New Jersey Wedding Photographer | Adventure Aquarium | Stacy + Jared

If you haven’t read Stacy and Jared’s full write-up from their engagement session, I recommend you head on over and check it out. They came to me through Wish Upon a Wedding, a volunteer organization that creates incredible weddings for couples facing terminal or seriously life-altering situations. I was honored and elated to be asked to be a wish granter and feel so privileged to have gotten to know Stacy and Jared through this joyous event.  Joelene of In Your Shoes Event Design planned a fantastic day.

Stacy and Jared got ready in hotel rooms just down the hall from one another. There was a slight panic when we realized that Stacy’s dress hadn’t been completely de-wrinkled but nothing that couldn’t be fixed!

The bouquets by Rose Garden Florist with their vibrant shades of corals, pinks, and oranges with platinum accents were beyond what Stacy had imagined.

Little Woman Design created the invitation suite. It was a gorgeous coral and platinum set printed on iridescent pearl paper.

Jared wore her father’s cufflinks.

We arrived at Camden’s Adventure Aquarium for the wedding. It was an incredibly hot day but we couldn’t have asked for more photogenic weather. We had brilliant sunlight and bright blue skies with puffy clouds. The aquarium has amazing view of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Philadelphia skyline, something important to Stacy.

Jared had his first look at Stacy in her wedding dress set against that skyline. Both teared up. Jared gave Stacy a dainty silver anklet as a wedding gift.

We then got a little bit of time to wander to see the shark tanks. Adventure Aquarium has such incredible sights.

Stacy, Jared, and their intimate 50 guests gathered for the nuptials that included a sand ceremony and a blessing stone ritual immediately afterwards.

We were graced with a spectacular sunset towards the end of cocktail hour.

We moved into the darkened ballroom for the reception.

As Stacy and Jared were sharing their first dance to “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes, the shades to the tank opened, leaving guests to gasp at the spectacle.

Stefanie from Ciao Bella Cakes did a great job on their white wedding cake but it was Jared’s impressive Xbox groom’s cake that really took the, uh… cake?

One of my absolute favorite parts of the wedding was the thought that went into the cereal bar. You see, Jared looooves his cereal (he eats several bowls a day) so this quirky display at the end of the night was just the perfect touch.

As if this weren’t enough, we were treated to some fireworks over the river.

A huge congratulations and thank you to Stacy and Jared. And a great big shout out to my fellow wish granters for donating all of the pieces that made this wedding something completely unforgettable!  For more details from the day and to see Blossom Productions‘ masterpiece of a wedding highlight film (I seriously got goosebumps watching it), check out the Wish Upon a Wedding blog post.

I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Baby I wanna make you feel wanted
~ Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”