
Island Beach State Park
Ocean County, New Jersey
Photography by
Michelle Lange
Home to foxes, ospreys, and many other wildlife, this lovely park is a preserved barrier island that protects charming natural shoreline and plant and animal habitats. From local-to-New Jersey wedding coordinator, Kristin of Reveriemade shared some local insight on what makes this destination so special and doable for any beach-loving couple looking for something different:
New Jersey beaches tend to get pretty crowded in the summer, but Island Beach State Park is hardly ever so. It's a hidden gem and a best-kept secret of Jersey Shore locals. They do allow tents for events, so visitors would just need to call the Park Ranger for details. To help recreate this look, we used a bell tent for this photo shoot from Delaware-based tent company, Soul Pad, and one of the many things I love about bell tents is that they're quick and easy to construct. If you'd prefer not to purchase one for your trip, you can also look for a local company that rents them out for events.
After your own idyllic DIY picnic lunch, for local dinner options, couples should explore Xina, my favorite sushi restaurant right over the bridge, and The Sawmill for low-key drinks and the biggest slice of boardwalk pizza you'll ever have.

















VENDOR CREDITS
Photography: Michelle Lange Photography • Creative Direction, Styling, Concept, and Florals: Reveriemade • Calligraphy, Décor, Styling, and Concept: PCB Home • Vintage Car: Trophy Film Cars • Bell Tent: Soul Pad • Beauty: Stacie Ford Weddings • Models: Weronika Kucharska and Stephen Gibson of Wilhelmina Philadelphia