Elyssa and Dennis’s December wedding at Windsor Ballroom was everything a winter celebration should be—intimate, joyful, and filled with authentic emotion. When they chose this East Windsor venue for their December 21st celebration, they knew they wanted real moments over posed perfection. That’s exactly what we captured.

Getting Ready at Windsor Ballroom

The morning started in Windsor Ballroom’s bridal suite—one of the smartest logistics decisions you can make. Having everything on-site meant zero stress about timing, no rushing between locations, and Elyssa could actually enjoy those precious hours with her seven bridesmaids. When she stepped into that stunning lace gown with its illusion neckline and intricate beading, her bridesmaids in their elegant navy dresses absolutely lost it. That first reveal? Pure, unfiltered joy.

Then came the moment that got me—Elyssa’s first look with her dad, Nate. I’ve photographed over 1,500 weddings, and father-daughter moments still hit differently every single time. The way his face lit up, that split-second where you could see everything processing—his little girl, getting married, right here, right now. The tears, the laughter, the pride. This is what authentic wedding photography at this East Windsor venue is all about—capturing those raw connections you can’t pose or plan.

Elyssa carved out time for portraits with her grandmother Kathy during getting ready—a detail I always encourage couples to plan for. These intergenerational moments are precious beyond measure. The way they embraced, you could feel decades of love and family history in that simple hug.

The First Look at Windsor Ballroom

Family Portraits at Windsor Ballroom

One thing Elyssa and Dennis did brilliantly was provide a detailed shot list for family portraits. They shared it with maid of honor Amanda and best man Kevin (Dennis’s brother), which meant we moved efficiently and nobody got missed. From Elyssa with her parents Donna and Nate, to Dennis with his mom Lisa and dad Kevin, to that sweet moment with grandmother Kathy—we captured every important family combination without eating into celebration time. This is exactly what makes this East Windsor venue work so well—ample space for portraits without feeling rushed.

A Windsor Ballroom Ceremony Full of Heart

When 5pm arrived, the venue’s coordinator Anjelica Chickara had everything running smoothly. The ceremony space was beautifully set with tall floral arrangements flanking the white pergola, creating an elegant backdrop for Elyssa and Dennis’s vows. Their 170 guests filled the room with love and anticipation.

And then—the moment that had everyone on their feet—Dennis lifted Elyssa straight up in the air right after they were pronounced married. The crowd went absolutely wild. That spontaneous joy, that pure celebration—this is the kind of authentic moment you can’t pose or plan. It just happens when two people are truly, madly in love.

Reception Magic at Windsor Ballroom

After cocktail hour, the reception kicked into high gear. Elyssa and Dennis’s first dance was intimate and beautiful—her veil flowing as they spun, completely lost in each other. Then came the parent dances, with Nate twirling his daughter around the dance floor with that same joy we’d seen during their first look hours earlier.

But the highlight? The hora. Right after dinner, as planned, the hora became the first dance to officially open the dance floor. The energy was absolutely electric. Elyssa and Dennis were lifted high on chairs, surrounded by their 170 guests dancing in circles, singing, celebrating. These Jewish wedding traditions create some of the most joyful moments I get to capture, and this celebration at this East Windsor venue didn’t disappoint.

Why Windsor Ballroom Works for Winter Weddings

This East Windsor wedding venue really delivers for couples who want everything in one place. Elyssa and Dennis had their getting ready, first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all at the same location—which meant more time celebrating and less time traveling. The venue’s flexibility, professional coordination from Anjelica, and elegant spaces made my job as their photographer seamless.

From intimate getting ready moments to that explosive hora celebration, every moment of this December celebration was authentic, joyful, and full of love. This is exactly what winter wedding magic looks like in New Jersey.

Planning your own Windsor Ballroom wedding in East Windsor, NJ? With 30+ years of experience and a documentary approach focused on real moments, I’d love to tell your story.

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