The Club at Olde Cypress Wedding with Kevin + Kate

A lovely bride and groom, a gorgeous outdoor setting, and a guest list full of people who were there to celebrate this beautiful couple – Kate and Kevin’s Olde Cypress wedding in Naples, FL truly was a dream. On this gorgeous spring day, Kate and Kevin promised to spend their lives together before dancing the night away under the stars.

However, planning this wedding was anything but a breeze. Kate told us, “Planning a wedding through a pandemic has been nothing short of emotional and exhausting. Even as the date was coming close, I still had moments where I thought, “Are we finally going to get married?” There were days where it felt like until I am walking down the aisle, the wedding could get canceled again.”

But the couple was not one to give up. “We had to change dates, states, and venues, but it was all worth it because this is a day we got to share with our family and friends. I was so excited just to see family and friends that I hadn’t seen in over a year. I couldn’t wait to celebrate and dance with them,” Kate added. Kate and Kevin did dance the night away with all of their family and friends, and it was a joy to capture so many special memories from such a beautiful day!

A Relaxed Morning Full of Intimate Moments

Kate and her girlfriends got ready together before heading to The Club at Olde Cypress for the ceremony. I had a blast taking photos of all the girls just relaxing and having fun before Kate got into her wedding dress. One of my favorite parts of the day was Kate’s first look with her father. It was such a sweet and intimate moment, and her sister’s couldn’t help but get emotional as they watch nearby.

 

An Outdoor Ceremony at The Club at Olde Cypress

The ceremony gave way to so many more happy tears! Kevin (along with many of the family members) got emotional as Kate walked down the aisle at their gorgeous outdoor ceremony at The Club at Olde Cypress. Guests were able to stay cool and relaxed with the beautiful natural woven Raffia Palm fans Kate and Kevin provided during the ceremony. After the first kiss and a delicious cocktail hour, Kate and Kevin’s friends and family enjoyed an open-air dinner and dancing under the stars! The sunset was warm and glowy, and the full moon and stars cast such a romantic light. It was nothing short of a magical evening.

Dancing Under the Stars

As the first course was served, Kate and Kevin shared their first dance under the twinkle lights, right in the center of their family and friends. It was so sweet to see everyone come together and join them on this day, especially since this is exactly what Kate and Kevin had wanted for their wedding day – to be with her family and friends. Kate and Kevin had a blast on the dance floor and danced the night away along with all of their guests!

Congratulations to the Newlyweds

Kate and Kevin, congratulations again! It was a joy to be a part of your gorgeous wedding at The Club at Olde Cypress.   I hope you are enjoying this sweet time as newlyweds!

The Team:

Photographer: Amy Rizzuto Photography
Venue: The Club at Olde Cypress
Hair Stylist: Duality Artistry
Make-up Artist: Duality Artistry
Invitations: Little Black Dress Paperie
Florist: Botanicals On the Gulf
Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano
Bridesmaid Dress: Bec + Bridge
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Jewelry: J. Vincent
Band/DJ: Finesse
Officiant: Pastor Russ Winn

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Want to see more pretty images like Kate and Kevin’s gorgeous outdoor spring wedding in Naples, Florida?  Follow along on instagram and facebook!

Amy Rizzuto is a Destination wedding photographer and New Jersey wedding photographer who specializes in capturing the authentic joy of adventurous couples in love.

For more information visit www.amyrizzutophotography.com!

Beautiful Bear Brook Valley Wedding

Lydia and Mike’s incredible wedding day was a true testament to the resilience of love! Like many sweet couples, Lydia and Mike faced postponements and rescheduling for their special day. Wedding planning during a pandemic is no easy task, but after a lot of work and so much love, Lydia and Mike were able to finally say their vows at their gorgeous summer Bear Brook Valley wedding in July! Bear Brook Valley turned their picturesque grounds into the perfect outdoor wedding venue in NJ. The entire day was filled with celebration and joy and will always be such an important chapter in Lydia and Mike’s love story!

