Breathtaking Christ-Centered Jersey City Wedding at Liberty House | Mackenna and Dean
Mackenna and Dean’s special day was one of complete and total joy, and holiness felt like the emergent theme for their breathtaking Christ-centered Jersey City wedding at Liberty House.
Situated against skyline views of Lower Manhattan, their day was bound to be beautiful– but considering Mackenna and Dean’s anchor of faith, family, and church community, the emotion ran deeper, the love more palpable. Everything felt heightened, from the tearfilled vows to the waterfront views, but what made the day truly unforgettable ran far deeper than the view alone.
Hi, I’m Emilee!
If you’re looking for joyful, emotion-rich imagery, then I maaaay be your gal!
I’m an Upstate NY Wedding Photographer who specializes in a laid-back photography approach, and I’d love to help tell your love story!
A little background on Mackenna and Dean– they met online on the Christian dating app, Upward, which in hindsight, is the cutest, little detail that is all too fitting for them.
Their first date (and many that followed) was spent doing all the classic touristy things around New York City– wandering neighborhoods, soaking in landmarks, lingering over meals, and making NYC their true stomping grounds.
From the beginning, their connection seemed so genuine and grounded to me. They’re the kind of people you could strike up a conversation with on a random Tuesday morning in a coffee shop and feel immediately at ease with— open, warm, and genuinely interested in you— and that feeling came through during our very first consultation call. There was no pretense, no forced formality— just easy conversation, laughter, and the sense that this was the beginning of a friendship, not just a client relationship.
I felt especially connected to Mackenna and Dean because, like me, they are Christians. Faith wasn’t something they simply referenced in passing — it was foundational to who they are and how they live.
Mackenna once told me that she fell in love with Dean because she felt the love of Jesus reflected in him. She shared that they were deeply committed to pursuing the Lord side by side, building a marriage rooted in Christ. And truly, that hardly scratched the surface.
Mackenna and Dean embodied their faith in a way that felt lived-in and sincere.
Their compassion, kindness, and gentleness weren’t just for show— they were evident in how they spoke, how they listened, and how they treated everyone around them. From their guests to their vendors, they extended warmth and grace without ever needing to name it explicitly. You could feel it in the way they honored relationships and the way they simply moved throughout their day with humility and joy.
Psst… in case you haven’t noticed, awkward photos aren’t really my vibe.
My goal is to get you feeling comfortable and yourself, so you can enjoy personality-driven imagery for years to come!
If you’re looking at this gallery, thinking, “YASSSSS!”, then we need to talk… like yesterday!
Keep scrolling to see more of Mackenna and Dean’s engagement gallery! ↓
Their Christlike character brought to mind Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians:
“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” - Colossians 3:1-2, 12
With a Christ-centered wedding as their North Star, Mackenna and Dean envisioned a day steeped in God’s presence— one where every moment, every promise, every prayer, and every carefully considered detail pointed back to Christ. From the very beginning of the planning process, their desire was not to chase trends, but to create a wedding day that felt reverent, honest, and rooted in the story God had been faithfully unfolding between them
They wanted their wedding photos to feel like a natural extension of that vision — not overly posed or forced, but sincere and authentic.
Images that reflected not just how the day looked, but how it felt. Mackenna shared this with me early on, saying, “I’m not very picky about what I want, but I know that I want photos that reflect Dean’s and my love for one another — and our gratitude to God for bringing us together.” That clarity shaped so much for me. It gave me permission to slow down, to leave time and space for emotion, and to prioritize their connection over perfect poses or overly styled moments.
Mackenna and Dean chose to do a first look before their ceremony, and the moments they shared together then were some of the most sacred of the entire day.
Away from the eyes of guests and the pace of the timeline, they paused to simply be together— grounding themselves in the weight and beauty of what the day represented. There was nothing rushed or showy about this time. Rather, in the softness of these moments, God’s faithfulness felt tangible.
They were gentle with one another, attuned, and fully present— savoring the holiness of the day rather than rushing toward the next moment. Their connection was sincere and understated, filled with warmth rather than spectacle. Paired with the sweeping views from their Jersey City wedding venue, Liberty House, their portraits felt both intimate and timeless — a quiet handshake of love and landscape.
Choosing Liberty House wasn’t simply about the view for Mackenna and Dean. It was about honoring the life they had built together in New York City — the memories, milestones, and ordinary days that had shaped them into who they are now.
With the skyline stretching behind them, the setting symbolized convergence: two lives joining in the place they once called home. It also marked a meaningful transition— a goodbye to one chapter and a joyful step into the next as husband and wife as they began their married life together in New Jersey.
Their ceremony took place against this very backdrop, framed by panoramic views of Lower Manhattan and its iconic silhouettes, including One World Trade Center and the Woolworth Building. A sapphire-blue sky stretched overhead, dotted with drifting clouds, as Mackenna and Dean stood before God, one another, and roughly one hundred of their closest loved ones. The moment felt weighty in the best way possible—emotional, beautiful, and holy.
They were married by their church pastor, who struck the perfect balance between heartfelt reverence and gut-busting humor, might I add.
His words were thoughtful, candid, and rooted in Scripture, and I loved how intentionally he shared the gospel that day. Speaking of Christ’s great love for His Church, he reminded everyone present that marriage is meant to be an echo — a reflection of God’s perfect, profound, endless, eternal love. A love made fully known through Jesus Christ on the cross.
