a sleek, classy, offbeat bbq in the heart of academia

“Have love, will travel.”

– the sonics

Ally + Jason’s eclectic wedding was one for the books! This adorable duo tied the knot at their law school alma mater and threw a party that was perfectly them – complete with a vintage Italian Piago Ape mobile bar tapped with all of their favorite brews, classic lawn games for their guests, Irish traditions to match Ally’s Celtic ring, and a pumple cake (an apple pie and a pumpkin pie baked into a cake! YES!).

Ally’s father danced her down the aisle before their guests kicked off their shoes and danced the rainy night away under a twinkle-lit tent. The historic Eagleton Institute for Politics on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus provided the perfect backdrop for these nontraditional nuptials with a classic twist.

the preparations

the ceremony

One of the very first details Ally told me about the wedding was that she and her father planned to dance down the aisle to the The Black Keys cover of the classic Sonics song Have Love, Will Travel – and dance, they did! What made the moment even neater was juxtaposing this break from tradition with a breathtakingly classic one. Right before their boogie down the aisle, Ally + her dad descended the historic building’s storied double staircase in a picture-perfect ode to elegance.

Jason + Ally’s ceremony was also a perfect mix of tradition and eclectism, including a quintissential Dr. Seuss quote as a reading and an absolutely beautiful symbolic Celtic hand-tying.

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”

– dr. seuss

the reception

The Roving Bar kicked off the party by offering Ally + Jason’s favorite brews on tap while guests helped themselves to chalk-labeled mason jar glasses and paper fans to beat the heat. Ally’s sleek BHLDN dress swayed under the tent’s string lights as adults and kids alike delighted both in the lawn games and the hilariously nostalgic Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot cake toppers (that actually worked!).

The couple topped the night off with the most decadent cake I’ve ever witnessed as well a a good old fashioned Irish jig or two for good measure.

stay weird, you beautiful lovebirds.

so honored to have witnessed your incredible day.

the vendors

venue: eagleton institute of politics on the rutgers campus – new brunswick, nj /// photography: opal & jaye photography /// second shooter: color me beautiful photography /// photographer’s assistant: christina hoglander /// hair + makeup: jackie caruso /// pumple cake: fritz’s new brunswick /// dress: bhldn /// flowers: tracy schweibert /// mobile bar: the roving bar

thanks for reading!