Unique Asbury Park Wedding at The Stone Pony, NJ

Mar 15

I love a non-traditional wedding, especially one where the couple decides to have fun with it and personalize their day to match who they are. This late October wedding was so unique and just such a great time all around for everyone involved.

The details:

They had a traditional Greek ceremony at St. Demetrios Church, Perth Amboy which overlooks a bay and a marina filled with sailboats with a walk way all along the water front. It is just stunning. The architecture inside the church itself is gorgeous as well as the entire ceremony. Afterwards they did an exit with a rice toss followed by group photos at the water front. All guests left for a break before more came to party at the reception.

We took photos of the two of them in and around their reception venue, The Stone Pony. Many taken more like band pics of a famous couple incognito on the Asbury Park boardwalk and beach. Afterwards their guests arrived for a night of live music performed by one of spouses and his family / friends. One of the cool things about having a reception at The Pony, you and your guests can buy merch from them so they can have a souvenir to take.

They wanted a grungy, grainy, candid vibe. All of my collections come with complimentary film service, so this gallery consists of film, vintage polaroids, & digital photos.

What were the special touches that made it unique to them?

This wedding had it all and they really made it their own. Church wedding ceremony in the morning, performing a concert for your wedding reception at night!

One of the spouses played in a band with his family and friends for the live performances.. and I’m not kidding when I say they killed it. It was so professionally set up and performed with care - so much talent. I know it must have been special to perform with his Dad and his Brother for all their guests.
They decorated the inside of The Stone Pony with funky velvet couches, custom concert stamps of their cat for guest’s hands, napkins with their cat’s face printed, custom bar chips featuring photos of themselves and The Stone Pony.
For their Photo Booth, they created a diy NYC style bar bathroom wall with their initials. Such a unique idea and totally fit the vibe they were going for!
For catering, they had food from The Greek Spot (well loved local restaurant) that was set up as buffet style at one of the bars inside. Along with Ouzo for their guests.
Instead of having a cake, the couple had a giant ice cream sundae that they fed to each other separately and the rest they shared with their guests. The caterers served it at the bar and it looked like they were wearing old timey ice cream shop outfits.
After the live band performances on the famous Stone Pony stage, a Bouzouki player performed and everyone danced traditionally. Followed by the Greek money dance.
Their wedding outfits were pre-owned, thrifted and tailored fit vs buying brand new.

What makes this wedding non-traditional?

Aside from all of the special touches and the photographer they chose, they had an earlier ceremony with a mid-day break and opted for a reception at The Stone Pony. There was no formal sit down dinner, no cocktail hour, and no traditional style cake cutting. The wedding reception felt more like a concert filled with their closest family and friends than a wedding.