Amy Rizzuto Photography: Weddings

It was a magical day. Tiny snowflakes sprinkled down from the sky and on to the Cairnwood Mansion. In the grand foyer, surrounded by their closest family and friends, Jenny and Ki Joon pledged to spend forever loving one another. Jenny and Ki Joon, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day this past weekend. Enjoy your sneak peek!

The Cairnwood Mansion in Pennsylvania was the perfect location for Jenny and Ki Joon's elegant wedding.

Jenny, your dress couldn't have been more beautiful!

Girl, you are SO FIERCE!

I am lucky to work with one of the greatest second shooters ever! Mekina Saylor captured this shot.

Jenny and Ki Joon opted for a first look. This gave us time to take plenty of pictures before the ceremony. This was my angle.

This was Mekina's. I am in LOVE with their reactions.

Jenny and Ki Joon are the kind of people you just want to be around, warm, charismatic and a whole lot of fun!

Congratulations Jenny and Ki Joon, your wedding day was beautiful. Stay tuned for your full post!

It was Christmas morning. Melissa and Justin's first Christmas morning spent together as a couple. They both had already celebrated the holiday with their families and were looking forward to a quiet Christmas, just the two of them. As their two beautiful labs lounged around on the couches, Melissa and Justin exchanged gifts. Melissa saved the biggest for last. As she tore into her final present, Melissa realized that the inside of the package was filled to the brim with tissue paper. At the bottom, she found one tiny jewelry box. When she looked up, Justin was on one knee under the twinkling lights of the tree. Justin told Melissa she was his best friend and ask her to spend forever with him. As Melissa slipped on her ring, she said yes.

One year later, Melissa and Justin were married on a beautiful beach in Islamorada, FL in front of their family and friends. As the sunset over their perfect day, Melissa and Justin couldn't help but look forward to their future... one filled with lots of laughter, and endless amounts of love.

Melissa started out the day by getting her hair and make-up professionally done.

Melissa, your dress was STUNNING!

Melissa is a girl after my own heart... she had two pairs of shoes. She wore this pair down the aisle as her "something blue."

Thank you to Penny from "A Bead Above" for designing Melissa's beautiful necklace. It tied together all the details of her day perfectly!

Melissa and Justin opted to do a first look. Seeing each other before the ceremony allowed plenty of time to take beautiful pictures of the couple and their wedding party.

Justin's look says it all...Melissa, you are breathtaking.

Besides Justin, Melissa's dogs are some of her best friends.

The ceremony took place at the Southern Division Estate in Islamorada, Florida.

Melissa's father walked her down the aisle.

"Tying the Knot"

Melissa added so many cute personal touches. I love love love these handmade Bride and Groom signs.

As the guest walked it, they were greeted with Melissa and Justin's engagement photos.

Guest were encouraged to write well wishes to the bride and groom on large slab of Magnolia wood. Later, the bride and groom will use it to make a bench.

This might be the most creative guest book idea EVER!

Sandals gave guests a chance to kick off their heels for a night of dancing in the sand.

When it came time for toasts, the bride and groom raised a glass with their signature key lime margarita.

Melissa and Justin set up a cookie and milk bar for guests to enjoy as a late night snake.

Thanks to Smoke and Spice Catering for providing the never ending stream of delicious food throughout the night.

Bob's Buns provided this delicious key lime creation.

Melissa and Justin, thank you for choosing Stay Forever Photography to capture your day. It was a pleasure getting to know you and I wish you both all the happiness in the world.

"Not everyone is lucky enough to marry their best friend. But I am." These were some of Troy's first words to me on the day he married Brittany. Brittany and Troy met in the 5th grade, taking the idea of childhood sweethearts to a whole new level. As a sophomore in high school, Troy decided he wanted to be more than friends, so he asked Brittany out on a date. Seven years later, Brittany and Troy pledged to spend their lives loving and caring for each other, in good times and bad, all the days of their lives.

I recently had the pleasure of working with OffBeet Productions to capture Brittany and Troy's elegant beach side wedding in Sea Bright, NJ. Come with me on a journey through their beautiful day.

The day started out with the guys! Troy and six of his best friends got ready together at an apartment close to the church.

Yes, you are seeing double! Troy's twin brother Christopher was his best man.

We arrived to the church early. This gave us time to capture a few fun pictures outside the church before the ceremony.

Brittany and Troy were married at St Michael's Church in Long Branch, NJ.

The ceremony was very emotional for Brittany's younger sister Kaitlyn.

The love between Brittany and Troy could be felt by everyone in the room.

After the ceremony we headed up to Sea Bright for some alone time with the bride and groom...and their fun wedding party.

Brittany, you are STUNNING!!!

Straight out of a fairy tale, just like this couple's love story.

I love it when the bride and groom are up for a little fun! Since Brittany is a teacher, we couldn't resist taking a few photos in this nearby classroom.

A fun, modern translation of "runaway bride".

Brittany and Troy, you two are perfect together.

After pictures, we headed to the Sea Gulls Nest for a beach side reception.

Don't you just LOVE these place cards. If you look closely, you can see they are tied to tiny sand dollars.

White tables decorated with pink and orange roses were scattered around the room. Thank you to Oakhurst Flower Shoppe for setting the elegant beach vibe.

You couldn't help but get a little emotional during this very touching Father/Daughter dance.

Brittany and Troy kicked off the dance party in style...leading a choreographed dance with the entire wedding party!

The next few hour the dance floor was PACKED as this couple celebrated with all of their family and friends!

