River Cafe Wedding : Emily & Harry : Brooklyn, NY
Emily and Harry celebrated their wedding at The River Cafe in Brooklyn on a perfect October afternoon.
The golden hues of fall provided a breathtaking backdrop for their special day, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for their ceremony and reception.
The day began at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, where Emily was getting ready. The crisp autumn sun and puffy white clouds painted the sky, offering stunning light for photography. If you’ve heard the phrase “perfect light,” this was it—the sun’s lower arc during the fall creates a soft, flattering glow at any time of day. Outside the hotel, the talented team from First Day Films was busy preparing their gear and capturing moments to set the scene. Having worked with them countless times, I knew we were in for a seamless day of capturing memories.
Inside the getting-ready suite, Emily’s flower girls watched in awe as she fastened the sculptural bow on her wedding gown. Moments like this, filled with childlike wonder, always tug at my heart—especially as a parent myself. Behind the scenes, SARAH BRENNAN EVENTS ensured that every detail was flawlessly executed and that the day stayed effortlessly on schedule, which kept everyone calm and happy.
Meanwhile, Harry and his groomsmen were prepping for the big day in a separate room. Our second photographer documented Harry as he buttoned his jacket, adjusted his tie, and toasted with his close friends. Soon after, it was time for the first look. We planned this magical moment with the iconic Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge as their backdrop, a view that never ceases to inspire. Despite curious onlookers, Emily and Harry seemed completely in sync, sharing a tender, private moment as if the world had melted away.
Following their first look, we strolled under the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge, capturing portraits steeped in the charm and history of New York. The couple’s energy made every frame effortless and full of personality. Afterward, we made our way to The River Cafe, where families gathered for portraits in the garden before the ceremony.
The River Cafe offers an unbeatable combination of elegance and magic. Nestled along the water, it feels like an oasis amid the buzz of the city. On an October afternoon, the garden truly shines—the dappled sunlight streaming through the trees and reflecting off the nearby buildings gave the ceremony a cinematic glow. Surrounded by nature, family, and friends, Emily and Harry exchanged vows in an intimate and heartfelt ceremony.
The decor inside The River Cafe was nothing short of stunning. SEAPORT FLOWERS & HOME transformed the room with arrangements that seemed to blend effortlessly with the space. The light-colored florals amplified the candlelight, casting a radiant warmth across the room. Emily and Harry’s thoughtful choices enhanced the already impeccable ambiance, making their day feel both sophisticated and deeply personal.
October weddings hold a special kind of charm, amplified by the season’s crisp air and vibrant colors. Emily and Harry’s wedding at The River Cafe proved, once again, why fall in New York is so special for weddings. From the touching moments in the garden to the artful decor that illuminated the venue, their wedding was nothing short of perfection.
To Emily and Harry—thank you for allowing me to photograph your beautiful day at The River Cafe. Your wedding was one for the storybooks, and I couldn’t be more honored to have been part of it.
Plan Your Dream Wedding at The River Cafe
If you’re searching for an iconic venue for your Brooklyn wedding, The River Cafe offers the perfect blend of timeless elegance and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Its garden, riverside charm, and exceptional cuisine make it an unforgettable destination for your special day. Check out some more River Cafe weddings here, here, and here. Keep going? Ok cool: how about this one, or this one, or, maybe this one on a rainy day.
River Cafe Wedding : Brooklyn, NY
Clara & Aaron were married at The River Cafe in Brooklyn, NY on the waterfront.
More and more, couples have been opting to bring me to the rehearsal dinner to capture the day-before festivities. I always love this as it gives me some time to get to know and document very close family and friends. The next day at the wedding, the jitters of being in front of the camera have all but dissipated.
Clara & Aaron held their rehearsal dinner at Hana Makgeolli in Greenpoint and took the opportunity to hold a Korean paebaek ceremony. This serves as the perfect ice breaker for the two sides of family to relax and get to know each other. Wearing traditional hanbok, they honored their parents and family before the fun hazing rituals of throwing chestnuts to determine how many kids they’d have and carrying the bride around the room on the groom’s back. Fun stuff.
The next day I started right at the first look outside 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. We meandered our way through Brooklyn Bridge Park taking photos before meeting up with family at The River Cafe. The weather decided to pull a fast one on us so we began with cocktail hour before the ceremony was underway. I kinda loved that - guests arrived leisurely and had a chance to grab a drink and mingle before heading to the garden for the vows. After that 30 minute break from refreshments everyone went inside for the reception. This somehow had a “modern” wedding vibe as the guests all saw Clara before the actual ceremony. Shockingly, no one turned into pumpkins.
Photography: Brian Hatton
Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Hana Makgeolli
Wedding Venue: The River Cafe
River Cafe Wedding : Brooklyn, NY
Rachel & Mike were wed at The River Cafe located on the waterfront in Brooklyn, NY in August.
I’ve come to love Brooklyn Bridge Park for its almost zen like atmosphere. The 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is built adjacent to the park which happens to be adjacent to The River Cafe. This is an indisputable trifecta for getting ready, portraits and reception. On this, my second of five stints at the River Cafe this season, I was met with overcast skies which cast a pleasing calmness and uniformity to the images throughout the day. Having sun is nice of course but there are definitely pros to the softness the clouds can provide.
River Cafe Wedding : Ashley & Ben : Brooklyn, NY
Ashley & Ben were married on May 13th, with a ceremony and reception at the River Café in Brooklyn, New York photographed by Brian Hatton Photography. I started off the day at the stylish new 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. I love shooting here because of all the backdrops and textures available for photography. Also, it’s not often that I get to experience a completely new property here in NYC! With its industrial, modern design, as well as its living walls and amazing rooftop, this hotel has instantly become a go-to “getting ready” spot for weddings in the Brooklyn Bridge Park area. Once Ashley was ready, we staged a first look at the hotel under the covered entryway, then hopped in an Uber to head around DUMBO for photos near Jane’s Carousel and under the Manhattan Bridge. Even though it was raining, the bride and groom were both good sports and ready to try anything. So, we kept right on—they had an umbrella, and I had fully-weather sealed cameras. I might have gotten a little wet, but we were good to go! Besides, I always find New York to be romantic in the rain. Their ceremony took place under the tent at the River Café with the Brooklyn Bridge towering above. One of my favorite moments was at the very end, once Ashley and Ben were married, when Ben threw his fist in the air to the cheers of their guests. He was too excited to hold his emotions in. That set the tone for the fun reception filled with off-the-cuff toasts and a no-holds-barred dance floor. Throughout the entire day, I enjoyed the opportunity to photograph every single person there. That is one of my favorite parts of shooting small weddings: every single person in attendance was important to Ashley and Ben, so I had a great time pursuing each moment and expression to capture those personal interactions. Ben caught some light-spirited flack from his best man over his new vegan lifestyle (thanks to his bride). But the River Café provided a beautiful dish to accommodate those meal preferences—one of the many benefits of having a wedding at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Of course, I must praise the talented ladies of Exquisite Affairs Productions once again. No matter how big or small the wedding, having an extra hand to help with the dress and move family around with an eye on the schedule goes a long way. This was two weekends in a row with these amazing women, and I love every second of that partnership. Thank you, Ben & Ashley, for having me photograph your intimate day. Congratulations to you both!
Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Exquisite Affairs ProductionsFlorist: OpaliaBand: Elan Artists
