Megan & Will's Pendry Natirar Wedding

Timeless Winter elegance at the Pendry Natirar

What made Megan and Will’s Pendry Natirar wedding photography special was the timeless black tie elegance and subtle holiday touches, setting the mood for their festive season wedding.

Preparing for a Photo Plan B

The weather was rainy, but nothing could dampen the couple’s spirit. Natirar is special to Megan’s family, and we took advantage of the many gorgeous rooms in the mansion to sneak away for portraits.

On a walk through of the Pendry Natirar before the wedding I had a chance to plan locations for Megan and her dad’s reveal, and the perfect spot for Megan and Will’s first look. When we needed a rain plan, we were ready. (For more of my time-tested rainy wedding day advice, read this.)

Creative Flexibility for a Formal Day

Megan and Will’s openness to a creative, flexible approach was a vote of confidence in my hybrid digital and film photography style. For the formal ceremony and portraits, I used digital photography for its reliability and coverage. But when we got to the reception, I pulled out my Holga — a toy film camera — to capture the unguarded energy on the dance floor. I just love how the Holga’s low-fi plastic lens and direct flash capture the high key party vibes.

This is what I mean by a low-pressure creative approach. I use the right tool for the moment. Megan and Will’s evening December wedding meant shooting on one of the shortest days of the year, so we’d have less daylight. The afternoon of the wedding was damp and rainy, so digital for the structured ceremony moments and family portraits that required more precision was a great choice. Later on film was perfect for the dance floor moments that had latitude for spontaneity and soul. Megan and Will trusted me to make those choices, and the result was photographs that felt both refined and real.

Honoring Family & Tradition

The ceremony at Christ the King in New Vernon, NJ honored the couple, their family and their faith. It always feels special to photograph ceremonies in this beautiful sanctuary. Its bright, crisp whites and blues photograph so well, and it was a treat to see it dressed up for Christmas.

Time to Celebrate

After a ribbon wand send off, it was back to Natirar to celebrate! Megan and Will took a quick duck through a traditional Naval sword arch, right into their cocktail hour. It was a fun moment for the newlyweds and their guests, and a fun way to kick off cocktails!

Megan and Will’s elegant wedding reception was capped off by heart-felt toasts and lots of dancing. I loved capturing the fun with my Holga film camera, which always adds to the spontaneous feel of the party!

Cheers to Megan and Will!

Formal Weddings, Intimate Celebrations

Megan and Will’s Natirar wedding photography shows what’s possible when formality meets authenticity. If you’re planning a wedding at Pendry Natirar, Ninety Acres, or another elegant venue and you value a low-pressure, creative approach to photography that respects the craft of film and the tactile, analog texture it adds, then we might be a good fit.

I don’t believe formal weddings need to feel stiff or performative. They can be both refined and real, honor tradition while capturing genuine emotion. Film photography with its intentional constraints and beautiful grain is perfectly suited to that combination.

If this resonates with you, let’s discuss your wedding vision. I’m based locally to Pendry Natirar and 90 Acres, and I’d love to talk to you about how we can create the photographs that feel both elegant and authentically you.

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Drawn to this elegant approach? Whether you’re planning a formal wedding at a historic venue, a smaller celebration, or something completely different, film photography captures what matters. Let’s talk about your vision.