As a Lucien’s Manor wedding photographer, I’ve shot dozens of weddings at this Berlin, NJ venue, but Lindsay and John’s June celebration stood out. They wanted genuine moments captured without stiff posing, plus a photo dash challenge that had us running through all 11 tables in one song.

This is what happens when couples trust their photographer to document their day authentically. Here’s their full story from getting ready at The Westin Mount Laurel through their Lucien’s Manor reception.

Getting Ready at The Westin Mount Laurel

Lindsay and her bridesmaids started at The Westin in Mount Laurel at 10:30am. Hair and makeup by Hello Beautiful (@hellobeautifulweddings) and Glam by Alex (@glambyalexnatoli) wrapped by 10am, giving us time for authentic getting-ready moments without rushing.

The bridesmaids’ first look with Lindsay delivered pure, unscripted emotion. Lindsay’s mom Paula and stepmom Jackie helped with the final dress details – these family moments matter twenty years from now.

John’s getting-ready coverage happened simultaneously. The moment he read Lindsay’s letter? Tears. Real emotion, no direction needed.

First Look & Portraits at Berlin Park

Berlin Park sits five minutes from Lucien’s Manor, making it perfect for first look and family portraits. We arrived at noon with a rain backup plan ready (spoiler: didn’t need it).

Wedding Day at Lucien’s Manor: Ceremony to Reception

We arrived at Lucien’s Manor by 1:40pm for final bridal party shots before the 2:30pm ceremony. The Chapel’s crystal chandeliers and classic architecture gave Lindsay exactly what she wanted – elegant without being stuffy.

John’s reaction when Lindsay walked down the aisle? That’s why I became a wedding photographer. No posing, no direction, just authentic emotion.

After ceremony, we grabbed 10 minutes for couple portraits at the venue before cocktail hour. Then Lindsay and John actually enjoyed their cocktail hour – radical concept, but more couples should do it.

The Versailles ballroom lived up to its name. DJ Robert Frannicola from Ultimate Entertainment (@ultendproductions) coordinated flawlessly with florals by Pam from Unique Floral Designs (@pam.unique).

The Photo Dash Challenge

Here’s where things got fun. Lindsay and John requested a “photo dash challenge” – hitting all 11 tables in one song. DJ Robert picked the perfect moment during dinner when everyone was seated. Pure chaos, high energy, and these candid table shots always become favorites because nobody’s putting on their camera face.

Parent dances hit different when you’ve been with a couple all day. Lindsay and her dad John, then John and his mom Jacki – real moments, no choreography. Toasts from Raquel and Joey were funny, heartfelt, and mercifully short.

We wrapped at 7pm, right before cake cutting. Lindsay and John got their full evening to celebrate without photographers hovering.

Wedding Vendors

Real talk – a wedding runs smoothly when you’ve got solid vendors. Lindsay and John’s team:

• Venue: Lucien’s Manor
• Photography: Alex Kaplan Photography
• DJ: Ultimate Entertainment
• Florals: Unique Floral Designs – Pam
• Hair & Makeup: Hello Beautiful Hair & Makeup –
• Bridal Gown: Hearts for You Bridal
• Groom’s Attire: The Clothing Center
• Rings: Romancing the Stones/Manly Bands
• Transportation: Zark Limo

Why Lucien’s Manor Works for Wedding Photography

After shooting hundreds of weddings across Northern New Jersey, here’s what makes Lucien’s Manor work: you get the classic ballroom aesthetic without country club pricing. As a Lucien’s Manor wedding photographer, I know this venue inside out – where the light hits during cocktail hour, the best angles in the Versailles ballroom, and how to maximize those outdoor fountain shots.

The Venue Layout

Lucien’s Manor sits on beautifully landscaped grounds with that iconic white bridge over the koi pond everyone wants in their portraits. The Versailles ballroom features crystal chandeliers and built-in uplighting (no extra rental costs). The indoor chapel provides rain backup without compromising aesthetics.

Capacity: 100-150 guests comfortably. Lindsay and John had 107 and the space felt perfect – not cramped, not empty.

Location Strategy

Berlin Park is literally five minutes away. Many couples do first look and family portraits there, then head to Lucien’s Manor. This gives you natural outdoor portraits without the time crunch of traveling 30 minutes to a separate location. Plus you stay on schedule for cocktail hour.

The venue is 20 minutes from Philadelphia, close to major highways, with plenty of hotels nearby for out-of-town guests. The Westin Mount Laurel works great for getting ready.

From a Photographer’s Perspective

Unlike venues that lock you into preferred vendor lists, Lucien’s Manor allows outside photographers. They work smoothly with vendors they haven’t met before. This matters because you can choose your photographer based on style and personality, not venue politics.

The spaces photograph well – natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows during cocktail hour, chandeliers for reception drama, and those fountains and grounds for outdoor portraits. Everything you need is on-site or within five minutes.

Pricing Reality

All-inclusive packages that actually make sense. You’re not nickel-and-dimed for every upgrade. You get chandeliers, grounds, full meal service, and open bar without the $300-per-plate NYC price tag. The money you save can go toward better photography or extending your honeymoon.

Lindsay and John’s wedding showed what’s possible when you choose the right venue and trust your photographer to capture authentic moments. From John’s tears reading Lindsay’s letter to their photo dash challenge hitting all 11 tables, these are the images they’ll treasure decades from now – not because they were posed perfectly, but because they were real.

Book Your Lucien’s Manor Wedding Photographer

Planning your Lucien’s Manor wedding in Berlin, NJ? I’m Alex Kaplan, and I’ve photographed dozens of weddings at this venue over 30+ years shooting in Northern New Jersey.

Here’s what you get when you book me as your Lucien’s Manor wedding photographer:

Venue expertise: I know every lighting scenario at Lucien’s Manor – the chapel’s chandelier glow, golden hour by the fountains, where to position for that grand entrance reaction shot.

Documentary approach: No awkward posing or fake moments. I capture your day as it actually unfolds – the tears during letter reading, spontaneous laughter at cocktail hour, your dad’s face during first look.

Proven workflow: Berlin Park portraits → ceremony coverage → strategic cocktail hour couple shots → full reception documentation. You get the photos you need without missing your own celebration.

Real results: 580+ five-star reviews. 30+ years experience. Featured weddings at Lucien’s Manor, The Venetian, Rockleigh Country Club, and 100+ other venues across Bergen County, NYC, and the Hudson Valley.

If you want a photographer who treats your wedding like journalism, not a photo shoot, let’s talk.

Contact Alex Kaplan Photography:
Call: 917-992-9097
Email: alex@alexkaplanphoto.com
Based in New Milford, NJ | Serving Northern NJ, NYC & Beyond

#JohnGgotDownOnOneKnee