Planning an intimate Wedding in NJ?

Here’s How to Keep It Dreamy—Not Dingy.

Intimate weddings are gorgeous—but without the right planning, they can slip from soul-stirring to ‘hot dog cart behind the garage’ real fast.

I’m gonna walk you through how to create magic in your own intimate (without a single folding chair in sight).

  • Outdoor wedding reception setup under trees with fall leaves, featuring round tables with white tablecloths, chairs, decorative string lights, and fabric bunting.

    Pick Your Vibe

    Are you feeling garden fairycore? Retro cocktail party? Moody candlelit romance? Or laid-back boho picnic vibes? Before you order a single rental chair or string a single twinkle light, you gotta decide your vibe. Because mixing rustic, glam, farmhouse, and disco ball just gets you Pinterest chaos.

  • Outdoor dinner setting with a person pouring champagne into a glass, surrounded by lit candles, wine bottles, and a basket of bread on a wooden table.

    Rentals Are Everything

    If your guests are sitting in plastic chairs from 1997, you’ve already lost. Upgrade to real tables, sleek chairs, and a solid tent if needed. Think lighting, linens, a bar setup—even a cute lounge area if you’re feeling fancy.

  • Floral wedding arch with draped fabric

    Decor That Doesn’t Suck

    Even just a few intentional design elements go a long way. Look into a ceremony arch, string lights or lanterns, florals, and glassware (not red cups). You don’t need a truckload of decor—you just need a vibe that feels consistent and you.

  • Close-up of hands holding a small sandwich with lettuce, carrot shreds, meat, and sauce in a bun secured with a toothpick.

    Your Vendor Dream Team

    Who’s Actually Running This Thing? An intimate wedding needs vendors who know what they’re doing without a venue coordinator. Look into a caterer who can do off-site. Food trucks are hella popular these days and in some cases will save you some bucks. A DJ with their own setup if you wanna go loud, but honestly you can just go with a phone and a sick playlist. Rentals (obvs)… your guests need to sit somewhere. Maybe even a bathroom rental—seriously.

    Want my vendor list? Email me.

  • Raindrops creating ripples on a water surface, reflecting light.

    Backup Plans & Weird Details

    The Sh*t Nobody Tells You… Plan for rain. Don’t risk it. Always have a tent on reserve. Citronella and fans are your besties. Check the town’s noise ordinance. Don’t assume everyone can park anywhere. Your guests can’t party in the dark.

    Real talk: this stuff can make or break the night.

  • Wooden sign with 'Eat, Drink and Be Married' text

    Intimate Wedding Timeline

    Here’s an example of how an intimate Wedding flows…

    12 PM – Rentals arrive, 2 PM – Event vendors set up, 3:30 PM – Getting ready + first look, 5:00 PM – Ceremony Begins, followed by the rest of your BIG DAY! It’s that simple!

    Remember, this is your day. Plan it how you want it!

Want Photos That Match Your Intimate Vibe?

I will shoot the hell out of your intimate wedding.😁 If you want a photographer who gets the vibe and captures all the unfiltered, real moments—let’s talk. I’m based in Northern NJ and already obsessed with your wedding.

Micro Wedding / Elopements – Starts at $2,000

  • Perfect for Intimate Celebrations (4 Hours of Coverage, max 50 guests)

  • 100-150 Professionally Edited Images

  • 3-Month Access to Your Own Online Gallery

  • 48 Hour Sneak Peek Delivered Straight to your Inbox

From the first call to the final gallery, I’m with you every step of the way. The process is designed to be fun, easy, and stress-free. But it’s more than just a wedding photography—it's a full experience. Through our Love Locked In wedding prep blog, we’ll be sending helpful tips your way, from the very first call all the way to the night before the wedding. Our goal isn’t just to take photos, but to guide you through an unforgettable experience.

Outdoor wedding reception setup with tree, string lights, and decorated tables.
Wooden sign with the text 'Eat, Drink and Be Married' next to a tree.

Don’t take my word for it.

  • Couple walking and kissing on a sandy beach with ocean waves.

    "... took the extra step and made sure that my dreams came true.”

    Marianna & Jesse

  • A couple standing on a wooden bridge in a forest, with a woman hugging a man from behind. The background features green trees and stone steps.

    “... they were just so phenomenal! The photos left me speechless!”

    Tatiana & Casey

  • Bride and groom kissing in sunlight, surrounded by floral decorations.

    “Stefan works with you with everything. You are sure to have your needs met and feel like royalty on your day!”

    Ariana & Jahh

  • A couple sharing a tender moment by a lake, surrounded by greenery, with sunlight filtering through the trees.

    “... was really an above-and-beyond photographer who understood how to make the process from beginning to end as stress-free as possible.”

    Ashley & Praveen

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT

Let’s talk about your day, your vibe, and how I can tell your love story the way it deserves to be told.

stefanlanecreative@gmail.com
(973) 459-1948