When Ruby and William asked me to photograph their Scottish-themed wedding at The Smithville Inn, I knew we were in for something special. As The Smithville Inn wedding photographer documenting their celebration in Absecon, New Jersey, I was surrounded by meaningful tradition, genuine family connection, and raw emotion from the very start.

From the outdoor lakeside ceremony to the intimate reception, every moment reflected what I value most in documentary wedding photography. Real emotion. Genuine connection. Moments that matter.

The Anticipation Builds

The energy before the ceremony was electric. Ruby’s bridesmaids gathered around her in teal gowns, accented by the soft purple tones of the flower girls’ dresses. Ruby wore a dress with special significance. It was her mother’s wedding gown, beautifully updated to reflect her own style while honoring family tradition.

When Ruby emerged, the reactions from her bridesmaids said everything. These are the unscripted moments I live for. It’s when people forget about the camera and simply feel.

An Outdoor Lakeside Ceremony at The Smithville Inn

The ceremony space at The Smithville Inn was perfect. A brick patio surrounded by mature trees opened to a peaceful lakeside backdrop. The white pergola, adorned with roses and hydrangeas, served as the altar. White folding chairs lined both sides of the aisle.

William waited in formal Scottish attire, wearing a traditional kilt in his family’s tartan. The setting felt timeless and personal.

The Smithville Inn in Absecon, New Jersey offers everything a wedding photographer could ask for. An outdoor lakeside ceremony pairs beautifully with elegant indoor spaces. Rustic architectural elements like exposed wooden beams and large windows bring in natural light. Together, they create the perfect canvas for authentic documentary photography.

The venue also features a beautiful greenhouse for portraits. While it’s a wonderful option, the lakeside ceremony site was so strong that it became our main focus.

The ceremony included a traditional Scottish handfasting. It’s an ancient ritual where the couple’s hands are bound together, symbolizing their union. You could feel both the weight of tradition and the excitement of two families coming together.
When Ruby and William were pronounced married, the joy was immediate and unmistakable. I captured their walk back down the aisle as it happened. Pure happiness radiated from both of them.
This is documentary wedding photography at its core. Being in the right place. Anticipating the moment. Letting honest emotion lead the story.

Family Joy

The wedding party photos with Ruby and William’s younger family members were pure chaos in the best way possible. Kids holding flower baskets, boys in their tiny suits and kilts, everyone celebrating with genuine enthusiasm. No stiff poses, just real moments of a family coming together.

The Reception: Where Emotions Run Deep

Moving inside for the reception at The Smithville Inn, the space transformed. Large windows flooded the room with natural light, exposed beams added rustic charm, and the intimate setting allowed for some of the most powerful moments of the day.

The speeches were incredible. When William’s father Ed stood to speak (he also served as best man), you could feel the weight of the moment. William’s reaction- covering his face, overwhelmed with emotion- is exactly the kind of authentic moment that justifies my 30 years in this business. No posing, no direction, just pure human connection between father and son.

First Dance and Family Connection

Their first dance was intimate and tender. I shot it multiple ways- color and black and white- because some moments deserve to be seen from different perspectives. The way they held each other, the gentle lighting from the windows, the natural bokeh created by the background lights- these are the details that elevate wedding photography from snapshots to art.

The father-daughter dance brought more tears. These generational moments- watching a father give his daughter away, seeing the emotion in both their faces- this is wedding photography at its most honest.

The Celebration

When the dancing started, the glow sticks came out, and the entire energy shifted. Ruby and William let loose, surrounded by their closest friends and family. These are the moments couples remember- not the perfectly posed portraits, but the times they forgot about being “on display” and just celebrated.

Why The Smithville Inn Works for Documentary Wedding Photography

The Smithville Inn in Absecon offers exactly what I need as a documentary photographer: versatile indoor and outdoor spaces that allow the day to flow naturally. The lakeside ceremony site provides stunning natural backdrops without feeling staged, while the indoor reception space features those crucial large windows that give me beautiful natural light throughout the evening. The venue’s layout- ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all within close proximity- means less interruption and more authentic moments captured.

Final Thoughts

Ruby and William’s wedding at The Smithville Inn was a masterclass in what makes a celebration meaningful: authentic tradition, genuine emotion, and the courage to feel everything fully in front of your loved ones. The Smithville Inn in Absecon, New Jersey provided the perfect backdrop- from the lakeside ceremony to the elegant indoor reception space- for capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments.

As a New Jersey wedding photographer, I’m privileged to document these moments- not as an outsider, but as someone temporarily welcomed into the most important day of people’s lives. Whether you’re planning a Scottish-themed celebration, a lakeside ceremony, or an intimate gathering, The Smithville Inn offers the kind of versatile, beautiful spaces that allow for authentic documentary photography.

This is what I mean when I tell my couples about “real emotion, genuine connection, moments that matter.” It’s not a slogan- it’s a commitment to documentary-style wedding photography that prioritizes truth over trends, feeling over formality.

If you’re planning your own wedding at The Smithville Inn, Historic Smithville, or anywhere in Southern New Jersey and want a photographer who will capture the raw, authentic moments that make your day uniquely yours, let’s talk. After 30 years and 580+ five-star Google reviews, I know this: the best wedding photos are the ones that make you feel something every time you look at them.

Alex Kaplan Photography serves Northern New Jersey, Southern New Jersey, NYC, Bergen County, Atlantic County, and the Hudson Valley. For Smithville Inn wedding photography or wedding photography throughout New Jersey that captures authentic moments and honest emotion, contact Alex Kaplan Photography to discuss your wedding day.