October Backyard Wedding in Neptune City

April 27, 2023

October Backyard Wedding in Neptune City Asbury Ocean Club Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ Fall Autumn

Perri and Jacob’s October backyard wedding in Neptune City was a dream! They were referred to us by our dear friend Sarah Cunningham Mastriano, planner for a lovely universe. We love a low-key wedding by the Jersey Shore. The couple just wanted a fun evening, without all the fuss of a big wedding, where they could drink cocktails and dance outdoors under the stars with their guests.

Description of the Wedding Vibe

The bride prepped with friends at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ. The groom got ready at the house. A close family-friend generously offered the use of their shore house for the wedding. The vibe was “elegant, low-key elevated garden party.”

“We are getting married in front of the river, and then the party continues across the street in a beautiful yard with fountains, landscaping, etc. There will only be 45 guests and this will be a more low-key affair. A tented, string-lit backyard garden setting with casual lawn games. There is a property overlooking the river with a dock across the street we can use for photos, as well.”

The couple wanted timeless & classic, natural and romantic photos. Not stiff or overly posed, but relaxed allowing guests to look “in their element.”

There was not a formal “Bridal Party” so we just took some family and friend group shots immediately following ceremony. Then we did some portraits of the couple alone, so they didn’t have to do a first look. The sun set was not until 6:30pm so we took them aside again for 5-10 minutes of golden hour by the river around the spot where they had just exchanged “I-Dos” It was a gorgeous, October evening in Neptune City. There was still a hint of Summer in the air. The jovial backyard party ended with trivia games and desserts by the fire!

How did you get Engaged?

The couple met in 2011 on Match. Their first date was in NYC at Cornerstone Tavern in the West Village. There was even a private piano player! After Jake proposed, they would go back to the same restaurant.

Jake is chess player. After 3 hours of playing a chess game in Bryant Park, he told Perri’s friends to tell her they got invited to a walking tour of the Botanical Gardens. They accidentally went to Brooklyn and not the Bronx, and Jake discovered they were at the wrong place. Jake was a little disoriented (lol) but he bought a photo pass. A photographer was there waiting for them, and he just decided to propose in front of a bush. We cracked up at their engagement story! Chess was even incorporated into some of the details throughout the day.

Perri is a freelance journalist and was working on a wedding article for the New York Post. Their wedding day exhibited that you can share a lovely, elegant wedding without all the excessive pomp and circumstance!

October Backyard Wedding in Neptune City Asbury Ocean Club Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ Fall Autumn