[Engagement] Yasmin & Rigel – Montclair, NJ

There are very few people who’ve been on my calendar for as long as these two, and for good reason: they will be tying the knot at one of the most gorgeous cathedrals I have ever seen: the Cathedral Basilica in Newark, NJ, which boasts a waiting list of epic proportions. We shot their engagement session nearby at Branch Brook Park, at the height of the Cherry Blossoms frenzy, and wrapped up in their hometown of Montclair with a full spread of yummlicious crepes!

NJ Cherry Blossoms engagement session in Branch Brook Park and Montclair. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Thank you

There are probably more exciting ways to spend an evening than reading a few thousand words about a wedding venue.

But since you're here anyway, and now know more about this venue than some of the people getting married there next weekend, I figure we should probably say hello.

If you're looking for a photographer, I'd love to hear what you're planning.

— Ben

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Northern NJ, NYC documentary Wedding Photographer, Educator & All-Around Nice Guy

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I have a question.

How many of you still fit into your wedding clothes a year later? 😂

Natasha and Cary do.

In fact, they put them back on to celebrate their first anniversary. Let’s just say their wedding day got away from them, so they decided to press pause a year later and make the time for themselves.

I kind of love that.

This was also my first time at The Grand in Totowa, and I have no idea how I managed to miss this place all these years. Every time I turned a corner, there was another little nook that fit exactly how I like to shoot. Which was perfect, because it was approximately 1,000 degrees outside. We gave the outdoors our best effort…for about five minutes.

Natasha changed into both a classic white dress and a red qipao, they brought ceremonial lions, and we pretty much explored every inch of the venue.

Huge thanks to Sal for making everything happen behind the scenes. He even joined us for Chinese egg tarts and a little soju afterward. Not a bad way to end the day.

Happy anniversary, you two. Thanks for letting me help you celebrate it in style.

#njweddingphotographer #anniversarysession #thegrandtotowa #njweddings #benlauphoto

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I was just going to say these two have a lot of energy.

That would be underselling it.

I spent the entire session trying to keep up.

We started on their rooftop by MSG, where the Empire State Building feels close enough to touch. (I’m also terrified of heights, so I did my job and then politely suggested we return to ground level.)

From there, we hopped on the train at Moynihan Hall (still one of my favorite spaces in the city). The other passengers may or may not have agreed to be part of the engagement session…but they are now. We finally checked the Oculus off my photography bucket list, and landed inside a Chinatown claw arcade.

Not to mention: somewhere in this carousel is a photo where I made a 2,500-pound object disappear. Extra kudos if you can figure out what/where. 🙂

My favorite part of the day, though, happened at dinner.

Elyssa wanted photos enjoying dim sum with Phil.

“Dim sum… for dinner?” I replied with a smidge of skepticism—however much one can convey over text.

But before I knew it, we found ourselves in front of a spread of dumplings, fried noodles, and…lobster (obvs). Apparently if you ask nicely enough, dim sum can, in fact, be dinner. Good to know.

But honestly…none of that is what I’ll remember.

I’ve spent a career photographing people in love. These two are on another level. They’re the kind of couple that still look at each other like they met two weeks ago. That’s what I’ll remember. I love it. And I love them.

In just a few short months, I’ll get to spend their entire wedding week with them. I have a feeling I should start stretching now. 🙂

#nycweddingphotographer #njweddingphotographer #njcweddings #nycweddings #benlauphoto

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The only member of the family who skipped the engagement session…was the dog.

No explanation was given. We assume there was a very important squirrel meeting.

We met up in Central Park just after sunrise while the city was still waking up. It had rained the day before, which somehow turned a July morning into perfect engagement-session weather. There were photographers everywhere (I counted at least five other sessions), but the overcast made life easy. No chasing pockets of shade. No worrying about harsh light. We could just wander, stop wherever looked interesting, and focus on the two people who’ll be saying “I do” at Hudson House this September.

Hopefully the dog clears their schedule for the wedding.

#centralpark #nycweddingphotographer #njweddingphotographer #njweddings #nycweddings benlauphoto

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“If I could give 6 stars, I would. Hiring Ben to photograph our wedding was one of the best decisions we made! He also did our engagement photos — and WOW!⁠
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He never says no; instead, he asks, “How can we make this work?”⁠
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I won’t ruin the surprises that he throws your way, but I will let you know that you’ll be in incredible hands if you go with Ben. :) THANK YOU!!!”⁠
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Venue: @landmark.weddings @by_landmark @libertyhousejc⁠
Couple: @zhennizhou_mdphd & @bainsaj ⁠
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#njweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #newjerseyweddingphotographer #newyorkweddingphotographer #nycweddingphotographer

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I have a working theory that Wilson thought this entire wedding was for him.

He got dressed up. He made the rounds during getting ready. He walked the aisle. He posed for family photos. He even found his way onto the dance floor later that night. Honestly, if you only looked at half the gallery, you’d assume he was paying us.

