Wedding at Pleasantdale Chateau
Who? : Rachel + Joseph
What? : Preparations, portraits, and reception at a chateau in West Orange, New Jersey. Ceremony at a nearby church.
Where? Pleasantdale Chateau
When? : April 2019
Springtime is a tricky time of year to get married. You might find yourself with a brilliantly bright day, sunlight streaming through trees, birds chirping, and a new warmth making the day shine. You also have a chance of living out that saying of April showers bring May flowers. Let’s be honest, while we love the idea of a flowery May, no one wants their April wedding to be a washout of rain and wind!
When I talked to Rachel the week of their wedding, we talked about how we had a 100% chance of rain on their day. We discussed all of the amazing indoor places that Pleasantdale has to offer for rainy-day wedding portraits – The greenhouse! That pool! – but I knew her heart was really set on some outdoor images. Luck was with us, and the rain stopped long enough for us to create some gorgeous images on the foggy, dreamy grounds of the chateau.
Rachel and Joseph, thank you. Thank you for darting out into the fog with me, mist in your hair and wet grounds underfoot. Thank you for laughing with me, trusting me with your memories, and allowing me to spend such an important day with you. Thank you, thank you.
Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding:
Pleasantdale Château: A Storybook Setting for a Dream Wedding
Pleasantdale Château, nestled in the picturesque landscape of West Orange, New Jersey, offers an enchanting setting for a wedding that feels like a step into a fairytale. This historic estate, with its elegant architecture, sprawling grounds, and serene ambiance, presents a perfect backdrop for couples seeking a wedding venue that combines old-world charm with natural beauty.
The Enchantment of Pleasantdale Château
The journey into Pleasantdale Château is one that transports you into a world of timeless elegance. The Château, with its French Normandy style architecture, exudes a sense of grandeur and romance. From the moment guests drive through the iron gates and along the tree-lined driveway, they are greeted by the stunning visage of the estate, setting the tone for a magical celebration.
The grand foyer, with its magnificent wooden staircase and exquisite tiled floors, welcomes guests into a space that is both majestic and inviting. The Château’s various rooms, from the grand ballroom with its high ceilings and opulent chandeliers to the more intimate spaces with their cozy fireplaces and rich wood paneling, offer a variety of settings for each part of the celebration.
A Photographer’s Dream: The Grounds and Interiors
Photographers will find inspiration at every turn within Pleasantdale Château. The estate’s expansive grounds provide a myriad of stunning backdrops for wedding photography. The beautifully manicured gardens, with their colorful flowers and ornate sculptures, offer a romantic setting, while the quaint gazebos and charming footbridges add a whimsical touch to the photographs.
The estate’s natural pond, surrounded by lush greenery, creates a serene and picturesque setting for intimate portraits. The architecture of the Château itself, with its stone façade and detailed craftsmanship, provides a majestic and historic backdrop, perfect for capturing the grandeur and elegance of the day.
Indoor Elegance and Splendor
Inside, the Château’s rooms are a treasure trove of photographic opportunities. The grand ballroom, with its expansive windows and elegant décor, is ideal for capturing the celebration’s larger moments. The smaller, more intimate rooms, each with their unique charm, offer beautiful settings for capturing the more personal and quiet moments of the wedding.
Exploring the Surrounding Beauty
Located in West Orange, the area surrounding Pleasantdale Château adds an additional layer of charm and opportunity for photography. The picturesque landscapes of New Jersey, with their rolling hills and lush woodlands, provide a natural and serene backdrop, perfect for couples who wish to incorporate the beauty of nature into their wedding album.
A Wedding Experience Like No Other
At Pleasantdale Château, every wedding is an event of unparalleled elegance and grace. The Château’s team of professionals ensures that every detail, from the exquisite cuisine to the seamless service, is handled with the utmost care and precision. The experience of getting married at Pleasantdale Château is one of stepping into a storybook setting where every moment is enveloped in romance, beauty, and a touch of historical grandeur.
