A Summer Garden Wedding at the New Jersey Botanical Garden

Set among the gardens of the New Jersey Botanical Garden and historic Skylands Manor, Zoe and Michael’s summer wedding brought together nature, family, and meaningful Jewish tradition. It was the kind of celebration I love to photograph, where the setting is beautiful, but the people and the significance behind each moment remain at the center of the story. Having the wedding and my photographs later featured in Over The Moon made it especially meaningful to see those details shared beyond the day itself.

The gardens gave me an incredible environment to work with throughout the day. Rather than searching for one perfect backdrop, I could move with Zoe and Michael through changing light, layers of greenery, quiet pathways, and the architecture of Skylands Manor. Each part of the property offered a different perspective while still feeling connected to the same summer landscape.

The ceremony remains one of the moments I remember most. Beside the lily pond, Zoe and Michael stood beneath a flower-filled chuppah surrounded by their families and friends. Above them was a cherished family tallis, connecting the ceremony to generations before them and giving the setting a significance that went far beyond its beauty.

Those are the details I am always looking for when I photograph a wedding. A photograph can show the flowers, the landscape, and the light, but understanding why something matters allows me to tell a much more personal story. Here, Jewish tradition was not simply part of the ceremony. It was woven naturally into the experience of the day.

As the celebration moved into the evening, the atmosphere became more relaxed and energetic. Vibrant florals and colorful fashion brought another dimension to the garden setting. At the same time, speeches, family moments, and a full dance floor shifted the visual story from the quietness of the ceremony to the energy of the reception.

What stays with me about Zoe and Michael’s wedding is that nothing felt disconnected. The gardens, the historic character of Skylands Manor, their families, and the traditions they chose to carry forward all belonged to the same story. Seeing their New Jersey Botanical Garden wedding featured in Over The Moon was a wonderful recognition of a celebration that felt personal from beginning to end.