Brittany and Troy, you guys are SO MUCH FUN! Your elegant beach side wedding is one that will be remembered for years to come. Best of luck as you set off on this new journey together. Make sure to enjoy the sweet ride of love.

Are you ready for another amazing sneak peek? A few weeks ago, Kerry and Mike happily pledged to spend their lives together during a beautiful Catholic ceremony in New York. Afterwards, we headed over to the Queens County Farm Museum for a night full of dancing and dining with family and friends. (And plenty of fun pictures of course!) Here are a few that I have fallen in love with...I hope you will too!

The entire wedding party made sure Kerry and Mike were having fun, ALL NIGHT LONG!

A big thanks goes out to Betsi Ewing for inviting me on to second shoot with her. Check back for Kerry and Mike's full post, coming soon!

I am so excited to share this sneak peek of Nimali and Mayoor's Hindu wedding from last Saturday! This beautiful couple pledged to spend their lives together at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City, NJ with the stunning Manhattan skyline as the backdrop to their day. I was blessed to be invited to second shoot for Studio Nine Photography by Jonathan Rubin out of Philadelphia, PA. Click here to see more of their AMAZING work. I will be posting more of Namali and Mayoor's wedding soon...stay tuned!

Namali and Mayoor started their day together with a quiet stroll by the Hudson River.

The ceremony was held outdoors, with the beautiful New York City skyline in the background. Namali and Mayoor couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

I was absolutely amazed by the many rituals of the traditional Hindu wedding. As Mayoor pledged to take care of his wife, Namali's father accepted this promise by pouring water on his hands. This is called the paani graham.

Namali and Mayoor's true love and respect for each other was constantly visible throughout the ceremony. I am really looking forward to sharing their full wedding story soon!

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending Angela and Daniel’s elegant summer wedding in Charlotte, NC, as a guest. Even though I was not the photographer at this wedding, (please check out Sarajane Case Photography's AMAZING photos of the day here), I wanted to help document my friend’s special day! I hope you enjoy their pictures as much as I do!

Angela and Daniel are one of those couples that you just want to be around because they are always having so much fun! Angela’s vivacious personality and undeniable confidence is what drew Daniel to her over five years ago! As a freshman at Gardner-Webb University, Daniel knew he had found the perfect match for his active lifestyle. Being a Division I football and baseball player, Daniel needed someone who could keep up and Angela was ready for the challenge! Angela and Daniel have been looking at everyday as an exciting adventure ever since and I just know these newly weds will be incredibly happy together.

Congratulations on your marriage Angela and Daniel, your wedding was spectacular!

Beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte, NC.

An emotional walk down the aisle.

I LOVE these father/daughter photographs.

You may kiss the bride!

Walking down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cooke.

After the ceremony, guests mingled in the courtyard behind the mansion while snacking on crab cakes.

Angela and Daniel set up corn hole for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour. I thought this was a great idea since I remember the bride and groom playing almost every weekend in college.

The cutest guest book I have ever seen! Guests placed their thumb prints as leaves on the branches and signed their names. Kudos on such a unique idea.

Could this cake topper be more adorable?!

CHEERS!

The first dance.

Jenny Gomez, Maid of Honor, read a hilarious poem she wrote for the the bride and groom as her speech. Angela was in tears over the heartfelt words from her best friend.

Tossing the bouquet!

Removing the garter...ooh la la!

Enjoying one last dance together before their grand exit.

You two are perfect together!!

To see more of Angela and Daniel's elegant Charlotte, NC wedding, feel free to view the slideshow below.

Angela + Daniel - create a slideshow

When Chris met Holly, right away Chris knew he had found someone special. Holly's contagious smile and obvious enthusiasm drew Chris in like the smell of a home cooked meal wafting through the house at dinnertime. Calling up his best friend, Chris confessed, “Man, you have to meet Holly, I think she is the one”. On July 8, 2011, Chris and Holly stood before their many family and friends and promised, through their own hand written vows, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives.

Friday morning started out with a quick check of the weather channel. Little grey clouds with tiny raindrops dotted the screen; things were not looking up for the outdoor ceremony Chris and Holly had planned in the Gorge later that evening. At 9:00 a.m., Holly made the tough decision to move the ceremony and reception to their back up location, Abundant Life Community Church. Friends and family gathered together to help move the reception site (already set up in the backyard of Chris and Holly’s house) over to the church in Port Murray, NJ. Talk about teamwork! Whew!! Within six hours, every homemade detail was in place.

Chris and Holly returned to their beautiful (and newly painted) home to get ready and relax a little bit before the ceremony. Holly slipped into a delicate white dress with beautiful lace details and Chris put on his crisp white button down. When they turned around and saw each other for the first time, the love and excitement in their eyes could not be missed.

I have never met a couple with more kindness, love, and joy in their hearts for others than Holly and Chris. I was honored to photograph their rustic wedding in Long Valley, NJ and I am very excited to share a few images from their special day.

Beautiful pearl necklace Chris presented to Holly as a wedding present.

This delicate handkerchief belonged to Holly's grandmother and served as her "something old".

Holly you are SO beautiful and talented!

Holly's "something blue". The entire wedding party rocked these awesome converse sneakers.

Beautiful bouquet make by the bride herself. Holly, did I say you are talented?

DIY guestbook filled with pictures of the bride and groom.

Chris and Holly's dog Samuel was the ring bearer...

...and he looked super cool doing it!

The bridesmaids and groomsmen carried small vases filled with sand. These were used in the presentation of the unity sand during the ceremony.

For the flower girl, Holly compiled all of her dried flowers from past relationships so she could walk over them on her way down the aisle to Chris. Such a cool idea!