• Real Weddings

Mike and Katie shared their first kiss during her family reunion on the beach in Long Beach Island under an unbelievable and unexpected meteor shower. So many of their memories together were made down in LBI and they always knew that it would be the place where they would get married, for it was the place that their love began.
Held at the Bonnet Island Estate, a calming and casual yet romantic wedding venue in Long Beach Island. As always you must see more of the eclectic wedding photographs, from the ever so talented Pat Furey Photography, in the full gallery here. Be sure to read on to hear more about their wedding and the complete wedding budget break-down from Katie.

From Katie:My style is very unique in the sense that if it doesn’t say “Katie,” I just can’t settle for it. With the exception of my wedding dress from Kleinfeld Bridal (which definitely had my name written all over it,) I really wanted to try to use vendors that were either close to home, close to the heart, or created especially for me. I have to say I lucked out and this was all made possible thanks to the wonderful guys and girls that Mike and I had the pleasure of working with over the course of the last year.

I loved my dress although it was the fifth one I tried on. There is a part of me that wishes I looked around. I had an after party dress from free people with awesome fringes on the bottom. I totally rocked it after sweating through my wedding dress! Also, the jacket I wore when the wind picked up was by free people (and I found at Marshall's).

We knew our wedding celebration would not be just one night. We headed down to our LBI house several days prior with our families where we spent hours laughing, crying, stressing, preparing, but most importantly being happy and in love. We both still talk about the fullness and joy that we experienced over the course of those few days and how it has yet to go away…and we’re pretty certain it will last forever.

Of course having a wedding on the bay we hoped and prayed for no rain.... Lucky us - it poured!!! However, our grandma guardian angels were looking down on us and the torrential downpour stopped for the ceremony and the pictures!!! Unfortunately though, when the guests started to arrive the skies opened back up. The plan was to greet our guests in the beautifully restored barn on the property. I was pretty bummed that we had to resort to Plan B — having guests come in through the main entrance

Check out the wedding film from Flora + Fauna below to get a closer look at this Long Beach Island Wedding!

https://vimeo.com/69110592

Venue: Bonnet Island ended up being expensive because there is an estate fee of $25,000 and we had a guest count of 200 (we invited 280!!!) Otherwise my vendors were pretty reasonable in terms of what weddings run these days.
Wedding Dress: $4,000 - $4,500
Bridesmaids Dresses: $249.00 each Flower Girl Dress: $79.00
Band: $11,000 - $11,500 with travel expenses (if the wedding was in New York it would have been less expensive)
Photographer: $6000 - $6500
Videographer: $2,300 - $2,600 (depending on travel)
Florist: $5,000 - $6,000
Paper Products: Every paper product that I had was customized and made especially for me. From the feel and look of the paper to the melted wax to the organic twine that wrapped each set.
Invitation set (including two envelopes): $10.00 each Programs: $5.00 each Menus: (210 pieces) $3.00 each Place Cards: (125 pieces) $2.00 each Table Numbers: (20 pieces) $3.00 each

• Band: The Dexter Lake Club Band
• Bridesmaid Dresses: Dahl NYC
• Dress designer: Rivini
• Flowers: MDS Floral Design
• Groom & His Men: Tommy Hilfiger
• Groom's Attire: Kleinfeld Men
• Hair: Gloss Salon
• Photographer: Pat Furey Photography
• Photographers: Flora + Fauna
• Shoe Designer: Emmy
• Stationery: Dres Chic
• Venue: Bonnet Island Estate
• Wedding Dresses: Kleinfeld Bridal
• Wedding Dresses: Stone Fox Bride