Windrift Hotel Resort Wedding | Avalon, NJ | Kira & Jon

November 4, 2019

A little over a week ago, I photographed Kira and Jon’s beachy and romantic Windrift Hotel Resort wedding in Avalon, NJ. Kira and Jon had a gorgeous Jersey Shore wedding with a beachy color palette filled with greens, tans and pinks and the flowers included lots of anemones. This wedding was so important to me as Kira was the wedding coordinator at the Southern Mansion, the venue I got married at back in 2016. We stayed in touch and when her and Jon became engaged, I was thrilled she asked me to be her wedding photographer! I am so excited to share this joyful wedding.

Kira and Jon first met at his Mom’s 60th birthday bash – their families already knew each other but little did they know that when they met, they would hit it off so well! Their first date was shortly after at the Camden Aquarium. Kira and Jon lived in different states, she lived in New Jersey and he lived in Florida, but she knew then that it didn’t matter that they lived so far apart and they would make the long distance work.

Kira knew Jon was the one because he made the effort to come visit every chance he could get, since she was a wedding planner working seven days a week, it was hard for her to travel to Florida. No matter what he made time to see her and make her feel special. Within six months of long distance dating, Kira knew she wanted to be with him everyday. She made the move to Florida after a year of long distance and never looked back!

Engaged on 10/20/2018, the proposal from Kira: “Just us and it was a beautiful walk on the beach at sunset where he knelt down with no one around us to tell me how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me! I was in awe and felt like I was glowing, the night went on with drinks and me telling every stranger we got engaged!” Last Summer, I was lucky enough to finally meet Jon at their engagement session.

Beach ceremony on the Jersey Shore Kira and Jon’s Windrift Hotel Resort wedding started with bride and groom prep in Wildwood Crest, Kira was at her parents home and Jon at his. When I walked into Kira’s parents home, I was immediately greeted by a happy and calm bunch of ladies. Hello Beautiful was on hair and makeup and I was BLOWN AWAY by Kira’s dramatic long sleeved dress with a long train. When it was time for Kira to dress, I admit, I definitely felt emotional seeing her as a bride! My favorite detail of her dress though, was the piece of her mother’s dress sewn into the sleeve, as a wedding photographer, I live for these types of sweet details <3 Before we departed for the Windrift Hotel Resort, Kira shared a sweet first look with her father as her mother, bridesmaids and uncles looked on, there was not a dry eye and this was the perfect way to kick off the rest of their day.

Once we arrived for their Windrift Hotel Resort wedding ceremony, I was greeted on the boardwalk and their aisle by the sweetest wooden signs, I loved how Kira and Jon tied their happiness and positivity into so many of the details for their day. Their day was a windy and chilly one, but you would never know from the photos, their smiles never left their faces and they glowed throughout the entire ceremony. In fact, watching Kira’s long cathedral veil blow in the wind just added more beauty to an already beautiful day!

Once these two said “i do”, it was time for portraits on the beach followed by a fun reception with their band, Hot Pink on the stage. Their band traveled all the way up from Florida and it was definitely worth it, they were so fun and kept the dance floor moving!

Now that these two have finished planning their Windrift Hotel Resort wedding, they hope to travel and they plan on focusing on their relationship. Children will be down the road but first and foremost they’d like to focus on being newlyweds.

Thank you to Kira and Jon for allowing me to photograph your Windrift Hotel Resort wedding, scroll through to view my favorites from their joyful day!