Courtney & Ryan’s Cape May Wedding at America’s Oldest Seaside Resort

A bride and groom walk hand in hand across a lawn towards a group of guests outside Congress Hall in Cape May.

Courtney & Ryan hired us about a year and a half prior to their wedding day. We spoke about the plan and flow of their day, what was most important to them and how we would capture all of the emotion and connections once the day actually arrived. One thing they forgot to mention to us is that they planned to completely transform Congress Hall, an already incredibly unique and jaw dropping venue for a wedding. We have photographed so many weddings at Congress Hall over the years and we are so very fortunate to continue to be invited back to photograph so many wonderful weddings there. Each wedding at this incredible venue is beautiful in its own right. But Courtney & Ryan’s design and decor was just next level. Take a picture perfect fall day, a stunning vision, add in America’s oldest seaside resort, Congress Hall, and you’ve got yourself the backdrop for one heck of a wedding shindig!

Courtney & Ryan’s wedding ceremony took place on the lawn at Congress Hall situated just across the beach with the Atlantic just beyond that. The sun was shining, the ocean breeze was blowing, trumpets and guitars played as Courtney, looking radiant in her gown, and Ryan, looking sharp as ever, stood before their loved ones, ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Courtney’s brother officiated his sister and brother in-law’s wedding giving the ceremony that extra personal touch. The couple said their I dos and were cheered on by family and friends as they walked back down the lawn towards the veranda and a cocktail hour waiting for them and all of their guests. But let’s talk about what happened next because, folks, it was nothing short of epic. They whisked everyone inside the iconic ballroom, where the real magic went down. And by magic, I mean jaw-dropping floral displays that were so incredible, even Mother Nature herself would’ve been impressed. Imagine this: you walk into the ballroom and BAM! Pink everywhere—like, everywhere you look, there’s a pop of pink that makes you go, “Whoa, that’s unbelievable!” We’re talking pink accents that would make Barbie blush. I even said to the the planner, Shannon, “I’ve been in this room dozens of times but I’ve never seen it look this good”.  These centerpieces weren’t just your run-of-the-mill flower arrangements, oh no. They were towering works of art, bursting with blooms in shades of pink. Each one was like a mini garden, meticulously crafted to perfection by the team of artists at A Garden Party. But amidst all the glitz and glamour, it was the love between Courtney and Ryan that stole the show. They danced the night away, their laughter filling the air and their hearts overflowing with joy. It was a celebration of love, laughter, and some sick dance moves. Courtney & Ryan, you guys put on one hell of a party. It was so incredible to share in the celebration with you and your families. We all here wish you all nothing but the best!

*See Courtney & Ryan’s wedding video here*

CONGRESS HALL WEDDING VENDORS

Venue – Congress Hall | Planning – Shannon Wellington | Florals – A Garden Party | MUA – Calista Salon | DJ – EBE Talent | Dress –Kleinfeld Bridal | Linens – White Glove Rentals | Ceremony Music – Springlight Entertainment |  Photography & Videography – Two17 Photo & Cinema

To see more of our recent weddings, take a look at this Super-8 film wedding in New Hope, this Beach Plum Farm wedding in Cape May and this New Year’s Eve wedding video at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve

Ready to reach out and discuss the plans for your own wedding? Send us a message here.

