ayva + tom // hamilton manor nj wedding

From the very beginning, I liked Avya. She contacted me last year about photographing her wedding and she had been referred to me from another favorite couple of mine, Heather + Mike. As we chatted, she explained that her and her fiance Tom were on a tight budget, but that she was willing to spend more than they had originally planned because of how much she liked me and my work. I mean, these are the kind of clients that dreams are made of right? She even sent the cutest thank you card with her deposit telling me how excited she and Tom were to work with me!

So I had been looking forward to Ayva + Tom’s wedding for months, and then a few weeks before the wedding we met up at a favorite local restuarant, The Blue Duck (check out their menu and you’ll understand why it’s a favorite). I instantly fell in love with them. Tom is the kind of guy that would pull over to help someone on the side of the road, the guy that would hold the door open for the people behind him. He’s sweet, and he’s kind, and he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Ayva is quieter than Tom, she smiles with her eyes a whole bunch, and you get the feeling that she’s always taking in everything around her. Because of that, she is incredibly thoughtful, and sweet. You could just meet her and feel like you’ve known her forever.

Ayva + Tom were my kind of people. We all ordered the same messy burger, and then laughed when we were covered in dripping egg and sriracha. Not my go-to choice when meeting with clients, but these two made me feel more like a friend than a wedding photographer.

A few weeks later, I got the document the happiest day of their lives thus far. It was incredible. But, you can just go check that out for yourselves..

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Ayva’s aunt was there all morning helping organize, clean up and doing errands here and there. Family was a big part of the importance of this celebration..

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And heeeerrrrreee is our beautiful bride. Ayva’s mom made her veil, I mean HOLY GORGEOUS.

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And now over to Tom’s! I couldn’t have worked my magic at this wedding without the help of my amazing second shooter, Joy. She was amazzzinnngggg.

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Hey Tom!

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Tom bought Ayva a pair of Christian Louboutins for the wedding. Tom likes himself a good shoe, as Ayva joked that his shoes probably cost as much as hers.

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And her dress was stunnnniiiinnnngggggg.

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I just love this shot of Ayva in the window with her mom and bridesmaid looking on.

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HEY GIRLS! Believe it or not, this is only a portion of the ladies!

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HEY GUYS!

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Oh, I just love this shot that Joy got. Her dad’s hand on Ayva’s shoulder, Tom’s sweet smile. All the feels, people. ALL THE FEELS.

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They’re married!!

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How incredibly beautiful is this church? I was completely obsessed and knew that I had to get a few shots of them on the steps.

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A fave.

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They miiiiigggghhhttt have thought I was nuts when I pulled up next to this building. But, they totally went for it and 100% trusted me. I’m so glad, because this is one of my favorite shots EVER.

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Now this is the whole wedding party! They were super fun, and totally listened to me even though they were all freezing. I was also DYING over the different purple colors and the differing suits. It was PERFECTION.

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Goodness, there are so many things I love about this shot.

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And now we PARTY!!!

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This guy was amazing on the dance floor all night.

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Ayva + Tom, thank you both SO much for letting me in to your special day to photograph your love. You two are the best, your family and friends were great, and your wedding was one of my favorites. I adore you both so much, and I wish you nothing but love and luck. xo, Lauren

Serving NJ, PA + NY

P: (856) 296-8995

E: lauren.allmond@gmail.com

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