A smiling couple, wedding bride and groom, holding hands and walking on grass in a park with lush green trees, in front of a floral arch with pink, white, and blue flowers, during an outdoor wedding ceremony.
A woman in a sparkly dress with tattoos on her arms, posed in profile near a window with plants and flowers in the background.
A bride in a long, white wedding dress with lace details sitting on a wooden window seat with a photoshoot or wedding setting, illuminated by natural light through large window panes.
Close-up of a wedding dress with lace sleeves and bead embellishments, focusing on the right arm and part of the waist.
A woman in a lace and pearl-embellished wedding dress stands inside near a large window, with natural light illuminating her face and dress.
A person in formal attire with a watch on their wrist, pressing a door lock handle.
Pink high-heeled shoes with rhinestone ankle straps, a bottle of Jo Malone perfume, a ring, and a pair of earrings on a white surface with flowers in the foreground.
A woman in a glamorous, long, sparkling wedding dress with a train, standing by a window in a dark, wooden room, looking at her reflection in a mirror.
A man in a navy blue tuxedo with black lapels and a black bow tie, standing in a wood-paneled room.
View down a spiral staircase showing a pair of black shoes with tassels and two gold rings on the floor at the bottom.
A bride and groom holding hands inside a large, ornate room with tall, arched windows and intricate ceiling details.
Close-up of a bride and groom embracing, focusing on the bride’s lace gown with pearl embellishments and the groom in a tuxedo, outdoors.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand outside a historic stone castle-like building surrounded by trees and plants.
A bride and groom walking outdoors in a park, seen from behind, with trees and sunlight in the background.
A vintage loveseat decorated with a floral arrangement of colorful flowers in an outdoor garden setting.
A wedding celebration outdoors with a bride in a white gown sitting on a sofa surrounded by bridesmaids and guests in colorful dresses, under large trees and decorated with flowers.
A bouquet of pink and purple roses, white and peach flowers, and greenery resting on a gray cushioned surface outdoors with a blurred green foliage background.
Group of women in elegant dresses dancing outdoors under a large tree at a celebration or wedding.
A joyful bride and groom sharing a close, intimate moment at their wedding, surrounded by bridesmaids and guests, in an outdoor setting.
A man in a tuxedo being lifted by others during a celebration outdoors, smiling and raising one hand as people around him cheer.
A smiling bride wearing a lace wedding dress, veil, and pearl earrings, behind a sheer veil.
Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with an aisle surrounded by flowers, trees, and chairs, leading to an arch decorated with flowers.
Flowers with pink and white blossoms reflected on a mirror glass, with greenery and trees in the background.
A floral wedding arch decorated with pastel-colored roses and baby's breath, set outdoors with green trees in the background.
A large floral arrangement with white, pink, and green flowers and tall grasses, placed outdoors on a grassy area near trees.
Black and white photo of a bride in a long, lace wedding gown holding a bouquet of flowers outdoors with trees and a fountain in the background.
A group of nine men in tuxedos standing outdoors beneath a floral arch in a garden.
Close-up of a woman's face, with soft lighting and sheer fabric, creating an elegant and mysterious portrait.
A bride, groom, and a woman at a wedding celebration outdoors, with a fountain and trees in the background, black and white photo.
A woman in a white dress holding a bouquet, standing outdoors in a wooded area with sunlight filtering through the trees.
A black-and-white photo of a couple and a woman walking down a grassy path in a park or garden, surrounded by trees, possibly at a wedding.
A woman wearing a white, lacy, pearl-embellished dress holding a man's hand during a wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom kissing beneath a floral arch at their wedding ceremony outside, with wedding guests and trees in the background.
Close-up of women holding bouquets of assorted pastel-colored flowers, likely at a wedding or celebration outdoor.
Bride and groom celebrating at wedding reception with floral arch and guests in background.
Bride and groom sitting together at a small table in a park, with a fountain and trees in the background, black and white photograph.
Black and white photo of a smiling bride and groom close together, with the bride's forehead touching the groom's cheek, outdoors during daytime.
A bride and groom walking together through a garden with a narrow pond filled with lily pads, surrounded by trees and garden fencing.
A bride in an elegant lace wedding dress decorated with small pearls, holding a bouquet of flowers.
couple in wedding attire holding hands outdoors with trees and flowers in the background
Outdoor dining table set with pink and peach flowers, glassware, and tall candle holders, with clear chairs, atop green grass at sunset.
A close-up of a floral centerpiece with dried orange, cream, and white flowers on a table set for an outdoor event.
Outdoor garden party setup with round tables covered in light blue tablecloths, transparent ghost chairs, and small floral centerpieces, surrounded by lush green trees and bushes under a partly cloudy sky.
A beautifully set outdoor event table with a centerpiece of pink and peach flowers, clear glassware, and white napkins, with a scenic green background.
A woman in a pink floral dress sitting on a light blue tufted sofa outdoors at a social gathering, with a side table holding glass vases of flowers in the foreground.
Close-up of bite-sized appetizers on a white platter, topped with pink fish and green avocado pieces.
Group of people dressed in formal attire gathered outdoors under large trees at a garden event or celebration.
Bowls of fresh Vietnamese spring rolls with vegetables, herbs, and lemon slices.
A black and white photo of a couple in wedding attire, sitting on stairs, sharing a happy moment indoors with dim lighting and decorative wall features.
A woman in a lace dress holding a bouquet of flowers, looking to her side, with a man in the background, in a dimly lit setting.
A bride holding a bouquet and a groom in a tuxedo standing on a staircase, viewed through an archway.
A man and woman sitting close together near a window, sharing an intimate moment, with the woman gazing up at the man in a softly lit room.
A dark night sky with a red-lit tent at the bottom center, and silhouettes of trees on either side.
Silhouettes of a newlywed couple walking at night under a shower of confetti with a bright streetlamp in the background.
A person playing the saxophone in a dimly lit room with red lighting.
People dancing and enjoying at a lively party or nightclub with colorful lighting.
A woman and a man dancing closely in a lively, colorful setting with purple and pink lighting.
Decorative tabletop with disco balls and pink and white flowers in a dimly lit room with red lighting and large windows.
A woman in a sequined dress carrying a tray of glasses, with a man behind her, at an indoor event. A woman in the background is taking a picture with her phone.
Red background with scattered gold confetti pieces.
A black and white photo of a dance floor under a large tent with string lights hanging from the ceiling and a DJ setup with speakers. People are dancing and socializing.

WEDDING PLANNING: DRORIT RATZKERWEDDING DESIGN & FLORALS: PIC AND PETALWEDDING VENUE: SKYLANDS MANORWEDDING DRESS: VERA WANGWEDDING BAND: ELAN ARTISTBRIDAL HAIR: NIKKI AVANZINOBRIDAL PARTY DRESS: MARCHESA

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