A Unique Asbury Park Wedding Day: Mike and Chelsea
I’m so excited to share this super fun wedding day in Asbury Park, NJ with an awesome couple!
If you’re new to the blog (welcome), I did a post about Chelsea and Mike’s engagement/pre-wedding photo session here. But to quickly catch you up, they actually got married back in January of 2018 in a private courthouse ceremony. I have actually known both of them since 2010 as well; we all attended TCNJ for music education, but I was 2 years ahead of them. Yes, music educators do tend to flock together.
When I asked: What is most exciting or important to you about your day? Chelsea responded with: Besides remarrying Mike, getting to party with all my family and friends!
Getting Ready at the Asbury Hotel
We started the day off in this neat, historic hotel a block away from the beach. Chelsea was getting ready for the day with her officiant, best man, and mom. I usually start off the day grabbing some detail photos while people are getting themselves together the last few minutes before starting photos. I immediately noticed the rock ‘n’ roll historical vibes from a bright, blue record player and a bunch of vinyl records. On the record player was Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic playing Strauss; “Also Sprach Zarathustra”. How fitting that such a strong piece of music was sitting on the record player, in Chelsea’s room (or so I thought - turns out Mike and Chelsea had also been excited to see that and tried listening to it the night before - they warned me against trying that out haha!). I still took advantage and used this as the main setting for their rings, and some of Chelsea’s other details.
My second photographer met with Mike as I worked with Chelsea. I love being able to start covering prep right about when celebrants are done getting ready so we get the last little bits before the day really gets started. We are able to capture the outfits of the day, details, and loved ones preparing each other for an amazing, loving day. As we were wrapping up the bride’s getting ready moments, I gave the okay to my second photographer to take Mike down the street to Asbury Convention Hall where we would have the first look. The convention hall was still and beautiful which allowed us privacy in a gorgeous space for their first look.
Luckily, there were a few of the Wooden Walls Project art pieces inside, so we were able to use them as a change of scenery, though, there was beautiful light coming inside from the doors, even while it was storming outside. We even got a small break to run outside for a photo with the mermaids before getting some formal portraits with the wedding party. Everything was going so extremely well with the start of our day, that we even got a chance to sit down to some coffee as a pick me up at Asbury Park Roastery.
We were hoping that the rain would hold off, but Chelsea was extremely prepared and asked me the week leading up before their big day about a back up plan. They originally wanted photos out on the boardwalk and in front of all the murals along the boardwalk which is super common for Asbury Park weddings - but the rain was looking like it had other plans. But you know what, we rolled with it and had our own unique wedding experience in Asbury. Chelsea asked if the Silverball Arcade may be a good opportunity, but asked what I thought. I thought HELL YES!! So she actually reached out to them and got her family group rates so they could play games as we were finishing family portraits in there. It turned out to be such a FUN and unique part of the day, Chelsea and Mike are pretty into games and probably borderline obsessed with escape rooms - so this was definitely a vibe for them. I cannot stress enough to DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY on your wedding day. And let me tell you, as a photographer who thrives in non-traditional spaces, I will be your biggest hype human with your big ideas!
After another quick walk down the boardwalk, we got to Mccloone’s to get ready for the ceremony. We got to the second floor to be greeted by realistic cardboard cutouts of Fritz and Lexi (their dogs) before seeing the rest of the ceremony and reception space. The ceremony space at Mcloone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park, NJ is a black backdrop, with twinkle lights all over. Then the sides of the space are the spacious windows overlooking the beach. Mike and Chelsea were able to marry each other (again) but this time in front of all their loved ones, still choosing each other just as sure as ever, even 6 years later.
Chelsea’s aunt did much of the decor, and they even had special drinks named after their pups.
While we were sitting down to dinner, I was able to create one of my favorite portraits: a multiple exposure in camera. I took a silhouette from the Silverball Arcade from earlier in the day, and took two photos over top of that one in my camera with details from the reception tables. This create unique colored orbs around the silhouette from earlier in the day.
Then before leaving for the night, we took the chance and ran outside in the rain and wind to get a photo in front of the venue all lit up. It was ending up a cold night, and we did get temporarily locked out of the venue, but everything was worth it! What I love most about this wedding is that everything was for the couple: what would make THEM happy, and what works for them! It was a good combination of tradition and non-tradition. I really lean into the idea of being a non-traditional wedding photographer and encourage any of my clients to do what makes them feel best and works best for them. I’m there to encourage them, and capture them in their essence.
Photography: Rylan Earle-Lott www.rylanlottphotography.com
Videography: Rastrievi Film
Venue: Tim Mcloone’s Supper Club 1200 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 https://www.timmcloonessupperclub.com/
Band: Uptown Sound https://www.timmcloonessupperclub.com/
Cake: Chocolate Carousel https://chocolatecarousel.com/
Hair/Makeup: Hair by Masha https://www.instagram.com/mashahairandmakeup/
Wedding Attire: David’s Bridal https://www.davidsbridal.com/
Flowers: Sola Wood Flowers https://www.solawoodflowers.com/