Park Hyatt Wedding : Peter & Chris : New York, NY
Peter & Chris were married April 21 at the Park Hyatt in New York City. On a perfect Spring day, I had the pleasure of capturing one of the most fun, lively weddings in one of my favorite venues in the city. It was a very New York guest list full of artists and Tony winners, with high energy entertainment that kept people on the dance floor throughout the night. Starting in one of the hotel's beautiful suites, we captured the grooms as they got ready with friends and family. Popping Ruinart champagne, everyone was having fun and I knew the day would fly by. Peter & Chris enjoyed a first look in the lobby before we went out on to the street to take some photos with the city and Carnegie Hall as a backdrop. When a couple has been together a long time like these two gentlemen, it's not his friends and his friends, but their friends. You could really sense that in the room as they said their vows surrounded by the towering illuminated onyx walls of the Park Hyatt's ballroom. Belle Fleur's Spring green and white decor perfectly complimented the space while Sugar Lane Band from Hank Lane got everyone in the festive spirit.
Cake: Ron Ben IsraelFlorist: Belle FleurStationary: MintedGrooms' Attire: Giorgio ArmaniBand: Sugar Lane Band/Hank LaneRings: Tiffany
NY Athletic Club Wedding : Alea & Matt : New York, NY
Alea & Matt were married April 7 with a wedding ceremony at Christ Church and reception following at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. The NY Athletic Club exudes a certain kind of understated elegance, unlike most any other NYC venue. Nestled on the Southern end of Central Park, the ballroom looks over the trees and out across the park with a vantage point that brings a peaceful feeling despite being in the middle of Manhattan. Beginning with Alea and her bridesmaids, I photographed the tail end of her preparation before capturing a first look with Matt on the club's rooftop. It was an unusually crisp April day with bright, clean sunlight. A perfect compliment to Alea's stunning Marchesa wedding gown. Although I find myself at St Ignatius Loyola frequently when shooting at NYAC, another beautiful space is Christ Church located nearby on Park Avenue. A United Methodist church, ceremonies are only 30-40 minutes and late in the day! This allows you to go straight from ceremony into cocktails. Doing just that, we went from first kiss to the venue in a matter of minutes. The ballroom of the club was decorated in cherry blossoms as the bride and groom entered for their first dance and live music by Silver Arrow Band. I loved photographing Alea & Matt's wedding. There was a positive, easy energy throughout the day that made it a breeze to document. Enjoy!
Venue: New York Athletic ClubFlorist: Rosa RosaStationary: Rosemont PressHair: Crystal TushinskyMakeup: Erica GonzalezOfficiant: Leslie Houseworth-FieldsBand: Silver Arrow BandWedding Gown: MarchesaBride's Shoes: Manolo BlahnikGroom's Attire: My Suit
Lafayette Grand Cafe Wedding : Jen & Eugene : New York, NY
Jen & Eugene were married March 31, 2018 at Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery in the NoHo neighborhood of New York City. When I met with Jen & Eugene for the first time, they asked me if I'd ever been to Lafayette. "Yes" I said. I had my own wedding reception there two years ago! I began with them at 11 Howard, a beautiful new hotel in SoHo where we jumped right in to a first look and portraits. We were fortunate that the hotel made their bar and common areas available to us. The clean, modern look was a great contrast to the outdoor and French wine cellar feel of the reception venue. Jen's gorgeous bouquet was created by Designs by Ahn. Walking outside, the light was bouncing around through the narrow streets which made for beautiful opportunities. The ambiance at Lafayette is so warm and intimate. For a moment, it whisks you away from New York as you settle in with a hand crafted cocktail or glass of Burgundy. The smell of Andrew Carmellini's cuisine comes wafting from the kitchen as serving plates are set down for guests family style. It's the perfect location for a wedding of 70 guests. Documenting someone's day in a space as special to me as Lafayette is so satisfying, and I am grateful to Jen & Eugene for including me as part of their wedding celebration. 
Gantry Plaza Wedding : Razia & Jashim : Long Island City, NY
Razia & Jashim were married March 10, 2018 in Queens, NY. Photographing the major life moment of another artist is always a huge honor. I was especially humbled to document the nuptials of my buddy Jashim who is a wonderful wedding photographer in his own right, and a genuinely great human being. I was lucky to be there when he proposed to his better half Razia just a handful of months ago and we met yet again on a cold March Saturday to make things official. We were extremely fortunate to be able to photograph Razia's getting ready in their new apartment which conveniently was completely empty! A dream to shoot in with grey walls and wide open space, this was the kind of luxury a photographer lends another photographer. I open this post with their touching first look which was followed by the reading of cards and a few pictures in the space before heading out. What a great to memorialize their new home and new beginning with each other. With still some time before the reception began, we made our way to Gantry Plaza State Park. It's an ideal spot for bride and groom portraits, so long as you pre-arrange and make sure you have a permit! From Manhattan, you'd know right away by the Long Island sign and long piers in to the water to identify Gantry Park. Razia & Jashim were troopers - braving what really was bitter cold in the name of getting great pictures. I really appreciated their perseverance. As guests gathered back at Elite Palace, we made our way back into the heart of Queens for a ring ceremony and delicious Bengali feast. It was a beautiful day and my absolute pleasure to be a part of it. 
Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers Wedding : Shannon and Joe : New York, NY
Shannon and Joe were married on March 17th, with a ceremony and reception at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers.
I began with Shannon as she and the bridesmaids got ready at the New York Edition hotel, while my second shooter was with Joe at home. This was my first time shooting at the New York Edition, a contemporary new boutique hotel concept from Marriott right next to Madison Square Park. I immediately felt right at home shooting in this modern space. This new hotel is a great option for people having a Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers wedding since it’s close to both the venue and some iconic NYC scenes for portraits. The hotel itself is excellent—with airy hotel rooms and a kind staff who was very helpful setting up the first look for Shannon and Joe in one of their event spaces.
Joe and Shannon are a sweet couple, which made it so easy to run out into the cold air for some pictures in the afternoon light at The Lighthouse before guests began to arrive. Soon, the evening was underway, with their ceremony taking place just as the sun set. That stunning setting overlooking the Hudson River is the best part of getting married at the Lighthouse!
A signature Abigail Kirsch cocktail hour was followed quickly by dinner and dancing. Honoring their ties to New Orleans, Joe and Shannon struck up the brass band for a "second line" parade—to the great delight of all the guests and myself! I'd never seen such a thing! Plus, it was a lot of fun—and a great way to close out a great day.
Shannon & Joe, thank you for letting me be part of your joy!
