Last week we joined Stefanie and James for their wedding at the beautiful Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ. It was a day that highlighted their loves of family and nature as they incorporated both of those aspects in several ways. Last year, we joined the Stefanie and James at the New Jersey Botanical Gardens for their engagement session and learned how they love to visit national and state parks and gardens.
It is also quite clear that Stefanie and James cherish their families, and the roles they’ve played in their lives and how they shape their views of love and marriage. Stefanie and James are both the youngest in their families with sisters and brothers that are married with children. These sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews made up a large part of their wedding party and they were all so happy to see Stefanie and James enjoy their wedding. James’ father performed their wedding ceremony and it was a service that was both heartfelt and funny. It highlighted these aspects of family and love, but also touched on nature. James’ father’s service reminded us that love and laughter are just the initial seeds of a long-lasting marriage, that the marriage needs to be cared for a nurtured just as you would a plant or tree, in order for it bloom and bear fruit later in life. This theme was further highlighted by Stefanie and James’ inclusion of a “unity tree” that they will plant at their home. During this portion of the ceremony, both of their mothers poured a container of dirt, taken from their childhood homes, into a potted tree. It was a unique way to combine this love of nature and their family histories into the ceremony, and something we had never seen before.
After the ceremony, Stefanie and James joined their guests for cocktails and a reception at the Lake House at Indian Trail Club. It was a evening of dancing, partying, and celebration, with a few tears and laughs mixed in, courtesy of the Best Man and Maid of Honor toasts. Congratulations Stefanie and James! We hope you’re having an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii.
