[Wedding] Nikoletta & Billy – Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ

With the prospect of a winter wedding at the Pleasantdale Chateau, we knew we were in for a treat. Though we had missed the snow by just a few days, some unseasonably warm weather on the morning of Nikoletta & Billy’s wedding day helped to create a beautiful dense fog throughout the sprawling, gorgeous property. The Pleasantdale Chateau boasts some of the most photogenic rooms in North Jersey, and Nikoletta & Billy made sure we took advantage of every square inch available to us. From the stately library, to the ever-popular man cave, and all the way through the greenhouse to the famous indoor pool; we certainly left no stone unturned. Their beautiful indoor ceremony on-site incorporated customs from both their cultures, with a wonderful multicultural celebration to follow – complete with live music and dancing all night long!

Pleasantdale Chateau wedding in West Orange, NJ - captured by photojournalistic North Jersey wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Venue & Catering: Pleasantdale Chateau // Cinematography: Color Room Films

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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“Where should we do the session?”

“Somewhere pretty. Quiet. Maybe something with a fence.”

“To keep the bears out?”

“No. To keep your toddler in!”

And that’s how Cross Estate Gardens ended up being pretty much the perfect place for Casey and Paul’s engagement/family session 😂

Here’s the thing y’all should know: Casey’s been telling me for the better part of a decade that when it was finally her turn to get married, I’d be getting her call.

I usually laugh it off, because most people never follow through. But sure enough, Casey kept true to her word.

So what might have been an engagement session turned into a little impromptu family session with their now one-year-old, who specializes in growling, mean-mugging the camera, and generally looking like he has some serious grievances with management.

And contrary to the prevailing narrative, he is, in fact, a ridiculously happy kid.

Next stop: the wedding.

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Alexandra and Scott were married over the weekend! I’ve shared a little preview (see my last post), but thought their engagement session deserved a spot on the grid too.

Time flies when you’re in love.

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Scott and Alexandra both went to Penn State, but that’s not where their love story began.

You would never know it from the wedding though, because I’m pretty sure half of Penn State showed up to Hudson House.

Naturally, Stewart had to make an appearance too. Not only did he join us for a few photos, his face somehow made its way onto the drinks. As one does.

We had one of those nearly perfect wedding days. Beautiful weather, great light, and just enough wind to occasionally remind everyone who was actually in charge.

And the party? Violinist. Saxophonist. Drummer. And the legendary Jason Jani keeping the whole thing moving. That dance floor never really stood a chance.

Also, I’m not saying there’s going to be a special edition Knicks championship watch in Scott’s future…but I’m also not not saying it, lol.

Congrats, Scott + Alexandra!

Venue: @hudsonhousenj
Planner: @detailedeventsbylo
Entertainment: @sceeventgroup / @jasonjani
Florals: @floriographydesignsnj
Video: @heatzfilms
Signage: @sociallyscripted
Beauty: @thebeautysuiteny

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For many years, I wrote a remembrance post every 9/11.⁠
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I wrote about where I was that morning. What I was doing when I heard the news. The family members in New York I couldn’t reach. How unbelievably lucky we were. How watching the Twin Towers fall felt like watching a little piece of home disappear with them.⁠
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And I wrote about how that day changed me.⁠
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It’s been 25 years.⁠
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And in some ways, I’ve moved on. I’m no longer mourning the way I did when I was a 20-something kid trying to make sense of what had just happened.⁠
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But I haven’t forgotten.⁠
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These days, remembering looks a little different for me.⁠
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When I’m at the Oculus, I try to remember where I’m standing.⁠
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When I’m photographing at the 9/11 Memorial at Liberty State Park, I try to be respectful of the space. Those walls aren’t just another cool backdrop for a photograph. There are names inscribed on them. They mean something.⁠
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And maybe more importantly, I try to be more observant.⁠
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I try to listen more. To understand more. To remember that there’s an entire world beyond the one in my own backyard, filled with people whose lives, experiences and perspectives may look nothing like mine.⁠
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Twenty-five years later, that’s how I pay my respects.⁠
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That’s how I remember.⁠
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That’s how I never forget.

