1/19/18 1/19/18

Fresh Meadow Country Club Wedding : Katy & Zach : Long Island, NY

Fresh Meadow Country Club Wedding Brian Hatton Photo

Katy and Zach were married on December 2^nd, with a ceremony and reception at the Fresh Meadow Country Club.

This was my first time to this location, so I set out on the Long Island Expressway and arrived early to have a look around. I knew it would be a great day when I saw the beautiful club with lots of grounds for photography, so I was feeling great when I headed up to join Katy as she finished her hair and makeup.

After a reveal for Katy’s dad, we went out on the course for a first look with Zach. It was a bit of a hike out to where Zach was for someone in high heels, but it made for a dramatic shot from a distance, and those ended up being some of my favorite images of the day. I could step away and photograph with longer lenses, which allowed them to enjoy the moment without feeling like I was imposing.

We grabbed a few more portraits while we still had the light to work with. The early sundown times in winter can sometimes mean we’re running right up against the end of daylight for outdoor portraits, but I actually think this is by far the best part of the day and works in our favor. The light is soft and always flattering.

Soon, the buzz of family members arriving summoned us inside, where we took family portraits in front of the gorgeous chuppah, created by Designs by Ahn. The ceremony was held under the chuppah lit by candlelight; I loved the warm ambiance there.

I was blown away by the floral designers’ work, especially the way the ceiling floral element framed Zach and Katy during their first dance. The venue was covered in flowers, which perfectly suited the season and space. With low and high centerpieces and tall candles, the whole venue had a romantic feel—the perfect setting for the Atomic Funk Project to get a party rolling.

Katy & Zach, I loved shooting your engagement session in Brooklyn and documenting your beautiful winter wedding. Thank you so much for having me as part of your day.

Fresh Meadow Country Club Wedding Brian Hatton Photo

Vendors

Planner: Leah Weinberg, Color Pop Events

Florist: Designs by Ahn

Stationary: Marissa Allie Designs

Hair: Jay Braff

Makeup: Raffaela Hendrick

Band: Atomic Funk Project

Video: Tweed Video

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhullier

Bride's Shoes: Alexandre Birman

9/21/17 9/21/17

Tappan Hill Mansion Wedding : Alanna & Joshua : Tarrytown, NY

Tappan Hill Mansion Wedding Brian Hatton Photography

Alanna and Joshua were married on August 5^th, with a ceremony and reception at the Tappan Hill Mansion wedding in Tarrytown, NY.

I started out the day with Alanna at the Castle Hotel & Spa, just around the corner from where the wedding would be held. Alanna gathered with her bridesmaids, and the excitement in the air was palpable as I covered not only their preparations but the prep going on at the Tappan Hill Mansion.

A lot of times, I’m asked how to make a wedding feel more personal. For me, it’s the family and the people involved—including furry loved ones, since they’re part of the family as well. Alanna and Joshua’s puppy took turns with both the men and the women before the ceremony and was definitely one of the VIPs of the day.

It was a beautiful, blustery afternoon in Westchester, which set the stage for a dramatic ceremony as the sun set on the horizon. Wedding ceremonies at sunset are special because they take on several different feelings in a short period of time. The bright, direct light just before sunset gives way to a colorful glow, and this can be very powerful when it happens around the vows.

Alanna had always dreamed of having a chuppah with a dreamy overtone, featuring a live chandelier… and that’s exactly what she had. After the light eased off, we came back to the chuppah for portraits under the night sky. One of my favorite images of the day was of her and Joshua under that outdoor chandelier. Alanna’s veil could pick up the breeze throughout the day no matter where we were, too, which amazed me.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the excellent catering at this wedding. The name Abigail Kirsch is known throughout New York City, with a number of notable venues, including The Lighthouse, which I’m visiting a few times this year. If you’re looking for a location with cuisine that is anything but typical “wedding food,” Abigail Kirsch always delivers.

Joshua & Alanna, thank you for letting me be part of your beautiful celebration. I’m so excited for both of you to begin this new journey in life together. Tappan Hill Mansion Wedding Brian Hatton Photography

3/1/17 3/1/17

Roundhouse Beacon Falls Wedding : Lilly and Andy : Beacon, NY

Lilly and Andy were married on July 3^rd, with a ceremony and reception at Roundhouse Beacon Falls. These days, wedding planning has shifted almost entirely online, so I don’t always get to meet the couple before the wedding day when I act as photographer. That was the case with Lilly and Andy, but even though we’d only spoke on the phone, these two and their family radiated warmth and positive energy, making me feel welcome and at home photographing them. On the day of the wedding, Lilly got ready on-site at the modern yet rustic Roundhouse—a beautiful escape from New York City with a quaint main street landmarked by the waterfall right in front of the venue. In fact, the bridal suite overlooks the waterfall, so there was tons of natural light to work with! From there, we headed off to the hollowed-out industrial loft for a first look. We then made our way to a local park for a quick change of scenery before we grabbed a few pictures together and headed to the Roundhouse. Since this was a traditional Jewish wedding, there was a tisch and bedeken. During the tisch, the bride and groom welcome guests in separate receptions with singing, dancing, and a prayer. The groom is then paraded with a lively klezmer band to the waiting bride and places a veil over her before he retreats and the guests make their way out for the beginning of the ceremony itself. During the ceremony, one of the most memorable moments was actually when Lilly walked down the aisle. Sometimes, when a couple chooses to do a first look, there is less emphasis on this moment—but that wasn’t the case with Lilly. She looked as if this were the first glimpse of the day! We were also able to place the second photographer in an elevated position for a unique aerial view.My favorite image of the whole night, though, was when the bride and groom entered the reception together. The Roundhouse has beautiful, tall windows and high ceilings that make for such an impressive entry! The whole day was particularly fun to photograph. There was a continuous, extroverted display of joy from everyone, but I was particularly impressed with the closeness between Lilly and her mother and sisters. I loved seeing Lilly’s mother look on at key moments, especially when she embraced Andy after she presented Lilly at the end of the aisle. Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t note the amazing, organic, contemporary details that made this wedding beautiful. Vendors like Dark & Diamond (who rocked the floral design) came together to create this beautiful vision, and it was so amazing it was featured on Style Me Pretty here. Andy & Lilly, thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of your amazing day. Congratulations to you both!