7/12/17 7/12/17

New York Athletic Club Wedding : Nicole & Colin : New York, NY

Nicole and Colin were married on June 10th, with a ceremony at St. Ignatius Loyola and a reception at the NY Athletic Club.

I was able to photograph the rehearsal dinner for these two the night before the wedding. So, by the time the big day rolled around, I truly felt like I was familiar with all the family members and was eagerly anticipating the wedding right alongside everyone else.

On the day of the wedding, I met up with Nicole at the suite in the NY Athletic Club as she finished her hair and makeup. Meanwhile, Colin got ready at their apartment. The club has so much beautiful light to use in their rooms as well as their terraces. We made use of both before it was time to go to the church. Nicole and Colin were going for a classic, iconic NYC look, and the 1950’s Rolls Royce that showed up on Central Park South to take Nicole to the park summed that right up. I love the way the white car looks in front of the shaded façade of the church.

Father Walsh, a close friend of the groom’s family, led the Mass, making the ceremony especially memorable because of the personal connection. When it was through, we were sure to get family photos on the steps of the iconic church before we headed out and about Central Park for more portraits—again, capturing that quintessential “classic NYC” feeling.

After the portraits, we made our way to the NYAC for cocktails and the reception. The terrace off of the main dining room is a gem, the perfect way for guests to get a private outdoor setting in the middle of Manhattan, though my favorite images were the ones up on the roof. From there, we had a jaw-dropping view of Central Park and Upper Manhattan—a perfect setting for some unique photos of the bride and groom.

Of course, the stunning décor was greatly helped by Ariston Flowers, who are a household name in New York. This was my second week in a row working with them, and I thought the décor was the perfect complement for the space. And it should be—they are one of the house vendors and know the space intimately well.

Nicole & Colin, your wedding was picture perfect and truly captured that classic NYC feeling, from the iconic church to the famed athletic club and everything in between. It was my pleasure to photograph you and your friends and family, and I wish you all the very best.

NY Athletic Club New York City Wedding Brian Hatton Photography

Vendors

Bride's Dress: Anne Barge

Bride's Shoes: Rene Caovilla

Bridesmaids Dresses: Kate Spade

Florist: Ariston Flowers

Stationary: Shine Wedding Invitations

Hair & Makeup: Roland Brummer

7/5/17 7/5/17

Cipriani 42nd St Wedding : Danielle & Greg : New York, NY

Cipriani New York City Wedding Brian Hatton Photography

Danielle and Greg were married on June 3rd, with a ceremony and reception at Cipriani on 42nd St. On the day of the wedding, Danielle got ready right across the street from Cipriani at the Grand Hyatt, New York. This was a particularly spectacular location because of its direct connection to Grand Central Terminal, where Danielle and Greg saw each other for the first time. We staged a first look in the main hall of the train station—a magical moment for not only Danielle and Greg but all the tourists, travelers, and passersby. After we left GCT, we walked a few blocks to the New York Public Library for some pictures on the steps out front. We managed to time it perfectly as the sun came out for a gorgeous backlight of the bride, groom, and bridal party, too! I love photographing couples at the New York Public Library because it is such an amazing, historic building in the middle of Manhattan. And the fact that we got the lighting just right was stroke of good luck, since the library only gets direct sunlight for a few hours of the day. Finally, we returned to Cipriani, where Ariston Flowers had designed a beautiful wall of florals to set the stage for the ceremony. (I wondered what they would use it for after the ceremony, and as it turned out, it was the most epic backdrop for the photo booth!) Danielle had the most memorable entrance into the ceremony, too. The lights were raised, and she made her way down the aisle looking absolutely stunning. Then, it was off to the party! The Original Faze 4 band kept the dance floor packed all night in the cavernous, awe-inspiring space, and everyone danced their hearts out until it was time to head home. The entire wedding was simply stunning in the landmarked Cipriani. The venue was once the Bowery Savings Bank; historic and gorgeous making every moment a “wow” moment. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t thank Frank Ahm Films for their work with me at this wedding. Their Sneak Peek of the wedding was amazing! Danielle & Greg, it's been so much fun working with you—from your engagement session to your wedding. I can't wait to put together the album; it's going to be beautiful!

Vendors

Videographer: Frank Ahn Films

Flowers: Ariston Flowers

Band: “The Original Faze 4”

6/29/17 6/29/17

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding : Beth & Courtney : Brooklyn, NY

Beth & Courtney were married on May 27th, with a ceremony and reception at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden & Palm House in Brooklyn, NY. This year, it just so happened that I was at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for an engagement session and a couple weddings over the course of May. It's pretty amazing how the gardens evolve over that period of time! Late in May for Beth & Courtney's wedding, the foliage was a deep, vibrant green and the color pops right out of the images. Beth & Courtney got ready together at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge where I caught the tail end of Beth's prep. Courtney took advantage of the Palm House's brand new bridal suite to put on her Oscar de la Renta gown. Once Courtney was dressed, we ventured in to the gardens for a first look and some portraits before guests began to arrive. Fortunately, the Botanic Garden provides a golf cart to get around so we were able to visit some of their notable spots. This was the first time I photographed a ceremony in this particular location on the grounds and I think it might be my favorite! An enormous shade tree frames the ceremony area and the guests are flanked on either side by even more greenery. It's really a perfect, idyllic spot for a wedding. Following the reception, guests gathered outside the Palm House for what I think is one of the best parts of having your wedding here - the outdoor cocktail hour. Courtney & Beth's guests were a spirited group, including some mutual friends of my own! There was no shortage of excitement as the brides entered the Palm House for their reception. This was one of my favorite moments of the day, followed closely by their first dance. As the sun came down, a soft blue glow filtered down through the glass ceiling as their loved ones gave toasts. There are a handful of venues across the City of New York that make you forget where you are - and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of them. If you live in the city, you really should make a point to visit the garden every season to observe all the changes. Many thanks to the brides for including me - it was a pleasure photographing your engagement photos in DUMBO and tying it all up with the wedding!

