Tara & Paul or “Pauly” as I would say, had a beautiful Bonnet Island Wedding. It was one of my favorite weddings at my favorite shore points. Long Beach Island is one of my top places to go. You pass this pretty impressive little venue called Bonnet Island Estate right before you get to the bay bridge. They had a cloudy fall day filled with beautiful details that they handpicked for the wedding. Tara put on her beautiful dress from The Bridal Garden, and we were off to photograph with the bridal party. They had spent over a year planning the day from a distance, mailing each other details and color swatches, and you could feel that intention in every corner of the room. The flowers from Elegant Events leaned into deep fall tones, the bridesmaids carried bouquets that matched the wood beams in the barn, and the whole thing felt very much like Tara and Paul, not a template.
Ceremonies at Bonnet Island Estate are in their rustic barn style building that is just amazing! During the ceremony, two members of the bridal party fainted. I have never witnessed anything like this, but thankfully everyone was OK. The groom that fainted jokingly announced into the reception in a wheelchair! There was a surprise special fast father/daughter dance. Tara & her father had spent quite a while on their surprise choreographed a dance. Overall, it was a terrific day as I knew it would be. Another great Bonnet Island wedding. Thanks again for all the laughs and memories. I can’t wait to get their final album!
About Bonnet Island Estate
Bonnet Island Estate sits on its own private 12-acre island in Manahawkin Bay, right at the foot of the causeway before you cross over to Long Beach Island. The property was rebuilt by the Mezzina family in the early 2000s as part of a small chain of Jersey Shore wedding venues that also includes Mallard Island Yacht Club and Windows on the Water. The signature barn-style chapel was constructed to look like an 1800s coastal barn, with weathered cedar siding and a steep gabled roof, and it sits steps from the water. Most Bonnet Island weddings cap at around 180 guests, which is part of why ceremonies and portraits here feel private even on a busy summer Saturday on LBI.
Ceremony & Reception: Bonnet Island Estate
Dress: Bridal Garden
Bridesmaids Dress: Bridal Suite
Florist: Elegant Events
DJ/Band: Greenstar Entertainment – DJ Moe Green
I love the “first look” prior to the wedding. It is beautiful, private and intimate. Grooms cry, moms cry, brides cry, and laugh and smile.
This unique barn chapel really gives Bonnet Island Weddings that extra bit of old world nostalgia.
Bonnet Island Wedding Ceremony
Pauly making sure the groomsman that fainted is okay during the ceremony.
Tara after feeling a bit faint had to sit down with some lemonade before they finished the ceremony.
Bonnet Island Estate Wedding Reception
Bonnet Island Estate’s reception space carries the same coastal barn aesthetic as the chapel, with high wood beams overhead and big windows that pull in the bay light. The dance floor is centered under a wrought iron chandelier, and the staff here know exactly how to time food, toasts, and dance sets so the night never drags. Tara and Paul opted for family-style appetizers during cocktail hour out on the patio overlooking the water, which is one of my favorite parts of any Bonnet Island wedding.
Nick had a seriously funny best man’s speech.
Tara & her father had a 5 minute choreographed dance number that shocked everyone.
Yes the music was loud..
Check out the Sister site to Bonnet Island Estate, Dara & Brian’s Mallard Island Yacht Club wedding!
If you are still researching coastal Jersey venues, our roundup of the best Jersey Shore wedding venues walks through how Bonnet Island stacks up against Bonnet Island’s sister property Mallard Island, Icona Avalon, and a few others worth a look.