[Wedding] Katie & Craig – Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ

Even though we’re certainly no strangers to Jersey City, these past 6 months of weather anomalies have compelled us think even more outside of the box when it came time for Katie & Craig’s first look and wedding portraits. Luckily for us, “Unexplainable Weather Anomalies” happens to be my middle name :). Because much of Liberty State Park was still off-limits to the public (while we’d normally ignore these fences, signs and warnings during our engagement sessions, getting a half-dozen dresses and heels over barriers on a wedding day is a whole ‘nother story), the back-up plan was a beautiful wooden pier near their hotel which boasted gorgeous views of the New York City skyline. My ingenious plan was going to be PERFECT. That is, if it weren’t for some freak snow-storm that dumped 3 inches of snow on the day before their wedding! Trying to stay positive, I convinced myself that it could very well keep snowing and we’d have ourselves a lovely snowy-portrait session. When we stopped by the pier early that following morning, we came to the heart wrenching realization that the snow had partially melted and refroze overnight, transforming the pier into one giant ice rink. And the short answer is “no, I did not make the bridal party do pirouettes on the icy pier.” I mean seriously…how could I possibly get ice skates for 10 adults on such short notice? :)

Katie’s big day started nearby in their Hoboken apartment.

Wedding day fridge magnets at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal party preps for a wedding day at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Mimosas for bridal prep at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding dress hangs by a window at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding shoes on a windowsill at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding rings on a windowsill at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride preps for her wedding day at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal prep near the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridesmaid preps for her wedding day at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal portraits at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride decends the stairs to her wedding at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

In a hotel room not too far away…

Seagull overlooks the water at the Hyatt in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom prep near the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groomsmen prep for a wedding day at the Hyatt in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

First looks at the Hyatt in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding portraits near the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal portraits near the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal portraits near the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding portraits at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Cactus plant wedding favors for Katie and Craig's wedding at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Little girl watches a wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Little girl watches a wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Reception table at a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding cocktail hour at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Cocktail hour for a wedding at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ.

First dance during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

First dances during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

First dances during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

First dances during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

First dances during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Best man speech during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Matron of Honor's speech during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride hugs Matron of Honor during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Guests dance during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Cake cutting at a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Guests dancing during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Guests dancing during a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.NYC skyline viewed from a wedding reception at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.
This day wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and talent of these wonderful folks!

Ceremony: Liberty House
Reception & Catering: Liberty House
Hair & Make Up: Michelle @ Pink Comb
Dress: Blue by Enzoani
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s Attire: Sarar
Limo: Bus Bank
Floral: June Florist
Entertainment: Christian Lagrotteria
Cake: Carlo’s Bakery
Stationery: Minted.com

A big thank you and a hearty congrats to Katie and Craig, two of the most sincerest, nicest folks we’ve ever had the pleasure of capturing. We wish you two many years filled with love, laughter and home made greeting cards filled with Ninja Turtles with orange bandanas :).

As for us here at HQ, contrary to the (lack of) posts in recent weeks, we’ve actually been quite busy! We do have a huge surprise announcement coming soon (promise!), and we can’t wait to finally share it with you guys :). Aside from that, engagement session season is finally in full bloom and we’re working feverishly around the clock to bring you some more awesome photo-goodness!  Hope you guys are having a great Monday!

Ben & Karis

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

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