Not many people choose to get married in the winter, with unsure weather conditions and unpredictable travel... but they are out there. I had the pleasure to photograph one of these weddings yesterday. Even though it was one of the coldest days yet this year, it was a beautiful day, and we were able to get outside for some pictures!

It was a simple wedding, everything happening in one place... the Dublin House in Red Bank... a beautiful building set back off the street, with a strong Irish flavor.

The one thing I really loved about this bride, is that she only wanted to hire local vendors.. for every aspect of her wedding day. And to her credit, she did just that.  It's easy in the planning of a wedding to get caught up in all the big advertised, corporate, and usually expensive venues. But there is nothing like a simple. down to earth, celebration of this most important of days!

As the sun shone through the windows, lighting up the flower centerpieces, the Irish pint glasses filled with candy and lottery tickets, background music filled the room, and people talked and smiled, bumping into one another... it was a little crowded, but cozy...

When it was time to start, 2 little boys (belonging to the groom) wound their way to the front holding the ring boxes, wearing matching outfits and fedoras... the bride following traditionally with her father.. as we listened to "Somewhere over the Rainbow" performed by the DJ on guitar and vocals...

It was a short ceremony, followed by the usual pictures, of course! That's the entire reason I was there!! Great music, great food, and drink, and of course, great people... who make a wedding day what it is all about! After years of photographing weddings, I have found that these daytime weddings are usually more subdued than the nighttime counterparts...  but even in the daytime, this was a crowd of people that were out dancing and having a good time!

My lasting memory of this day, however, will be joining the bride while eating dinner. The groom was looking after the boys, and talking to some guests. When she asked me to sit with her, I balked.. "at the head table??" "there's someone much more important to sit here with you!" But she insisted, and as we had the day we met, we fell into easy conversation. We were later joined by the groom, who pulled up a third chair! A memorable moment indeed!!