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RANDI ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY

A blurry motion moment of a bride and groom running playfully through the garden at their luxurious venue.

Luxurious Garden Wedding at The Ashford Estate in New Jersey

Wedding Photography

Truly, I never thought I would say this sentence but… Tatiana and Gaetano found me on TikTok! I may not have totally figured out the platform yet, but I did something right! I’m so glad this beautiful and fun couple found me! These two are a perfect blend of playful excitement, sentimental reflection, and so much love between them! They told me their vision for the day was to combine timeless tradition with so much fun and creativity! They told me to go for it with my vision. When I saw the luxurious garden in the back of The Ashford Estate, I was immediately inspired. I wanted to embrace all the warmth of summer and European vibes!

Elegant Details for an Elegant Bride

When I tell you that I am OBSESSED with the elegant, fun and sentimental details of their wedding… I mean it with all my chest. From the family rosary, the illustration of their cathedral that Tatiana drew herself to the “something blue” shoes, each felt so rich in intention. Not to mention the fun details I would later find on this day with several nods to their four cats! They included each of their cats’ portraits with their specialty cocktails. They even had figurines made in their likeness to decorate their cake table! It was a great way to include their fur babies in the festivities.

The whole getting ready part of the day felt so deeply connected with their special loved ones and rich in sentiment. Tatiana made sure the first part of the day felt like a pajama party with her group, while Gaetano had his groomsmen, parents and grandfather with him! Gaetano has a super sweet family dynamic. I immediately could tell who his father was before introductions by the smile and way he greeted every single person with unmatched energy.

A flat lay of details like the wedding invitations suite and wedding rings placed on the floor in the shadow patterns of a nearby window.
A bride's blue floral shoes hang on gold handles of an ornate door at the Ashford Estate.
A bride's blue floral slingback heels lie on a couch underneath her sheer, lace-trimmed veil.
A bride and her wedding party members in their matching wedding pajamas on the steps at The Ashford Estate.
In black and white, a bride laughs with her wedding party in their matching pajamas.
While standing silhouetted in a window, a bride's mother helps her button her wedding dress.
In black and white, a bride and her mom share a tight hug after helping her into the wedding dress.
A bride puts her shoes on and adjusts her train while sitting on a chaise as the sunlight from a window drenches her in light.
On 35mm portra 400 film, a bride looks out a window while sitting on a chaise getting ready.
A bride shows off her a-line wedding dress with a high slit and her blue floral shoes with complementing blue floral wallpaper behind her.
A bride leans beautifully against a blue floral wallpapered wall in the bathroom of the Ashford Estate.
A bride's lace-trimmed veil drapes over her hands and face with blue wallpaper in the background.
A bride playfully laughs with her veil covering her, in black and white.
A bride stands with her flowers by her side and the wind blowing through the loose strands of her ponytail.
In black and white, a bride twirls her dress around her outside of the Ashford Estate.
In black and white, a groom gets ready by a window for his wedding.
In black and white, a groom is being helped with his jacket by his father.
A groom's father reaches around him to straighten his bowtie.
A groom helps his elderly grandfather to put on his boutonnière.

The Sweetest “Firsts”

Speaking of sentiment, there were so many “firsts” included for T & G’s day. First up were back to back first looks with Tatiana’s dad and then her sweet son. Okay fine. Yes. I cried. Her dad was so proud of her and such a calming voice in that moment. Separately, Nate was taken aback with excitement when he saw his mom and he just gasped in awe of her. He then told her repeatedly how beautiful she looked and gave her the biggest and warmest hug.

Later on at their cathedral, Tatiana and Gaetano shared a “first touch.” Standing on opposite sides of the church’s side door, they exchanged “I love you’s” and a kiss on the hand. Then Gaetano entered the church and waited to see his bride walk down the aisle to him. The ceremony was timeless and steeped in tradition. Lastly, the couple celebrated their union with a grand exit from the cathedral with all their loved ones blowing bubbles around them. It was playful and rich in love just like the two of them.

