A cold November day, a very warm wedding
Some weddings carry a particular kind of warmth — the sort that has nothing to do with the temperature outside and everything to do with the people in the room. Alyssa and Eddie’s Nassau Inn wedding in Princeton, New Jersey was exactly that. It was a crisp, cold day on November 22, 2025 — the kind where everyone keeps their coats close and their loved ones closer — and yet from the first moment of the morning to the last dance of the night, the whole day felt golden.
The couple chose the historic Nassau Inn on Palmer Square as their home base — getting ready, celebrating, and dancing all within its storied walls — with a deeply moving Catholic mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in between, and a few quiet minutes for portraits across the Gothic beauty of Princeton University. With 150 of their favorite people, it was a full, generous, joyful day, and our New Jersey wedding photographer and videographer team was honored to capture it on both digital and 35mm film.
Getting ready at the Nassau Inn
The morning began inside the Nassau Inn, and the atmosphere was pure happiness. There is something special about a getting-ready space filled with people who simply cannot stop smiling — the easy laughter, the little nervous-excited glances toward the window, the rustle of a dress finally coming off the hanger. Alyssa was surrounded by the people who love her most, and you could feel the anticipation building in the best possible way.
We love beginning a wedding day here. The Inn’s classic, warm interiors give the morning a timeless quality — soft window light, rich wood tones, and a sense of calm that lets a couple actually be present before the day gathers speed. For Eddie, the morning carried that same quiet electricity: the steadying breaths, the help with the tie, the final look in the mirror before everything changes.
A heartfelt mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church
From Palmer Square, the celebration moved to Saint Paul’s Catholic Church (218 Nassau Street, Princeton) for a beautiful full mass. A church ceremony has a gravity to it that we deeply respect — the music, the ritual, the hush of a room holding its breath — and Alyssa and Eddie made it unmistakably their own with personal vows that left very few dry eyes.
This is the heart of what we do as documentary and editorial wedding photographers and filmmakers: we stay close to the real moments without ever interrupting them. The glance Eddie gave Alyssa as she came down the aisle, the catch in a voice during the vows, the quiet tears in the pews — these are the frames a couple returns to for the rest of their lives, and they only happen once.
Portraits across Princeton University
Between the ceremony and the reception, we stole a little time for portraits around Princeton University — and few places in New Jersey are more photogenic. The university’s Collegiate Gothic architecture, ivy-touched stone, and grand archways make for a backdrop that feels both regal and romantic, especially under the clear, cold light of late November. Bundled up between frames and warmed by sheer happiness, Alyssa and Eddie were wonderful to photograph: relaxed, affectionate, and clearly thrilled to be married.
Shooting partly on 35mm film here was a joy. Film has a way of rendering historic settings like Princeton with a softness and depth that feels almost timeless — grain, gentle color, and a quality of light that looks the way the day actually felt, not just the way it looked.
A joyful reception back at the Nassau Inn
Then it was back to the Nassau Inn for a reception that was, in a word, gorgeous. The room glowed. Florals by Perna’s Plant & Flower brought the space to life, and from the first toast onward the energy never dipped. The speeches were genuinely emotional — the kind that make a whole room laugh and cry in the same breath — and once the dancing started, it did not stop. Everyone, from the littlest guests to the grandparents, was having the time of their lives.
These are our favorite receptions to document: not staged, not stiff, just real joy spilling over. Our photo and video teams worked side by side all night to make sure none of it slipped away — the belly laughs, the spontaneous dance-floor moments, the way Alyssa and Eddie kept finding each other across the room.
Why we love the Nassau Inn as a wedding venue
We have a real soft spot for historic venues — places with charm, character, and a story already woven into the walls — and the Nassau Inn is one of the finest in New Jersey. A landmark on Palmer Square since 1937, the Inn traces its roots all the way back to 1756, with a history entwined with the American Revolution and the early days of the nearby Continental Congress. Its legendary Yankee Doodle Tap Room — complete with a Norman Rockwell mural behind the bar — was recently named one of America’s most historic bars by Historic Hotels of America.
For couples, that history translates into something you can feel on camera: warm, timeless interiors, beautiful natural light, an outdoor patio for ceremonies, and the rare convenience of getting ready, celebrating, and staying overnight all in one place. Set right on Palmer Square — Princeton’s charming, walkable heart of shops, restaurants, and tree-lined paths — and just steps from Princeton University, it gives a wedding day both elegance and ease. It is the kind of venue where the location does half the storytelling for you.
Planning a wedding at the Nassau Inn?
If you are considering the Nassau Inn for your own celebration, a few things make it shine on a wedding day. The Palmer Square setting means stunning portrait locations are quite literally a short walk away — the square itself, the historic streets, and the university campus beyond. The Inn’s classic interiors photograph beautifully in every season, and because guests can stay on-site, the whole weekend tends to feel relaxed and celebratory rather than rushed. For a fall or winter wedding especially, having such a warm, gracious indoor home base is a real gift.
