake: Palermo Bakery
Reception signage: SweetNCCollective/Etsy
DJ: Sounds To Go DJs
Thank you to Jaclyn and Tom for allowing me to capture your gorgeous Martell’s Waters Edge wedding!