The Mill Lakeside Manor Wedding | Spring Lake, New Jersey

November 9, 2022

On October 30th, I photographed Megan and Devin’s The Mill Lakeside Manor Wedding in Spring Lake, NJ! My happy couple had a gorgeous Fall day for their black tie wedding, their day was elegant, minimalistic, with a touch of modern. The flowers were bright white roses and dark green ruscus and the decor had lots of white candles and gold accents. The day began with a fun morning of getting ready at the Breakers on the Ocean Hotel in Spring Lake, an emotional first look at Divine Park, sweet personal vows at their Jewish ceremony and a lively dance floor that began with one of the most fun hora’s I have ever photographed! Megan and Devin love to dance and they did not leave the dance floor once, I am so excited to share this beautiful Mill at Lakeside Manor wedding!

My happy couple first met on a Birthright trip to Israel in the spring of 2018. Over the course of a whirlwind ten day trip through the country, the foundation of their relationship was laid. Meaningful conversations, exotic adventures, connecting over everything from Taylor Swift to the Torah – it was abundantly clear instantly they were building something special. After the trip, though a country apart (Megan on the East Coast and Devin on the West), they continued having hours-long talks on the phone about everything under the sun, seemingly never tiring or running out of things to say. They knew their chance meeting was more than just that – and they were determined to see where their journey would lead! About a month after their Birthright trip, Megan flew to LA to visit Devin for the first time solo. After a pick up at LAX and freshening up at Devin’s apartment in West Hollywood, they set off for their first true date, a sushi dinner at the restaurant Sugarfish. The sushi was delicious, but what was most notable about the date was how quickly they settled into the comfort of each other’s company.

Devin says it’s really hard to pinpoint one specific moment that led him to know that Megan was the one. When Megan first visited Devin in LA, it became obvious to him that they were the real deal and Megan is truly the easiest person to love. Reconnecting after Birthright, he knew he had found his future wife. What immediately stood out to Megan was how effortlessly caring Devin was. Although he had just met her he never failed to take her needs and feelings into consideration. He even bought her wine on the second day of the trip to celebrate her passing her physical therapy boards!

Engaged on 07/08/2021, the proposal from Devin: ”I proposed to Megan on July 8th, my 30th birthday! A few weeks prior, I had convinced Megan that the proposal would be on our three year anniversary (July 20th). With that deception in place, the plan was set in motion. My parents were already planning a trip to be in LA for my birthday and I asked Megan’s parents to make the trip out to surprise her for the occasion, which they graciously and gleefully agreed to. Megan, thinking that we would be taking a casual beach walk prior to getting birthday dinner, was taken back to the spot where we first exchanged I love you’s and agreed to be my wife! Best birthday – best day – of my whole life.”

The proposal from Megan: “I was definitely surprised! I actually didn’t want to walk on the beach (I was wearing a slip dress and it was a tad windy out). I think the only reason I went without a fight was because it was his 30th birthday! It was such a beautiful moment and the fact that he had my parents fly out for the occasion made it all the more special. But that’s Devin for you… only he would take something as special as his 30th birthday and turn it into our engagement!” And last Fall, I was lucky enough to capture their engagement session while they were on the East Coast for Thanksgiving!

Now married, their dreams include more adventuring and exploring the world together. Kids are likely soon to follow and they hope to have two (one of each!). While they haven’t chosen whether to raise their family on the East or West coast yet, they do plan on buying their first home within the first few years of marriage and plan to fill that home with so much warmth, love, and laughter.

Megan’s advice for couple’s currently planning is to enjoy the process and that the entire journey is something to be excited about! Being engaged is a beautiful time in your lives and to just continue to take each task one at a time and savor all the moments – they will only happen once. Devin was most excited about marrying the love of his life! Megan says she couldn’t wait for the ceremony as her great uncle married them. She also couldn’t wait to hit the dance floor!

Thank you to Megan and Devin for choosing me to photograph your beautiful and joyful Mill at Lakeside Manor wedding!