When I am invited to photograph a couple on their wedding day, there are few New Jersey venues that match the beauty and potential of The Rockleigh.
This beautiful Georgian-style mansion is located on a 12-acre country estate in the Rockleigh, New Jersey countryside. While the East Coast offers a near-limitless set of beautiful locations to host a wedding, The Rockleigh is a hidden gem that you won’t want to miss.
Natural Beauty For Intimate Moments
One of my favorite characteristics of The Rockleigh is the venue’s natural beauty. When considering the perfect location for your wedding, knowing that the venue comes pre-packaged with majestic backdrops for photos is key.
The Rockleigh delivers – before you even arrive inside the mansion. Across the 12-acre estate are professionally manicured gardens that offer plenty of options for intimate photography. The Courtyard Garden features flowing fountains while the Tuscan Garden can host small-size weddings or cocktail hours for guests to enjoy.
Really want to impress your guests? Venues that offer various locations between ceremony and reception can help add variety to your big (and potentially long) day. Consider letting guests enjoy a cocktail reception in an outdoor space between indoor ceremonies and receptions for a bit of fresh air!
Danny U Photography Wedding Tip
Picture Perfect Ceremonies
It’s hard to nail down the top reason that I love photographing couples at The Rockleigh, but the venue’s Georgian-style mansion makes for unforgettable ceremony photos.
From the moment you arrive at the gates of The Rockleigh, your eyes are immediately drawn to the historic architecture and design of the building. The property is guarded by a set of wrought iron gates, offering a feeling of royalty and a sense of private intimacy. Capturing these unique architectural pieces in photos and video adds luxury to every session, and is one of the reasons I get excited about sessions at the mansion.
The Grand Pavilion can hold up to 850 guests, and the room offers plenty of space for spreading out and enjoying the ceremony and reception. I love to capture candid moments between the newlyweds and guests during the reception, and the Grand Pavilion features a beautiful marble inlaid dance floor that reflects the light just right during the first dance.
One of my favorite spots in The Rockleigh is the Bristol Ballroom. This medium-sized ballroom fits most wedding guestlists and features incredible chandeliers that complement any wedding theme or style. When the light from the crystal chandelier hits the bride’s flowing dress, it’s magic!
A Complete Experience At The Rockleigh
The skilled and hospitable waitstaff of The Rockleigh takes care of nearly every aspect of the day, ensuring that guests and the wedding party are cared for. As a photographer, this makes my job even easier – the more relaxed guests are, the more fun they have!
While shooting posed shots is essential on your wedding day, nothing beats coming across those moments from the day that showcases the memories you made. Capturing natural and joy-filled action shots during ceremonies and receptions creates memories that you can have and hold forever – even if you didn’t see them in person!
The Rockleigh may have a regal look, but I’ve discovered that my couples enjoy comfortable, calm, and intimate moments across the venue. Whether I’m shooting ceremony shots or taking a moment to capture the couple in the garden or outdoor chapel, Rockleigh wedding sessions are always unforgettable.
