Joe & Regina’s ‘Lindy Hop’ Wedding at the Park Loft, NJ

Joe and Regina are two of the most enthusiastic people I have ever met.  When we sat down a year ago to discuss their wedding, we talked for over 2 hours, about literally everything.  We talked about their ideas for the day, and how they love the documentary approach, (Regina said she read every single post and page on my website!) and we probably also talked about our lives and families and favorite things.  It was a long conversation!   And I loved every second, because it gave me such insight as to who they are as a couple.

I say this in almost every blog I write, but again, I tell couples that if at all possible they should have the wedding they want and not the wedding someone else might want for them.  In Joe & Regina’s case, I had no concerns in that regard.  They are both forces of nature and there was no chance they were going to have a wedding that didn’t fulfill their wish list.  And so it was!

The Park Loft in Oceanport NJ was originally a 1940’s era dance hall.  Joe and Regina drove to the reception in a 1920’s era Model T, and Joe learned to dance the Lindy Hop, which originated in Harlem in the 1920’s.  (Fun fact, it’s called the Lindy Hop because it came into being at the time that Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic.  He was nicknamed Lucky Lindy, and when he made the flight, there was a newspaper headline that read, “Lucky Lindy Hops the Atlantic.”  Hence, the Lindy Hop.)

Regina wore her Mom’s wedding gown, reworked a bit to tone down the decidedly 80’s vibe, and in fact it wound up with an early 20th Century flair.  

The wedding was like a wave that grew larger and more enticing every minute, and you had no choice but to roll along with it.  As a documentary photographer, this is the very best atmosphere in which to work, because after a certain point, everyone is having such a good time that no one pays much attention to me at all – at least not in a ‘oh there’s a camera we need to stop and smile’ kind of way.  

Be like Joe and Regina.  Have the wedding you want, have the very BEST time, and bring in a documentary photographer to capture it for you.