Some love stories begin with a swipe on an app, but Jenn and Jeff’s started in the aisles of ShopRite. They spent almost fifteen years as best friends before deciding in 2019 that maybe – just maybe – they should give dating a shot. Fast forward a few years, they bought a house together, added their dog Cannoli to the family, and Jeff finally (Jenn’s words, not mine!) asked her to marry him. By the time their South Jersey Lakeside wedding day arrived, they had already built such a strong foundation together.

A Proposal Worthy of an Oscar

I have to tell you about Jeff’s proposal because it might be one of the best surprise stories I’ve heard. Jeff planned to propose at Longwood Gardens, one of Jenn’s favorite places. Sweet enough, right? Well, that was only half the plan. While they were out, thirty of their closest friends and family were secretly gathering at their new house to throw them a surprise engagement party. There was just one tiny problem. Their brand-new security system with cameras, motion sensors, and notifications every time someone walked through the front door.

Instead of giving up on the surprise, Jeff committed to the bit. For an entire month leading up to the proposal, he kept disconnecting parts of the security system and pretending it was having “technical issues.” Jenn was understandably getting more and more frustrated with what she thought was a faulty alarm system, while Jeff kept assuring her he was “calling the company” to get everything fixed. Meanwhile, he was the problem all along.

So when the proposal day arrived and the security system conveniently had another “outage,” Jenn didn’t think twice about it. She had no idea that thirty of her favorite people were quietly making themselves at home, waiting to celebrate with them. Safe to say… she never saw it coming!

A Wedding Filled With the People Who Matter Most

When Jenn and Jeff talked about what they wanted from their wedding day, they didn’t start by talking about details or décor. They talked about people. Jeff’s family was traveling from Louisiana to celebrate with them. Jenn’s sister would be officiating the ceremony. Her grandfather, who is 100 years old, would be there to witness the day. Those were the moments they wanted to remember. Knowing that Jenn had lost both of her parents earlier in life made those relationships feel even more meaningful. There was so much love surrounding these two, and it was clear that every person there played an important role in their story.

Why They Chose a South Jersey Lakeside Wedding

One of my favorite things about The Estate at Eagle Lake is that it has this really relaxed feel to it. You have the beautiful lake, the open space, and plenty of room for everyone to simply enjoy the day together. That ended up fitting Jenn and Jeff so well. Of course, those lakeside views made for some pretty incredible portraits too!

Planning Your Own South Jersey Lakeside Wedding?

Jenn and Jeff’s South Jersey lakeside wedding is exactly why I care so much about getting to know my couples before the wedding day. When I know your story, your priorities, and the people who mean the most to you, I know what moments to look for. For Jenn and Jeff, that meant documenting the excitement of finally marrying your best friend after almost 15 years, the emotion of having Jenn’s sister officiate the ceremony, and making sure they had plenty of time to simply be with the people they’d invited to celebrate with them. If you’re planning your own South Jersey lakeside wedding and you’re looking for a photographer who cares just as much about your experience as your images, I’d love to connect and hear all about your plans.

Jenn & Jeff’s South Jersey Lakeside Wedding Vendor Team

• Photographer: Gen Palmer Photography
• Venue: The Estate at Eagle Lake
• Catering: Due Amici Catering
• Hairstylist: Amanda Moak (The Groom’s Cousin)
• Make Up Artist: I Do Hair & Makeup
• Jenn’s Dress: Hollie B Bridal
• DJ: Best Around Entertainment