A newlywed couple holding hands in front of Congress Hall in Cape May, adorned with multiple American flags, on a sunny day. Split image with a bouquet of white wedding flowers on the left, and the entrance to Congress Hall in Cape May with autumn decorations on the right. Five people casually conversing in an elegantly decorated room at Congress Hall, with an ornate mirror and vintage furnishings. A woman applying makeup in a bright room at Congress Hall while a child watches and two other women observe from the background. A makeup artist applies makeup to a seated woman in a bright, tiled room at a wedding in Cape May. Two black and white photos; on the left, a woman and a girl sitting closely, smiling at the camera. On the right, they're joined by another woman, all laughing in a bedroom setting An older woman sitting on a couch at Congress Hall looks attentively at a young girl in the foreground who faces away from the camera, in a brightly lit living room. A joyful group of seven adults, embracing and laughing together on a sunny porch at Congress Hall, dressed in casual and semi-formal attire. A young man in a tuxedo adjusts his tie at Cape May while an older man looks on in a bright room. An older man in a tuxedo smiles widely at a wedding as a younger man in a suit adjusts his bow tie from behind. A groom in a black tuxedo and bow tie, with a boutonniere, smiling in a well-lit room at Congress Hall; two side-by-side portraits, one full seated pose Black and white photo of a groom and three men in suits toasting with champagne glasses at a Congress Hall wedding in Cape May. A bride in a lace gown being assisted by an older woman in a black sequined dress, who is adjusting the gown in a brightly lit room at Congress Hall, Cape May. A bride in a lace dress smiles gently while being assisted by an older woman, likely in a moment of preparation for a wedding at Congress Hall, Cape May. A bride, seen from behind, faces a group of smiling wedding guests including bridesmaids in black dresses and children in white, in an elegantly decorated room at Congress Hall. A bride in a white lace dress holding a bouquet of white flowers stands in Congress Hall, Cape May, with elegant decor. Bride in a white lace dress and groom in a black tuxedo smiling at each other on a sunny street by Congress Hall with yellow brick buildings in Cape May. Bride and groom sharing a joyful first look moment outside Congress Hall with yellow walls and black shutters. A bride in a lace dress smiling at a groom in a dark suit, with the focus on her over-the-shoulder glance at Congress Hall in a black and white urban setting. A bride in a lace dress and a groom in a tuxedo smiling and posing under a colonnade at Congress Hall on a sunny day. A newlywed couple smiling at each other, with the man in a black tuxedo and the woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet, standing on a street with arched passages near Congress Close-up of a smiling bride at Congress Hall, Cape May, looking at the camera, with the groom's face close to hers, both in wedding attire. A bride in a lace wedding dress holding a bouquet of white flowers, smiling on a street with brick sidewalks and Congress Hall in the background. A bride and groom holding hands at their Cape May wedding, focusing on their interlocked hands; groom smiling down at bride who is gazing back with joy. A bride and groom share intimate moments outside Congress Hall adorned with American flags; the groom whispers to the bride, and they pose hand-in-hand.Wedding party posing outside Congress Hall in Cape May, with the bride and groom in the center surrounded by groomsmen and bridesmaids. A man in a black suit and boutonniere smiles and greets guests outside Congress Hall, decorated with autumnal decor for a wedding. A joyful wedding group outside Congress Hall in Cape May, men in black suits and women in white floral dresses, smiling and conversing under sunny skies. A group of eight men in formal black tuxedos and bow ties, smiling and talking outside Congress Hall in Cape May. A wedding group poses outdoors at Congress Hall; a bride and groom flanked by two men, three women, and three girls, all smiling and holding bouquets, with a building in the background. A cheerful group of adults and children in formal attire posing for a photo at a wedding in Congress Hall, Cape May, with smiles and bouquets in hand. A wedding setup at Congress Hall in Cape May, featuring a welcome sign beside white floral arrangements and an outdoor altar adorned with white flowers and green foliage. A man playing a trumpet outdoors with Congress Hall in the background; next to an image of many champagne glasses filled with bubbly at a wedding.