6/28/17 6/28/17

Rockleigh Country Club : Ronni & Adam : Rockleigh, NJ

Rockleigh Country Club New Jersey Wedding Photographer Brian Hatton Photography

Ronni and Adam were married on May 14^th, with a ceremony and reception at the Rockleigh Country Club in New Jersey.

As a New York wedding photographer, I do love shooting in and around NYC over the course of the day. But every once in a while, it’s nice to be able to cross the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, park at a venue, and stay there. Not only is the Rockleigh Country Club a pleasant ride from my home up Palisades Parkway, but the venue itself is beautiful. With its large areas to get ready, two ballroom options, a reflecting pool, and manicured grounds… you truly don’t have to go anywhere else to find what you’re looking for.

As is customary with most Jewish weddings, Ronni and Adam opted for a first look before the ceremony, and it was probably my favorite part of the day. They were filled to the brim with anticipation and clearly so happy to see each other. That positive energy carried right through into their portrait session which makes it a lot of fun for me. These two are the perfect reminders that great wedding portraits don’t require anything of a bride and groom except that they act like themselves.

While Ronni and Adam were getting their portraits done, the guests arrived at the Rockleigh with a welcome coupe of champagne before being escorted into the flower-draped room for the ceremony. Because the day of the wedding was also Mother’s Day, both Ronni and Adam’s mothers enjoyed special attention, especially during the ketubah signing. They both signed the marriage license—and Ronni and Adam were sure to shower their mothers with beautiful moments together ahead of the ceremony itself.

After the ceremony, the sky cleared a bit, allowing us to have the cocktail hour outside before we partied the rest of the night away to the Michael Hart band by Hank Lane.

Ronni and Adam has asked artist Katherine Gressel to create a live painting of the event—and it was the most amazing thing to watch. She arrived a few hours before the reception to choose a vantage point in the room and begin sketching out the location so that, by the end of a 4-hour reception, she had largely finished the painting with including the bride and groom. She’ll touch up the painting in her Brooklyn studio before sending it to Ronni & Adam, but it was amazing to watch the progression throughout the reception. This is a truly unique experience; in over 400 weddings, I think this was only the 2nd time I've seen this!

Adam & Ronnie, thank you for the opportunity to photograph your fairytale day. I’m especially appreciative of the trust you had in me as you planned your day from afar, and now that the wedding is through, I wish you all the best!

Vendors:

Band: Michael Hart Band by Hank Lane Music Florist: Dalsimer Spitz and Peck Bride's Shoes: Julia Haart Officiant: Rabbi Craig Scheff Hair & Makeup: Pin it Up and Pout

Rockleigh Country Club New Jersey Wedding Photographer Brian Hatton Photography

6/21/17 6/21/17

Liberty Warehouse Wedding: Allison and Alex: Brooklyn, NYC

Liberty Warehouse Brooklyn NY Wedding Brian Hatton Photography

Allison and Alex were married on May 20th, with a ceremony and reception at the Liberty Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York. I had photographed their engagement session last year and was delighted to be able to photograph their wedding.

On the day of the wedding, Alex got ready in Manhattan at the Andaz Wall Street, while Allison took advantage of Liberty Warehouse’s expansive bridal suite. Once she was ready, we got some photos with her sister and mom before setting up a first look downstairs. She and Alex then headed outside for some bride and groom portraits. By the time we’d wrapped up with the bridal party, their beautiful chuppah had been finished, so we were able to take photos there with the water and Statue of Liberty in the background.

Part of the reason I love the Liberty Warehouse is because it is the perfect setting for a variety of styles. Whether it’s a rustic, modern, or classic wedding, they all seem to fit nicely here. And with its sprawling patio, variety of spaces, and “small town” location-- it’s the perfect “destination wedding” for city couples looking to give their guests a unique experience. That’s just one of the many reasons that the Warehouse might just be my most frequented venue this season—which is fine by me!

Thanks to the mild spring afternoon, the ceremony was outside on the patio as the sun set over New Jersey. As is often the case, this was my favorite part of the day. There is something truly magical about the mood in the air being next to the water and tucked off in Red Hook. It feels like a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of NYC without ever leaving it. Not to mention, the rush of emotions that flow directly after the ceremony is always fun to capture, and I loved all the embraces being shared.

We headed back inside to the upper floor, where Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design out of Gowanus had done a spectacular job. The card table in particular stood out to me as well as the floating arrangement that Allison had asked for at the head table. And, of course, Mark Koslowe of Hank Lane got the party started right away with a spirited hora and dance meant to get all the guests out of their seats.

Allison and Alex spent plenty of time out on the dance floor, which I was glad to see. In some cases, the bride and groom only get a few moments together on the floor, so the photography and video teams have to get up in there to make sure we get that shot. Not so with these two—I was able to blend into the crowd and wait for small glimpses of them as they partied their hearts out.

Alex & Allison, thank you for letting me be part of your spectacular day. Congratulations to both of you!