Tappan Hill Mansion Wedding : Alanna & Joshua : Tarrytown, NY
Alanna and Joshua were married on August 5th, 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.
TriBeCa Rooftop Wedding : Brittany & Stephen : New York, NY
Brittany and Stephen were married on August 6th on the TriBeCa Rooftop in New York City. I started out the day at the TriBeCa Rooftop with Brittany in their amazingly spacious photo studio, which serves as a bridal suite, upon request. I was able to get some incredibly clean photos because of the natural light and the white backdrop—which is particularly wonderful for larger groupings and family portraits when finding a nice big space can sometimes be a challenge.Once Brittany was ready to go, we headed downstairs for a first look on the streets of TriBeCa, the chic industrial district in lower Manhattan. We then spent half an hour walking through the neighborhood along the Hudson River for some gorgeous portraits of Brittany and Stephen before we met up with the bridal party and family for more formal portraits. The ceremony was held on the rooftop, with all of Battery Park towering above them. I loved getting to photograph up there because it is by far one of my favorite venues. It’s a unique experience to have this much room in Manhattan, so to have a stunning space where you can do everything comfortably on site makes all the difference in the world. Brittany was going for a modern, art deco vibe and this came through beautifully with her dress and the décor. The TriBeCa Rooftop’s industrial penthouse and rooftop deck provide an amazing backdrop for NYC Weddings. At the end of the ceremony, there was an explosion of energy and pure joy as everyone celebrated Brittany and Stephen’s marriage. Each of the guests radiated such a wonderful energy, but the best reaction was Brittany’s, as she threw her bouquet as high as she could reach while everyone cheered her on. We all enjoyed a delicious cocktail hour with the sun setting in the background before we headed downstairs for the reception under the glass roof and a party for the ages. From the stunning first dance to the energetic hora, I was able to capture all of the action from above using TriBeCa Rooftop’s balcony and staircase to get a good vantage point. Stephen & Brittany, thank you for allowing me to be part of your amazing celebrations. Thanks also to 15 Minutes of Frame, who did the cinematography for this wedding. I worked with them about 15 times last year, but this was the first time for this year, and I was thrilled to see Kaipo and the team again!
Vendors:Florist: Denise Fasanello Stationary: Paper Source Hair: Britt DiGiacomo Makeup: JK Flashy (Tara) Officiant: Rabbi Mary Jane Newman Entertainment: Generation Events: DJ Jason Fioto Cinema: 15 Minutes of FrameWedding Dress: Hayley Paige Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Groom's Attire: Z Zegna
Restaurant Daniel Wedding : JoAnn and Tim : New York City
JoAnn and Tim were married on July 22nd, with a ceremony at Christ Church and a reception at Daniel.
JoAnn and Tim got ready at Le Parker Meridien on 56th Street in Manhattan. They had a beautiful room overlooking Central Park, which was only 3 blocks away. That made it for us to have a first look in the hotel and then walk over to the park for some portraits.
The wedding itself was in the morning, and while it was an early start to the day, I fully enjoyed the chance to get out around Central Park in the early hours. The park was almost completely empty, which was such a luxury. It was so much easier to choose spots for pictures without having to work around a crowd.
The ceremony was held in the chapel at Christ Church, which is one of the few United Methodist churches in NYC. The sanctuary here was beautiful, with rich hues echoing some of the more ornate Greek Orthodox churches in New York. Add to that the flowers and ceremony décor provided by Designs by Ahn, and it was simply stunning. The flowers perfectly complemented the clean, airy, classic feeling of the day.
I really enjoyed the intimacy of their ceremony, with JoAnn’s brother singing—to the great delight of their nieces and nephews. I think you can tell they were enjoying themselves by the pictures.
After some family photos at the church, we made our way to the renowned restaurant, Daniel, which closed down just for the reception. The benefits of holding a wedding at a Michelin-starred restaurant are numerous, with the exceptional service and delectable cuisine at the top of the list. The same servers setting out slices of wedding cake would be pouring 30-year-old bottles of rare champagne at the next dinner service. And with its beautiful décor and elegant ambiance, Daniel is a perfect choice for a reception.
JoAnn & Tim, I loved photographing your beautiful ceremony and reception, and I wish you the best!
Vendors
Ceremony Florist: Designs by Ahn
Reception Florist: L'Olivier Floral Atelier
Stationary: Chez la Mariée
Hair: Weejae Joung
Wedding Dress: Martina Liana
Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Veil: Bhldn
Groom's Attire: Suit Supply
Liberty Warehouse : Carly & Jeff : New York, NY
Carly and Jeff were married on June 4th, with a ceremony and reception at Liberty Warehouse.
At the beginning of the day, Carly and Jeff got ready at the boutique hotel, 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. This amazing new property on the waterfront overlooks Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. In addition to its large suites with tons of natural light, the hotel has plenty of spaces perfect for wedding photography. We were able to take some stellar first look pictures out on the roof deck overlooking the city.
The first look was my favorite part of the whole day. Jeff was so excited to see Carly, and this was one of the most stunning spots I’d seen in a while. We had so much fun exploring the venue and taking portraits afterward. It was the perfect way to start their big day.
After we had our fill of the 1Hotel, we made our way to the industrial, former port, neighborhood of Red Hook, where Liberty Warehouse is located. Once again, this was a perfect wedding venue choice. This was the third time in a month that I had been to Liberty Warehouse, and I have loved shooting there every time. It’s so close to the water, and it has beautiful, sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty.
The décor also added a fresh vibe to the industrial space, while still keeping some of that urban feel. I particularly liked the large, lit, metal “LOVE” sign.
Carly and Jeff held their cocktail hour at sunset before they entered the reception like true champions, showing everyone this was not going to be a low-key evening. And, true to form, they had one of most fun dance floors I had ever seen. Everyone was absolutely going for it, with a constant surge of energy from the large bridal party and groups of family and friends. Navigating through the crowd to take pictures was a challenge, but it was so much fun. The fun and action happening around me provided constant opportunity to capture unique moments. Thank you, Carly & Jeff, for letting me be a part of your super fun, grand wedding in Brooklyn!
Vendors:
Cake: Caked Up! Cafe, NYCFlorist: Stefan's Florist NY Stationary: Belle FiguraHair: Erica WrightMakeup: Dunique WonderlandOfficiant: Rabbi Greg WeitzmanLighting: PegasusBand: Hank Lane, Michael Hart BandWedding Dress: AmsaleBride's Shoes: Jimmy ChooBridesmaids Dresses: AmsaleRings: Esthers JewelryGroom's Attire: Beckenstein Bespoke
Lotte New York Palace Wedding : Amanda & Frank : New York, NY
New 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