Three Fourth of July Weddings

When I was young and a summer holiday approached, my parents went food shopping for a week’s worth of food and snacks, took away our bikes, and ordered us to stay as close to our Fletcher Avenue home as our bare feet would allow.  So when asked to photograph weddings on the July 4th weekends, my first reaction was a silent, "Is that safe?"

After photographing three Fourth of July weddings, however, I have seen that it is safe and sound.

The first was a lovely St. Rose in Belmar ceremony with beach pictures at the north end of Spring Lake.  The humidity was low, and the color of the sky and ocean as blue as it gets.  A soft breeze gracefully lifted the bride's ball gown, and there were few sunbathers at that beach in the late afternoon. The bridal party enjoyed about twenty minutes wearing jeweled flip-flops at the water’s edge and getting amazing photographs of their love for each other and the beach. Then the couple had everyone drive to Newark!  Yes, Newark!  Sounds crazy, but the northbound traffic was light and took no longer than Google’s prediction.  The Newark Club has an uncompromising view of the city and more.  And we were treated all night long with various communities' fireworks displays.  The lighting was subtle and more urban than most shore venues, and the traffic was again light for those who drove all the way home.

The second Fourth of July wedding was a simple and totally beach ceremony at the south end of Sea Girt’s beach.  The couple was at first disappointed that so many dates were unavailable during the late summer or fall.  Thinking they were going to have to wait almost a year for a Saturday caused them to rethink the open date of July 4th.  Suddenly they were planning a wedding in four months!  Keeping it simple and fun was the answer.  Arriving guests were greeted with small American flags in buckets of sand.  Chairs gave early arrivals seats and clamshells marked the extended aisle. It was evident to late beach goers that something special was happening.  Soon sunbathers were moving their chairs to clear a visual path from the small table/altar to the ocean. Thoughtfulness is often shown to Jersey Shore wedding couples.  As a photographer removing unfortunate bathing suit choices is just part of the beach editing process.  This day they their good manner left me with little work.   Again the weather was perfect with the temperature and light breeze to enhance the beach experience.  By having the ceremony close to the boardwalk, elderly guests stayed in the covered pavilion, and others watched from benches.  While the wedding party got surf boards from their cars to bring a little personal touch to the last few beach photographs, guests had a three-minute drive to The Spring Lake Inn on Rt. 35 to begin a celebration.  Most guests were local residents, but some stayed in nearby motels or bed and breakfasts.

In contrast, the third Fourth of July wedding was planned for over a year to provide traveling guests an entire celebration weekend at the shore. The wedding was on Thursday, July 3rd, leaving the entire three-day weekend for friends and family to enjoy an extended reunion.  Since some guests traveled significant distances, the couple wanted guests to enjoy themselves and see the sights. A list of beaches and events was provided for those who wished to enjoy local patriotic activities.  The bride did not use the Fourth of July theme for the wedding, but did offer red, white, and blue décor for a backyard picnic the next day. The wedding was at a temple in Ocean Township, and beach and boardwalk photographs were taken at the north beach in Asbury Park.  The reception was held at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, a premier venue for larger weddings. There is no doubt that the early start to the celebration really brought the holiday energy to the party.  Everyone danced and lingered well past midnight, making it an official Fourth of July wedding. 

Overcoming the cons….

Anniversaries will always be punctuated with fireworks and sparklers making them hard to forget!!

All three weddings avoided traffic and parking frustrations by providing buses or requiring little driving. 

Couples overlook the Fourth of July weekend at the Shore, so dates are available and venues might be willing to add incentives to encourage closing a contract. 

With a few days of company vacation, guest might even join with family members or friends to rent homes for the entire week as some hotels do have higher prices or minimum stays. 

The Jersey Shore traditionally has great weather in early July.