In mid-May we had our first wedding of the season and it was amazing! Janine and Richie got married behind the lighthouse in Barnegat Lighthouse State Park and then celebrated their wedding at the LBI Foundation for Arts and Sciences. I could not be more proud of the results. The LBIF (or The Foundation as many refer to it) is one of my favorite venues. We had such a blast planning this wedding with so many details that took into account the things this couple loves (their dog, Janie Jones, being just one of them) as well as, incorporating elements that felt authentic to their personalities. A wedding at the LBI Foundation is not for every couple. But when we were out searching for the perfect venue on LBI, I knew we had found it as soon as they saw it. You could just tell from the looks on their faces.

Wedding at the LBI Foundation | Barnegat Lighthouse Ceremony

I still remember the first time Janine called me. She was sweet, adorable and funny. And mentioned a review of my services that she had read online mentioning a wedding at which I had helped a family navigate the awkward moment that came when one of their guests arrived with a dog. She connected with that one review. She and Richie have a dog, Janie Jones, and she is the light of their lives. We bonded almost immediately over their quirky style and their many unique and different ideas for the wedding. Janine described how much she and Richie loved one of the Ocean County parks, Cattus Island, near their home. I shared with her, how after Super Storm Sandy, my daughter and I volunteered at Cattus Island, helping to pick up huge bags full of fishing bobbers and bottle caps. That park is not just beautiful, but runs amazing programs for children. I found it endearing that how connected to Barnegat Bay they were, in many of the same ways I feel the same connection. Richie grew up spending summers at his grandparent’s home. Which he is now remodeling and fixing up. He and Janine even went to Cattus Island for their engagement shoot. So, it was no surprise to me when they said they wanted to get married at a venue with views of the Bay. Bay front venues, are my favorite. Mostly because you get the sunset (if timed right, in the middle of your reception or during your cocktail hour). Who needs more than that!?

Janine and Richie had a few ideas about places they liked, and we very quickly narrowed the list down to a few venues and ceremony locations. I took them first to 9th street in Barnegat Light to show them a really special and unique ceremony location,  The Mast. And while they loved the location, and were not thrown in the least by its location-based challenges, they nixed it quickly because of the difficulties it would present to some of their older guests. I then took them over to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. There you can have your ceremony in the shadow of Barnegat Lighthouse. From there, we went to the LBI Foundation for the Arts and Sciences. And I knew they were hooked. In the end they chose to have their Wedding at the LBI Foundation with a ceremony behind the Lighthouse. And it was perfect. The weather. The details. The locations. The bride and groom. The whole day was simply marvelous.

Getting Ready at the White Whale

Janine chose to get ready for her wedding day at the sweetest hotel in Barnegat Light, the White Whale Motel. They have only 11 rooms, and Janine rented their suite to stay in with her girls and to get ready in. Richie and Janine also rented a small home in Barnegat Light where they stayed leading up to the big day, with their dog, Janie Jones.

The First Look | In The Dunes of Barnegat Light, NJ

Janine and Richie had their first look on the beach, and then traveled together to their ceremony at the Lighthouse. After their ceremony they took a brief walk together, with their photographers, Lovesick Inc, for a few more photos. You can also check out their first look video created by Lovesick, Inc.

Wedding Ceremony | Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

After their first look, Richie and Janine took a break and had some time to themselves. You would be surprised to realize how little time you actually get to spend with your husband/wife on your wedding day. I love that we were able to build time for this into their timeline, while their guests were arriving at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, for their ceremony. When it was time for the ceremony to begin, Richie and Janine arrived together. Richie went and took his place with his groomsmen and Janine walked down the aisle with her mother, Kathleen. I think one of my all-time favorite wedding ceremony moments occurred when Janine began, literally, jumping for joy after being pronounced “husband and wife.” You can still check out the video, it’s on here, on my IGTV.

Wedding at the LBI Foundation | The Reception

The wedding party moved after the ceremony, seven minutes down the street, to the LBIF (the LBI Foundation for the Arts and Sciences) for their reception. With a larger guest list, Janine and Richie made the decision to tent the LBIF parking lot. But trust me here for a second. When I say “parking lot” I do not mean asphalt. The LBIF parking lot is made of crushed shell. It’s environmentally friendly, and (if you’re into aesthetics the way I am) it’s white and pretty. It is actually a very “shore thing.” The tent provided additional space and a party atmosphere that was perfect. Guests arrived to enjoy cocktail hour out on the LBIF’s deck over looking the marches and Barnegat Bay, and then went to the tent for dinner, Janine and Richie’s first dance as a married couple, toasts and dinner. The entire wedding, later, moved into the gallery space for those special dances and to party! This arrangement made sure that the event had a really nice flow, but also ensured that in the case of rain (thank goodness, there was none) the couple had options for their ceremony, cocktail and reception that didn’t mean using the gallery at the LBIF for everything!

Wedding at the LBI Foundation | The Creative Team

Wedding Planner | Bogath Weddings & Events
Photo & Video | Love Sick Inc
Ceremony Venue | Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Reception Venue | The Long Beach Island Foundation for the Arts and Sciences
Ceremony & Reception Entertainment | Love Sick Inc
Stationary Design & Illustration | Jaclyn Sinquett
Catering | Kate and Ally’s Restaurant
Liquor | Neptune Liquors
Officiant | Fred Boettke
Florals | Reynolds Garden Shop
Hair & Makeup | Artistry by Linds
Rentals & Signage | Rustic Drift
Vintage Dishes | Tea Party To Go
Tent | Sperry Tents, NJ
Cake | A Sweet Memory Cake Shoppe & Tea Room
Engagement & Wedding Bands | Do Amore
Wedding Dress Shop | Castle Couture
Wedding Dress Designer | Miss Hayley Paige
Bridesmaid Dress Shop | Bella Bridesmaids
Bridesmaid Dress Designer | Watters
Groomsmen Attire | Calvin Klein

If you are interested in planning your own wedding at the LBI Foundation, please check out there two weddings on the BWE blog. Tiffany and Jon who had a tented wedding that the LBIF and Becky and Bobby, who had a smaller wedding at the LBIF without a tent. And hold onto your horses, because later this summer we will be celebrating our largest tented wedding to date at the LBIF (with 250+ guests)!