I’ve photographed dozens of weddings at Hamilton Farm Golf Club, but this one hit different.

Maybe it was the way the groom’s hands trembled as he signed the Ketubah. Or how the bride’s father couldn’t stop smiling during their dance—even as tears rolled down his face. Maybe it was the Hora, when 150 guests formed circles on the dance floor and lifted this couple so high on chairs that I genuinely worried for my lens (and their safety).

Whatever it was, this Jewish wedding in Gladstone captured everything I love about my job: tradition meeting joy, family spanning generations, and two people so clearly meant for each other that even the skeptics in the room were reaching for tissues.

Planning a Jewish wedding at Hamilton Farm Golf Club? I’d love to photograph your celebration. Every detail, every tradition, every tear of joy.

📞 917-992-9097
✉️ alex@alexkaplanweddings.com
🌐 alexkaplanweddings.com

Check My Availability

Why Hamilton Farm Works for Jewish Weddings

Here’s the thing about Hamilton Farm Golf Club—it doesn’t try too hard. The exposed brick, the white columns, those massive wooden doors with the lion knockers… it all just works. You don’t need to dress it up. The venue does the heavy lifting.

Perfect for Traditional Jewish Ceremonies

For Jewish weddings especially, Hamilton Farm is a dream:

• Outdoor spaces for the chuppah with golf course views that photograph beautifully
• Elegant indoor rooms for intimate Ketubah signing ceremonies
• Reception tent that can handle 200+ guests dancing the Hora without feeling cramped
• Diverse photo locations from gardens to brick walls to vintage lampposts

Plus—and this matters more than you’d think—the grounds have enough variety that you can shoot for three hours and never repeat a background. As a photographer, that’s gold.

The Ketubah Signing: Where I Almost Cried Behind My Camera

Jewish weddings start with something most guests never see—the Ketubah signing. It’s an intimate moment, usually just close family and the rabbi, where the couple formalizes their marriage contract.

This one happened in a room with tall windows and afternoon light streaming in. The bride’s hand shook slightly as she signed. The groom watched her with this look… I don’t even know how to describe it. Pride? Awe? Love? All of it.

When she finished signing, the room erupted in applause. Her mom was already crying. (To be fair, her mom cried through basically the entire day, but in the beautiful way where you know these are happy tears.)

The Ceremony: Tradition, Emotion, and Perfect Light

The Jewish Processional

Jewish wedding processionals are different. Both parents walk the bride down the aisle. Both parents walk the groom. It’s a whole thing, and honestly? It’s better. You get these moments of three generations holding hands, walking together toward something new.

The groom went first, flanked by his parents. He was wearing a kippah and the most nervous smile I’ve ever seen. The kind where you know he’s trying to keep it together but his emotions are right there on the surface.

Then the bride appeared with her parents, and—I’m not exaggerating—you could hear the collective intake of breath from 150 guests.

The Chuppah: Traditional Design with Modern Florals

Can we talk about this chuppah for a second?

A traditional prayer shawl (tallit) with blue stripes draped over the frame, then covered in pink and crimson florals with trailing ribbons. The florist nailed it—traditional but not stuffy. Jewish but modern.

It stood against the backdrop of Hamilton Farm’s rolling golf course, and in golden hour light, it looked like something out of a painting. The four open sides symbolize the welcoming home the couple will create—no walls, just support from above and family all around.

Meaningful Details: Kiddush Cups from Israel

These silver Kiddush cups? Heirlooms. The bride told me they belonged to her grandparents and were brought over from Israel decades ago. They used them for the wine blessing during the ceremony.

That’s what gets me about Jewish weddings. Everything means something. Nothing is just decoration.

The Ring Exchange and First Kiss

The rabbi—who wore his own tallit—guided them through the ancient ritual. Simple gestures that carry the weight of thousands of years of tradition.

When the rabbi finally said they could kiss, the groom didn’t hesitate. He pulled her close, dipped her slightly (not planned, just pure emotion), and kissed her like they were the only two people there.

The crowd went absolutely wild. Not just clapping—cheering, whistling, standing. That’s the moment I knew this reception was going to be a party.

Golden Hour Portraits: The Magic Hour at Hamilton Farm

After the ceremony, we had about an hour before cocktails ended. This is sacred time for me as a photographer—when I get to work with just the couple, no timeline pressure, in the best natural light.

Hamilton Farm’s gardens in late afternoon? Chef’s kiss. We moved through different spots—the brick walls, the stone pathways, the gardens with those bright red begonias that pop against a white wedding dress.

The groom kept making her laugh—cracking jokes between shots, spinning her around, kissing her forehead. It wasn’t forced or posed. They were just… happy. And that’s what you see in these images.

