Pamela and Tommy’s Wedding at Pleasantdale Chateau NJ

Hi there, I’m Orlando Oliveira. My life’s passion is photography, and I have been blessed to do what I love for over 15 years now. I’m a wedding photographer based in New Jersey, but my work has taken me all around the world, leading to several international accolades. Yet, every wedding I photograph, every couple I meet, continues to be a unique adventure, an opportunity to capture love in its purest form.

Recently, I had the privilege of capturing the wedding of Pamela and Tommy at the historic and luxurious Pleasantdale Chateau in New Jersey. Now let me tell you, this venue is no ordinary place. The château reflects the Norman style of architecture, mirroring the grandeur found throughout the northern French countryside. Every corner, every stone, every arch, tells an intricate story, echoing a bygone era of elegance and charm.

The highlight of Pleasantdale Chateau, and of Pamela and Tommy's special day, undoubtedly was the Grand Ballroom. This room is designed around a massive rotunda, an architectural marvel in itself. The space is held up by a series of beautifully designed arches and columns. As a photographer, I couldn't help but marvel at the natural light pouring in from the glass dome, sitting majestically atop the highest point of the room. It was a sight to behold, a sight that left the wedding guests, and even myself, truly astonished.

The long hallway leading to the ballroom felt like a journey back in time, setting the stage for the grandeur that lay ahead. As I watched Pamela and Tommy make their way down this pathway, the anticipation and joy were palpable.

What I love about being a photographer, especially a wedding photographer, is the ability to capture those fleeting moments of raw emotion - moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. The first time Tommy laid his eyes on Pamela, walking down the aisle in her stunning wedding dress, the moment of sheer joy and love was priceless. Or the moment when Pamela's father, holding his daughter's hand, lost his composure, the emotions of the day overwhelming him. These are the moments that make my job the coolest in the world.

Each photograph I take is a story waiting to be told, a memory waiting to be relived. As an award-winning photographer, it’s my honor and my joy to be able to capture these moments on the happiest day of people's lives. And that, my friends, is the true beauty of photography.