cape may wedding photographer | Janine Collette Photography New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Emily + Justin, what can’t I say? I feel like I can say so much about you both. I knew from the moment we met that your wedding day would be beautifully drenched in love and emotion. Emily I will remember your tender kindness to your bridal party and the vows you wrote to Justin; there was not a dry eye in attendance. Justin, I will always remember your best man’s speech and how he talked about that you are like a lighthouse to your friends and family and through all of life’s difficulties you are beacon to others. But most of all, I will never forget how you both looked at each other and how effortlessly you fell into each other’s arms. I’m certain you were always supposed to be placed there, as if your path was written in the stars. I knew this from when we did your engagement session, which started with literally torrential rain, LBI flooding and the threat of never making it out of the portico to shoot your session. We were given, that day the most incredible sky after the storm. I am so happy I know you both and that I got to experience this special time with you and your family.

Venue: Bonnet Island Estate

Planner: Bogath Weddings and Events

There are two places on the face of this earth that I absolutely adore more than anywhere else, Cape May and Long Beach Island (LBI). Shooting engagement sessions and weddings in Cape May and LBI are an absolute dream to me. The beautiful colors of the grass and sand, coupled with the interesting textures, is pure heaven for a photographer.. or for me at least! So when Emily and Justin said they wanted their engagement shoot at Barnegat Lighthouse on LBI, I was thrilled! Emily has a history of visiting the island, as do I and thus it was kismet.

We had a plan going into the day and as we approached the island, as summer weather would have it, it started to storm; bad. Lightening, downpours, wind, all of it. But, we waited it out and had faith that the clearing would be AMAZING …and it was it. I’m so thankful for that storm, because in that “what are we going to do moment” I had the chance to really bond with my amazing clients. I’ll be forever thankful for those moments.

The aftermath of the storm gave us the the most amazing beachy blue skies and dramatic clouds. Emily and Justin were absolute troopers through it all..walking through the wet sand, outfit changes, and the chance of more rain. And then.. the rainbow hit. We for sure, knew we were in the right place for their session. After the intense stress of the weather, I’m truly amazed by my clients for truly connecting so deeply with each other during their session. I kept calling them my Prince Harry and Megan Markle! Emily and Justin, you are amazing and I can’t wait to shoot your June 2020 wedding at Bonnet Island Estate!