A bride approaches her father who is facing away to do a father/daughter first look on her wedding day.
A bride spins around to show her father her full wedding look during the father/daughter first look at her wedding.
A bride's son gasps excitedly after seeing his mom for the first time on her wedding day during their first look.
A bride's son reacts to seeing his mom for the first time on her wedding day.
A bride leans out of a cathedral door with light cascading over the pleats of her wedding dress and through her veil while the rest of her is in shadow.
A bride and groom share a first touch with each of them on either side of the cathedral door.
A bride's veil and train trail behind her while her dad and son escort her down the aisle, in black and white.
A bride is walked down the aisle of a catholic cathedral by her son and father, in black and white.
An overhead view of a bride and groom sharing their first kiss as husband and wife in a cathedral, in black and white.
A warm silhouette of a bride and groom in a catholic cathedral after their ceremony.
A bride and groom leave the church after their cathedral ceremony.
A bride and groom share a kiss after exiting the cathedral ceremony with their loved ones blowing bubbles all around them.

Coordinating Colors for the Wedding Party

Once we got back to the Ashford Estate, guests trickled into the cocktail hour while we did photos. First up, the wedding party. While the groomsmen wore these opulent black tuxes, Gaetano wore a deep emerald green suit. It could not have felt more perfect against the luscious greens of the venue. Meanwhile, Tatiana’s wedding people wore lighter shades of summer greens and yellow. I love love love a mismatch, but coordinating theme for wedding party attire. It allows for each member to show off their personalities but still feels chic and on theme! And the personalities of this group were the BEST! The energy was so high and I’m sure the whole venue of guests could hear them cheering on T & G!

A bride and her wedding party outside the ashford estate with coordinating shades of yellow and greens.
A groom stands handsomely while his groomsmen move quickly around him and are blurred from the motion.
Bridal party takes a selfie together while waiting on the couple for wedding party photos.
A wedding party in black tuxes and shades of summer greens walk along a path under a canopy of green trees.
A bride and groom cheer excitedly with their wedding party outside the Ashford Estate.

Editorial Wedding Portraits in a Luxurious Garden

Finally! Let’s talk about Tatiana and Gaetano’s wedding portraits. To know Tatiana and Gaetano is to know that they are beautiful inside and out. They have so much love for others and for each other and that really came out in their portraits. We absolutely embraced the deep luxurious greens of the garden and the lily pond at the venue. We highlighted them in some editorial and elegant portraits mixed with playful and cinematic feeling moments where their personalities shine. Tatiana immediately wanted to kick off her shoes and run around with Gaetano laughing and letting loose just the two of them. They love a goofy humorous moment and pulling out some silliness with them was the highlight of the day for me.

A bride and groom walk arms around each other down a path covered by green trees.
Casually holding her bouquet, a bride shows off her summer bouquet with shades of peach, yellow, and greenery.
A bride leans on the shoulder of her groom and looks over her shoulder.
A direct flash moment highlighting the brides flowing dress fabric and high slit.
On 35mm film a bride poses in a luxurious garden with her husband at the Ashford Estate.
A blurry motion moment of a bride and groom running playfully through the garden at their luxurious venue.
A bride lifts the hem of her wedding dress to show off her blue floral heels while walking through a garden with her husband.
Bride and groom standing on the steps inside a luxurious garden at the Ashford Estate.
In a luxurious garden, a bride hugs her groom with a big laugh of excitement and her veil flying into the foreground.
A bride and groom pose together with her shoes kicked off in the grass in a European style garden with a lily pond.
A bride runs towards her groom in a luxurious garden with the long train of her wedding dress flying behind her.
A bride falling into the arms of her groom while running around in a luxurious garden at the Ashford Estate.
A dreamy and romantic moment between a bride sitting in a chair and leaning back to kiss her groom while in a luxurious garden at their wedding venue.
While in a lush garden, a bride sits in a chair with her train and veil flowing around her while her groom stands handsomely beside her.
An editorial, direct flash portrait of a bride leaning on her knees while sitting on a chair in a luxurious garden with her groom leaning on the back of the chair.

