Stockton Seaview Hotel Wedding, Galloway, New Jersey

In August, I photographed Lisa and JJ’s gorgeous Stockton Seaview Hotel wedding in Galloway, New Jersey. These two had the perfect Summer day for their celebration and I am so excited to share! Lisa and JJ had a traditional wedding with a Catholic ceremony at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood, New Jersey followed by a reception at the Stockton Seaview Hotel. My couple chose the Stockton Seaview Hotel because of the historical charm, they also love the beach, so having a venue close to the shore was a big selling point!

Stockton Seaview Hotel Wedding

Lisa and JJ are high school sweethearts and they met when Lisa was a sophomore and JJ was a junior when they sat at the same lunch table where Lisa quickly developed a crush on him. That Summer is when they began dating and 9 years later he proposed. The proposal from Lisa: “We had been dating for 9 years when he proposed. Everybody was always on his back about getting engaged for a few years at this point except for me. I was 25 and knew it would happen sooner than later. We had begun looking for houses together and it was so exciting planning on living together. One day while sitting in JJ’s backyard, JJ’s dad invited me and my family out to dinner. I hadn’t thought anything of it since our families have been talking about getting together for awhile. The night of the dinner JJ and I also “had tickets” to go see a comedian in Philadelphia. The plan was afterwards we would drive to dinner to meet up with our parents. When we got to the city we cut through Rittenhouse Square where JJ not only proposed, but told me we got the house we so badly wanted. We had been on several trips that year: Colorado, Key West, and Southern California and he had thought about proposing while away, but knew I would want my family near for the special occasion. JJ chose Philadelphia, a city that we both love and beautiful Rittenhouse Square, a place we have walked through and admired countless times.”

Lisa’s favorite memory from their Stockton Seaview Hotel wedding day was cocktail hour when they were able to see all of their friends and family for the first time as husband and wife. They were relieved that the stress of the church and having all eyes on them was over (well almost) and they could finally enjoy themselves. The Stockton Seaview Hotel looked so beautiful and it meant so much to Lisa and JJ that the weather cooperated in August. Lisa loved that their guests were able to enjoy the terrace and the time of day was just perfect with the sun about to set.

Any advice for future couple’s planning?

“Give yourself time and don’t sweat the small stuff. If you’re on a budget, think about the important things when spending money; spend your money on a good photographer, DJ/band and a quality venue. Do not worry about things people will not remember, like fancy chairs, expensive linens or over the top centerpieces that will break the bank. JJ asked me to tell him what his sister and my sister’s centerpieces looked like when they were married and I could not even tell him! We decided to spend the money on the areas that were most important us. I don’t regret saving $2,100 and going with the standard chairs the Seaview offered. That was $2,100 extra we got to spend on our honeymoon in Hawaii.”

Happy couple and bridal party at their Summer Stockton Seaview Hotel Wedding

JJ an accountant and Lisa, a 1st grade teacher (she teaches at JJ’s old elementary school!) enjoy spending their time together and with their puppy, Presley in their new home. For fun, they enjoy going on trips, going to the beach, going into Philly, visiting wineries in South Jersey, visiting JJ’s sister in Brooklyn, and hanging out with their families. With their summer being so busy with their wedding approaching, some of their favorite days was when they would sit on their porch in their rocking chairs with Presley while listening to music and drinking a glass of wine. Now that they’re back from their Hawaiian honeymoon, these two hope to continue traveling before settling down and having kids. They plan on having fun, continuing to take trips and enjoying each other’s company for the next 60+ years of life, much like they have been doing for the last 10 years.

Scroll through to view my favorites from Lisa and JJ’s Stockton Seaview Hotel wedding!