Park Hyatt New York Wedding : Rebecca & Thibault : New York, NY
Rebecca and Thibault were married on September 8th, with a ceremony and reception at the Park Hyatt New York.
I started out the day with Kaipo of 15 Minutes of Frame, with whom I work frequently, and Teal from LLG Events who kept the day running smoothly.
We photographed Rebecca’s bouquet as Stacey Weinstein of Once Upon a Bride finished preparing her, then took a few pictures of her in her gorgeous dress. After the bridal portraits we went downstairs for a first look at the base of the hotel’s entryway staircase. From there, we took some photos with the bridal party and family ahead of the ceremony in the Onyx Room. I especially liked the round, dynamic light piece in the lobby—it's such an interesting element for pictures.
After exactly 8 minutes, Rebecca and Thibault had been pronounced husband and wife—and the party could officially start. The guests rushed off to a cocktail party, while Tantawan Bloom worked hard to transform the room. It was an impressive reveal when we all returned, with high centerpieces draped in roses and white and pink cherry blossoms. The incomparable Golf Srithamrong can truly turn a space into such a wonderland, you forget where you are!
Rebecca, a former dancer, and Thibault, who I think will be a professional dancer in his next incarnation, took to the dance floor to dazzle their guests while the Onyx Room walls sparkled. I loved the elegance of their dance as well as the way we were able to position a light so that we could pop them right off the background. Once the party really got going, it was all fun and dancing, including some epic Bollywood dancing. Thibault happens to have a strong affinity for Bollywood, and some of the guests took to the dance floor to bring a little flavor. It wasn’t long at all before both Thibault and Rebecca joined in the fun.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention Ron Ben Israel, who you might otherwise know from his Food Network Show, “Sweet Genius.” He designed the wedding cake, as he does for all weddings at the Park Hyatt, New York. His signature is the hand-molded sugar florals on the cake, and this time around, he had delicate, small flowers, giving the cake a whimsical feeling that still complemented the deco style of the space. Over the course of this past year, I’ve seen a wide range of his creations, and they never fail to impress.
Rebecca & Thibault, your wedding was stylish, freshly decorated, and full of so much character. It makes my job so fun to have a wedding like this, especially toward the end of the season, and I really appreciated being part of it. Thanks also especially to Tantawan Bloom for graciously referring me for this stunning wedding.
Vendors:
Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Florist: Tantawan Bloom
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Video: 15 Minutes of Frame
Cake: Ron Ben Israel
Hair: Once Upon a Bride
Lotte New York Palace Wedding : Amanda & Frank : New York, NY
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Amanda and Frank were married on July 1st in a ceremony at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, N.J., with a reception following at Lotte New York Palace. I had been Amanda and Frank’s engagement photographer prior to the wedding, and loved their unique session at the Jane Hotel in the Meatpacking District. So, I knew this wedding was going to be just as amazing, and a true pleasure to photograph. At the beginning of the day, Amanda got ready at her parents’ home, while Frank was at the Sheraton Mahwah in New Jersey, just a short drive away from the church. Tropical decorations in the “elegant Cuban” theme filled the church. One of my favorite images of the whole day was when Amanda was waiting at the front door of her home and the vintage Rolls Royce rolled up. Some weddings lend themselves beautifully to black and white, and this wedding was one of them—I truly enjoyed how much the wedding came alive in these images. I loved how personal the ceremony was, with its roots reaching back all the way to how these two met in high school. Their principal from their high school days is now the priest at the church where they were married. That was just one of the many reasons they held the ceremony in New Jersey at Amanda’s home parish. The couple truly wanted to pay homage to their families and beginnings. Mother Nature kept us on our toes all day, with the rains coming and going. But, as the ceremony ended, the skies cleared for us and we made our way to New York City in a vintage Rolls Royce where we took photos in Central Park. From there, we headed to the New York Palace Hotel, where we went straight to the rooftop to take advantage of the expansive city views. I love working at the New York Palace because it offers the classic feel of a historic New York venue, with the balance of a modern-feeling hotel upstairs. I also love the feeling of the outdoor space and the grandeur of St. Patrick’s Cathedral towering over us right across the street. At the reception, the band, Cubanoson, lit up the dance floor immediately with clave, which set the tone for a really fun evening of toasts and dancing. The cake was also a highlight, made by Ron Ben Israel, who you may recognize from the Food Network show “Sweet Genius.” Many cakes are decorated with live flowers, but not many cakes are topped with a stunning bouquet of flowers made entirely from sugar—and made entirely by hand as well. To cap off the night of fun, we went to the historic and beautiful courtyard of the New York Palace and sent off the happy couple with sparklers. Frank & Amanda, I have loved being your photographer, not only for this wedding but for your engagement session. You two both truly know how to have fun, and I’ve loved being swept up in the excitement with you!
Vendors:
Cake: Ron Ben Israel
Planner: Polka Dot Events
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang
Bridesmaids Dresses: Monique Lhuillier
Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren
Band: Cubanoson