Wherever you are in your planning, our advice is always the same: choose a place that already feels like you, and surround yourselves with people you love. As your New Jersey wedding photography team, the photographs take care of themselves after that.
Shot on 35mm film and digital
Alyssa and Eddie’s day was captured on a blend of digital and 35mm film — an approach we love for the best of both worlds. Digital gives us the reliability and range to never miss a fast-moving moment; film gives us soul. That mix of grain, gentle color, and timeless texture is a big part of the documentary, editorial style Rivelle Media is known for, and it suited the Nassau Inn’s old-world charm perfectly.
Best photo locations around the Nassau Inn
One of the quiet luxuries of a Nassau Inn wedding is how much beauty sits within a short walk of the front door. Because the inn anchors historic Palmer Square and faces Princeton University, couples can move from getting-ready suite to ceremony to portraits without ever feeling rushed across town. These are the spots we love most for a Nassau Inn wedding.
- Palmer Square — The brick-paved square the inn sits on, with its central green, seasonal lights, and storybook Princeton storefronts. It is the easiest five-minute portrait walk in town and looks lovely in every season.
- Princeton University campus — Just across Nassau Street, the collegiate-Gothic archways, ivy-covered stone, and the lawns around Nassau Hall give portraits a timeless, academic grandeur. Alyssa and Eddie’s afternoon portraits here were a highlight of the day.
- The Yankee Doodle Tap Room — The inn’s historic tavern is built around Norman Rockwell’s 1937 “Yankee Doodle” mural, the largest painting he ever made. It is a warm, character-filled backdrop for candid moments and a true piece of Princeton history.
- The Prince William Ballroom — The inn’s signature reception room, where candlelight and classic detailing make for romantic, glowing dance-floor frames after dark.
- Nassau Street and Saint Paul’s — For couples marrying at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church a few blocks away, the tree-lined walk along Nassau Street offers easy, elegant in-between moments between ceremony and reception.
How much does a Nassau Inn wedding cost?
It’s one of the first questions couples ask, so here’s an honest picture. The Nassau Inn is a historic hotel venue, which means it typically builds weddings around per-person catering packages rather than a single flat room-rental fee. Public venue listings on sites like The Knot and Zola put per-guest food-and-beverage packages starting in the range of roughly $150–$160 per person, with complete celebrations commonly landing anywhere from about $2,000 for an intimate gathering to $8,000 and up as the guest count, season, and details grow.
A few things move the final number. Those starting figures usually sit before service charges, tax, gratuity, and any rental fees; fall — especially October and November — is peak season in Princeton and tends to price higher than a winter date; and your overall budget will also include florals, attire, entertainment, and photography and videography. For an exact, up-to-date quote, the best step is to reach out to the Nassau Inn’s events team, who can tailor a package to your date and guest count.
When you’re ready to capture it all, our team would love to talk through your day — you can get in touch with us here. As a documentary and editorial New Jersey wedding photographer and videographer, we’re at home in Princeton and across the state.
Frequently asked questions about Nassau Inn weddings
How many guests can you have at a Nassau Inn wedding?
The Nassau Inn offers several event spaces, from intimate rooms to its largest ballroom, comfortably hosting celebrations of around 200 guests. Alyssa and Eddie shared their day with about 150 of their favorite people.
Is the Nassau Inn a good winter wedding venue?
Absolutely. Its warm, historic interiors, on-site guest rooms, and location right on Palmer Square make it a wonderful choice for a fall or winter celebration — your guests can stay, gather, and celebrate all in one cozy place, whatever the weather.
Where are the best wedding photo spots near the Nassau Inn?
Two of the most beautiful backdrops are just a short walk away: Palmer Square itself, with its historic charm and tree-lined paths, and the Collegiate Gothic architecture of the Princeton University campus. Both photograph beautifully in every season.
How much does a wedding at the Nassau Inn cost?
Pricing depends on your guest count, the season, and your menu. The Nassau Inn offers several wedding packages, so we recommend reaching out to their events team for a custom quote — and we are always happy to help you plan your photography and videography coverage around it.
How do we inquire with Rivelle Media?
We’d love to hear about your Nassau Inn wedding. Share your date and a few details through our contact page and our team will be in touch to talk through coverage, timeline, and the small things that make your day yours.
The team behind the day
- Venue: Nassau Inn — 10 Palmer Square East, Princeton, NJ (@nassau_inn)
- Florals: Perna’s Plant & Flower (@pernasplantandflower)
- Content creator: @dmseverafter
- Photography & Videography: Rivelle Media
Congratulations, Alyssa & Eddie
Thank you for trusting our team to tell the story of your day — the cold morning, the warm church, the joyful, dancing-till-late night. It was an absolute privilege.
Planning your own Princeton or New Jersey wedding? We would love to hear about it — get in touch with Rivelle Media to check our availability.
