If you’re planning a wedding, you might be facing a familiar dilemma: Should you have an intimate micro wedding or a big party with all of your people? Jamie and Troy did both! After their Promise Ridge microwedding, they held a big reception at Porta Asbury Park. This couple loves to travel, eat great food, and listen to quality music. This wedding venue was perfect for their connection-centered wedding reception
Porta Asbury Park is an Italian restaurant near the boardwalk. They specialize in straightforward, fresh Italian fare like pizza, pasta pomodoro, and chicken parm. Having a wedding in a restaurant venue has plenty of perks, including a great menu and decor. Porta has plenty of both.
The decor at Porta is very modern disco. In good weather, guests can hang out on the patio. The interior is really what makes the space so unique. Huge clusters of disco balls hang from the ceiling. Whimsical portraits of pets in period costumes line the walls. The space is beautiful and lighthearted – perfect for a nontraditional wedding celebration.
Even though Jamie and Troy didn’t have their wedding ceremony at Porta Asbury Park, you can definitely do it. Porta caps guest capacity at 200. If you want to have your ceremony and reception there, you might consider a smaller guest list to make sure everyone can move around comfortably. Rental fees start at $1500 for ceremony and reception.
You’ll definitely want room to dance at Porta Asbury Park! Private events wrap up at 9:00 p.m. Then the space converts to a nightclub. You don’t even have to leave the venue for your afterparty! It’s such a cool experience having your wedding turn into an even bigger party as the night goes on.
Asbury Park is one of Jamie and Troy’s favorite beach towns. I love it too! With all the beaux arts architecture and colorful murals, the town is so whimsical. It’s a great place to celebrate your wedding. This town is so full of charming, funky spots. You could easily make a long weekend out of your wedding and enjoy all the sights at a laid back pace.
Porta Asbury Park is just a block from the boardwalk and the famous Stone Pony music venue. The venue is walkable to so many of the best parts of Asbury Park. A lot of beach towns are awash in beige and pastel colors. Asbury Park is more unconventional. There are endless places to take unique wedding portraits.
I met up with Jamie and Troy an hour before their wedding reception to hit up some of the city’s biggest landmarks. We went to the Carousel Building, Convention Hall, and Wonder Bar. It was freezing. Jamie and Troy were such good sports about it all! I love how vibrant and carefree these portraits are.
If you get married in Asbury Park, I highly recommend setting aside time to take portraits around town. Even if you love your wedding venue, the city is charming and fun. It’s special to have so many of its highlights in your wedding photos.
After taking portraits around town, we headed to Porta. Guests spilled out of the door to greet them. Everyone was so excited to get the party started!
Everything about Jamie and Troy’s Porta Asbury Park wedding reception was intentional and authentic to them. They wore the same attire they wore for their microwedding in the Poconos. Troy’s Van Gogh suit vest added a fun creative touch to his ensemble. Jamie’s bow and reception dress added to the celebration’s playful energy.
For their reception, Jamie and Troy really wanted to highlight their connections with their families. The family dances were especially moving and even got Troy a little teary-eyed. We took some group portraits, but Jamie and Troy’s guests mostly wanted to hit the dance floor. Everyone leaned into the disco atmosphere. Lots of guests showed up in sequins and iridescent fabrics. It felt just right in Porta.
Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a New Jersey wedding photographer who will preserve your celebration with eclectic and joyful photos. Reach out to me!
As a wedding and elopement photographer based in New Jersey, I specialize in capturing enchanting moments that tell the unique love stories of my clients. I am dedicated to providing LGBTQIA+ friendly services and take pride in embracing and celebrating the diversity of all couples.