All photos by Kathleen Whittemore Photography
A New Jersey couple deviated from a big-production wedding in favor of a celebration at Full Moon Resort, an idyllic escape surrounded by lush landscapes.
Courtney Stock’s professional life is the antithesis of her wedding theme. She is what some would describe as a “Boss Lady,” or one who excels in a leadership role, specifically in beauty and fashion. That is to say: it’s full of glitz and glam.
She and Cory, her now husband, are the best of friends. The two grew up together in the same hometown in New Jersey, but didn’t make it official until they both graduated from college. They solidified their devotion to one another with a waterfront proposal, surrounded by the Hudson River and views of the Manhattan skyline, and—most important of all—friends and family to gleefully celebrate the momentous occasion.
The couple continued their festivities away from the their home in Jersey City by booking a weekend away at the Full Moon Resort, a destination embedded in the heart of the Catskills Mountains. The area is engulfed in acres of lush meadows, dense forests, and spring-fed streams, ideal for those who wish to get a little closer to nature.
The Stocks planned an entire weekend getaway for themselves and their guests with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the barn house at the Big Indian property. The itinerary included campfire circles, board games, and even yoga.
The morning of the big day began at the designated “Birdsong Cottage,” a charming barnyard-red dwelling unit facing the Esopus Creek. Here, the bride-to-be donned her snow-white knit jogger with her bridesmaids all draped in matching fleece plaid pajama sets (courtesy of Kim Kardashian’s Skims collection). Of course, what would pre-ceremony jollity be without enjoying a bottle of prosecco?
It was time to get dolled up, so Courtney’s mother and bridesmaids helped her look her very best for the special day. In a frenzy of snapshots, the photographer captured a touching moment as the bride’s father looks on at his little girl. The bride donned a Grace Loves Lace Orla dress that was adorned with a pearl thread trailing down her back.
Meanwhile, the groom and his men geared up for the occasion, toasting with matte black flasks to commemorate his big day and killing time—or perhaps, soothing the wedding day jitters—by shooting billiards.
Parting with the archaic pre-wedding superstition, Cory and his bride paired up to pose for photographs. Then, the groom made a quick costume change into a debonair white tuxedo.
As for the venue, Full Moon’s Catskills wedding barn is nothing short of enchanting. The space is bejeweled with sphere pendant lights suspended from the vaulted ceiling, and strings of tinker lights and pine leaves hug the barn’s columns.
A close friend to the couple officiated the wedding, and the bride shared her vows eloquently, moving the room to tears. After the groom shared his, they each said “I do” in front of an elated crowd.
Afterward, the Catskills wedding celebration migrated to an indoor pavilion for the reception. To stay on-theme with the understated elegance of the venue, Courtney and Cory opted for a three-tiered cake topped with pine leaves and frosted pinecones as the room’s centerpiece.
The newlywed table was decorated in a similar fashion, but, instead of pinecones, the table was embellished with a bouquet of baby’s breath—the very same flower that the bride toted down the aisle. Behind the couple was a sign that read, “It was always you,” reaffirming what they’ve long since known.
A weekend saturated in romance cannot go out without a bang—or, at the very least, with sparklers. After toasts and speeches from the parents of the newlyweds and the maid of honor wrapped, the reception evolved into a jamboree. The air was filled with bliss as everyone danced the night away at the Catskills wedding.
Vendors
Venue: Full Moon Inn Resort, Big Indian
Dress: Grace Loves Lace, Australia
Makeup: Vow Brides
Pajamas: Skims
Related: Fall for This Intimate Bistro Wedding in the Hudson Valley
