Bishop Farmstead Wedding Photographer, Shamong NJ

Bishop Farmstead in Shamong, NJ is one of my favorite places to photograph a wedding, and to be honest, it’s a big part of why so many of my couples end up there. There are beautiful portrait spots all across the property, everything can happen in one place from getting ready to the last dance, and the light just works. Here’s what I’ve learned from photographing weddings there, along with four real weddings you can look through.

Steve and Madison kissing in golden sunset light at their Bishop Farmstead wedding in Shamong, NJ — Steve & Madison at sunset

At a glance

Getting ready: a separate building with two rooms, plus an Airstream for a smaller group of groomsmen.
Ceremony: an outdoor garden site where the sun lines up just right for ceremony photos.
Rain plan: a large tent right outside the barn that converts into the ceremony space.
Portraits: gardens, trees, open lawns and the red barn, all within a short walk.
Reception: the barn, with string lights and chandeliers.

Getting ready

One thing I really appreciate about Bishop Farmstead is the getting-ready setup. They have a separate building with two rooms, one for each side, so everyone stays close and nobody is a drive or a long walk away. That makes a big difference for me, because I can move back and forth and catch the quiet moments on both sides without missing anything. They also have an Airstream that’s perfect for a smaller group of groomsmen, and it makes for some really nice, relaxed prep photos.

Black and white photo of Meg Maley laughing as her wedding dress is fastened at Bishop Farmstead — Getting ready

Mike Holloway getting ready for his wedding at Bishop Farmstead — The guys getting ready

The ceremony

The outdoor ceremony spot is positioned perfectly, so the sun lines up just right for gorgeous ceremony photos. Couples walk down a grass aisle lined with wooden chairs to a pergola that’s usually covered in flowers, with the gardens all around, and it looks a little different every season, from summer greens to the reds and golds of a November afternoon.

Meg Maley and Mike Holloway exchanging vows in the garden ceremony at Bishop Farmstead — The garden ceremony

Ivan and Camille under the flower-covered pergola during their ceremony at Bishop Farmstead — Ivan & Camille, August

Jimmy and Kelsey under the pergola during their November ceremony at Bishop Farmstead — Jimmy & Kelsey, November

If it rains

Rain is always the question, so here’s the honest answer. Bishop Farmstead has a large tent right outside the barn that can easily be turned into the ceremony space. It’s close to everything, so the day still flows the same way, and the light under a tent can actually be really soft and flattering.

Portraits around the property

This is the part I love most. There are beautiful portrait locations all across the property, which is one of the reasons I love shooting there… the gardens and paths, big shade trees, open lawns, a red Japanese maple that turns bright red in the fall, and the red barn, which is great for the wedding party. Because everything is close, we can move between spots quickly and spend more time making photos and less time walking. For Meg and Mike, we even finished with a few portraits by an old wagon lit with candles just after sunset.

Jimmy and Kelsey holding hands beneath a red Japanese maple at Bishop Farmstead — Fall color on the property

Ivan lifting Camille for a kiss on a garden path at Bishop Farmstead — The garden paths

Mike Holloway and his groomsmen in front of the red barn at Bishop Farmstead — The red barn

Meg Maley leaning on Mike Holloway beside a candlelit vintage wagon at dusk at Bishop Farmstead — A candlelit wagon at dusk

The barn reception

Once the sun goes down, the barn takes over. Between the wood beams, the string lights and the chandeliers, it’s warm and full of character, and the dance floor sits right in the middle of everything, so the party never feels far away. Long story short, it’s a great room for a celebration.

Black and white photo of Ivan and Camille dancing under the chandelier in the barn at Bishop Farmstead — The barn

Jimmy and Kelsey sharing their first dance under the string lights in the barn at Bishop Farmstead — First dance under the string lights

Real Bishop Farmstead weddings

The best way to get a feel for the venue is to see full days there. Here are four of my Bishop Farmstead weddings, from late summer into November:

Meg Maley & Mike Holloway (September)
Ivan & Camille (August)
Steve & Madison (August)
Jimmy & Kelsey (November)

If you’re still comparing photographers, my guide on how to choose a wedding photographer in South Jersey & Philadelphia might help.

Frequently asked questions

Where do couples get ready at Bishop Farmstead?

Bishop Farmstead has a separate building with two rooms, one for each side, so everyone gets ready close together. There is also an Airstream that works well for a smaller group of groomsmen.

What is the rain plan for a Bishop Farmstead ceremony?

There is a large tent right outside the barn that can easily be turned into the ceremony space if it rains.

Where are the best spots for portraits at Bishop Farmstead?

There are beautiful portrait spots all across the property: the gardens and pergola, the trees and open lawns, the red barn and, after sunset, the string lights in and around the barn. The outdoor ceremony site is positioned so the sun lines up beautifully for ceremony photos.

Have you photographed weddings at Bishop Farmstead?

Yes. Four full stories are on my site: Meg Maley and Mike Holloway, Ivan and Camille, Steve and Madison, and Jimmy and Kelsey, from late summer into November.

How much does a Bishop Farmstead wedding photographer cost?

My wedding collections start at $5,200 and are custom tailored to each couple, including the engagement session and albums.

Getting married at Bishop Farmstead? Tell me about your day. I’d love to be there.
— Jay Cassario, Twisted Oaks Studio

Bishop Farmstead wedding photography