Ramsey Country Club wedding photography is always something special, and Dana and William’s fall celebration was no exception. These two embodied classic elegance — they wanted timeless portraits and a celebration focused on family and friends.

As a Northern New Jersey wedding photographer with over 30 years of experience, I’ve photographed weddings all across the area, and Ramsey Country Club is a venue I always love returning to. The historic Lakeside Grille, the outdoor ceremony spaces, and the incredible October colors made their day perfect for photos.

Watch Dana + William’s wedding highlight film to see their incredible fall celebration at Ramsey Country Club:

Getting Ready at Ramsey Country Club

The day started with the guys getting ready in one of Ramsey Country Club’s prep rooms. William was calm and collected — you could tell he was ready for this moment.

The classic stone walls and natural window light made the room perfect for capturing candid, relaxed moments.

The Bride Gets Ready

In another suite, Dana and her bridesmaids had their own beautiful moments. Helping her into her lace-bodice ball gown was emotional — especially for her mom, whose reaction became one of the sweetest moments of the morning.

The bridesmaids’ floor-length black gowns created a gorgeous contrast against the autumn colors. Dana looked absolutely stunning — truly made for a fall wedding.

Why Ramsey Country Club Is Perfect for Fall Weddings

Historic Architecture Meets Natural Beauty

Ramsey Country Club’s Lakeside Grille is one of its standout features — a historic stone building dating back to the early 1900s. The arched windows, fieldstone walls, and rustic charm create photo opportunities you simply don’t get with modern venues.

Stunning Grounds and Seasonal Color

The manicured lawns, lakeside ceremony area, mature trees, and vivid fall colors provide endless backdrops. The ceremony site overlooking the lake and golf course is breathtaking in October.

For photographers, the mix of stone architecture and natural scenery all on one property means variety, depth, and a complete story told through portraits.

Beautiful Light, All Day Long

Ramsey’s lighting conditions are excellent:

• Stone archways create natural frames
• Open outdoor spaces minimize harsh shadows
• Floor-to-ceiling windows in the reception space keep the light soft and flattering well into the evening

The Ceremony

The ceremony was the heart of the day. As guests arrived and took their seats, you could feel the anticipation building. As William stood at the altar with his groomsmen, I made sure to capture the moment he first saw Dana walking down the aisle with her father. That’s the shot you can’t recreate – the genuine emotion, the way his face lit up.

Dana’s father walked her down the aisle, and honestly, there wasn’t a dry eye. The ceremony site was perfectly framed by the fall foliage behind them – that natural backdrop of autumn colors with the lake in the distance. The white chairs in circular rows, the stone patio, the carefully placed floral arrangements – everything came together beautifully.

I positioned myself throughout the ceremony to capture a variety of angles — wide shots showing the full scene and all the guests, tight shots of Dana and William exchanging vows, and reaction shots from family members. And as the officiant kept things moving, and before everyone knew it, they sealed it with a kiss. That first kiss as husband and wife, with everyone cheering, is what it’s all about.

One thing I always tell couples is that the ceremony goes by fast. That’s why I’m constantly moving, getting different angles, making sure I capture every moment. The vows, the ring exchange, the kiss, the walk back up the aisle – it all happens in about 30 minutes, and you can’t recreate any of it.

Wedding Party Photos

After the ceremony, we did the wedding party portraits. Dana had six bridesmaids all in black, and William had six groomsmen in black tuxedos with bow ties. Those candid, playful moments are what people remember.

The bridesmaids’ bouquets were gorgeous – white hydrangeas, roses, and greenery with burgundy accents. Really complemented the fall setting and the black dresses. We used different spots around the property – the lawn area with the pines in the background, near the stone walls, by the ceremony site with the lake behind them.

Couple Portraits

This is my favorite part of any wedding day – working with just the couple. Dana and William were naturals, and we spent time getting portraits all over the property. I made sure to use every backdrop Ramsey Country Club offers.

Making the Most of Fall at Ramsey

We started at the ceremony site with those gold urns and white floral arrangements – the lake and fall foliage creating this incredible natural backdrop.

Ramsey has these gorgeous fieldstone walls throughout the property, and they photograph beautifully. The texture of the stone against Dana’s ivory gown and the greenery created this classic, timeless look. We did close-ups here where you can really see the detail in her lace sleeves and the way William looked at her.

The stone archway near the entrance was another must-shoot spot. It’s one of those iconic Ramsey Country Club features that I always use for bridal portraits. The way it frames the subject is just perfect, and Dana looked absolutely regal standing there with her dress spread out behind her.

We walked around the golf course and the pathways throughout the grounds. The paver walkways, the mature pines, the views of the lake – we used it all. It creates this warm glow that you just can’t replicate with artificial lighting.

One of my favorite shots from the day is them standing on the putting green with the Lakeside Grille building in the background. You get that full view of the historic stone structure, and it really shows the scale and beauty of the venue.

