Alex and Nicole on the beach outside the Ocean Place Hilton on their big day. All photographs on this page courtesy of Michelle Arlotta Photography, www.michellearlotta.com
It was a real privilege and treat for the Smokin’ Section to play at Alex and Nicole’s August wedding reception at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch. The couple are both professional event and wedding photographers and the Smokin’ Section and Alex have worked together at many weddings dating back to 1996. Over the past 2 or 3 years, we’ve also worked across from Nicole several times, including one that took place during a hurricane in September of ’08 at the Bonnet Island Estate.
The groom couldn't resist going to work a little on his own wedding day to capture the beauty of his bride!
This day’s wedding also took place at the tail end of another hurricane. Alex and Nicole’s ceremony had been planned for the beach, but the unpredictable weather that afternoon forced it inside. Right after their ceremony, things cleared up enough outside for them to get some great shots on the beach.
While pictures were being shot on the beach, Alex and Nicole’s guests enjoyed a duo of saxophone and piano. The duo played several bossa novas and sambas, as the groom originally hails from Brazil.
Alex and Nicole's first dance
For their first dance, Nicole and Alex selected one of the summer’s hot songs, Ray LaMontagne’s, “You Are the Best Thing”. The lead was handled by our guitarist Mike and the tune featured the band’s horn section.
“You Are The Best Thing” (Video clip)
All video clips courtesy of Formica Video Productions LLC, www.formicavideo.com
Music performed by the Smokin’ Section band
Nicole and her father danced to Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” and after that Alex danced with his daughter to “My Girl”. After a nice video montage presentation (put together by Vince at Formica) and toasts, the dancing got going in earnest.
“Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” (Video clip)
“Vamanos P’al Monte” (Video clip)
Our Salsa on the Eddie Palmieri y la Perfecta classic “Vamanos P’al Monte” got the dancers worked up after dinner.
We did a special request from Nicole to her nieces, an Abba medley featuring “Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo”. Many of the rest of the guests danced to it, too.
“You Shook Me(All Night Long)” (Video clip)
The last set heated up with Smokin’ Section versions of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love”, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”, and AC/DC’s “You Shook Me”
NJ photographers convention at the Ocean Place Resort
It was a pleasure seeing our friend, the noted NJ event photojournalist Phil Cantor, his shooter Ken and several other eminent NJ area photographers on busman’s holiday as guests (rather than behind cameras). Later on, Phil C and his wife really cut a rug on the dance floor!
It was the Smokin’ Section’s first opportunity to work across from both photographer Michelle Arlotta and videographer Vince Formica (from Formica Video LLC). We can see why Nicole and Alex selected them… they both knew how to capture the joy, excitement and special moments of the day in a completely relaxed, natural and unobtrusive way.
Reception site: Ocean Place Resort and Spa, Long Branch, NJ http://www.oceanplace.com/ 800-411-7321
Photographer: Michelle Arlotta Photography, www.michellearlotta.com, 732-447-3200
Videographer: Formica Video LLC Video Productions, www.formicavideo.com, 973-839-2121