Gena & Kevin Wedding @ Valley Regency, Clifton NJ

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Some wedding days just have that extra something. The kind of energy you can feel the second you walk in. Gena & Kevin’s Valley Regency wedding in Clifton, NJ was exactly that: emotional, hilarious, deeply personal, and an absolute party from start to finish.

These two have the kind of love story that sounds very “modern romance,” but somehow also feels like it was always meant to happen. They had only been dating for a few weeks when life suddenly shifted into quarantine mode. Instead of taking things slow, Kevin ended up staying at Gena’s apartment for months. And honestly? It worked. Gena said it felt like they had been dating for ten years, which might be the most quarantine-era love story ever.

By the time their wedding day arrived in November 2023, it was so clear that this wasn’t just a celebration of a couple getting married. It was a celebration of everything they had already lived through together, every inside joke, every quiet night in, every big moment, and every person who helped get them here.

A First Look Full of Feeling

Gena & Kevin chose to do a first look, and it was one of those moments that reminded us why we love wedding days so much. There is something incredibly special about carving out a quiet pocket of time before the ceremony, especially on a day filled with a large bridal party, a full groom squad, and plenty of happy chaos.

Their first look was emotional in the best way. No forced reactions, no over-the-top staging, just two people taking each other in and realizing, “This is really happening.” For us, that is always the good stuff. The real stuff. The kind of moment that makes a Valley Regency wedding gallery feel personal and alive.

Chester Stole Hearts at the Ceremony

Of course, we have to talk about Chester.

Gena & Kevin’s pup was part of the ceremony, and yes, he absolutely understood the assignment. There is something about having a dog at a wedding that instantly makes the whole day feel even more personal. Chester brought the cuteness, the personality, and that sweet little reminder that weddings are not only about tradition. They are about family, in every form.

At this Valley Regency wedding, Chester was not just a detail. He was part of the story.

A Proposal on the Water

Before the wedding day, there was the proposal: a boat, a July day, and Gena’s friends secretly hiding so they could pop out and surprise her. It was fun, thoughtful, and very them. Kevin clearly knew exactly how to make the moment unforgettable, and that same energy carried into the wedding day.

You could see it in the way their people showed up for them. Their bridal party and groom squad were big, loud, loving, and fully ready to celebrate. Every couple deserves a crew like that.

A Reception That Truly Turned Up

Some receptions are fun. Gena & Kevin’s reception was super fun.

Their wedding party knew how to party, their guests knew how to party, and Gena & Kevin were right in the middle of it all, soaking up every second. The dance floor stayed alive, the energy kept building, and the whole room had that “nobody wants this night to end” feeling.

This is where a Valley Regency wedding really shines: when the formal moments give way to the kind of celebration where everyone lets loose. Gena & Kevin’s people brought the energy, and we were more than happy to capture every packed-dance-floor, hands-in-the-air, laughing-too-hard moment.

Familiar Faces and Full-Circle Moments

One of the sweetest parts of the day for us was seeing so many familiar faces. A few guests had been Shotwell couples in the past, and spotting previous clients in the crowd always makes a wedding feel a little like a reunion. It is one of those full-circle moments that means a lot.

Gena & Kevin’s Valley Regency wedding had everything we love about photographing weddings in New Jersey: real emotion, a couple who was completely themselves, a crowd that came ready to celebrate, and a story that felt personal from beginning to end.

From Chester’s ceremony cameo to the emotional first look to the nonstop reception energy, this was the kind of day we will be smiling about for a long time. Gena & Kevin, thank you for letting us be part of it. Your wedding was heartfelt, wild, joyful, and completely unforgettable—exactly the way it should be