Getting Ready on a Gorgeous Wedding Day

The summer sun shone through soft clouds as Lydia and her bridesmaids got ready on her wedding day. The incredible silo suite at Bear Brook Valley was filled with laughter as the girls slipped on their pale pink bridesmaid dresses. It was such a joyous moment when Lydia got to put on the wedding dress that had been hanging in their apartment for months! She looked like a dream in her Martina Liana wedding gown! The flower girls held out her train and watched adoringly as Lydia spun around, showing off her bridal look. Every detail of Lydia and Mike’s day was so beautiful, from the cute custom Connect Four board to the romantic custom invitation suite by Hudson Paperie. As Lydia got ready with her girls, Mike joined his groomsmen for some swings on Bear Brook Valley’s miniature putting green before heading to their first look!

Romantic First Look At Outdoor Summer Wedding

Lydia walked towards Mike with excitement in every step. As soon as Mike turned around, he broke into the biggest smile! Lydia looked so gorgeous as his bride that his eyes filled with tears! The sweet couple shared a kiss and a cute high-five. They were so excited to finally be getting married after rescheduling their wedding due to the pandemic!

Celebrating with Family and Friends

One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing Lydia and Mike’s family and friends finally get to come together after months of quarantine. Everyone was so overjoyed to be together and celebrating safely at this outdoor wedding venue in NJ. I loved capturing photos of Lydia and Mike with their bridal party and with their families!

Outdoor Bear Brook Valley Wedding Ceremony

Bear Brook Valley has the most beautiful outdoor ceremony location in New Jersey. A rustic wooden archway overlooks a lovely heart-shaped lake surrounded by lush green trees. Lydia and Mike’s family and friends gathered to finally see this wonderful couple become husband and wife!

The flower girls and ring bearer were adorable! I loved the moment right after the flower girls walked down the aisle and dumped the remaining flower petals on their heads!

Mike was in awe of his beautiful Lydia as she walked down the aisle with her father. Their vows were filled with emotional moments and so many happy tears as the couple finally got to say “I do”!

Tented Outdoor Wedding Venue in NJ

Lydia and Mike put so much thought into every detail of their day! Their thoughtfulness made for such an incredible celebration! The stunning greenery covered champagne tower paired perfectly with the custom cocktail napkins featuring their dog Lady. I loved the whimsical florals by From Peonies to Paint Chips! The guests were buzzing over the Jets-themed tailgate station at cocktail hour and the late night food station with a nod to their alma mater, Rutgers. Lydia and Mike personalized so many of the details and told their love story through every moment of the day!

I love how thoughtful Lydia and Mike were in ensuring their guests’ safety throughout their wedding day! They had plenty of masks and hand sanitizer readily available. They even displayed an amazing social distancing sign custom made by calligrapher Write Pretty for Me! While following the pandemic restrictions, Lydia and Mike still put together a gorgeous outdoor wedding!

Bear Brook Valley Outdoor Wedding Reception

Lydia and Mike entered their Bear Brook Valley reception to cheers from their family and friends! Mike pulled Lydia in close for their sweet first dance. The two spun around the outdoor dance floor, relishing every moment of newlywed bliss. Even with masks and the socially distanced dance floor, everyone had a blast!

The last dance of the night was filled with so much love and joy! Lydia and Mike saved the Hora for the end of the evening so as to make all of their guests feel comfortable, and it was really fun to see them surrounded by those closest to them at the end of the evening. Before the band left, they played their first dance song, which they recorded for Lydia and Mike and sent to them to dance to on their original wedding date.

Thank You

I was so thrilled to be a part of your beautiful day, Lydia and Mike! It was amazing to see the resilience and strength of your love in the face of postponing your wedding. I wish you so much joy as you continue your love story as newlyweds!

The Team: Photographer- Amy Rizzuto Photography, Venue- Bear Brook Valley, Venue Coordinator- Heather Truesdale (Bear Brook Valley), Hair Stylist- Top Knots by Aimee, Makeup Artist- Make Me Up Eva, Invitations- Hudson Paperie, Florist- From Peonies to Paint Chips, Wedding Dress- Martina Liana from Seng Couture, Bridesmaid Dresses- Brideside, Wedding Bands- W Kodak Hoboken, Cake- Palermo’s, Signage- Write Pretty for Me, Card Box- Home Heritage, Band- Brian Kirk and the Jirks, First Dance Song- “Jersey Girl”

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Want to see more pretty images like Lydia and Mike’s gorgeous outdoor summer wedding in New Jersey?  Check out Lea and David’s sweet Bear Brook Valley nuptials and follow along on instagram and facebook!