A Stylish Evening at the Ashford Estate

Once portraits were done, it was time to party! The details of the reception were breathtaking! The large windows drenched the summer palette of warm florals and vintage plates in the prettiest light. I had so much fun mixing in film looks and and playing with a fun new technique! Putting a filter on my lens, I rubbed a little aquaphor around the edges to get that dreamy, hazy look! I did this in some of the portraits too! In the right moment, this effect feels so romantic!

Immediately, the energy was through the roof at this reception. T and G entered with inflatable guitars pretending to rock out before leading into their choreographed first dance! Both of their heritages include some iconic and stunning formal dances and they incorporated a mix into their first dance. The way that Tatiana’s dress train spun so widely around her as they executed their ballroom skills was a stop you in your tracks moment. After their dance together we went into the sweetest toasts with family, so many of which shouted out Nate and the amazing mother that Tatiana is. I cried again. The rest of the night Nate was VIP with mom and dad in the middle of the dance floor.

Last but not least, Tatiana changed into a chic satin short A-line dress with sheer gloves featuring their wedding date embroidered on them. Then they cut their gorgeous cake together and celebrated with a kiss and flashing their new wedding rings!

Close up details of the florals adorning the cake table with the cake in the background.
Tables decor with a summery garden feel at a luxury wedding reception at the Ashford Estate.
Sunlight drenches the table details of a luxury summer wedding with a warm garden theme.
Creatively blurred and emulating film, a tablescape is lit by candles and adorned with summer tableware.
A dreamy table shot of the florals and table decor of a luxury wedding at the Ashford Estate.
A dreamy, hazy view of the reception room at the Ashford Estate.
Showing off their playful personalities, a couple enters their reception with inflatable guitars pretending to play!
A bride and groom enter their wedding reception like rockstars pretending to play on inflatable guitars, in black and white.
During their first dance, a groom leads his wife into a big spin and her a-line dress flies around her.
A romantic moment during a choreographed first dance at a luxury garden wedding.
A bride and groom dance a choreographed number during their first dance at their luxury wedding reception.
During their first dance, a bride and groom share a kiss.
A groom and bride group hug with their son in the middle of the dance floor during their wedding reception.
With celebratory smiles, a bride, groom and their son dance together on the dance floor at their wedding reception.
With luxurious florals surrounding them, a bride leans into her groom at their sweetheart table and share a laugh during toasts.
The groom's mom and her friend dancing at the wedding reception, in black and white.
A bride, groom, and their son dance amongst their friends at their wedding reception at the Ashford Estate.
A bride is lifted up in the air while on a chair during the dancing at her wedding reception.
In black and white, a close up of a Bride's second outfit- a short satin a-line dress with sheer gloves and white pumps.
A wedding guest dances with his hands up in the middle of the dance floor.
A groom is lifted up in the air while on a chair during the dancing at his wedding reception.
A bride and groom dance with their son in the middle of the dance floor at their wedding reception.
A group of groomsmen dancing arm and arm on the dance floor with the groom.
A bride and groom show off their new wedding rings while kissing after their cake cutting.

Check out this elegant and timeless modern wedding if you want more inspiration!

Vendors:

Photography : Randi Roberts Photography IG @randirobertsphoto Wedding Planner : An Affair to Remember IG @anaffairweddings DJ : DJ Serg IG @djsergnyc Florist : Twisted Willow Flowers IG @twistedwillowflowers Makeup : Vero Soliman Beauty IG @verosolimanbeauty Hair Stylist : ProStyled Bride IG @prostyled.bride Videographer : Densmore Films IG @densmore_films Venue: The Ashford Estate IG @ashfordeashfordestatestate