Introducing Hitched Journal, an online magazine featuring the photography of Jeff Tisman

Real Weddings / Real Couples / Real Talk

My married couples share it all! They offer stories and details about their weddings, as well as advice for newly engaged couples who are in the planning process. In this issue, the mother of the groom shares her perspective on the wedding day and her experience in helping to plan it. We also have a "For Photographers" page, where I share a unique capture and some behind-the-scenes insights. And don’t miss "Why I Love… This Moment" on the last page—a special feature highlighting one of my favorite wedding moments.

Hitched Journal Issue 02 - The Ryland Inn - Kaitlyn + Tyler / Photography by Jeff Tisman

Tell us about your experience with Jeff Tisman Photography:

“Jeff exceeded ALL of our expectations, capturing so many amazing photos of our wedding day!”

What were you looking for when it came to choosing a photographer.

“We were looking for someone who could capture candid, genuine moments that reflected the joy and emotion of the day. We also wanted someone who could take epic, dynamic shots—like our wedding party launching Kaitlyn into the air or Tyler crowd surfing onto the dance floor! Jeff exceeded ALL of our expectations, capturing so many amazing photos of our wedding day! Every time we scroll through our photos, we can relive the entire day and remember exactly how we felt during every moment.”

Full Interview Text:

What were you most looking forward to about your wedding? We were most looking forward to finally making our commitment official after almost nine years together and over two years of being engaged! The anticipation had built up so much, and we were so excited to celebrate our wedding day with our family and friends. Having our loved ones join us in New Jersey was also super special, especially since Kaitlyn’s family and most of our friends live on the West Coast. For many, it was their first time visiting the East Coast, which made the wedding weekend even more memorable!

What ended up being your favorite moments? One of our favorite moments was the Hora. It was an absolute blast! Our faces hurt from smiling and laughing so hard. Another unforgettable highlight was when we both spontaneously decided to crowd surf onto the dance floor—definitely a moment we won’t forget!

What is your favorite feature of The Ryland Inn? We loved the silo bar with the beautiful chandelier hanging over it. So unique and stunning!

How did you guys meet? We met at Arizona State University - Go Devils!

Favorite date spot or favorite thing to do together. We love to spend our weekends hiking in Colorado with our dog, Pepper.
Any other details about anything you would like to share. We are both huge Harry Potter fans! Tyler was the bigger fan when we met, but after hanging out with him and talking about Harry Potter and re-watching all the movies together, Kaitlyn is probably an even bigger fan now. We can’t wait to go to Universal together and have a butterbeer! And while we’re talking about amusement parks, fun fact: Tyler proposed at Disneyland!

The Wedding Team Assembled:

Venue: The Ryland Inn @therylandinn / rylandinn.com

Florist: The Potted Geranium Florist (973) 515-3433

Band: Liberty Band from Hank Lane Music @hanklanemusic / hanklane.com/liberty

Photography: Jeff Tisman @tismanphoto / jefftismanphotography.com/

Florist: Our florist, Vito at The Potted Geranium Florist in East Hanover, did a spectacular job at creating a whimsical forest setting at our venue, perfectly capturing our vision with lush greenery and beautiful blue and purple flowers. His attention to detail and creativity truly brought our wedding decor to life.

Band: Our band, Liberty Band from Hank Lane Music, was a HUGE hit and kept the dance floor packed the entire night!

Editors Note: The Wedding Team are listed by the couple and are not a reflection on the photographer.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW / P.O.V. of M.O.G.

A Mom’s Perspective…

“I had the honor and privilege of planning my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding this past June. The newly engaged couple, Kaitlyn and Tyler, approached Tyler’s dad and his wife, David and Julie, as well as my husband, Anthony, and me to help create their wedding. They asked for our assistance, and we were overjoyed to take on this opportunity. We were determined to make their special day one of the greatest days of their lives. After all, it is not every day that the parents of the groom get to participate in the planning.