Amy Rizzuto is a New Jersey wedding photographer

who specializes in capturing the authentic joy of adventurous couples in love.

For more information visit www.amyrizzutophotography.com!

Mini sessions are such a great way to capture the season of life you are in now! They are 25 minutes long and perfect for an updated family session, anniversary session, couple session, maternity session, or for fun photos with your precious fur baby.  You may be wondering how to have the best mini session ever, and I am here to help you with that! Here are a few of my favorite tips for making yours a successful and joyful experience.

ARRIVE EARLY

Plan on arriving to your mini session at least 10 minutes early!  Arriving early will ensure you have plenty of time to get out of the car, or to walk to the location where we are shooting.  It also allows for a little buffer in case you are running behind on the day.  Mini sessions are booked back to back, so if you arrive late, you may eat into the 25 minutes we have planned to capture some fun memories.  If you think your kids might fall asleep on the way to the session, make sure to leave plenty of time for them to fully wake up before the session begins!

PREP YOUR KIDDOS

Prepare your kids as best as you can for photos!  I will have a few tricks up my sleeves, but I would recommend talking to them about getting their photo taken and getting them excited before the session.  When I am trying to prep my own kids for photos, I normally bring a favorite snack or new toy and let them know they can have it after they smile for the camera. :). Gummy bears work well for us, because they are small and the kids get a gummy bear for a smile!  You know your kids best, so if there is something that works well for your kiddos that you can share with me beforehand (like a favorite song or silly noise) that would be super helpful!

DRESS FOR COMFORT

Dress your family for the season!  If it is going to be a crisp fall day, consider dressing your family in layers!  Everyone is happiest when they feel cozy, so make sure to check the temperature when finalizing your outfit for the day.  A scarf or warm hat can look so cute and can make a big difference in comfort, especially for little ones!

RELAX + ENJOY

Your kids or your significant other will feed off of your energy, so if you are relaxed and enjoying the session, most of the time they will as well!  Think of this as a fun activity where we will have the opportunity to capture the play, laughter, and the joy of the season you are in now.  That is one of the things I love most about mini sessions!

I hope this helps!  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.  I am so looking forward to capturing beautiful photos of this sweet season you are in now!

The Inn at Longshore Wedding

Kimmi and Tim’s The Inn at Longshore wedding was truly such a wonderful day! This gorgeous winter wedding in Connecticut was filled with love, laughter, and the perfect pastel sunset. After an intimate first look by the water, Kimmi and Tim exchanged their vows before dancing the night away with their family and friends!

Getting Ready for Charming Connecticut Wedding

Love and joy were in the air as Kimmi got ready for her The Inn at Longshore wedding! Surrounded by her mom, sister, and bridesmaids, Kimmi enjoyed a fun morning full of anticipation. I love the romantically modern details Kimmi and Tim chose for their wedding day! The gold and grey details were gorgeous and Kimmi’s cream and pink bouquet was overflowing with the prettiest petals! Kimmi’s mom and sister helped her into her beautiful Watters wedding gown before Kimmi shared a sweet first look with her dad!

Bride’s First Look with Father

Kimmi’s first look with her dad was one of my favorite parts of the day! I love that her sister and mom were their for such a sweet moment. The room was filled with love and joy as the family came together to embrace Kimmi.

Bride & Groom First Look Photos

Kimmi and Tim’s first look was beautiful and so emotional by the water. Tim’s entire face lit up when he saw Kimmi! The Inn at Longshore grounds were incredibly picturesque and the winter landscape was the perfect backdrop. I love this intimate time Kimmi and Tim got to have before their ceremony!