As the sun started to set, we got those incredible golden-hour portraits. The light was perfect, the fall colors were glowing, and Dana and William were just soaking it all in. We even did some portraits outside The Abbey entrance as evening fell – the building lit up beautifully, and you could see the warmth of the reception getting started inside.

Want to experience the complete wedding day? Watch Dana + William’s full wedding film:

The Reception Space and Details

The reception was held inside the Lakeside Grille in their main ballroom. Let me tell you about the details – Dana and William really put thought into everything. The space is elegant without being stuffy – floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the grounds, chandeliers, and that clean, classic aesthetic.

The tables were set up with these beautiful ivory damask linens and gold chiavari chairs. Each place setting had gold charger plates that caught the light from the chandeliers perfectly. The centerpieces were low arrangements of white hydrangeas, roses, and burgundy dahlias with eucalyptus – sophisticated and seasonal. Mercury glass votives were scattered across the tables, adding that romantic candlelight glow.

The gold table numbers with black backing tied everything together. They went with a black, white, ivory, and gold color palette with those burgundy accents from the florals – classic and timeless. You could tell they wanted elegance without being over the top, and they nailed it.

The room has these massive windows, and even as it got dark outside, the lighting inside was perfect for photos. The combination of the chandeliers, the string lights visible through the windows, and those candles on every table created this warm, inviting atmosphere. Ramsey Country Club gets it right.

The Evening Celebration

Dana and William’s grand entrance into the reception was electric. The DJ announced them, and they came through those doors absolutely beaming. Everyone was on their feet, cheering, and you could just feel the energy in the room.

Their first dance was beautiful. The natural light from those windows combined with the chandeliers created perfect lighting for photos. I love shooting in this space because even though it’s indoors, you still get that connection to the outdoors through all the windows. The way Dana’s dress moved as they danced, the way William looked at her – these are the moments couples treasure.

Then came the toasts. The best man and maid of honor both gave speeches that had everyone laughing and crying. I made sure to get reaction shots of Dana and William during the toasts – those genuine expressions when they’re hearing their closest friends and family talk about them. Those photos always mean so much later.

The cake was a beautiful three-tier white creation with textured buttercream, fresh roses in blush and white, and a gold “Mr & Mrs” topper. Simple, elegant, and perfect for their aesthetic.

The dance floor opened up, and the party was on. People were out there all night – from the grandparents to the youngest guests. There’s something about a fall wedding that just puts everyone in a celebratory mood. Maybe it’s the comfortable temperature, maybe it’s knowing the holiday season is coming, but whatever it is, Dana and William’s guests were ready to celebrate.

Planning Your Ramsey Country Club Wedding

Timeline Tips

If you’re getting married at Ramsey Country Club, here’s what I recommend. Build in 20-30 minutes for couple portraits. The property is too beautiful not to take advantage of multiple locations.

Seasonal Considerations

Fall weddings here are incredible for photos. Honestly though, this venue is gorgeous year-round. I’ve shot here in every season and always get stunning results.

Must-Shoot Locations

The stone walls. The archways. The putting green with the Lakeside Grille in the background. The lakeside ceremony site. These are the iconic Ramsey Country Club locations that make your gallery unique.

Lighting and Weather

The reception space has great natural light from those floor-to-ceiling windows. Evening photos always turn out beautifully. No harsh flash needed.

If you’re doing an outdoor ceremony, have a backup plan. However, even overcast days create beautiful, even lighting for photos.

Golden Hour

Don’t skip sunset portraits if you’re doing an evening reception. That time right before dinner when the light is golden and soft – it’s magic. Especially with the fall foliage.

Ready to Plan Your Ramsey Country Club Wedding?

Dana and William’s wedding was everything a fall New Jersey wedding should be. Elegant, classic, and surrounded by natural beauty. From the getting-ready moments to the lakeside ceremony to those golden-hour portraits around the grounds to the reception celebration that went late into the night, every part of the day flowed perfectly.

If you’re planning a Ramsey Country Club wedding and looking for a New Jersey wedding photographer who knows this venue inside and out, I’d love to connect. I’ve spent over 30 years photographing weddings across Northern New Jersey, NYC, and the Hudson Valley. Ramsey Country Club is one of my favorite places to work.

The combination of Ramsey Country Club’s historic architecture, natural landscapes, and elegant reception spaces creates the perfect backdrop. This is wedding photography that you’ll treasure for generations.

Ready to talk about your Ramsey Country Club wedding?

Visit alexkaplanweddings.com to see more of my work, check availability for your date, and get in touch. I’d love to hear about your vision. I’d love to show you how I can document your celebration with the same attention to detail I gave Dana and William’s incredible day.

Let’s create something beautiful together.

Contact me today at alexkaplanweddings.com