Fall Wedding At Bay Head Yacht Club | Caroline + Woody
Bay Head Yacht Club | Bay Head, NJ
They say rain on your wedding day is good luck – and what a blessing that is for Caroline and Woody’s Bay Head Yacht Club wedding! These rainy September and October wedding weekends require extra careful planning for all these fall couples. No one particularly wishes for rain on their wedding day, but Caroline and Woody could not have been better sports, given the weather! Despite the rainy forecast, we captured some lovely moments at the Bay Head Yacht Club for this sweet couple! I had the pleasure of shooting this wedding for my friend, Lizzie Burger, and had the most wonderful time celebrating the love between Caroline and Woody!
Getting Ready in Mantoloking, NJ
I spent the morning with Caroline and her girls first before heading to Woody’s family home in Mantoloking. Family friends of mine have a house down here as well and it is one of the most gorgeous little towns on the Jersey Shore. Caroline embraced the nautical charm of a beach wedding day with blue and white getting-ready robes for her bridesmaids and mismatched blue and white bridesmaid dresses. Woody, who serves as a Marine, got ready with his groomsmen and fellow Marines. Scroll down to see all the details of his Marine Corps uniform up close.
Portraits at Bay Head Yacht Club
Due to the nature of his service as a Marine, Caroline and Woody have to spend quite a bit of time apart, so to see them share this sweet first look moment brought tears to my eyes. After we captured their first look, we walked around the venue to capture additional portraits. Caroline’s elegant gown and veil made for some of my favorite bridal portraits ever!
After we wrapped up their couple portraits, we brought in the whole bridal party for pictures of Woody and the guys and Caroline and her girls. Due to the rain, we had to head inside for the large group photos, but Lizzie and I rearranged some furniture to make it work! We then used that spot for Caroline and Wood’s family portraits.
Boathouse Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was in the Bay Head Yacht Club boathouse just down the road from the venue. It was such a unique spot for a wedding ceremony with a beautiful backdrop of the bay. After a tearful ceremony where Caroline and Woody exchanged their vows and were pronounced husband and wife, they hopped onto the boat for portraits on the water before arriving at the dock behind the main venue. Again, despite the rain, these are some of my favorite photos from the day! Scroll through to see the photos of their loved ones sending them off onto the bay!
Wedding Reception at Bay Head Yacht Club
Now it was time for the party! But first, Caroline and Woody exited the boat to a Marine Saber Arch. A saber arch is a wedding tradition in which swords are used to salute the newlyweds. The bride and groom pass under an honorary arch of sabers, and when the bride and groom reach the two saber-bearers on the end, they close the sabers by bringing them down to cross at the couple’s waist level and request a ‘kiss’ for passage. When they lift the sabers, the bride and groom proceed, and everyone cheers! Woody popped a bottle of champagne with the saber and proceeded inside for the reception!
The cocktail hour space was adorned with the most adorable nautical details, including rows of pennant flags along the ceiling. Similarly, the reception space had tons of flags along the walls and glowing, hanging rattan pendant lights, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. I was beyond obsessed with this reception space and all the thoughtful details, from the flowers to the table settings.
Caroline and Woody made their grand entrance, and the party began! Their families and friends had such a blast on the dance floor. Between heartfelt toasts, a lively dance floor, and an epic cake cutting in which Woody used his sword, this wedding day was truly one for the books! I am still reeling from the high of this magical day! Relive it with me by looking through the gallery below.
