Clarivic & Kilbert

On a very hot summer's day... August 15, 2009, I was privileged to be part of the union of Clarivic and Kilbert. They said their "I Dos" at Il Vilaggio in Carlstadt, NJ in front of more than 100 family and friends.

Clarivic and Kilbert, got ready in the same house for their special day. Clarivic's girls looked beautiful while Kibert's men looked - dare I say, hot? Ok, I'll let the ladies describe them like that... the guys looked gooood.

We went to Lambert Castle in Paterson, NJ to get some good video of the two. Kilbert's groomsmen and Clarivic's girls were very accomodating as we took some fun shots there.

The ceremony was very special, and was conducted in both Spanish and English. When Clarivic came down the aisle, you could see Kilbert working hard to keep his composure.

The reception, also at Il Villaggio, was fantastic. Two Latino families celebrated and danced to a live band that played a variety of Salsa and Maranga songs. I was impressed with the level of dancing skills by many in attendance. Kilbert and Clarivic are excellent dancers and were out on the floor a lot.

A touching moment was watching a tearful father/daughter dance.

The entire evening was special, one I'll remember for a long time. Watch the highlights of their day below.

Stephanie & Rafael

Stephanie and Rafael were married on August 14, 2009. It was a rather warm day, as one would imagine - being August - but nothing was hotter than Stephanie and Rafael. This good looking couple made it easy for the camera. But more imporatant, they were a pleasure to work with.

S&R were married at St. Joseph's in Lodi, NJ... a church with a brightly lit sanctuary. Stephanie looked amazing as she came down the aisle, and we got a good shot of Rafael swallowing hard with nervousness. Some of our best shots came from this ceremony, one being a wide shot from the back of the church of Stephanie and Rafael kneeling to pray - Stephanie's amazing dress elegantly spread out behind her.
A very emotional moment came before the ceremony where Rafael's family performed a tradition at his home. His mother, in tears, hugged him like only a mother could.

The reception was a lot of fun, with the bridal party getting into the mood early. A classic moment is when Rafael's men picked him up and held him upside down as he went for Stephanie's garter. The DJ appropriately played the tune from the movie Mission Impossible during the scene where Tom Cruise is suspended to steal the NOC disc!

The photographer that evening was a pleasure to work with, Nicole Marie. She was fantastic with the couple, and was able to get all the shots she needed and more without being rude (as some photographers can be)

Check out their highlights below!

Liuva & Daniel

Liuva and Daniel of Hoboken were married on August 1, 2009 in Clifton, New Jersey. They quickly became one of my favorite couples because, like my wife and I, Liuva is Latino while Daniel is from the old country (he's Swiss) Now I'm not Swiss, I'm of German decent, but like Daniel, I speak German and like Liuva, my wife speaks Spanish...

Ok, enough of that nonsense... onto this couple's amazing day.

The ceremony at St. Paul Church was absolutely breathtaking. We got a fantastic shot from the balcony along with my angle from the front of the church.

Daniel anxiously waited for Liuva to walk down the aisle. He prides himself of being cool, calm, and collected... and he is, but he'll admit, he was getting nervous waiting for Liuva! And when the door opened, and she started walking down the aisle towards us, I believe a saw Daniel's knees knock a little. But he kept his composure and looked dashing.

Now, I don't say things unless I mean them in these blogs - and this is for sure, their reception was the BEST I've been to so far. This couple put on a great night for friends and family.

Because the gathering was at least half Latino, you knew there was going to be a party with lots of dancing (I can say this because, as previously stated, I'm married to a Latin woman!) But I can't slight the Europeans in the house that night, they were having lots of fun too!

Liuva and Daniel also surprised everyone with special dance performances. And then Liuva surprised Daniel with a special cake made to look like the Swiss Alps!

By the time the final two songs were played (one being a fave of Daniels "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N Roses) no one was ready to leave. But alas, all good parties must come to an end. Or do they? I think Liuva and Daniel's will last forever.