Kelly + TJ
A Destination Wedding in New Jersey at Running Deer Golf Club
When planning a destination wedding on the East Coast, how do you stay true to your love of the PNW? Well, just keep reading, as Kelly and TJ managed to do just that!
Growing up miles away from the Pacific Northwest, Kelly is originally from the East Coast, and TJ spent most of his younger years in Spain, but after meeting while Kelly attended grad school at Portland’s own Lewis and Clark, the PNW became their new home as they fell in love with the forests, Gorge, mountains and just general beauty in this part of the country.
Planning a wedding on the east coast, where it would be easier for their families to attend, both Kelly and TJ still really wanted to find a venue that had the PNW vibes they had fallen so deeply in love with. Cue Running Deer Golf Club! Nestled in northern New Jersey, this gorgeous little venue truly has it all. The coordination and catering team is honestly one of the best I’ve ever seen with friendly staff that bend over backwards to make the day flawless. The food is also top notch and seemingly endless! Between the pre-cermeony cocktails and nibbles, to the full cocktail and appetizer spreads that included a quesadilla bar, grilled vegetables, an expansive charcuterie board as well as delicious bits being brought around by friendly servers and a full bar complete with custom his and her cocktails inspired by Kelly and TJ’s adorable pups, to the full-course meal, to the entire dessert room, to the after-meal treats of oven-fresh gooey cookies and pretzles… but ah, I get ahead of myself!
Despite all of the above, the real selling point of Running Deer for Kelly and TJ was the ceremony space. Tucked away in a grove of pines is a little private space that felt 100% like the Oregon home Kelly and TJ have made for themselves as a couple. Complete with wooden bench seating, this little grove called the Timbers provided an oasis of PNW that was the perfect setting for Kelly and TJ to seal their bond as husband and wife.
The morning of their wedding, Kelly and TJ along with their bridal party arrived completely excited and ready to start the day. Kelly and her bridesmaids were styled to perfection by Casey and her team at I Do Hair and Makeup while Running Deer’s coordinator Kaitlin and her team prepped the most perfect bridal room for Kelly to slip into her stunning gown by Lillian West and prep for her First Looks.
The First Look between the Bride and Groom is almost a staple of the wedding industry these days, but Kelly and TJ opted for a few other First Look moments that were a joy to witness. First was Kelly’s Bridesmaids and Officiant who were quite literally brought to tears upon seeing Kelly in her full bridal look.
Next Kelly and her father shared an especially touching and intimate First Look moment and I just don’t think I’ll ever forget the look on his face as the doors opened and Paul saw his daughter for the first time on her wedding day.
The groomsmen then had their First Look experience with Kelly and it was all smiles, fist bumps and high fives in celebration of this momentous day.
Kelly was then tucked away and it was time for TJ to have his moment in the sun, sharing a first look with the Bridesmaids and his mother, Diana.
Finally, it was time for the big moment and as Dom placed TJ facing away from the door and Kelly made her entrance, you could feel the tension building. Slowly walking up to him to tap TJ on the shoulder, he turned and immediately the joy spread across his face as he took in the sight of his beautiful bride.
Sharing both laughs and tears, these two effortlessly moved from their first look to their portraits, and we even got to have a little fun racing golf carts around to a shady spot on the golf course with TJ and Kelly’s close friend and officiant Tierney as we braved the New Jersey humidity for some glowing portraits before bringing the full Wedding Party and Family together.
Portraits were wrapped up a smidge early as guests began to arrive and gather in the bar before Kaitlin and her team ushered everyone out to the shade of the Timbers.
Kelly and T'J’s ceremony started off with a bang, as Kelly’s step father Dave kicked off the party vibe by being not only the “flower man” but the “beer man” as well, toting a cooler filled with suds he passed out to the crowd amid tossing petals to line the pine-bough carpeted aisle-way.
As Kelly came down the walkway I spied a touching moment between TJ and his mother as the emotions of seeing his bride approach started to well up. Diana walked over to her son, tears in both of their eyes and they shared a moment’s embrace as TJ took a big breath in and Kelly entered the Timbers.
Kelly and TJ’s ceremony was filled with sweet sentiments, a few inside jokes, and personal vows as well as a planting of a tree with soil from their different states.
Sealing their ceremony with a kiss, they joyfully danced their way back to the clubhouse where the official documents were signed, Kelly and TJ were given one of their custom drinks and spent their whole cocktail hour laughing and talking with friends and family.
To kick off their reception, Tommy and his crew from Inspire Entertainment LLC lead an epic grand entrance of Kelly and TJ’s wedding crew before Formal Dances were held and dinner was served.
Throughout the night it was nothing but laughter and joy as Kelly and TJ’s guests filled the giant reception hall of Running Deer with their energy and excitement for the newlyweds.
It was the perfect celebration for an amazing couple and I couldn’t be more proud to have been asked to be a part of it!
Kelly and TJ have been enjoying the first week as a married couple in true adventurer style, exploring Croatia and the sunny beaches of Dubrovnik!
Enjoy this little selection of images from their wedding day and be sure to leave a comment of congratulations for them in the comments below.
The Amazing Team of Vendors Who Made This Dream-Day a Reality:
Venue/Catering/Coordination:Running Deer Golf Club kaitlyn@runningdeergolfclub.com @runningdeergolfclub, Kaitlyn Gallo
Florist:RoseBud FloralArt, designer@rosebudfloralart.com, @rosebud_floralart
Beauty: I DO Hair & Makeup, Caseyjanedickerson@yahoo.com @Idohairandmakeupweddings
Entertainment:Inspire Entertainment LLC, tommy@inspiredjs.com, @inspireentertainmentllc
Dress:Charlotte’s Weddings & More , Lillian West, @charlottesweddings
Dessert:Stella Baking Co. , info@stellabakingcompany.com, @stellabaking