We had planned our daughter’s wedding a few years ago and knew the enormous undertaking that lay ahead. What’s that expression? “It takes a village.” Well, our family is lucky enough to have one! I knew that with Julie, David, Anthony, and me, we would all participate in the planning with a common goal: to create an elegant wedding celebration where every detail mattered. We had to dot our i’s and cross our t’s, and together, our little village worked hard to make this happen.

Collectively, we chose a handful of venues to visit and fell in love with The Ryland Inn. We all agreed that The Coach House—with its modern farmhouse aesthetic— suited this newly engaged couple perfectly. We secured the date and venue, understanding how important it was to retain the band, florist, photographer, wedding officiant, and hair and makeup team once we had our date.

When it comes to the band, florist, and photographer, it’s essential to do your research. Check out reviews and speak to some of their previous clients—do whatever is necessary to gather as much information as possible to narrow your choices down to your top two! In our case, it was a bit easier; we were already familiar with the band we wanted to hire, and the florist is one of my dearest friends. This left us with the photographer. I had narrowed it down to my top two choices, and now it was time for Kaitlyn and Tyler to meet with them. We needed to see who matched best with their personalities. They needed to feel at ease, realizing that this was the most important decision, as at the end of the day, you are left with your wonderful, beautiful memories—and that’s where your photographer becomes essential.

You need to start building a relationship with your photographer early on. They must understand your personality and your expectations for the day to capture those magical moments.”

Photography: This is where Jeff Tisman came into play. My son and his fiancée had a FaceTime meeting with him, during which they both felt immediately convinced—“This is our guy!” They were thrilled after their first conversation with Jeff, who shared about himself and listened to their vision. It was clear they hit it off! With his impressive reviews and his passion for capturing special moments, we knew we found our photographer.

Jeff emphasized the importance of getting to know the couple before the wedding, which he did through several more FaceTime calls. He collaborated with us to ensure he captured the shots that mattered to both the family and the couple. The day was unforgettable! The photos exceeded our expectations, perfectly aligning with our vision. Jeff Tisman is a skilled photographer, and with him on your team, you can trust that your photo journey is in professional hands. Not only was it one of the greatest days of our lives, but we also have stunning photos to relive those moments!”

Why I love... This Moment

When Kaitlyn spontaneously leaped into the crowd, and joyfully body surfed at the reception. In that instant, she radiated pure excitement and fully embraced the spirit of their celebration.

From this moment at the beginning of the reception, it was clear that Kaitlyn and Tyler intended to live their celebration and all of their wedding day to the fullest. The moment encapsulated the essence of having fun and set the tone for the entire evening. It is a reminder that weddings are not just about tradition, but about creating unforgettable memories with loved ones. It was a beautiful testament to living in the moment and was so unique, something I have never seen before.

-Jeff

For Newly Engaged Couples: Your Wedding Deserves Epic Photography

You’re working hard to plan the perfect wedding, now let’s ensure it’s remembered with photos that are just as incredible as the moments itself. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to capture all the emotions of your wedding and make your day truly unforgettable. Get in touch. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be my next cover couple.

Contact Jeff Tisman Photography

For Photographers BTS:

Behind the Scenes: Finding Light - In the closet of all places

Sometimes, photos don't always require an additional light source. You can often find light if you learn to see it and look for it—sometimes in places you'd least expect. In this example, I was documenting the bride getting ready and finalizing her dress preparations. I needed more space and noticed a closet, so I stepped inside. It gave me a little more room to photograph the scene as I envisioned it. As I opened the door, I noticed the light coming in more (obviously). The steamer looked gorgeous in that directional light. I thought to myself, "If I place Kaitlyn in that light, it would make a beautiful portrait." And that's what I did. I simply removed the steamer, asked Kaitlyn to join me in the closet, and the magic happened.

Sometimes, the light is right there for you. Whenever I am walking, I often notice beautiful light and shadows. Start training your eye to see that, and soon enough, you’ll see it everywhere. Hopefully, at your next event or wedding, you'll start noticing it. And when you ask your bride to step into the closet with you, you'll be surprised at what you can create.