Last weekend, I photographed Coree and Stephen’s Renault Winery Wedding in Egg Harbor City, NJ! Coree and Stephen were another one of my couple’s who’s original plans were affected by COVID-19, they had originally planned for a May 9, 2020 wedding but once the restrictions on New Jersey hit, they quickly moved their wedding to September 25, 2020 and I am so glad they did. Not only was their original date cold and dreary but they flawlessly pulled off a romantic and rustic tented wedding on their new date. When I asked them what they were most looking forward to, they said that they were most looking forward to celebrating with their closest family and friends while staying healthy and safe during this pandemic.
Coree and Stephen met in Nassau, Bahamas at the Atlantis Resort while they were both on a family vacation in 2013, they remained close friends for a year and half before they started dating. Their first date was at Lamberti’s Sunset Marina and Restaurant in Margate, NJ. As Coree got to know Stephen, she knew there was qualities about him that would make him not only the perfect husband but an amazing father.
Engaged on 01/27/2019, the proposal from Coree: “Steve and I were heading to his family’s shore home in Ventnor, NJ to pick up some of our summer things that we keep there year round for our upcoming trip to Hawaii. He asked to go for a walk on the boardwalk…in January. It wasn’t easy to convince me since it was very cold but I am glad we did. He proposed to me in front of the entrance to the beach off of the boardwalk.”
Coree and Stephen’s romantic and rustic Renault Winery wedding had a color palette of navy and nude, which was the perfect compliment to their winery wedding at Renault, which is one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States. The rustic winery setting was the perfect backdrop for beautiful portraits!
The day started at Coree’s parents house for hair and makeup. Once everyone was ready, I was able to take Coree and her bridesmaids outside for champagne and confetti before heading to Renault Winery so that my happy bride could dress. We had Coree dress in the gorgeous ballroom next to the grand windows, this area was filled with beautiful natural light that made for some stunning bridal portraits! After their sweet first look, the wedding coordinator at Renualt Winery took us out on golf carts to a few spots on the luscious grounds of the vineyard, there were so many beautiful spots and we captured so much variety in their portraits.
After bridal party and family portraits were complete, it was time for their short and sweet ceremony that felt like we were in the middle of the woods! The florals for the ceremony were beautiful and added to their romantic and rustic wedding perfectly! After they said “I do”, we captured a few just married photos before their tented outdoor reception began. For their romantic and rustic Renault Winery wedding, my couple thought of EVERY single detail, their flowers were to die for, and their custom decor ranged from pretty signs throughout including a welcome sign, a custom seating chart and a sign with their name behind the sweetheart table, blankets in case their guests got cold and a cigar and whiskey bar!
Before we concluded photography coverage for the night, we did a few sparkler photos with their bridal party, it was the perfect way to end a picture perfect day!
Now that my happy couple has finished planning their Renault Winery wedding, they hope to start a family in the near future. Thank you to Coree and Stephen for allowing me to photograph your beautiful Renault Winery wedding!