As Mackenna and Dean exchanged vows, the emotion in the space was undeniable. Tears flowed, not just from them, but from friends and family witnessing a beautiful, Christ-centered union. This wasn’t simply a ceremony to attend; it was a moment to participate in and to bear witness to something sacred.
After hearing the gospel message and exchanging vows, Mackenna and Dean received their rings from the world’s cutest ring bearers, Jacoby and Layla— the two Cockapoos that Mackenna takes care of as a dog sitter.
These two fur babies absolutely understood the assignment, making their way down the aisle in a tiny tailored tux and lace dress. They were equal parts adorable and hilarious, and absolutely slayed their wedding get-up.
Including Jacoby and Layla was deeply meaningful to Mackenna. Not only does she run a dog care business, but she’s also an all-around animal lover in the truest sense of the word. She once told me (and I quote): “I may or may not have had every rodent you can think of as a pet throughout my life.” 😅 So when we were finalizing the wedding timeline together, it felt only right to intentionally carve out time for portraits with her, Dean, and the pups. Mackenna has since told me that these are some of her favorite portraits of the day. 🥹
Pro tip:
If you’re a dog lover, including your pups on your wedding day is always a win. I’ve loved seeing how many of my past couples have done this in creative and meaningful ways. For inspiration, check out 1) Devin and Brady’s frenchie, JoJo, 2) Kate and Brian’s miniature goldendoodle, Olive, and 3) Madi and Eric’s rescues, Abby and Luna. Literally priceless.
Wrapping up their Christ-centered wedding ceremony, Mackenna and Dean opted for a petal toss recessional, which IMO is the most fun, photo-perfect way to end any round of “I do’s!”
Celebratory exits like petals, rice, or even bird seed (for those looking out for their feathered friends 🥲) add so much energy, texture, and joy to a recessional. There’s movement, laughter, and an undeniable sense of excitement— not to mention the cinematic magic it brings to photos. If you’re curious about bird-friendly alternatives done exceptionally well, Codi and Adam’s Modern Courthouse Elopement is a must-see. 😆
One of the most beautiful aspects of Mackenna and Dean’s wedding day was witnessing the depth of their connection with family, friends, and their church community.
Amidst tight bear hugs and tear-filled smiles, they laugh-cried their way through cocktail hour, grand entrances, first dances, and heartfelt toasts. The love surrounding Mackenna and Dean was impossible to miss, and it was incredibly moving to witness such steadfast support as they stepped into marriage.
Mackenna and Dean’s choreographed first dance gave all the Princess Diaries vibes. Mackenna’s dance background shone through, and the final turn-and-lift was the perfect finishing touch that left their guests speechless.
But then, cue the father-daughter dance. The place went from tears to an absolute madhouse. Mackenna and her dad, Kevin, planned a surprise father-daughter mash-up dance, and it was nothing short of iconic. Every guest was shook when Kevin stuck the headstand freeze at the end, and I’m honestly still a little bit hoarse from cheering (read: screaming) him on. 😂 It was one of those moments that perfectly captured the spirit of the day: joyful, unexpected, and full of life.
There wasn’t a single person at Mackenna and Dean’s wedding who couldn’t sense the deep, abiding joy of their union. From bridal party to parents, VIP guests to vendors, every person present was not-so-silently cheering them on as they stepped into marriage.
Mackenna and Dean were deeply intentional in the way they built their day — especially when it came to choosing the vendors who would walk alongside them.
They hoped to work with as many Christian wedding vendors as possible — people who shared their values and understood the heart behind their vision. That intention came to life through their vendor team, including me as their photographer, 180 Entertainment NY as their DJ, and Jeremy Cascamisi as their videographer. The result was a day that felt cohesive and supportive from start to finish.
All in all, they worked with a fantastic team of Jersey City wedding vendors, who I’m tickled to spotlight below:
Venue: Liberty House
Photographer: Emilee Carpenter Photography
Gown: David’s Bridal
Videographer: Jeremy Cascamisi
Cake: Palermos Bakery
The final cherry on top of Mackenna and Dean’s wedding day was their blue hour portraits.
As the sun dipped behind Jersey City, the Lower Manhattan skyline softened into cool, silvery tones — like a watercolor wash settling gently over the city. Knowing how much Mackenna loved my landscape-forward approach to photography, I made it a priority to honor both the beauty and architectural texture of the skyline while framing their connection within it. The setting truly spoke for itself, allowing us to slow down, be present, and simply have fun together. 🥹
Mackenna and Dean danced, played, twirled, and embraced, making space for portraits that felt effortless, cinematic, and timeless.
Storytelling through candid imagery has always been a favorite of mine, but prioritizing personality-driven moments with these two felt especially meaningful. They moved together with an easy sense of belonging — like two hands instinctively reaching for and finding one another — making it a privilege to draw out the genuine, wholesome connection they share.
I’m endlessly thankful for Mackenna and Dean — clients turned friends who trusted me to tell their love story, create imagery that feels like art, and celebrate their marriage, all to the glory of God.
Photographing love stories like theirs — stories that so clearly point back to the faithfulness of the Lord — is a gift beyond comparison. I’m so grateful that, in His goodness, God wove my path into theirs. Here’s to the Kisciras and to the most beautiful adventure of all — marriage. 🥂🤍✨