Meanwhile, Cara quietly designed what felt like every paper detail of the day herself. The invitations, signage, illustrations…it all tied together without ever feeling overdone. @maritimeparc and the Manhattan skyline did the rest.

The full blog is live now. If you’re planning a wedding at Maritime Parc (or just want to see a dog absolutely crushing his wedding-day responsibilities), you’ll find it in our Maritime Parc highlight.

Venue: @maritimeparc
Photography: @benlauphoto

#maritimeparc #benlauphoto #njwedding #njweddingvenues

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Every once in a while, a couple gives me a request that’s so simple it almost feels revolutionary.

“Can we just…have our wedding?”

That wasn’t their exact wording, but it was the spirit of the conversation.

They wanted the day to feel like their actual lives. Less performing for a camera. More hugging people they hadn’t seen in years. More conversations. More dancing. More room for things to happen instead of scheduling every minute of the day.

Turns out, that’s my favorite kind of wedding to photograph.

This Spring wedding at Maritime Parc in Jersey City had cherry blossoms, a custom marriage document that beautifully blended Jewish and Muslim traditions, a dog that somehow became a recurring character without ever attending, and a dance floor that looked like nobody was checking the time.

Blog is now live. Link in highlights.

#maritimeparc #benlauphoto #njweddingvenue #njwedding

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Harrison hired us because of a Knicks pin.

Seriously.

We met at a tasting event, he spotted the pin on my lapel, and said, “Anyone who has that level of commitment to a team that never wins is good in my book.”

Fast forward to wedding day, and somehow that same guy ended up dropping off a bottle of Macallan 12 at my house a few days later. (Along with a dozen fresh eggs from his chickens. Yes, really.) His exact words: “All my guys got a bottle. You’re one of my guys now.”

You spend enough Saturdays at weddings and you realize the photos are only part of what you remember. Sometimes it’s the people. Sometimes it’s the conversations. Sometimes it’s a dog named Daisy who somehow becomes the unofficial co-host of the entire wedding.

Anyway…their blog is live. And yes, Daisy absolutely steals a few scenes. Link’s in our Highlights.

Venue: @maritimeparc
Photography: @benlauphoto
HMUA: @vickyc5ny

#maritimeparc #benlauphoto #njweddingvenue #njwedding

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I’ve photographed weddings where guests disappeared to check a score.

I’ve never photographed a wedding where the dance floor voluntarily evacuated itself.

With about five minutes left in the game, everyone just…wandered toward the bar. Not everyone, of course. Just roughly a quarter of the guest list, most of the wedding party, Josh’s dad, his brother, and anyone else emotionally invested in ending a 53-year drought.

The viewing setup was exactly as sophisticated as you’d imagine: one phone, propped against a bottle of Corona.

It was perfect.

When the Knicks finally pulled it off, Hudson House absolutely lost its mind. Jerseys magically appeared from garment bags like they’d been waiting for this exact moment all day. Complete strangers were hugging. The dance floor immediately became a celebration of…well…two different victories.

That’s weddings, though.

You spend months planning timelines, memorizing family photo combinations (Josh somehow had the entire shot list committed to memory, which honestly felt like the more impressive accomplishment), and figuring out where to squeeze in portraits. We had gorgeous weather, a ceremony overlooking Manhattan, and finished the night up at the Stork Club because if New York is part of your story, it might as well be in your photos too.

And yet, somehow, one of my favorite images from the day is a crowd of well-dressed adults standing shoulder to shoulder around a phone leaning against a Corona bottle.

Nobody planned for that.

Which is probably why everyone will remember it.

Venue: @hudsonhousenj
Photographer: @benlauphoto
Florals: @atoeevents
Entertainment: @craigscottent
Planner: @daydream_planning

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A little shout-out to West Hills Country Club. This Hudson Valley wedding venue is a gem. Great food + service, pretty views, easy to access... so much to love from both vendor and guest perspectives. If a golf club wedding is your vibe, check them out. ⁠
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Venue: @westhillscountryclub⁠
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#njweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #newjerseyweddingphotographer #newyorkweddingphotographer #nycweddingphotographer

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Nobody wants rain on their wedding day, but if it’s going to happen, ⁠Perona Farms⁠ is a great venue for it. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, Olivia and Nick’s wedding day was beautiful because it was theirs. ⁠
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Nick is a calm, composed guy, but it was obvious that Olivia took his breath away at several points during the day. ⁠The softening of his face, the gleam in his eye... It’s no wonder Olivia loves him and how he makes her feel. ⁠
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These two work hard, play hard and live life to the fullest. And their wedding reflected that energy. ⁠
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PS: You two killed the sexy face. ⁠
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Groom: @ohnickcho
Venue: @peronafarms
Photo: @benlauphoto⁠
Entertainment: @goldennoteent
HMUA: @vickyc5ny⁠
Florals: @allseason_floraldesign
Dress: @theloveclubbridal
Groom’s Attire: @brooksbrothers⁠
Favors: @tabasco⁠
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#njweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #newjerseyweddingphotographer #newyorkweddingphotographer #nycweddingphotographer

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