Lauren and Bryan’s Rock Island Lake Club July wedding in Sparta, New Jersey was SUCH a fun day! The bridal party – as pictured above – consisted of 12 bridesmaids, 11 groomsmen, a flower girl and junior bridesmaid! They literally had an entourage with them the entire day which allowed for an all-day party vibe!

The vision was modern, rustic and romantic in the Summertime with a color scheme of blue, light pink, white, green, beige and nude. The bride’s dress was Madison James from Seng Couture and the bridesmaid dresses were Bari Jay.

Rock Island just has a simplistic beauty of greenery and natural wood with a lakeside atmosphere. Weather permitting, every time we’re there we try to make use of the dock, lake & swing. 🙂

Bringing the Outdoors to the Indoors

In July, the weather can go in either direction; sweltering heat or a tumultuous rainstorm. We had zero issues photographing all day long around Rock Island Lake Club’s key photo spots. When it came closer to the ceremony time, we ran into some concerns of rain. Lauren REALLY wanted her ceremony to be lakeside. While it hardly ended up raining, there was mist in the air and a storm seemingly approaching on the radar so everyone made the tough decision to move the ceremony indoors.  As a testament to Rock Island Lake Club’s efficiency, they converted the room SO fast. And the ceremony was just as beautiful with a wooden arbor and views through the windows of the lake. Don’t ever cry over your wedding day weather. It’s YOUR day and whatever happens becomes a unique and special anecdote to your love story.

It’s also noteworthy to mention that the officiant was Lauren’s loving grandma! We have a soft spot for grandmas, and their relationship is incredibly tight. It brought tears to our eyes to hear such a personal ceremony by her grandmother.

 Rock Island offers a generous hour and a half cocktail hour so the bride and groom had time outside to eat and mingle with guests! The environment is so beautiful there, and balconies overlook views of the lake. 

The reception was an excellent party led by Love of Music Entertainment. Everyone in the room seemed to get up on the dancefloor at some point!

Congrats again to Lauren & Bryan!

 

About the Couple

“Bryan and I have known each other for a long time. We met playing baseball when we were 8 years old. I was one of 3 girls on the baseball team! As we grew up, we were in the same friend circle forever. Never had a crush on each other, in fact we barely talked. I went off to a private high school for the first 2 years but then returned to Rutherford High School and remained in the same friend circle. College came and went and we never really saw each other besides Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and summer when we would all return to town.

A friend of mine from college began to date one of our friends from town. We had been seeing each other more and more out and about. One night in a local bar, he asked if I wanted a drink and proceeded to purchase me a classy Bud Light. After that, he looked at me and said I know you want to kiss me and the rest was history!”

 

VENDOR NOTES

Venue / Rock Island Lake Club
DJ / Love of Music Entertainment
Makeup Artist / Make Me Up by Eva
Hair Stylist / White Opal Hair Co.
Videographer / Live Picture Studios
Florist / Bloomery Flower Studio
Dress / Madison James from Seng Couture
Bridesmaid Dresses / Bari Jay from Studio Suite 201