The Art Factory Wedding Photographers
Kelli & JP’s Wedding | Dawn of the Dead Themed Wedding | The Art Factory Venue | Paterson, NJ Weddings | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
We typically like to meet our couples before their wedding to strategize day-of timelines. This meeting allows us to prioritize shot lists, identify venue logistics, and gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better over a beer. Yet a couple weeks ago because of scheduling difficulties, we defied this practice for Kelli and John Paul’s wedding at The Art Factory in Paterson, NJ. Despite the beautiful “industrial chic” labyrinth that is The Art Factory, the playfully enigmatic couple of Kelli and John Paul showed us that spontaneity really is the spice of life.
For those unfamiliar with The Art Factory, it is a 170-year-old group of warehouse-like buildings sitting on 5 acres in the crime-ridden city of Paterson, NJ. There are 21 multi-use buildings that contain 280,000 square feet that currently function as local artisan shops, photo and video studios, office space, and a wedding venue. It is Brooklyn caught between the gun-toting era of Biggie and mustache-wax-wielding hipster. The one-of-a-kind space offers a canvas for any creative mind and any creative vision. Get in before the first Whole Foods opens around the corner.
Kelli and John Paul’s aesthetic spun the Art Factory’s labyrinth of studios and corridors into a mixture of dark moodiness and playful light. Upon every warehouse window sill or broken brick wall sat a framed picture or memento of their relationship. Edison lights lit the path to the next room or memory. Kelli wore white while her bridesmaids donned black dresses with red roses. John Paul wore a custom-made old fashioned tux with long, rounded flaps, while his groomsmen boasted a classic look with red bow ties. The entire space felt uniquely them, as the bright colors of their attire and tattoos on their skin blended with the darkness and burst in the light.
The ceremony took place in a wide open room with high ceilings, brick walls, and white curtains. Exposed steel beams gave the space an industrial feel, but the wooden pews and handmade aspen tree altar rooted Kelli and John Paul’s marriage right back to earth. They welcomed many words from close friends and symbolized the union of their families as their respective mothers lit a single flame. Their guests laughed at unsuspected analogies for love and teared up during the vows. In a large room with tons of space, eyes were fixed upon the love that filled the air.
With all of the options what a wedding could be, I never imagined a couple walking into their reception to blaring heavy metal and sparklers. I never would’ve guessed that the groom’s garter belt dance would be modeled off this scene in Reservoir Dogs. I never pictured a realistic interpretation of two hearts resting upon the top of an immaculate cake instead of the plastic cookie-cutter bride-and-groom. There were so many aspects about Kelli and John Paul’s wedding that I didn’t expect and would’ve loved to plan for—but perhaps the lesson here—is that no amount of time or planning could’ve prepared me for the wedding I was lucky to experience.
Enjoy the pics from Kelli & JP’s Wedding:
Vendors:
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | The Art Factory, Paterson NJ
Reception Band | The Randy Haze Trio
Cocktail Band | Shawn and Big Al
DJ | Tony Saxon MC
Cake | Meredith Robinson
All Masked Up!
It’s us having a blast at Kelli & JP’s themed wedding.
Harry Potter Themed Wedding at The Highlands Ranch Mansion
Micaela & Shane’s Wedding | Harry Potter Themed Weddings | Highlands Ranch Mansion | Highlands Ranch Colorado | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
I wish I could rate my couples online because these guys would be 5 stars across the board! First of all, they were a photographer’s dream - super easy to work with, very kind, easy going, and also GORGEOUS (the icing on the cake right). But most of all, they were a super down-to-earth easy going couple that just loved each other.
I’ve shot a few weddings at the Highlands Ranch Mansion so I have a few spots that are my go-to’s for that amazing golden light. I vividly remember getting ants in my pants during the ceremony because we were close to losing the golden light (they had a late summer ceremony so the light was absolutely DREAMY during the ceremony and we were going to lose it fast). Their officiant announced them as husband and wife, they kissed, celebrated down the aisle, and I immediately scooped them away for a few natural light romantics.
Micaela and Shane were such good sports about it, too. I knew that if I didn’t steal them for * five minutes * that we would lose that epic light and guests would want to storm them so it would be impossible afterwards. I always joke that golden hour is my catnip, but for a synesthetic photographer, it really makes my skin tingle and I just get totally high on it. These guys rolled with all of that energy and gave me the best five minutes that I could have ever asked for. I loved these shots because I felt like we just punched so much love and emotion into – literally – the last few moments of light and the photos are so indicative of that.
After the ceremony and epic romantics, I was able to take the back seat a little and snag relaxed family shots, cocktail hour, and intros. Micaela and Shane did a great job balancing a ‘themed’ wedding without feeling like a college party (haha). They are both huge Harry Potter fans and did such a tasteful job of showing this off and having fun with something that has shaped their relationship. Their friends and family were so much fun and I really loved working with this awesome couple!
Photography: Apollo Fields | Wedding Photographer
Wedding Venue: Highlands Ranch Mansion | Colorado
Published on Wedding Wire: Micaela & Shane’s Wedding