Kara & Jake’s Princeton Campus Wedding

triumph brewery wedding bride and groom nj princeton unique foodie gormet kiss venue Holder Hall Rockefeller College Princeton New Jersey Campus portraits Wedding Princeton University by Kyo Morishima Photography

Life is too important to be taken seriously

Jake & Kara met while attending Princeton University (hence their Princeton Campus Wedding!). They started dating during senior year, and then headed to Oxford together to pursue their graduate degrees. After graduating, they moved back home and settled in New York City, where they both became teachers themselves — Kara with high school students, and Jake with college and graduate students.

But even with Ivy League educations and important careers, Kara & Jake are somehow super easy going. They’re totally goofy together, and they always make each other laugh. Oh, and they are completely in love! They share a sense of humor and they both have a passion for teaching, which they can (and do) spend hours on end talking about.

They love reading on lazy Sunday mornings, binge-watching their favorite shows, and traveling the world. But at the end of the day, they don’t really care what they’re doing, as long as they’re together.

Princeton New Jersey Wedding Morrison Hall bride and groom portrait smile by Kyo Morishima Photography

Princeton Campus Wedding

Jake popped the question in May of 2018, and on March 16, 2019 their love story came full-circle. They kicked off their next chapter right where their story began: Princeton Campus. 

Their wedding day was relaxed, fun, and full of love… and it was just so perfectly Jake & Kara. It struck the right balance of traditional and quirky. The ceremony, held at the Princeton University Chapel, was a nod to their past while their brewery reception celebrated the future.

kiss triumph brewery wedding cylo bride and groom silo nj princeton unique foodie gormet kiss reception venue Princeton New Jersey Campus portraits Wedding by Kyo Morishima Photography

Brewery Reception in New Jersey

Kara & Jake celebrated with all of their family and friends at Triumph Brewery. It was kind of like the grown-up version of a college party, but without the drinking games (at least we don’t think they were playing drinking games!).

They used twinkle lights, greenery and candles to decorate, which perfectly accentuated the unique venue.

First comes love, then comes donuts (…and craft beer!)

Donut Cake at Princeton New Jersey Campus Wedding by Kyo Morishima Photography triumph brewery wedding steps cylo bride and groom silo nj princeton unique foodie gormet kiss reception venue dounats

Craft beer on tap, what could be better?

You definitely can’t have your wedding reception at a brewery without bringing out the brews! One of the our favorite details about Kara & Jake’s day is that they worked with Triumph to create a custom craft beer that everyone got to enjoy with them on their wedding night.

Another little detail we love: instead of a traditional cake, the couple opted for donuts. And not just any donuts — donuts from Terhune Orchards, another one of our favorite spots in the Princeton area.

Then it was time to dance it out. And check out those moves! (Ahem… we’re sure no one overdid it on the beer!)

Our Favorite Takeaways from Kara & Jake’s Wedding:

  1. Blending Traditional & Contemporary. Kara & Jake did such a great job of seamlessly mixing a traditional ceremony in a chapel rooted in history with a non-traditional, industrial brewery reception.
  2. Cake Not Required. So many couples are choosing to forego the cake in favor of another sweet treat. You could go for cupcakes, donuts, pie, or chocolate chip cookies! TIP: This is a great opportunity to put your personality as a couple into your wedding. Why not choose your favorite dessert to share on date night?
  3. Your Dream Day is Worth It. Planning your wedding can be stressful. If you’re kind of drowning in the details right now, remember that soon you’ll be sharing a love-filled night full of dancing and fun with the people you love most. Just looking at Kara & Jake’s faces in these pictures reminds us what it’s all about.

Here is a link of a wedding at Triumph New Hope!

You might also be interested in these brewery, farm and restaurant weddings.

Also Princeton weddings and NJ weddings!

Credits

Ceremony Venue: Princeton University Chapel | Reception: Triumph Brewing Company | Donuts: Terhune Orchards | Music: Enjoy! The Band | Flowers: Viburnum | Invitations: Zola | Hair and Makeup: Cosmo Bleu | Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Tuxes: The Black Tux | Rings: Blue Nile

Never miss a post! Sign up to receive our favorite wedding tips & tricks.