Skylands Manor Wedding Photos, New Jersey • Nicole + Gio

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We drove up to a “castle” to photograph Nicole and Gio’s Skylands Manor wedding. I instantly felt like transported to a magical forest. I have to admit, from the castle-like mansion to the greenery surrounding us and colorful flowers in bloom everywhere, and, most importantly, to what a gorgeous princess Nicole looked like with Gio, her prince charming, by her side, it was all so enchanting.

Diamond round wedding ring and eternity band with black male ring for a Skylands Manor wedding. Image by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Nicole and Gio are a couple I met when I photographed Gio’s sister, Jana’s, wedding in April of 2014. Even more, I got to meet Nicole’s mother back then too as she planned the wedding! So it was a little reunion of sorts for me and one I’d been looking forward to for months. I knew everything would come together so beautifully with Julie and Nicole organizing it all and Warren Country Events ensuring it went off without a hitch the day of.

Bride prepares with her "something blue" for her Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Wedding gown photo for a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Peony and white rose bouquet photo for a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Bride prepares with her "something blue" for her Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. White wedding shoes by Badgley Mischka and heirloom beaded clutch for a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

No detail went unnoticed. Nicole’s white and pink bouquet of peonies and roses complimented her lace gown beautifully. The beaded purse was a family heirloom and served as the perfect rest for their wedding bands and some ring images. Nicole’s wedding gown train was absolutely breathtaking. I love the image below, showcasing it’s jaw-dropping length and how well it fit Nicole. And the light looks like it’s a crown on her head, which was completely a happy accident but very befitting.Bridal portrait for a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Skylands Manor wedding with wedding ring photo. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Groom getting ready for his Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Groom details with lobster socks for his Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Gio gifted his groomsmen special socks. He wore lobsters that reminded him to “relax!” Groom getting ready for his Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bridal portrait for a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bridal portrait for a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom first look at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom first look at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Their first look was wonderful and I have to credit Gio for keeping me smiling all day. Not only did he tell Nicole over and over how incredible she looked throughout their first look and portraits but I heard him tell her the entire wedding day, which, to me, just shows how sincere and in love he is with his wife. It was the most heart-warming thing! mikkelpaige-skylands_manor_wedding_photos-nj_photographer_0021 Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom first look at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

One of the great things about a Skylands Manor wedding is the property is basically on the same land as the New Jersey Botanical Gardens.

It was complete perfection to walk around the gardens a bit to capture them on their wedding day. A May wedding meant the wisteria was vibrant and plentiful, the Dogwood trees adorned the landscape with white petals, Azaleas popping pink and purple behind them….it was really incredible. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Bride and groom photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. mikkelpaige-skylands_manor_wedding_photos-nj_photographer_0042

All 22 people in the wedding party, including the bride and groom, looked elegant in their blush pink dresses and sharp black tuxedos. Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

There’s Jana and her little bro, Gio, on his wedding day!!! I love a good sibling hug! Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Wedding party with bridesmaids in blush pink. Photos at a Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Sometimes I just have to pinch myself I get to photograph stunning scenes like these.Skylands Manor wedding ceremony with cherry blossom backdrop. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

Isn’t that custom aisle runner everything?! I love that they showcased their custom monogram throughout the wedding from the ceremony to reception, where they had cocktail napkins printed with their new initials.

Nicole and her father proudly stepped out of the mansion and walked towards the tent for Nicole and Gio to recite their vows in front of a gorgeous backdrop of cherry blossom branches.

Skylands Manor wedding ceremony. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor wedding ceremony. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor wedding ceremony. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor wedding ceremony. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

The red carpet was rolled out for guest arrival and soon after they kissed for the first time as husband and wife it was time to PARTY! Just in time because shortly after all the guests went inside it started to rain a bit. Isn’t that simply perfect timing? Nothing like mother nature agreeing that it’s time to eat, drink and party!Skylands Manor spring wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor wedding escort card table. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Guests dined on the most elaborate and delicious cocktail hour I may have ever seen (there was a steak station, seafood station, antipasto, passed hors d’oeuvres, even a bacon station!) and enjoyed the sounds of a live string quartet.Skylands Manor spring wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding with chocolate dipped bacon. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

The reception room was truly pretty in pink, and I love how even the table numbers tied into their stationery suite, which her aunt crafted wonderfully. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

The energy on the dance floor, from the moment everyone stepped into the room, was seriously off the charts. I’ve never seen so many people sustain such a high energy level all evening long. It was contagious! Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception buttercream and fondant cake with stamped forks. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

As Gio’s brother Matt took grandma for a spin on the dance floor, Gio and Nicole enjoyed another spin too! Skylands Manor spring wedding reception last kiss. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer. Skylands Manor spring wedding reception night image. Images by Mikkel Paige Photography, NJ wedding photographer.

After some passed late night snacks and desserts and a picturesque final kiss, we hit the rain covered road with huge smiles on our faces and great memories from their perfect day.

Congrats Nicole and Gio! I know this was truly your dream day and I am so honored I was there to capture it all.

Event Planner and Floral Design: Warren Country Events / Venue: Skylands Manor / Wedding gown: Park Avenue Bridal, designer Enzoani / Bridesmaids dresses: Bella Bridal, designer Bill Levkoff / Rings: The Jewelry Store  / Bridal shoes: Badgley Mischka / Tuxedo: Dante Zeller / DJ: Eclipse Entertainment / Invitations: Design Squared / Makeup: Casey Astudillo / Hair: Denise Gunello / String Quartet: Vogue Music Events

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