Family Photos: Three Generations Celebrating Together

Here’s what I love about Jewish weddings—family is everything. Not just immediate family. We’re talking grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, family friends who might as well be family.

We did the big group shots—both families together, each side separately, grandparents with the couple. Then the smaller combinations: siblings, cousins, the ring bearers (who were adorable and completely over photos by this point).

Evening Portraits: When Hamilton Farm Shows Off

As the sun set, Hamilton Farm transformed. The venue has these architectural lights that illuminate the brick facade, and vintage lamp posts that create perfect pools of warm light.

This is when I drag couples away from cocktail hour for ten minutes. These twilight portraits are worth it.

The copper roof, the ivy-covered walls, the white columns framing those wooden doors—it all comes together in evening light. These images feel timeless.

The Reception: Where the Real Party Started

Hamilton Farm’s reception tent is elegant but can handle chaos. Floor-to-ceiling windows, white draping, chandeliers, and a parquet dance floor that was about to get destroyed by the Hora.

First Dance and Parent Dances

Their first dance was sweet and simple. No choreography. Just two people holding each other, swaying, occasionally laughing at something one of them whispered.

The father-daughter dance? That’s the one that broke me. Her dad is one of those quiet guys. Not super demonstrative. But watching him dance with his daughter, you could see everything written all over his face.

The Hora: Controlled Chaos at Its Best

Now we get to the main event.

If you’ve never experienced a Hora at a Jewish wedding: it’s controlled chaos. Guests form circles, Israeli music blasts, and people get lifted on chairs. High. Very high.

The energy was insane. Grandmothers dancing with grandkids. Uncles getting lifted. Everyone sweating, laughing, celebrating. This is why the Hora is my favorite Jewish wedding tradition.

The Cake and Reception Details

Their four-tier wedding cake was elegant without being over the top. White fondant with pearl details, fresh flowers that matched the whole color scheme.

The Perfect Ending

At the end of the night, we snuck away for one last portrait. Hamilton Farm has this outdoor fire pit area, and with the flames glowing and the stars out, it felt like the perfect bookend.

They sat close, kissed slowly, and for a moment everything was quiet. Just them.

Planning Your Hamilton Farm Jewish Wedding: What You Need to Know

Why Hamilton Farm Works

• Versatile spaces for both outdoor chuppah and indoor Ketubah signing
• Beautiful grounds that photograph well from morning through night
• Reception tent that handles large Hora celebrations perfectly
• Professional staff experienced with Jewish wedding traditions
• Multiple photo locations without leaving the property

Best Timing for Photos

Golden hour (60 minutes before sunset) is ideal for couple portraits in the gardens. Blue hour (twilight) showcases the architectural lighting beautifully.

Rain Plan Considerations

Hamilton Farm offers elegant indoor ceremony options that photograph beautifully. The venue’s flexibility means weather doesn’t have to ruin your plans.

Making the Most of Your Day

• Plan for the Ketubah signing in one of the window-lit rooms
• Allow time for extended family portraits across generations
• Trust your vendors who know how Jewish weddings flow
• Make sure your dance floor can handle the Hora (Hamilton Farm’s can)
• Include meaningful heirlooms like Kiddush cups in your ceremony

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a rain plan for outdoor chuppah ceremonies at Hamilton Farm?
A: Yes. The venue offers elegant indoor options that photograph beautifully and keep the ceremony flow seamless.

Q: What’s the best time for couple portraits at Hamilton Farm?
A: Golden hour (about 60 minutes before sunset) for the gardens and grounds. Blue hour (twilight) for the dramatic architectural lighting.

Q: Can the reception tent handle a traditional Hora with chair lifting?
A: Absolutely. The tent space and parquet floor are ideal for large circle dances and safe chair lifts.

Q: Where should we do the Ketubah signing at Hamilton Farm?
A: One of the indoor rooms with natural window light works perfectly. It keeps the moment intimate while photographing cleanly.

Q: Should we include family heirlooms like Kiddush cups in our ceremony?
A: Yes! Meaningful details elevate your wedding story and create beautiful closeup opportunities for photos.

Vendor Credits

Venue: Hamilton Farm Golf Club, Gladstone, NJ
Photography: Alex Kaplan Weddings

Ready to Tell Your Wedding Story?

If this Hamilton Farm celebration resonates with you—if you want a photographer who understands Jewish traditions, captures real emotion, and makes you look amazing in the process—let’s talk.

I’d love to photograph your Jewish wedding at Hamilton Farm Golf Club or anywhere else you’re celebrating.

Contact Alex Kaplan

📞 917-992-9097
✉️ alex@alexkaplanweddings.com
🌐 alexkaplanweddings.com

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