Dara and Robin shared their wedding at Windows On the Water at Surfrider Beach Club in Sea Bright, New Jersey. Their wedding day marked a farewell to Summer, as they celebrated in September with all of their loved ones. It was actually the most perfect time of year for a beach wedding, because it had all the sun, sand and surf without the extreme heat.

When we first met with the couple for their Asbury Park engagement session, we knew they were the types to not take life too seriously. Their pup Jojo joined us for laughs at the Jersey shore. As these two strolled up and down the boardwalk, they seemed right at home in this setting. It makes sense that their wedding would involve all things beach!! These two chose Windows on the Water for the fact it’s RIGHT on the (private) beach, and they both are CLEARLY beach people. 🙂 The brides loved the ease of the layout and how comfortable it is, while still being elegant. They had a gut reaction to the venue and it’s always good to trust your gut!

The Details

Both brides got ready at Courtyard by Marriott Lincroft Red Bank. Since this was a same sex wedding, Steve and I took turns back and forth on the floors where each bride was prepping. When there are two brides, there’s just more to photograph! We actually ended up really liking the courtyard that the Red Bank Marriott offered. It allowed for some shade on a day full of sunshine and lots of greenery to contrast all the other beach photos we’d be taking later on. Not to mention privacy for their first look!

“Theme: BEACH!!! Our colors are sky/steel blue, tan, and ivory/cream. Lots of shells, starfish, and other beachy stuff. 🙂 Summer vibe at the Jersey Shore. Dance club vibe after cake cutting.”

The beachy color scheme was highlighted with subtlety in the florals from Blossom & Bee Floral (we always love working with them!!)
Robin’s (the blonde bride) dress was from David’s Bridal and Dara’s (the brunette bride) dress was from Seng Couture.
The slightly mismatched, different hues of blue brides-people dresses were from Azazie.

Special Touches

There were two readings (Robin’s uncle & Dara’s sister), a sand ceremony and the breaking of the glass during the ceremony. At the end of ceremony, I ran up to the balcony and got an aerial shot of the guests from the upstairs deck.

A quartet from Dara’s chorus sang a song during the reception and a photo and video montage of Robin & Dara (with aaaallll the best childhood photos) played during dinner.

Since their fur-babies couldn’t be present, they had life-size cardboard cutouts of their dog and cat. 🙂

We are so glad these two opted for a first look to get all of their necessary photos done early, but you can’t beat running out for 10 minutes of sunset during September. Especially while on the beach at Windows on the Water! We would’ve been fools not to whisk them out there. The sky turned all the amazing shades of pinks, oranges, purples and blues. Between the warm and ivory tones of the sand and shells, the blue sky and water also represented in the color scheme, and the multicolored sunset – it seemed that a colorful rainbow was showering over Dara and Robin’s love the entire day. Love is love! We are so happy for these two brides!

HOW WE MET

“Dara’s version: Robin renewed her Match.com subscription for me.”
“Robin’s version: Dara stalked me on Match.”

OUR FIRST DATE

7.24.2016
“We met at Tre, an Italian restaurant in Freehold, for pizza and beer on a Sunday evening in July, followed by a round of mini golf at SwingTime. We had our first kiss in the parking lot with Ariana Grande playing “Into You” on the radio.”

THE PROPOSAL

1.1.2021
“After a crazy and pretty terrible 2020, Robin realized that if she could survive ten months (not ten years!) of her and Dara being “locked up” together, then they probably had something really special. After all that time secluded from the world, not only did they still love each other, but they actually still liked each other, too! Robin wanted to start off 2021 with something special and happy for their friends and family to look forward to.

Robin planned a midnight surprise on New Year’s Eve with the help of a few friends. She organized an all night Zoom for friends to pop in and celebrate the end of 2020, which also allowed her time to break away to set up luminary bags with votive candles in the shape of a heart outside, lights strung together to spell out “Marry Me,” and fireworks for when Dara said “YES.”

At midnight they shared a kiss and champagne, then headed outside for some fireworks and sparklers. Robin bolted out the door to get down on one knee with the ring, while Dara slipped her shoes on.

Dara was completely oblivious that Robin was proposing. She whipped out her phone to take a picture of the pretty lights for their fireworks show until she finally realized what was going on. With a proposal that began with “You gave me COVID” and ended with a few lines stolen from “When Harry Met Sally,” Robin asked Dara to marry her. Of course Dara said yes, the neighbors in hiding cheered, and the fireworks went off behind them. It was the perfect start to a brand new year!”

 

 

VENDOR NOTES

Venue / Windows On the Water at Surfrider Beach Club
Florist / Blossom & Bee Floral
DJ + Photobooth / Ultra Event DJs
Makeup + Hair / Pin It Up Bridal
Videographer / J&R Videography (Anthony)
Officiant Name / Heather Ferrante
Robin’s Dress / David’s Bridal
Dara’s Dress / Seng Couture
Bridesmaid Dresses / Azazie
Transportation / Chelsea Limousine