Danielle and Christian wanted their wedding day to be about them and their love. They chose to have a traditional church ceremony in Manasquan followed by an intimate cocktail hour and dinner-only reception at Pascal and Sabine in Asbury Park, NJ. Their wedding was filled with beautiful conversation and sweet moments, and I can’t wait for you to see more of their special day. Keep reading!

A Traditional Church Wedding in Manasquan, New Jersey

Getting Ready

The couple started their morning separately, each getting prepared for the day ahead. Danielle got ready at their home surrounded by her family and bridesmaids. I captured so many intimate moments between the women—ones they’ll be able to look back on and remember the very emotions they were feeling. The moments with her mom were so incredibly sweet. Her friends were all filming her reaction, so supportive of each other, and I truly loved witnessing the love that filled the room. After everyone was ready, we all hopped on the iconic red Asbury Park Trolley and headed to the church to get Danielle married!

The Bride & Groom’s First Look

Once we arrived at the church, they did their first look right out front. The scenery was perfect. The First Baptist Church of Manasquan is absolutely beautiful—it really elevated their photos and added that extra touch. Their first look was so sweet, and Christian was just so smitten with her. You could almost feel his emotions through the camera. I loved how we shot their portraits because we played around with movement in her veil and dress, as well as using the natural sunlight to make them stand out. We had multiple locations for their portraits, one of them being the trolley! This was such a fun way to add a personal touch to the album and a really nice vintage element. Inside the church was even better. There was this huge floor-to-ceiling stained glass window that I had them stand in front of. I also really loved the photos of her sitting in one of the pews while Christian leaned in for a kiss!

An Intimate Ceremony at The First Baptist Church of Manasquan

I love shooting at venues where the couple has an emotional connection. Christian grew up at this church, so it made all the sense to say their vows there. It was truly touching. The children as the ring bearer and flower girl were so sweet, and I loved witnessing the reactions to Danielle walking down the aisle. I captured everything from their first kiss to the prayers. I also really loved their exit where the train of her dress glided down the stairs, along with a moving hug between Christian and the pastor!

On The Water Bride and Groom Portraits

As the trolley dropped us off at the reception, we stopped to take a few portraits by the water. There was a small bridge that we incorporated into the photos, using the railing for certain poses. Danielle’s dress was absolutely perfect for the occasion. Her dress, veil, and scarf all blew so perfectly in the breeze—I loved all of the movement it gave to their gallery.

Intimate Reception Dinner at Pascal and Sabine, Asbury NJ

Though Christian and Danielle had a traditional wedding ceremony, they opted for a more nontraditional reception—a candlelit, dinner-only celebration with their guests. Pascal and Sabine is a modern brasserie with a dark, moody atmosphere, perfect for a candlelit dinner meant for deep conversations and personal connection. I loved capturing photos of the guests interacting with each other as well as the cake cutting. It was truly a laid-back celebration filled with love, simplicity, and kind souls. I truly love more intimate experiences like this because the photos of the guests enjoying themselves are invaluable. It’s more than just a wedding—it’s a shared moment that everyone will remember forever.

Film Wedding Photography

Danielle and Christian added film photography to their wedding package, and I’m so glad they did. You’ll see some of the same moments captured on both film and digital, but the film photos are truly a moment in time that send you right back to the exact feeling of when they were captured. While digital is fast-paced and can capture 20+ frames per second, film slows everything down and allows us to really soak in these special moments. When I shot Danielle and Christian on film, we spent a little extra time with each pose—a few extra seconds holding each other, gazing into each other’s eyes—and when the shutter clicked, we captured that feeling forever. Their film photos are perfectly imperfect, raw and unfiltered moments that are truly one of a kind, just like them. If you’re interested in adding film photography to your wedding package, head to my investment page to learn more!

A Note From The Lovely Couple

See what Danielle & Christian had to say about their gallery and experience!

“We got through them this afternoon and were reliving all the moments, they are so beautiful! Especially love the film. Thank you for guiding us throughout.”

Chrissy Marie Photo Co. | NJ/NYC Wedding Photographer

Danielle and Christian’s wedding was so special to me. They got married at The First Baptist Church of Manasquan where Christian grew up, then celebrated with an intimate candlelit dinner at Pascal and Sabine in Asbury Park. Their day was all about them and their love, and I loved being there to capture every sweet moment. If you’re planning an intimate wedding in New Jersey and want a photographer who’s just as excited about your day as you are, I’d love to hear from you. I’m currently booking weddings for 2027, so check out more wedding blogs on my site for inspiration and reach out when you’re ready to start planning!