Windows on the Water Wedding | Sea Bright, NJ | Erica & Michael

On September 19th, I photographed Erica and Michael’s Windows on the Water Wedding in Sea Bright, NJ. My happy couple had a warm and sunny September day for their beautiful beachfront wedding! Their joyful Jersey Shore wedding had a color palette of neutrals mixed with sage and blush. Their perfect day included a sweet first look, portraits at Twin Lights State Park and a ceremony in the sand with emotional personal vows from both the bride and groom! I am so excited to share this Windows on the Water Wedding!

Michael and Erica met on Tinder in March of 2015. Michael sent Erica a message that he probably copy and pasted a few dozen times, but it wasn’t cheesy or inappropriate, so Erica responded, and a sushi date was set. At the time, Michael was living in Airmont, NY, and Erica was in Hoboken, NJ. While Michael was late for their first date, which he blamed on Hoboken parking, it went well. Little did he know, Erica would be late for every date (and everything else…) after that!

Their relationship developed slowly, with Michael thoughtfully planning each date. They got to know each other over the next few months through dinner, drinks, bowling, baseball games, mini golf, and many, many trips up and down Route 17. That June, Michael invited Erica to a friends engagement party. This would be the first time Erica met Michael’s family and friends, and Erica considered it a bit of a test, the opportunity to see if the relationship should continue and he passed 🙂

A couple of months later, Erica introduced Michael to her family and friends, and soon after they were spending time together almost every day. Michael’s laid back, quiet demeanor and quick jokes were a perfect match for Erica’s easy going attitude, sarcastic sass, and overactive mind. They bonded over a shared love for football, beer, summer, and always finding the best restaurants.

With just enough in common and plenty of yin and yang to keep things interesting, Michael and Erica’s relationship grew. They celebrated anniversaries and new jobs, supported each other through tough days, they traveled, went to concerts, Yankees and Devils games, braved Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and spent a lot of time with their truest love, Rascal. Eventually, Michael convinced Erica to move to New York, and they got their first place together in Suffern, a lovely apartment with a front porch view of home sweet home – New Jersey.

On their fifth anniversary, Michael surprised Erica by proposing with the perfect ring at the top of Hook Mountain in Nyack, NY. Erica said yes, and then asked Michael to repeat the question several times while they got lost on their 7 mile hike, ran out of water, walked alongside the highway, and chugged Gatorade in the mini mart parking lot. It was a dream day, and Michael and Erica are looking forward to a lifetime more.

Thank you to Erica and Michael for choosing me to photograph your beautiful Windows on the Water Wedding!

Contributing Vendors:

Photography: Susan Hennessey Photography

Bride’s Getting Ready Location: Ocean Place Resort and Spa

Groom’s Getting Ready Location: Wave Resort 

Formal Photo Location: Twin Lights State Historic Site 

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Windows on the Water at Surfrider Beach Club

Wedding Dress: Wander Atelier – Andrea Hawkes, Iris Dress

Engagement ring & weddings bands: the jewelers workbench

Bride’s Shoes: The Pinky Promise

Bride’s Hair Piece: Sweetv

Cape: Dree

Menswear: Jos. A. Bank

Invitations: Minted

Hair stylist: Boho Hair Salon

Makeup: MakeUp by Samantha Linn

Florist: Pink Dahlia Vintage

Cake: Chocolate Carousel

DJ: SCE Event Group

Transportation: Long Branch Trolley and Chelsea Limousine

Officiant: Reverend Richard Colonna

Are you looking for a photographer for your Windows on the Water Wedding? Click here to see all the beautiful weddings I have photographed at this gorgeous Jersey Shore wedding venue. Ready for more info? Click here to fill out my contact form!