Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers Wedding : Stephanie & Ben : New York, NY
Stephanie & Ben were married on August 19 with a ceremony and reception at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers. I've shot at a number of the Abigail Kirsch venues this summer, and I always love returning to The Lighthouse. Located on the Western edge of Manhattan in Chelsea Piers, The Lighthouse is a stunning venue with amazing views overlooking the Hudson River. The Abigail Kirsch venues all have spectacular service which makes the lives of all the vendors so much easier.
Stephanie & Ben got ready at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, located only steps from the water where the Statue of Liberty stands just across the bay. The room where Stephanie got ready looked right out onto the water, and you could see Lady Liberty in the distance.
As a wedding photographer, I'm always waiting for exuberant expressions... and that's just what I got during Stephanie's first look with her dad. He walked in to the hotel room overflowing with pride as he saw Stephanie in her gown. It was a touching moment that makes me so happy to capture. After the touching father daughter first look, Stephanie & Ben had a first look as well, nearby in Battery Park. We took some time to photograph the bride and groom along the sun-drenched waterfront before making our way to the venue.
Upon arriving at The Lighthouse, we continued with their portraits before the tone of the ceremony was set by the signing of the ketubah. I always love this time as it refocuses all the moments of the day leading up to the ceremony, and is a quiet, contemplative pause with family before things really get underway.
As the sun set over New Jersey, we settled into the ceremony for their vows at dusk. Twilight is a magical moment at The Lighthouse with the wall of windows overlooking the colorful horizon. After saying "I do", it was time for the famous Abigail Kirsch cocktail hour and dancing courtesy of The Next Faze by Faze 4 Orchestras.
I loved the overall feeling of the reception. The colors were clean and classic which provided great contrast to the dark space. Some sophisticated up-lighting added pops of color which provided a nice sense of depth and richness to the party photography.
Stephanie & Ben, thank you so much for asking me to be your wedding photographer. It was such a pleasure to capture your beautiful summer wedding. Congratulations!
Details
Florist: Superior Florist
Makeup & Hair: Once Upon a Bride
Officiant: Rabbi Jeffrey Clopper
Band: The Next Faze, Faze 4 Orchestras
Video: WeCinema
Wedding Dress: Selia Yang
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss
Oheka Castle Wedding : Abbie & Tony : Huntington, NY
Abbie and Tony were married on August 20th, with a ceremony and reception at the Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York.
In mid-August, I found myself sitting in a hotel room in Rome when I received a phone call from Abbie’s wedding planner: “Are you available to shoot a wedding at Oheka Castle this weekend? Yes . . . this weekend.” This is officially the closest to the date that I’ve ever booked a wedding! But I ended up loving it all the same—especially because I got to meet an amazing couple because of it.
Abbie and Tony have always dreamed of getting married at a castle, so in the NYC area, the obvious choice is Oheka Castle on Long Island in Huntington. As a Long Island wedding photographer, I’m at Oheka every year and am always impressed by the expansive property. It’s so vast that every couple can really bring their own tone to the wedding.
For Abbie and Tony, it was the chance to have some fun and take some great pictures with Abbie’s THREE dresses. Abbie wore her first dress, a red ballgown, for the Chinese tea ceremony honoring her parents. We took a few photos around the grounds before Abbie got ready in Oheka’s famous bridal suite, changing into a white gown for the wedding ceremony in the garden. The gown looked stunning in the super soft, warm, late afternoon light. After the ceremony, there was another dress change—this time into a highly-detailed red dress for the reception. I especially loved the way the red popped against the neutral colors of the castle.
During the ceremony itself, as Abbie walked down the aisle, we were able to get that quintessential Oheka shot with a photographer in the elevated position to take it. Doves were released, the newlyweds departed in a horse-drawn carriage, and the whole thing looked absolutely magical.
It was a spectacular afternoon with perfect weather—and the most enthusiastic groom I think I’ve ever had for taking photos. The planner kept trying to nudge us along to the next scheduled event, but Tony was all about getting the shots that Abbie wanted. After this, Abbie and Tony are headed to Shanghai for a reception in China, and they planned to display the photos that we took during this wedding for their hundreds of guests, so getting that perfect shot was so important to them.
Tony & Abbie, thank you for letting me be a part of your celebrations. I hope these photos are a hit at your reception in China! Thanks also to Bliss Wedding Films—you guys were a pleasure to work with, and your drone operator was one of the most talented I’ve ever seen.
Vendors:Florist: Metro Floral Decorators Hair: Make-Up Pro Officiant: Reverend Will Mercer Lighting: Ambient Events DJ: Marc Bauman Events Cinema: Bliss Wedding Films Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Rings: Tiffany Groom's Attire: Zegna Couture Photo Booth: Fun Booth Horse & Carriage: Regal Carriage Inc
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
Mid Season Refresh : Europe : Brian Hatton Photography
In the middle of August every year, I carve out a weekend to rest and refresh before the busy fall season. One of my favorite ways to do so is, believe it or not, to take photos. I find travel photography helps me to reset my ability to see scenes, which directly influences my coverage of weddings and other professional work. So, not only is it relaxing, but it’s a way to grease the cogs of my creativity.
One of the best things about being a photographer is the ability to tie outside interest into your work. For example, in the last year, I’ve been able to photograph a number of famous wine regions. This time around, we visited the Mosel Valley in Germany, where the world’s greatest Rieslings are grown.
Beyond the Riesling, it’s quite simply a beautiful part of the country. It isn’t far from Frankfurt, but you won’t see many foreign tourists there. So there is a much more carefree, relaxed feeling in the air. It was amazing to stand on a hill high above the town of Graach, looking down through the extremely steep hills toward the Mosel River.
After that, we made our way to the stunning Amalfi Coast of Italy. We stopped in Positano and Conca Dei Marini to photograph the magnificent Monastero Santa Rosa and its iconic infinity pool overlooking the coastline before ending the trip in Rome. We visited the Vatican and wandered the ancient streets past the Colosseum and other mind-bendingly old sites. In Rome, the streets and the buildings are steeped in history and every corner hides another story.
With my midseason excursion over, I’m looking forward to returning home and capturing another wedding. But I wanted to share these images from the breathtaking sights of my journey here on the blog. Take a look at some of the breathtaking views we were treated to while we were out and about.
