When Sammi and Mike chose Park Chateau Estate & Gardens for their November wedding, they knew they wanted something magical. As a Park Chateau wedding photographer, I’ve shot at dozens of venues across New Jersey, but there’s something about this East Brunswick estate that just hits different. The Gothic chapel, the manicured gardens, that château-style mansion lit up at night—it’s basically a fairy tale waiting to happen.

Why Park Chateau Weddings Are Unforgettable

Let me tell you about November 9th, 2021. The weather cooperated in that perfect fall way where you get golden hour light that makes everything glow. Park Chateau’s grounds were showing off with the last of the autumn colors, and that chapel exterior was absolutely stunning against the evening sky.

Sammi and Mike honored their families beautifully with this memory table in the bridal suite. That “In loving memory” sign surrounded by generations of family photos? Gets me every time. Mike’s mother had passed away, and including her in the day’s memories was incredibly touching.

Getting Ready at Park Chateau Estate

One of the reasons couples love Park Chateau for their New Jersey wedding is the convenience factor—you can do literally everything on-site. Hair, makeup, getting dressed, portraits, ceremony, cocktails, reception, and even an after-party. No driving around, no stress about timing.

Sammi’s bridesmaids were organized. Seven women in matching robes, all finished with hair and makeup by 2:30 PM like clockwork. Julie Ramer, Sammi’s matron of honor and sister, made sure everything ran smoothly—the dress was hung perfectly, the rings were ready, the room was tidy. When you have a good MOH, you really have a good MOH.

Meanwhile, Mike and his six groomsmen were doing their thing in the groom’s suite. The energy was completely different—lots of laughing, some competitive trash talk, and a beer toast before suiting up. That groom’s room at Park Chateau has this great natural light and enough space that nobody feels cramped.

The guys looked sharp in navy suits with those peach-and-blue ties. Park Chateau’s Gothic chapel makes the perfect backdrop for formal portraits—those arched wooden doors and dramatic lanterns give you that elegant, timeless vibe without trying too hard.

The First Look: An Emotional Park Chateau Moment

Sammi wanted to do a first look, which I always recommend at Park Chateau because it gives you more time for portraits during that beautiful afternoon light. But before she saw Mike, she had a special moment planned.

Her first look was with her dad, Harlan, in the bridal suite. When he walked in and saw his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time, you could see him trying to hold it together. Sammi looked absolutely stunning in that lace gown with the flowing skirt—classic, elegant, exactly her style.

Little Alex, Sammi’s niece and flower girl, was the cutest thing in that ruffled white dress. She took her job very seriously, even though she was only two and a half. Getting toddlers into fancy shoes is always an adventure.

Park Chateau’s Gardens: Perfect for Couple Portraits

After the first look with Mike, we had an hour and a half for portraits around the estate. This is where Park Chateau really shines as a wedding venue. You’ve got formal gardens, that amazing chapel, the fountain, the château itself, manicured lawns—you can get twenty different looks without leaving the property.

Mike’s reaction when he first saw Sammi was perfect. That genuine smile, the way he couldn’t stop looking at her—this is why I love first looks. You get those unguarded emotions before the ceremony nerves kick in.

The formal gardens at Park Chateau were still holding onto some fall color in early November. That white gazebo in the background, the perfectly trimmed hedges, the autumn foliage—it’s like someone designed the whole scene specifically for wedding photos.

Family Photos at the Chapel

Family portraits can be chaotic with 130 guests, but Sammi had her sisters Julie and Rachel on point to gather everyone. We knocked out all the combinations in about twenty minutes.

Sammi with her parents, Joan and Harlan, on the chapel steps. The evening light was hitting those lanterns perfectly, giving us that warm glow against the stone architecture.

Mike with flower girl Alex—she was getting tired by this point but perked up when her uncle held her. These uncle-niece moments are gold.

The full family lineup on those grand chapel steps. Mike’s dad Dennis brought his girlfriend Leslie, who was warmly included in all the family photos and events. Mike’s mom Joan and Mike’s mother had passed away, but her presence was felt throughout the day through the memory table and the love everyone shared.

The father-daughter portrait at sunset. Harlan was so proud. These are the photos that end up framed in living rooms for decades.

The Chapel Ceremony

Park Chateau’s chapel is legitimately one of the most beautiful ceremony spaces in New Jersey. The Gothic architecture, the arched doorways, those massive wooden doors, the symmetry—it photographs like a dream.

We grabbed this shot of Sammi solo before guests arrived. That cascading bouquet with white roses, peach blooms, and eucalyptus was absolutely gorgeous against her lace gown. The way her cathedral veil caught the light and flowed down those stone steps—this is the kind of image you want as a massive canvas print.

The couple portraits at the chapel during golden hour were magic. The way the late afternoon sun lit up that cream stone, the formal gardens perfectly manicured, the symmetry of the whole scene—this is why Park Chateau is such a popular wedding venue for New Jersey couples.

The whole wedding party brought the energy. Thirteen people celebrating with their bouquets and boutonnieres raised, the little flower girl looking confused about what was happening—these candid moments between the formal shots are what make a wedding gallery feel alive.

Park Chateau at Night: Absolute Show-Stopper

Once the sun went down, we grabbed some night portraits. If you’re getting married at Park Chateau and your photographer doesn’t take you outside at night for photos, you’re missing out on THE signature shot of this venue.

Look at this. The château lit up against the deep blue twilight sky, those windows glowing, the perfectly manicured lawn, Sammi’s veil catching the breeze. This is the shot that makes people ask “Wait, is that really in New Jersey?” Yes. Yes it is.

We also caught them during the transition time—sunset but not quite dark yet. The fountain in the background, that warm glow before the reception kicked into high gear. These in-between moments are often the most romantic.

Reception: Park Chateau Brings the Party

The reception at Park Chateau was in their main ballroom with those crystal chandeliers and elegant details. Sammi and Mike had a full Jewish celebration with the hora and chair dance, which always makes for incredible photos.

The energy during the hora was absolutely electric. Sammi and Mike were lifted up on chairs, napkins waving, everyone circling around them—this is the moment where you see a wedding transform from a formal event into a full-on celebration. The ballroom at Park Chateau can handle 130 guests easily with plenty of dance floor space, which you need when the hora gets going.

Why Choose Park Chateau for Your NJ Wedding?

After photographing weddings at Park Chateau Estate & Gardens multiple times, I can tell you exactly why couples keep choosing this East Brunswick venue. You get everything on-site—gorgeous bridal suites, a stunning Gothic chapel, formal gardens that photograph beautifully year-round, and that iconic château that looks incredible day or night. The staff knows how to handle large weddings smoothly, the timeline flexibility is real, and the photo opportunities are endless.

Sammi and Mike’s November wedding was a perfect example of how Park Chateau weddings can be both elegant and fun, formal and emotional, traditional and personal. From that memory table honoring Mike’s late mother to the hora that had everyone dancing, from the quiet first look with Sammi’s dad to those show-stopping night portraits—this is what I love about wedding photography.

If you’re planning a Park Chateau wedding in East Brunswick or looking for a New Jersey wedding photographer who knows this venue inside and out, I’d love to hear about your plans. I’ve shot at Park Chateau multiple times and know exactly where the light hits best, which spots work for different times of day, and how to maximize your portrait time while still keeping the day feeling relaxed.

Congratulations, Sammi and Mike. Your Park Chateau wedding was one for the books.

Alex Kaplan
📞 917-992-9097
📧 alex@alexkaplanweddings.com
🌐 https://alexkaplanweddings.com