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The best sessions are the ones that feel like you. A day in your life together, just with a photographer following you around.

If you’re worried about being awkward during our time together, rest assured, I’ve got loads of dad jokes and tricks up my sleeve to make sure you’re comfortable and at ease.

Mostly, it entails easy conversation, lots of walking and usually some food and drinks too.

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If I was an emoji guy, I'd insert the dragon right about now. I love traditions, but I'm also that guy who is totally cool with you doing everything but tradition. I'll go with the flow. ⁠
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But I'll admit, the dragon dance is pretty high up there for favorite traditions... it's always a great time and super entertaining. ⁠
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Photography: @benlauphoto⁠
Venue: Current by @thepiersixtycollection⁠
Planning: Kymberle (@threesixteenevents)⁠
Beauty: @juju_glam⁠
Florals: @superiorfloristnyc⁠
Entertainment: @danross.nyc⁠
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#njweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #newjerseyweddingphotographer #newyorkweddingphotographer #nycweddingphotographer

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It’s no secret that I occasionally make animal noises during engagement sessions.

There is a method to the madness. If I can get you to spend even three seconds wondering why your photographer is making strange noises at you, that’s three seconds you’ve forgotten there’s a camera pointed at your face.

What I did NOT expect was for Mike to start making animal noises back at me.

Totally not what I was going for.

But also…these are clearly my people.

Hannah and Mike don’t take themselves too seriously, which made our little romp around my old stomping grounds of Prospect Park ridiculously easy. Somewhere between photos we also discovered a shared appreciation for retro video games, StarCraft, and a bunch of indie games whose names I have already forgotten because apparently my nerd credentials only go so far.

It was a short session. We made some cool pictures. We made some questionable noises in a public park.

Fellow nerds. My kind of weirdos. I’m here for it.

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TWA wasn’t even on Kimberly and David’s radar for their engagement session.

I suggested it. They trusted me. And then basically gave me permission to run around the airport chasing whatever light and ridiculous idea caught my attention.

At one point, we found a spot I wanted to use, but we weren’t entirely sure we were supposed to be there.

A much younger Ben Lau might have tempted fate. Maybe play dumb. Maybe pretend not to speak English if approached.

But those days are long behind me.

I am now too old to be running away from security guards and other authority figures.

So we bought drinks instead. (they’re tax deductible, right?)

David and I got Old Fashioneds. Kimberly got a gin and tonic. And just like that, we were now paying customers. 😂

It also didn’t hurt that these two laughed at EVERYTHING I said. I’m self-aware enough to know most of my material is maybe a 5/10 on a good day, but Kimberly and David had me walking around TWA like I was Dave Chappelle filming a Netflix special.

Good light. Good drinks. Questionable jokes. Zero altercations with airport security.

At my age, I call that a successful engagement session.

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Forecast called for rain. Rain came early and gave us a relatively mild morning for Rachel & Roey’s engagement session in Central Park.

Talk about perfect timing.

Bonus points for fun puddles to photograph as well. (No shoes were harmed in the making of these photographs)

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For years, Erinn watched other couples host events at @indiantrailclub @thelakehouseitc while working just about every role imaginable there.

Now it’s finally her turn. ❤️

And when it came time to choose a photographer, apparently she already knew who was getting the call. No pressure 😂

These days, Erinn and Kyle call NYC home, so we kept their engagement session close to home and wandered around Central Park together.

Yes, these are some of my usual stops. I’ve photographed these paths, bridges and corners more times than I can count. But that’s what I loved about this session. For Erinn and Kyle, these aren’t just pretty Central Park locations.

They’re their spots too.

Can’t wait to watch this one come full circle at Indian Trail Club.

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