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Couple silhouetted against the sunset beside the water, photographed by Hariel Xavier

Hopatcong · Sussex County

Wedding Photographer in Hopatcong, NJ

New Jersey’s largest lake, with the Sparta venues to the north and the Morris County ballrooms to the south, all within half an hour.

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  • 750+

    Weddings photographed

  • 14

    Years of experience

  • 3

    States: NJ, NY & PA

  • $2,400

    Collections from

Getting around Hopatcong on a wedding day

Hopatcong wraps around the north shore of Lake Hopatcong, and most couples from here marry within twenty minutes: at the Sparta lake clubs, at Waterloo Village in Stanhope, or down Route 15 and I-80 in Morris County. The lake roads are narrow and wind along the shore, so a transfer that looks like three miles can take fifteen minutes.

Route 15 is the spine of the day. It backs up at the Lake Hopatcong exits on a summer weekend, and Mauricio plans around it rather than hoping.

A bride and groom sitting on the tailgate of a vintage pickup truck on a gravel drive

Light and places in Hopatcong

The lake faces every direction, so there is always a shore with the sunset behind it. Hopatcong State Park on the south end and the Byram shoreline both give a couple water and sky in the last hour. In summer the boat traffic settles down right as the light gets good.

A bride holding her bouquet in late sun, autumn leaves behind her

A Sussex County photographer, about fifteen minutes south on Route 15

Mauricio lives in Sparta and has photographed 750+ weddings in 14 years, most of them within an hour of Hopatcong. He knows the Sussex County coordinators, florists and DJs by name, and he plans every timeline around the real light on the ground rather than a number in an app.

Engagement sessions around Hopatcong go to Hopatcong State Park, the Lake Hopatcong shoreline at sunset and the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation trails.

Mauricio Fernandez at a wooden table beside his camera

From a Google review

“We couldn't have picked a better wedding photographer than Mauricio from Hariel Xavier Photography. From the moment he showed up, his fun personality and energy made our day even more special. He kept us relaxed and made everything so easy.”
Roberto TatisThe Sparta Inn, Sparta, NJ

Venues

Hopatcong wedding venues

Venues couples in Hopatcong book most, and what photographs best at each.

Why Mauricio

Why couples in Hopatcong book Mauricio

  • 14 years, 750+ weddings

    Mauricio knows when the moments happen and where to stand.

  • Calm, guided direction

    Natural direction for people who don’t love being photographed. No stiff poses.

  • One photographer, start to finish

    The person you talk to is the person who shows up.

Collections

Hopatcong wedding photography collections

Collections run from $2,400 to $4,800, and every price is published. Travel within New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania is included. Destination weddings are quoted up front.

  • 6–10 hours of coverage
  • Mauricio as your lead photographer, start to finish
  • Engagement session (a 30-minute mini on The Short Story)
  • Second photographer on The Sweet Spot and The Whole Story
  • Wedding-day timeline planning
  • Edited high-resolution images with print rights
  • Private online gallery to share with family
  • Sneak peeks within 24–48 hours; full gallery in 4 to 6 weeks
See the collections

Common questions

Hopatcong wedding questions, answered

Anything else? Email Mauricio@HarielXavier.com or call (862) 391-4179.

  • How much does a wedding photographer cost in Hopatcong, NJ?

    Mauricio’s published collections are $2,400 for 6 hours, $3,600 for 8 hours with a second photographer, $4,800 for 10 hours with a second photographer and an album, and $7,500 for The Kitchen Sink, with everything included. Hopatcong is about fifteen minutes south on Route 15 from his home in Sparta, and travel within New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania is included. Destination weddings are quoted up front.

  • Which wedding venues in and around Hopatcong do you photograph?

    Rock Island Lake Club, Lake Mohawk Country Club, Waterloo Village and Perona Farms. Sussex County venues are close to home for Mauricio, and he walks any venue he has not photographed before the day.

  • Where do you take engagement photos near Hopatcong?

    Sessions around Hopatcong go to Hopatcong State Park, the Lake Hopatcong shoreline at sunset and the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation trails. Every collection includes an engagement session, and he will suggest a spot that fits the season and how much walking you want to do.

  • Can we meet before we book?

    Yes. Hopatcong is about fifteen minutes south on Route 15 from Sparta, so a coffee or a walk of your venue is easy to arrange. Most couples book 9 to 18 months ahead, 2027 dates are booking now, and he replies within 24 hours.

Nearby areas Mauricio also photographs

Your Hopatcong wedding deserves someone who knows the roads.

Tell Mauricio your date and venue. He replies personally within 24 hours. Most couples are booking 2027 now.

Check my date

Or call Mauricio at (862) 391-4179