Rainy Wedding at ICONA Windrift | Avalon, NJ | Katie & Alex

September 29, 2023

Last weekend, I photographed Kate and Alex’s Rainy Wedding at ICONA Windrift in Avalon, NJ. Kate and Alex, who is affectionally called “Buddha” had a modern and romantic wedding with a color palette of wine red and dark blue at their Jersey Shore wedding venue. The day may have had a tropical storm (thanks Ophelia!) with lots of rain and wind, it was still full of love and joy. Avalon is very special to Kate as it is where her family spent every summer growing up, and where they now spend their summer holidays, so it was no surprise that these two chose the ICONA Windrift in Avalon for their wedding day!

Kate and Alex first met at The Island, a family vacation house of their good friend and groomsmen, AJ. They spent the weekend by the pool, grilling and eating fantastic food, sharing laughs, and hanging out with a fun group of friends. It was the perfect, low-key environment for them to get to know each other, and would become the strong foundation that sparked the beginning of their love story. Since that weekend, not a day has gone by where they have not spoken to one another. Alex won Kate over not just with his cooking but also by how considerate he was. He sealed the deal by making her a plate of food while she was inside showering during dinner.

The island was sort of their first date, but the relationship really began when Kate went to visit Alex in Boston. When he bought her an Acela Amtrak ticket her friends all convinced her that it was a sign they were already in love. They spent that weekend hitting some of the key tourist spots and of course the Italian food festival where they tasted as much cannoli as possible. Their love for food, traveling, and making silly memories has been a continuous theme throughout their relationship and their lives.

Alex says he knew Kate was the one after being in a long-distance relationship for the first 2+ years together really brought us closer because we made the most of every minute we spent together, whether it was exploring NYC or Boston, or staying in and cooking together. We always supported each other throughout the relationship, even from afar, and it only grew stronger once we moved in together in 2019. As odd as it may seem, 2020 was when I knew she was the one, spending each day together and keeping it fun and adventurous even when confined to a small one bedroom apartment, there was not a time we ever felt the need to distance from each other, and instead our relationship kept growing each day.

Kate says she knew Alex was the one when I moved in with him in 2019. Before then I was very much a NYC girl, who didn’t really want to get married, and never wanted to have kids…all of that changed when I met Alex. But, the moment I knew this relationship was different was when I realized I wanted to pick up my life in NYC and move to CT. My family has always said that when I really connect with someone, when I choose them, I choose them for life. I don’t have many people like that, but Alex very quickly became my best friend and favorite person and there is no one else I would rather do life with.

Engaged: 03/28/2021, the proposal from Alex: “It was our last weekend in our Vermont ski condo before it sold and while Kate knew I was planning to ask her, she didn’t quite know when. I rented a ski gondola at the local restaurant to have a nice romantic dinner together, but because it was raining all day and we were lounging on the couch with the dogs it took some convincing to have Kate getup and get ready instead of just skipping dinner. When she came out after getting dressed up, I was with the dogs in the living room and had a bottle of prosecco sitting in a bowl of ice and I asked her before dinner, mainly because I wasn’t going to be able to keep it a secret.”

When Kate and Alex weren’t planning their wedding at ICONA Windrift, they are both VERY competitive and love to play cards and board games together. Their date nights are usually cooking, having some prosecco or a creative cocktail, playing a game, and relaxing watching a movie.

Now married, their dreams include lots of travel and exploring the globe where they want to experience trying everything once in both food, culture, and adventures around the world. Kate and Alex would like to have kids someday and hope to give them many of the wonderful experiences and memories they were fortunate enough to have growing up. They want to grow together, grow old and wiser, and continue challenging and pushing one another to keep achieving their goals and ambitions.

Kate and Alex were most looking forward to seeing friends and family and bringing together everyone that has made their lives special. They wouldn’t be where they are today if it wasn’t for them and they couldn’t wait for it to be one big party to celebrate the next big adventure and everyone who helped guide them there.

Thank you to Kate and Alex for choosing me to photograph your Wedding at ICONA Windrift!