Kayla & Steven's Colorful Summer Wedding at The Club at Picatinny

July 3, 2026 | The Club at Picatinny | New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Kayla & Steven's wedding day was the perfect reflection of who they are, full of vibrant color, so much love, and plenty of fun. Every detail of their wedding, from the décor to the energy on the dance floor, showcased their bright personalities and made the entire day feel incredibly joyful.

As beautiful as the day was, Mother Nature had a few surprises in store for us.

July 3rd turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures climbing to nearly 105°F and humidity hovering around 90%. The forecast had originally called for clear skies, but about 15 minutes before the ceremony, a massive storm cloud rolled in over the venue. It began to rain, and for a moment, it looked like the outdoor ceremony might not happen at all.

Then, almost as quickly as it arrived, the storm passed. The skies opened up just long enough to give us about 20 minutes of clear weather, allowing Kayla & Steven to have the outdoor ceremony they had been dreaming of. It truly felt like perfect timing.

After the ceremony, we were able to capture family portraits and photos with the entire wedding party before another round of storms moved in. Despite the rain, the heat and humidity never let up. In fact, it somehow felt even hotter.

Rather than spending more time outside in the uncomfortable weather, Kayla & Steven made the decision to head inside, celebrate with their family and friends, and enjoy the rest of their wedding day.

Instead of taking portraits in less than ideal conditions, they decided that they wanted to schedule a separate portrait session with me after the wedding where they could take their time getting portraits with each other.

As the evening went on, the storm finally began to slow. I looked outside and saw the most vibrant orange sky illuminating the horizon, with a beautiful rainbow stretching across it. I immediately let Kayla & Steven know, and they were just as excited as I was. We stepped outside for a few quick portraits, and it was the perfect way to end the night.

Even though we had already decided to schedule their formal portraits for another day, this gave us the opportunity to capture a few more beautiful moments of the two of them on their actual wedding day.

Sometimes the most unexpected weather creates the most unforgettable memories.

A Second Day for Wedding Portraits

About two weeks later, we met at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, for their formal portraits, and it couldn't have been more perfect.

The weather was beautiful, the atmosphere was relaxed, and without the timeline of a wedding day, we were able to explore the gardens, take our time, and create portraits that truly highlighted their relationship. They even got the chance to dress up in their wedding attire all over again, something many couples don't get to experience.

In all the weddings I've photographed, this was definitely one of the more unique situations, but it reminded me that sometimes the unexpected can lead to something even better.

Why I Loved This Separate Portrait Session

While I always prioritize what my couples want on their wedding day, one thing that's incredibly important to me is making sure they have plenty of beautiful portraits together. After all, the wedding day is about celebrating their love story and preserving those memories for them to look back on for the rest of their lives.

Choosing to take portraits on another day allowed Kayla & Steven to fully enjoy their reception without worrying about the weather or spending more time in the overwhelming heat. Then, during their portrait session, we were able to focus entirely on them, creating timeless images without any pressure or rushing.

If your wedding day throws you an unexpected curveball, whether it's rain, extreme heat, or a timeline that simply doesn't allow enough portrait time, don't stress. Sometimes scheduling a post-wedding portrait session is the perfect solution. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy every moment of your wedding day while still receiving the beautiful, intentional portraits you've always envisioned.

Kayla & Steven's wedding is proof that even when plans change, your wedding photos can still turn out beautifully.