A bride laughs as her groom wraps his arms around her in front of the outdoor ceremony space at The Merion in South Jersey
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A Playful Wedding at The Merion: The Skylight Ballroom

Filed in Wedding Days — June 11, 2025

There’s something especially joyful about photographing a couple who are both madly in love and completely themselves. Zer and Isaiah’s wedding at The Merion was just that: playful, emotional, beautiful, and full of heart. The venue’s elegance set the stage, but it was their connection — built over ten years together — that made the day feel truly extraordinary.

The newlyweds walk hand in hand down a stone path beside a marble railing, smiling at each other with the garden columns in the background during their wedding at The Merion.

A College Party, A Random Message, and a Perfect Match

Their story started during college — with a Snapchat sent on a whim by a friend. Zer didn’t even know who Isaiah was at the time, but something clicked. The first time they met in person was at a college party, and from across the room, Zer felt it — a magnetic pull, like they’d always been meant to meet. The wild part? They grew up just five miles apart, had mutual friends, and somehow had never crossed paths.

From that first conversation, everything flowed. They talked easily. They shared values. They clicked. And over the last ten years, their relationship grew into something strong and beautifully playful — the kind of bond where you can be completely silly and still feel deeply understood.

The Merion Wedding ceremony space set beneath a dramatic circular skylight, with golden chairs arranged around a white aisle and elegant white floral arrangements glowing in the natural light.

Zer sits in a director’s chair, holding up a handheld mirror and laughing as she admires her makeup. Her satin robe is open to reveal a blue top, and her hair is pinned with soft pink clips as she gets ready for her Merion wedding.
Zer stands in her beaded gown, facing a mirror, laughing alongside her mom, who is dressed in a sparkling gold gown. Both are glowing, caught in a joyful getting-ready moment before the Merion wedding ceremony begins.

Getting Ready and the First Look

Zer got ready surrounded by laughter, energy, and her closest people. Her gown by Dorina Haute Couture featured intricate beading and a detachable overcoat train that shimmered as she moved. Isaiah looked sharp in a classic black tux — and the emotion in his face during their first look said it all.

They chose to exchange private vows under the outdoor ceremony arch before the official ceremony began — a quiet, intimate moment just for the two of them. It was emotional, grounding, and full of the kind of joy that comes from knowing you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

On an outdoor marble bridge surrounded by manicured trees and deep red foliage, Isaiah smiles wide as Zer, in her wedding dress, wipes a tear from her face. The emotion of their first look during their Merion wedding is palpable.
A bride and groom share an emotional moment on a white marble bridge in the gardens of The Merion. The groom, in a black tuxedo, holds the bride’s hand as she adjusts her gown. Behind them, a circular stone gazebo with a wrought iron dome rises into a sky dotted with clouds. Lush greenery and pink roses frame the foreground, adding vibrant contrast to the peaceful scene.

The bride and groom walk hand-in-hand across a white marble bridge outside The Merion, smiling at each other with joyful anticipation. The bride’s strapless gown features intricate beading and a dramatic train, while the groom wears a black tuxedo with a white boutonniere. Behind them, stone columns and lush greenery frame the pathway, with vibrant red foliage adding a pop of color to the garden scene at The Merion.

The Ceremony in the Skylight Ballroom: A Wedding at The Merion

Their ceremony took place indoors beneath The Merion’s iconic circular skylight. With golden chairs, soft uplighting, and white floral arrangements placed throughout the space, it felt warm and elegant without being overly traditional — just like them.

As they exchanged rings, vows and jumped the broom, the room was quiet except for a few joyful tears and deep belly laughs. It wasn’t perfect, polished, or overly rehearsed. It was real. And that’s what made it beautiful.

Isaiah stands smiling at the front of the ceremony space, dressed in a black tux with a white boutonnière. Behind him is a black-and-white portrait of him and Zer, adding a personal touch to this South Jersey wedding ceremony.
Zer, holding a cascading bouquet of white orchids and roses, walks arm-in-arm with her escort down the aisle. The skylight above floods the space with natural light, and guests stand watching as she approaches the altar during this South Jersey wedding.

The bride and groom stand together beneath the domed skylight arbor at The Merion, facing one another in a quiet, emotional moment. The bride holds a microphone as she reads her vows. Florals on stands line the aisle.
Under a crystal chandelier and in front of white draping, Zer leans in laughing as Isaiah places the ring on her finger. Their playful energy adds personality to the formal setting of this South Jersey wedding.

Holding hands and laughing, Zer and Isaiah take their first steps together as newlyweds by jumping the broom. The ceremony backdrop features portraits of them surrounded by white florals and soft lighting — full of celebratory energy from this South Jersey wedding.

Portraits and Favorite Photo Moments at The Merion

Photographing a wedding at The Merion is such a treat; it is one of those venues where every corner offers something stunning. We used the marble bridge and manicured garden for couple portraits, with pops of greenery and floral backdrops that added texture and color. Inside, we captured moments near their custom photo booth and the voice guestbook phone booth — details that reflected their fun, creative energy.

