Wedding | Polly and Shahan | Waterside Restaurant and Catering in North Bergen, NJ

In the middle of June I headed off to New Jersey to photograph Polly and Shahan’s wedding at Waterside Restaurant and Catering which is right on the Hudson River in New Jersey overlooking New York City.  From the moment I looked up the restaurant’s website, I was completely excited for the wedding and couldn’t wait to see this gorgeous view myself!  Polly was referred to me by my friends Lisa & Kimberly whom she taught with in Louisiana prior to Katrina.  I’d heard nothing but lovely things about her and Shahan and was just as eager to meet them in person as I was to photograph the wedding.  Neither the location nor the people disappointed and I fell in love with both of their families.  They are so warm, sweet and kind – they made both my husband and I feel welcomed and like part of the family.  It was such a joy to spend the weekend with these lovely people.

The wedding day was absolutely perfect weather, gorgeous sunny skies and while it was a tinge warm it was completely bearable and the breeze kept things at the right temperatures.  The ceremony location was even more breathtaking than I had imagined and the reception venue (same place just upstairs) was even more amazing with its sweeping views of New York City.  After one of the sweetest ceremonies I’ve ever witnessed, we took a flurry of pictures and then headed upstairs for some of the most spectacular dancing (and eating!) I’ve ever seen.  Needless to say, it was a fantastic day. Thank you both for hiring me!

Oh and I have to say this wedding brought with it one of the craziest coincidences EVER.  It turns out that one of Polly & Shahan’s friends whom was a guest was also a guest at Jessie & Shelva’s wedding which I photographed a few years ago.  It just goes to show you just how small the world is sometimes!

Wedding Vendors

Bridal Gown:  Casablanca Bridal from I Do I Do in Morristown, NJ
Cake Artist:  Palermo Bakery
Catering, Ceremony & Reception Venue:  Waterside Restaurant and Catering
DJ:  Bob Morgan Entertainment
Florist:  Flowers by Rene
Mens Formalwear: Mens Warehouse
Officiant:  Bonnie Cushing (she was amazing!)
String Quartet:  Lucchi Strings

Jimmy Choo shoes for wedding with ring

I loved loved loved Polly’s Jimmy Choos!

bride getting ready with mom and sister in new jersey

These ladies were so fun to be around all day!

bride's mom doing zipper on her wedding dress

bride slipping her shoes on

I mentioned I loved her shoes right?

New York City skyline

Skyline of NYC as viewed from the ceremony area, pretty awesome right?

boyband pose with groomsman in New Jersey

The guys insisted on a boyband pose, full sun or not, I had to comply because I love boyband poses!

groom walking up the aisle to applause in new jersey

bride and her father walking up the aisle at waterside restaurant and catering

Polly’s Dad was such a sweetheart!!  I loved this image Chris captured of them.

wedding ceremony at waterside restaurant and catering in north bergen NJ

wedding ceremony at waterside restaurant and catering in north bergen NJ

wedding ceremony at waterside restaurant and catering in north bergen NJ

I love this image Chris was able to get from above to give you a scope of the ceremony area at Waterside.

moment after first kiss as husband and wife

I know most would put the first kiss here but I just love the moments after almost as much if not more.  So sweet 🙂

bride and groom laughing at waterside restaurant in north bergen NJ

This image makes me smile!

black and hot pink bridal party with NYC skyline

Such a great bridal party, everyone was so awesome to work with!

bridesmaids in hot pink dresses with pink and white bouquets

groomsman in black tuxes with nyc skyline

bride and groom at waterside restaurant and catering in north bergen nj

They are so darn cute and I LOVED her bouquet!!!

bride and groom at waterside restaurant and catering in north bergen nj

Polly you are GORGEOUS!  This is my favorite image from the day 🙂

tall hot pink rose centerpieces at waterside restaurant and catering

I loved loved loved the decor at the reception!

bride and groom entrance into reception

I love the look on their faces just as they were announced into the reception!

bride and groom first dance at waterside restaurant in New Jersey

They went immediately into their first dance which was full of smiles and love.

best man toast at waterside restaurant and catering

maid of honor toast at waterside restaurant and catering

guests reaction to toasts during reception

Part of Joy’s toast included a nod to her fellow bridesmaids which was sweet and lovely.

bride and groom with NYC skyline at night

Second favorite image of the night!  We kept saying that the backdrop looked fake but I promise it’s real!

Armenian dancing at the wedding reception

Shahan is Armenian so in addition to the traditional music there was lots of Armenian dancing as well, which I adored!

Cake cutting at waterside restaurant and catering

Cake cutting at waterside restaurant and catering

wedding rings

Last dance at wedding reception at waterside restaurant and catering

The last dance!

2 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Brenda SchouestJuly 3, 2012 - 12:13 AM

    Beautiful, it was great seeing Polly so happy. She is a beautiful girl!ReplyCancel

  • Cecilia ZalkindJuly 3, 2012 - 6:27 PM

    Your pictures are fabulous! Every time you post something, it makes me relive the joy of the day. Your blog and pictures really capture all the special moments – and there were many. Thank you for helping us remember such a wonderful day. It was a pleasure to have you there.ReplyCancel