Reeds at Shelter Haven Wedding | Beachy Chic Wedding at The Reeds at Shelter Haven

Reeds at Shelter Haven Wedding | Kara & Christian

Some wedding days simply feel magical from beginning to end, and Kara and Christian’s Reeds at Shelter Haven wedding was exactly that. Their vision was “beachy chic”—a perfect combination of elegant, romantic, and coastal with bright colors, joyful moments, and a celebration that truly reflected who they are as a couple.

From getting ready in Avalon to saying “I do” at a traditional church ceremony before celebrating at The Reeds at Shelter Haven in Stone Harbor, every part of their wedding day embraced everything couples love about getting married at the Jersey Shore.

Beachy Chic Wedding Style at The Reeds at Shelter Haven

Kara envisioned a soft and timeless color palette filled with light blush tones that complemented the coastal setting perfectly. Her bridesmaids each selected their own light pink or baby pink dress, creating a beautifully coordinated look while allowing everyone’s personality to shine. The varying shades worked together effortlessly and photographed beautifully throughout the day.

The overall design was romantic yet relaxed—a perfect reflection of the beach town atmosphere of Stone Harbor.

Getting Ready in Avalon, New Jersey

The day began just a few minutes away from the venue in Avalon.

Kara spent the morning getting ready at a beautiful rental home surrounded by her bridesmaids and closest family members. Meanwhile, Christian prepared for the day at his family’s Avalon home before heading to the ceremony.

Having both locations close together allowed for a relaxed morning and made transitioning between locations seamless.

A Traditional Church Ceremony

The couple exchanged vows during a beautiful ceremony at St. Paul’s Church before exiting through a joyful bubble sendoff surrounded by family and friends.

Following the ceremony, we explored several of Stone Harbor’s most iconic portrait locations before heading to the reception.

Portraits Around Stone Harbor

One of my favorite things about photographing a Reeds at Shelter Haven wedding is how many incredible portrait locations are nearby.

We began with portraits at St. Paul’s Church before making our way to the Stone Harbor Wetlands, where the coastal grasses created a peaceful backdrop. From there we visited the beach, where Kara and Christian shared one of the most emotional moments of the day by reading their private vows to one another with nothing but the sound of the waves around them.

Before entering their reception, we stopped in front of the iconic red doors at The Reeds at Shelter Haven and even captured portraits in front of the nearby movie theater marquee displaying “Congratulations Kara and Christian.” These personal touches made their gallery uniquely theirs.

A One-of-a-Kind Wedding Dress

One of my absolute favorite details from the day was Kara’s wedding gown.

Her dress was truly one of a kind. There wasn’t even a style number because no bride had ever purchased it before. Since the fabric was being discontinued, it would never be recreated.

Even more special, the first bride to purchase a gown from the boutique’s in-house collection has the dress named after her.

The dress is now officially called “The Kara.”

Paired with Christian’s classic white tuxedo jacket, the two looked effortlessly elegant and perfectly complemented one another.

A Reception Full of Energy at The Reeds

The celebration continued with an unforgettable reception at The Reeds at Shelter Haven.

Guests danced all evening to an incredible live band, creating an atmosphere that was full of energy from beginning to end. One of the highlights of the night came when Christian’s father surprised everyone by jumping behind the drum kit to perform with the band—a moment that had the dance floor cheering.

It was exactly the kind of joyful celebration Kara and Christian had envisioned.

Their Love Story

Kara and Christian first met while attending Manhattan College. Although they shared mutual friends, they didn’t really connect until senior year.

One evening, Christian’s friend FaceTimed Kara’s friend. When Kara answered the phone, Christian’s friend quickly handed him the phone. Unsure why he was suddenly talking to her, Christian asked what was going on.

Kara’s response?

“Because we’re both single.”

Not long after, they attended the same party where Kara asked for Christian’s phone number. The rest, as they say, is history.

Their first date took place on November 11, 2018, at Black Tap in New York City. They shared fries and milkshakes – even though Christian is lactose intolerant, he happily ordered one because he knew how much Kara loved ice cream.

Christian says he knew she was the one almost immediately after they started dating.

The Proposal

Christian proposed on October 19, 2024, after carefully planning a surprise that involved both of their families.

Knowing how difficult it is to get Kara’s entire family together, he planned what appeared to be a birthday brunch celebration for her father following a Friday night football game.

The family gathered at Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook, Connecticut—a place filled with childhood memories for Kara’s family.

After arriving early, Kara, Christian, and her sisters walked down to the water to enjoy the beautiful October weather. When Kara’s sister asked for a photo and then Christian asked for one too, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Moments later, Christian got down on one knee and proposed.

Hidden inside the resort were both of their families waiting to celebrate. As soon as she said yes, everyone rushed outside, making the surprise even more unforgettable.

Their favorite memory afterward? They both questioned whether Christian had actually gotten down on one knee, so he recreated the proposal—only to watch the video later and discover that yes, he definitely had!

Life Together

When they aren’t traveling or planning adventures, Kara, a Talent Acquisition professional, and Christian, a Financial Analyst, simply enjoy spending time together.

Whether it’s relaxing at the beach, grabbing dinner or happy hour, watching Netflix, or sharing coffee each morning, they love doing everyday life together.

Looking ahead, they hope to travel as much as possible before starting a family and one day bring their own children back to the beach to create new traditions together.

Advice for Future Couples

Their advice to couples planning a wedding is simple:

Enjoy every minute.

Don’t let the planning become overwhelming because everything comes together exactly as it’s supposed to. The little details won’t matter nearly as much as celebrating with the people you love most.

Besides becoming husband and wife, Kara and Christian couldn’t wait to have everyone they love together in one room dancing the night away—and that’s exactly what happened.

Planning Your Own Reeds at Shelter Haven Wedding?

If you’re dreaming of a romantic coastal celebration at The Reeds at Shelter Haven, I’d love to help document every joyful moment, click here to fill out my contact form to request more info! From beach portraits and sunset walks along the shoreline to lively receptions overlooking the bay, Reeds at Shelter Haven weddings offer some of the most beautiful wedding photography opportunities on the Jersey Shore.

Congratulations again, Kara and Christian! Thank you for trusting me to capture your incredible wedding day. I hope you’re having the most amazing honeymoon in Turks & Caicos!

Contributing Vendors:
Photography: Susan Hennessey Photography

Church: Saint Paul Church, Stone Harbor NJ

Reception Venue: The Reeds at Shelter Haven

Bride’s Dress: The White Dress By The Shore

Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry, Bec & Bridge, Tuckernuck, Park &. Fifth Co., & David’s Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Veil: Etsy

Wedding bands: Diamond Club International: Samantha

Menswear: The Black Tux

Invitations: Truly Engaging

Hair & Makeup: Say I Do Hair & Makeup

Florist: Black Eyed Susans Florist

Videographer: Joe Eckert Films

Band: Cherry Crush

Transportation: Atlantic City Jitney Association