Derek and Kristen’s Hotel LBI wedding in Ship Bottom, New Jersey on Long Beach Island made for a fantastic first wedding experience for me at the beachy NJ venue. While I photograph on LBI a lot, I hadn’t had a chance to get to the new Hotel LBI and it did not disappoint. Kristen and Derek’s December wedding day turned out to be rainy and windy, but Hotel LBI provided plenty of options for us to photograph without the elements disturbing us. Both Kristen and Derek totally rolled with what the day presented and it was a super fabulous day because of that. Kristen was a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed back in 2014 and Derek does family photography so it was neat to work with them with one having experience with me on a wedding in the past and another having experience in the photography industry.
The lobby of Hotel LBI is pretty neat so we took a moment to grab a photo…
I spent a little bit of time with Derek as he was getting ready. Derek isn’t used to being in front of the camera and I’m super used to being behind it and right up in the story, but he did really well. I know I personally hate being in front of the camera and most of my couples are admittedly uncomfortable in front of the camera so I try to make it as easy as possible…
Derek wore his grandfather’s pocket watch…
Derek takes a moment to look at his pocket watch during portraits…
How cool is Kristen’s wedding ring? I love how the beach is her happy place and the shape of the ring mimics a wave. 
When I showed up to Kristen’s prep, she was already in her dress. This is the second time this year that happened during a bride prep and I’m ok with that. There is so much pressure to cover certain things on a wedding day, but you really have to stop and think for yourself as to what matters and what is most important. Forget social media and what they tell you you have to do on your wedding day and think for yourself. When couples are trying to keep to a particular budget, it makes more sense to have a great photographer and not have some prep photos versus having a so-so photographer to afford more coverage for things like prep photos. The wedding industry is filled with pressure… I like to try to relieve it by reassuring my couples that thinking for themselves and doing what matters most to them is the most important thing. So Kristen’s prep was super simple and chill and she was happy with that and that makes me happy.
I love Kristen’s look! So perfect for her and for a December wedding…
It was a different experience for Derek to be on the other side of the camera. It definitely gave him some perspective of the experience for his clients. For me, it feels easier to be behind the camera than in front of it. I think Derek would agree. Regardless, Kristen and Derek photographed wonderfully.
We were able to be outside, but protected from the elements at Hotel LBI…
We took a few portraits inside Hotel LBI…
I loved how beachy and bright this wall was and even though it was a December wedding, it wasn’t going to stop me from working in the colorful, bright vibes of the beach!
Derek watches on as Kristen walks down the aisle…
Kristen and her dad, all smiles, as they walk down the aisle.
Kristen’s sister beaming with joy during the ceremony…
Although I’ve become a real Summer person, I do enjoy the twinkle lights of the holiday season. Something so warm and cozy about them. I love how Kristen and Derek worked in a holiday vibe to their Hotel LBI wedding reception…
I just love the smiles and joy emanating from these two!
Hotel LBI’s reception space is a great space to party. It gives you the vibe that you are on the inside of a giant ship.
It was so great to see Meghan and Mitch! I photographed their wedding back in 2014 at the Lobster Shanty and now they are the parents of three little girls! You can check their blog out here (Excuse the images being on the small side, sometimes I’m just done fighting with technology updates that mess up my formatting from imported older blogs. That’s a project for another day)
I had to work in at least one portrait with the twinkle lights…
Kristen’s reaction to the crowd singing “Sweet Caroline” to them at the end of their reception was so cute. How fun to be so loved and celebrated!
A moment of reprieve while the crowd takes a moment before they move in for the big “Sweet Caroline” moment…
I always enjoy getting down to Long Beach Island, New Jersey to photograph weddings. I, like so many people in our area of the world, have many fond memories from LBI. It was a wonderful great first experience at Hotel LBI and Kristen and Derek were so chill and wonderful to work with. They had a fantastic celebration with their friends and family and I am so happy for them. Thanks to Brandan Calhoun for assisting me.
You can check out some of my other LBI weddings by clicking the following posts: Gables LBI fall wedding, Brant Beach Yacht Club wedding and Gables LBI Summer wedding and one recent fantastic LBI family photo session with one of my LBI wedding couples from 2016 by clicking here.