One of my favorite things about these two is how effortlessly they moved between quiet, emotional moments and full-on silliness. They were up for anything, and that made for a gallery filled with both depth and joy.

The couple descends the grand curved staircase inside The Merion, holding hands, with the bride carrying a cascading white bouquet under an ornate chandelier, capturing a timeless wedding at The Merion moment.
The bride and her bridesmaids pose playfully on the grand staircase, each showing off a unique expression or hand gesture in their formal gowns, bringing fun energy to the celebration of their wedding at The Merion.

The Merion Wedding moment during private vow exchange as the couple stands near the grand white gazebo, emotional and connected beneath the open sky, the groom wipes a tear from the bride's eye as she reads her vows from her phone.

The bride poses with a vintage-style phone inside a white guestbook phone booth adorned with white roses, while the groom playfully leans on the door frame during their wedding at The Merion.
Outside under evening light, the couple kisses in front of the stone-columned gazebo while holding lit sparklers, ending their South Jersey wedding day with joy and romance.

A Reception Full of Energy, Laughter, and a Few Surprises

The Skylight Ballroom transformed for the reception with rich purple uplighting and warm candlelight. Zer and Isaiah made a grand entrance and danced like nobody was watching — except we all were, because their joy was magnetic. DJ Dorian kept the energy high all night, with a packed dance floor and a crowd that came ready to celebrate.

The bride and groom embrace during their first dance on a cloud beneath a chandelier in the Skylight Ballroom. Draped white fabric and oversized prints of their engagement photos frame the backdrop of this elegant South Jersey wedding reception.
A joyful bride and groom share a tender embrace during their first dance in a chandelier-lit ballroom. The bride’s back is to the camera, showcasing the elegant beadwork of her strapless gown and a crystal headband in her curled hair. The groom’s face is filled with emotion as he gently pulls her close. In the background, guests look on beneath arched windows and draped curtains, with large black-and-white portraits of the couple adding a personal touch to the reception space.

The bride and groom, surrounded by friends, share a laugh and hug on the packed dance floor at The Merion. The bride holds up a peace sign while the groom beams with joy behind her.

newlyweds cut their three tier wedding cake at The Merion beneath the domed skylight. with soft purple uplighting and some trailing green light trails above them
Under the stunning glass dome ceiling of The Merion, the bride and groom share an intimate embrace during their first dance. Colorful uplighting reflects off the polished floor around them.

One of the most surprising touches came courtesy of The Merion staff, who stepped out during the reception to surprise the couple with a bouquet of red roses while hoisting sparklers. It was a simple but thoughtful gesture that added an extra layer of celebration and made the night feel even more personal.

The bride receives a bouquet of red roses with a surprised and delighted expression as she stands near the center of the dance floor. A man in a tuxedo offers her a single rose while two attendants in black gloves and bowties hold bottles with sparklers shooting from the tops. The room is glowing with warm light and celebratory energy, with the bride at the heart of the action, her smile lighting up the scene.

From Behind the Camera During A Wedding at The Merion

As a wedding photographer, the thing I’m always watching for is how couples move through their day together. Zer and Isaiah moved through theirs like a team — laughing, wiping each other’s tears, hugging their people tight, and never losing sight of what the day was about. They made space for the small moments, the emotional ones, and the ridiculous ones too.

It was a privilege to document their love and this milestone in their story. To Zer & Isaiah: Never stop laughing and being silly with each other, it’s what makes your love so unique!

Outside during golden hour, the bride laughs with full-body joy as she leans forward on a stone bridge, her strapless gown catching the light. Her groom is beside her, partially bent over with his back turned in a moment of shared laughter. The background is filled with blooming red foliage, marble railings, and a soft sunset sky, creating a candid and emotionally rich portrait.

Kind Words from the Newlyweds

“On the wedding day, Lara’s dedication to sticking to the schedule was remarkable, even when faced with unexpected twists and turns. She skillfully managed family members trying to alter the photo plan, ensuring we got the shots we wanted. Throughout the entire process, Lara maintained a high level of professionalism and it was clear that she truly loves what she does.”

The groom poses confidently beside an indoor fountain, his black tuxedo sharp against the cream walls and rich iron railings — a polished solo portrait at a South Jersey wedding.
The bride stands inside The Merion beside the same tiered stone fountain, holding her white bouquet and smiling, with a grand chandelier and spiral staircase behind her — a classic indoor bridal portrait from a South Jersey wedding.

Planning a Wedding at The Merion?

Whether you’re dreaming of a glass-domed ballroom like Zer and Isaiah’s or planning a celebration filled with laughter and meaning, hosting your wedding at The Merion offers space, beauty, and flexibility for it all. The Skylight Ballroom in particular is a showstopper — elegant, versatile, and unforgettable.

And if you’re looking for someone who will walk through that day with you — through all the real, emotional, and unexpected parts — I’d love to be that person.

👉 Reach out here to connect.

Vendor Team

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