The Inn at Longshore Wedding Photos

After the sweetest first look, Kimmi and Tim joined hands and explored the gorgeous grounds of this Connecticut wedding venue. They found a beautiful forest spot surrounded by towering evergreen trees which made for lovely winter wedding photos. After capturing some wedding portraits, Kimmi and Tim joined their wedding part for group photos. I loved the mismatched grey, blue, and lavender bridesmaids gowns! Before their ceremony, Kimmi and Tim snuck away for one more quiet moment together.

Sweet Ceremony at The Inn at Longshore

The Inn at Longshore ceremony space was so gorgeous! The room was bathed in warm light as the ceremony began, and by the time Kimmi and Tim said “I do”, the sunset was dancing through the huge picture window behind them. Kimmi’s mom and dad walked her down the aisle and Tim couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. This sweet couple shared heartfelt vows and the whole crowd broke out into cheers when they shared their first kiss as husband and wife!

Sunset Wedding Portraits

The night portraits at sunset out by the water provided an intimate moment after the ceremony for the couple to be alone, and made for the most stunning photographs. The sky was painted beautifully with pinks, blues, and purples and Kimmi and Tim couldn’t stop smiling. The newlyweds shared some sweet moments before joining hands and returning to their The Inn at Longshore wedding.

The Inn at Longshore Wedding Reception

Kimmi and Tim’s Inn at Longshore reception was filled with pretty lights, pink and white blooms, and special details. They took such care in finding elements that told their love story! For instance, Tim is obsessed with chicken parm and they had a whole chicken parm station at their cocktail hour!

After a first dance full of laughs and sweet moments, Kimmi surprised Tim with a groom’s cake topper featuring replicas of beer from their favorite neighborhood brewery! Tim was so excited and I loved seeing his reaction!

Kimmi and Tim’s guests celebrated the night away. Their friends and family had such a relaxed vibe and you could tell everyone was really having a good time!

Thank You

Kimmi and Tim, thank you so much for choosing me as your The Inn at Longshore wedding photographer! I loved capturing every moment of your dreamy day and hope you look back on these memories with joy in your hearts for years to come!

 

The Team: Photographer- Amy Rizzuto Photography, Reception Venue- The Inn at Longshore, Venue Coordinator- Adrienne Mongelli (The Inn at Longshore), Hair Stylist + Makeup Artist- Larissa Lake & Co, Invitations- Minted, Florist- Confetti, Wedding Dress- Watters, Bridesmaid Dresses- Various, Shoes- Badgley Mischka, Cake- Sweet Lisa’s Cakes, Band- Dream Team Band, First Dance Song- “May I Have This Dance” by Francis and the Lights

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Want to see more pretty images like Kimmi and Tim’s gorgeous The Inn at Longshore wedding photos?  Check out Erin and Devin’s picturesque Bay Head Yacht Club wedding and follow along on instagram and facebook!

Amy Rizzuto is a Connecticut wedding photographer

who specializes in capturing the authentic joy of adventurous couples in love.

For more information visit www.amyrizzutophotography.com!

Quality printing, amazing flash drives, and great service, these are just a few of the things I love about USB Memory Direct!  USB Memory Direct offers custom flash drives with a lifetime warranty.  While I deliver all of my wedding and engagement collections through an easy to share online gallery, I always recommend having my couples back up their complete collection of photographs on an external drive, and these are a beautiful option.  I love the custom branding, pine finish, and clean and professional look of the engraving.  

If you are a wedding or portrait photographer looking for a beautifully branded tangible delivery option, I highly recommend checking out these custom USB drives.  USB Memory Direct’s customer service is excellent, and I received my pine tower custom flash drives quickly.  You can choose from storage options from 4gb, all the way up to 128gb drives.  One of my favorite options USB Memory Direct offers is the ability to have your custom USB drives pre-loaded with a file of your choice.  This could be great for including directions for downloading and storing photos long-term, or for including a print release!  

Thank you so much USB Memory Direct for being a wonderful partner and providing such a beautiful branded option for my business!  It is a joy to work with you!

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Amy Rizzuto is an NYC wedding photographer

who specializes in capturing the authentic joy of adventurous couples in love.

For more information visit www.amyrizzutophotography.com!