Kat and John’s wedding at Beach Plum Farm felt quietly confident from the very beginning. Set in Cape May, the weekend guests slow down, settle in, and fully experience the property — from staying in the cottages to gathering for meals grown just steps away. Everything about the day felt intentional and grounded in the beautiful setting.

Beach Plum Farm is a place where simplicity feels refined, where quality speaks for itself, and attention to detail creates a sense of excellence. That philosophy carried through the entire celebration — and it’s one I deeply connect with as a photographer. Just as exceptional ingredients don’t need embellishment, thoughtful composition and attention to detail allow beauty and emotion to stand on their own in a photograph. In a photograph, simplicity creates space for what matters most to come forward with clarity and strength.

Getting Ready in the Cottages

The day began in one of Beach Plum Farm’s cottages, where Kat got ready surrounded by soft natural light and interiors that felt effortlessly styled — airy, coastal, and charming. It genuinely felt like stepping into an Anthropologie catalog.

Kat wore a relaxed boyfriend shirt while her bridesmaids gathered around her in matching pajamas, creating a morning that felt easy and joyful. While photographing details, I found a small collection of seashells tucked throughout the cottage and incorporated them into the styling of Kat and John’s invitation suite — a subtle nod to the coastal setting.

The invitations, featuring Coastal Toile by Minted Weddings, set the tone beautifully. Paired with Kat’s sleek low bun and understated bridal look, everything felt polished and unfussy. Hair and makeup by Aleksandra Ambrozy complemented her natural features perfectly, allowing her own presence to lead rather than the styling itself.

A Private First Look & Portraits on the Farm

Kat and John chose to share a private first look along the white shell paths that wind through the wooded areas of the property. It was quiet, tucked away, and deeply personal. They read their own vows here, just the two of them, letting the moment breathe before the rest of the day began.

From there, we wandered through the gardens and toward one of the barns, using the herb garden and the weathered barn doors as backdrops. The textures of the farm — aged wood, greenery, and open paths — framed their portraits in a way that felt natural and true to the setting. Kat’s bridesmaids wore a soft sage green that fit seamlessly into the landscape, echoing the tones of the farm without overpowering it.

For portraits, I matched the pace and tone of the environment. My direction stayed light and fluid, with an emphasis on movement and small moments between them. I wanted the imagery to reflect Kat and John themselves—laid back, natural, yet elegant and refined—photographs guided by their energy and the setting. The result was imagery that felt relaxed and elevated at the same time—photographs shaped by the couple, the setting, and the tone of the day itself.

A Garden Ceremony

The ceremony took place in the garden, where florals by Cape May Flower Co. appeared to grow organically from the ground itself. The arrangements felt integrated into the landscape — airy, textural, and perfectly scaled to the space.

A linen welcome sign moved gently in the breeze as guests arrived, setting the tone for what was ahead. With Musa Weddings guiding both design and coordination, the ceremony felt composed and natural, allowing the setting and the moment to speak clearly without distraction.

Cocktail Hour in the Boxwood Gardens

Cocktail hour unfolded in the boxwood gardens just in front of the sail tent, where guests gathered under open skies with views of the farm all around them. The Lobster House joined the celebration to shuck oysters, adding a local, seasonal layer to the experience.

The food mirrored the spirit of the day — beautiful ingredients, simply prepared. Farm-to-table bites were served alongside fresh oysters, and once guests moved into the tent, the farm’s free-range chickens wandered through the gardens, pecking at scraps and adding an unmistakable sense of place.

An Intimate Sail Tent Reception

The reception unfolded beneath a classic cloth sail tent, where Musa Weddings brought the design vision to life with a soft, considered hand. The palette stayed light and inviting—pastels layered with natural textures that felt perfectly at home on the farm. Scalloped tablecloths, rattan chargers, sea-glass green water goblets, and long farm tables created a foundation that felt warm and intentional.

What elevated the space were the details you noticed as you moved through it. Each place setting was finished with a small sprig of chamomile tucked into the menu—a quiet, thoughtful gesture that reflected the care behind every decision. The sea glass escort cards, in subtle shades of green and blue, echoed both the coastal setting and the relaxed elegance of the day.

Dinner was served family-style on enamelware platters, reinforcing the communal rhythm of the evening and the farm-to-table spirit of Beach Plum Farm. Rentals from Party Rental Ltd. and linens by BBJ La Tavola added structure and cohesion, while music by The Jersey Joint carried the night forward with ease. Desserts by Chez Michel closed the evening on the same note it began—simple, well-crafted, and full of care.

As the evening unfolded beneath the sail tent, the energy lifted naturally. Music filled the space, guests spilled onto the dance floor, and the celebration took on an effortless momentum. One of my favorite moments came near the end of the night, when John scooped Kat up and spun her around, the two of them laughing and completely caught up in the moment. It felt spontaneous, joyful, and an ending that mirrored the spirit of the day: relaxed, expressive, and full of genuine connection.

Kat and John’s wedding is a clear example of how my approach shifts to meet the day in front of me. The ease, simplicity, and attention to detail that defined their celebration called for imagery that felt fluid, grounded, and quietly refined. My role is always to listen—to the environment, the couple, and the vibe—and to direct in a way that reflects that tone honestly. That flexibility is essential to how I work. Every wedding carries its own energy, and photographing it well means responding thoughtfully rather than relying on trends or formulas. When simplicity is chosen with care, and when details are intentional rather than performative, true elegance emerges. Kat and John’s day embodied that kind of laid-back refinement, and photographing it felt like a genuine collaboration—one where presence, trust, and attention shaped every frame.

Vendors

Venue: Beach Plum Farm

Wedding Management: Musa Weddings

Florist: Cape May Flower Co.

Paper Goods: Minted

Hair + Make Up: Aleksandra Ambrozy

Dress Maker: Sarah Seven

Raw Bar: The Lobster House

Bakery: Chez Michel

Specialty Rentals: Party Renta Ltd.

Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola 

Band: The Jersey Joint

Videographer: PGP Wedding Films