Groom smiling as he walks down the aisle at Congress Hall, with seated guests turning to watch, in an outdoor wedding ceremony in Cape May. A bride and groom smiling at their guests during an outdoor wedding ceremony at Congress Hall in Cape May, in black and white. A bride and groom adjust the bride's dress outdoors at Congress Hall in Cape May as guests look on. Left: close-up of a smiling groom in a black tuxedo with a boutonniere. Right: at Congress Hall, a bride and groom holding hands, walking across a sun Bride walking down the aisle with her father at an outdoor wedding ceremony in Cape May, guests lined up on either side, with Congress Hall in the background. Bride and groom exchanging vows at an outdoor wedding ceremony at Congress Hall in Cape May, with guests seated on either side of a pink aisle runner. A bride and groom stand facing each other at an outdoor wedding ceremony at Congress Hall in Cape May, surrounded by groomsmen in black tuxedos, with floral decorations nearby. Wedding guests seated outdoors at Congress Hall, focusing on a little girl holding flowers next to formally dressed adults. Woman holding a toddler at a Cape May wedding, both watching the ceremony intently. A bride and groom holding hands during an outdoor wedding ceremony at Congress Hall in Cape May, officiated by an older man, surrounded by a floral arch. A bride and groom kiss during their wedding ceremony at Congress Hall in Cape May, with a smiling groomsman in the background. Bride and groom joyfully walk down the aisle holding hands after the wedding ceremony at Congress Hall, with guests and floral arrangements on either side, in a black and white outdoor setting. A bride and groom walk hand in hand across a lawn towards a group of guests outside Congress Hall in Cape May. Split image featuring a wedding program with floral decor on the left at Congress Hall in Cape May, and a close-up of a hand holding a whiskey glass on the right. Left: a wedding ceremony outside the grand, three-story Congress Hall in Cape May with guests seated. Right: a collection of wedding favors including a candle, soap, and a matchbox on Two scenes of musicians at a wedding in Congress Hall, Cape May: the left image features two men playing guitars outdoors, while the right image shows a male drummer playing at the venue, viewed Elegant Congress Hall wedding reception in Cape May with floral decorations, gold chairs, white tablecloths, and chandeliers. Elegant wedding reception setup at Congress Hall featuring gold chairs, pink tablecloths, and lush floral decorations in a venue with checkered flooring. Elegant wedding reception table setting with floral centerpieces, gold cutlery, and champagne on a patterned tablecloth in the luxurious Congress Hall in Cape May. Elegant wedding venue in Congress Hall, Cape May, decorated with white flowers and green foliage, featuring a floral arch, chandelier, and a bride near an ornate door. Elegant wedding reception setup in Congress Hall, Cape May, featuring tables with gold cutlery, floral decor, and a checkered floor in a bright, sophisticated venue. A newlywed couple holding hands and looking at each other on a balcony at Congress Hall, with guests at the wedding reception visible below. A bride and groom gaze lovingly at each other at Congress Hall, paired with a close-up of their hands showcasing the bride's diamond ring. A bride and groom dance joyfully at their wedding reception in Congress Hall, surrounded by cheering guests in an elegantly decorated hall. A bride and groom dancing in Congress Hall with a black and white checkered floor, surrounded by guests watching them. Bride and groom smiling at each other while dancing at Congress Hall, surrounded by wedding guests in a warmly lit venue. Three people embracing in a heartfelt group hug at a wedding, with others in the background. A joyful bride dancing with an older woman at a wedding reception in Congress Hall, Cape May, surrounded by clapping guests.A wedding scene in Congress Hall, Cape May; on the left, a groom sits at a decorated table, and on the right, a man gives a speech to the bride and audience. Man taking a photo with a digital camera at a wedding in Congress Hall, Cape May, smiling at a woman next to him; other guests and table settings in view. A man reads from a paper at a wedding reception in Congress Hall as a couple seated at a decorated table, surrounded by floral arrangements and candles, listens and smiles. Elderly man in a tuxedo laughing joyfully at a wedding dinner event at Congress Hall, with a woman in a gold dress smiling beside him. Two men in tuxedos at a wedding in Congress Hall, one laughing and the other speaking into a microphone while holding a paper. 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A man dances enthusiastically on a checkered dance floor at Congress Hall during a lively wedding reception in Cape May, surrounded by cheering guests. A man in a suit dancing energetically at a wedding reception at Congress Hall, surrounded by cheering guests, in black and white. Black and white photo of a lively wedding scene at Congress Hall, Cape May, with guests in formal attire, one man holding a drink, enjoying the bustling atmosphere. Bride and groom dancing in a lively crowd at a wedding reception in Congress Hall, Cape May, with motion blur effect capturing the festive atmosphere. Bride and groom dancing joyously with guests in a lively indoor Congress Hall wedding reception in Cape May, holding drinks.

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