Monica & Alejandro’s Day After/Trash The Dress Session
Quinta Real Hotel, Acapulco, Mexico

We are blogging in reverse - first up, Monica & Alejandro’s Trash The Dress / Day After Session at the beautiful Quinta Real Acapulco Resort.  We promise to get photos from their wedding day on the blog as well, but couldn’t wait to post a taste of Mexico!

First off, we give these two serious credit for actually being awake the day after their wedding.  These two partied hard until 6am, (even we didn’t last that long)!  But there they were, smiling and raring to go.  We took Monica & Alejandro to a bunch of spots around the resort that we had scoped out in the days prior and still found new places along the way.  We began our journey at the top, in the hotel’s lobby and wound our way down toward moonlight on Punta Diamante Beach.

Outside the main entrance, sitting pretty by the Quinta Real sign.

Check out the spectacular view from the outdoor lobby.

Poolside.

And finally we made our way down to Punta Diamante Beach!  Love these two images - dancing in the surf.

I was so convinced we were going to get hit by a giant wave taking this series.  But if Monica & Alejandro could get in the ocean, it’s only fair that we should too.

Love on the rocks?

Some nighttime romance amongst the waves.

Yay!  An amazing destination dress trashing in Mexico!

www.tackeffphotography.com

Andrea and Adam’s Engagement Session
Private Residence, Upper Saddle River, NJ and Apple Ridge Golf Club, Mahwah, NJ

Andrea and Adam’s engagement session was like a preview of their wedding day.  Due to a string of HOT weather, we decided we’d try holding some of their session indoors.  After some brainstorming, we decided to start the session at Andrea’s parent’s home (where everybody will be getting dressed in a little over two weeks).  And once the sun started to set, we finished up across the street at the Apple Ridge Golf Club where at actual wedding festivities will be held.

Andrea, Adam and some unexpected company…

Quick shot on the stairs before heading to the golf course.

This photo reminds me of sitting on the moon…

Getting a little arty with the fish eye on the golf course.

And a little goofy! 

We couldn’t move around too much for fear of walking into somebody’s golf game!  But we had fun taking advantage of this small patch of sun and sand.  We conquered it - oh yeah, we conquered it.

We can’t wait to celebrate with these two in October!

www.tackeffphotography.com

Jessica and Mike’s Wedding
The Hyatt Morristown, Morristown, New Jersey

Jessica and Mike’s wedding was beautifully put together.  The day was emotional.  The day was fun.  And every last detail just seemed to fit.  Even The Hyatt Morristown itself, seemed the perfect backdrop to compliment their colorful accents.   All the vibrant greens, pinks & browns just seemed at home.

We started off the day documenting Jess getting ready in a spacious suite crammed with smiling faces and excitement.  Throughout the day, we explored most of the hotel with these newlyweds (staircase, lobby, bar, ballroom).  But our adventures were not confined to the hotel, we also visited Morristown Square Park for bridal party photos and a quick hotdog!  And then a short sunny stroll to the ceremony at The Presbyterian Church of Morristown.

We snagged this photo of the shoes using a throw pillow from the bed & got arty with the bouquet in the downstairs lobby.

Glowing Bride!

Quick smootch in the lobby.

Walking to the church.  Love this shot of the bridal party crossing the street for the ceremony at The Presbyterian Church of Morristown.

Jessica & Mike’s Wedding Program.

Jessica and her Father moments before walking down the aisle.

Married!

Every last bubble counts!

Sometimes it’s all about knowing where to look.

Best escort cards ever!  Can’t imagine how much time these paper fortune tellers took to fold!

Grooms in the air.  Ok, now it’s a party.

Personalized green & brown candy bar by planner - Tammy at Spotlight Celebrations!

All the candy matched the color scheme!

Goofin’ around in the photobooth!  NJPhotoBooths

The rings!  We wish Jessica and Mike a million more days as happy as this one!

www.tackeffphotography.com

Mary Ellen & Michael’s Wedding
The Crystal Plaza, Livingston, NJ

We started Mary Ellen and Michael’s Wedding day at The Short Hills Hilton in the Presidential Suite.  Upon arrival, we (as always) inquired how everybody was doing.  The first response, “You have to check out the toilet!”  While we have opted not to blog photos of this specific piece of porcelain, let us just say that it was worth checking out.  The thing was like a super toilet.  Buttons, levers, automatic air freshener sprays, a built in seat warmer, yes, a seat warmer… and our personal favorite, motion detection to raise and lower the seat…   So incredible was this toilet that various members of the bridal party kept walking into the suite just to get a glimpse of the commode.  It was a distraction, but only until Mary Ellen put on her dress.  At that point, no fancy bathroom fixture could keep eyes off this stunner.

Kudos to Michelle Lo Conte of I Do Hair & Make-Up.

Mary Ellen and her radiant smile moments before putting on her gown.

A romantic poolside moment at the hotel’s spa.

Bride in the limo…  heading to The Crystal Plaza in Livingston, New Jersey!

Bouquet.

Check out these handsome groomsmen!

The ceremony site moments before…

And the ceremony site just a short while later.

Cocktail Hour!  Love the pink & damask theme.  Escort Card Table.

Floating Flowers on the cocktail hour tables.

Mmmm…

But it wouldn’t be a party without the cocktail franks!  (Snooping the Groom’s plate).

Party On!  A happy Mary Ellen and Michael dance their reception away…

And of course the rings.

We wish these two lovebirds a lifetime of happiness!  Thanks for including us!

Thank you Brooke and Steven.  The pictures look great - we are so excited to see the rest.  I tried to take Steven’s advice and stand back throughout the evening to take it all in.  However, the night still goes fast and it is hard to remember so many of the special moments.  We are glad that you and Steven were able to capture those moments for us - and make them look ten times better!

www.tackeffphotography.com

Joyce and Brian’s Engagement Session
Central Park, New York City, NY

We met Joyce and Brian at the entrance of Central Park.  All we really knew was that these two lived near Atlantic City and were getting married at La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes, California.  So we enjoyed our stroll through the park, getting to know Joyce and Brian a little better.  What we quickly found out is that they two are very much in love, settle down in front of the camera quickly, and  share a fun goofy side.

On our quest for a quiet nook, we discovered Trefoil Arch.  A three part series…

Dancing in the dark.

Joyce rockin’ the ivy!

Reflective.  Serious.  Dramatic.

Fun. Goofy.  Awesome.

We ventured to Bethesda Fountain and Terrace for another set of pictures.  There was some dipping & some jumping…

Inside the Bethesda Arcade.  Love under the Minton Tile Ceiling.

Finally, some summer relief… chilling in an air conditioned Starbucks.  Fun fact:  Joyce was Brian’s Starbucks barista in Los Angeles, whipping up his morning coffee, which is how they met.  How cute!

www.tackeffphotography.com