Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers WEdding : Monica & Andrew : New York, NY

Monica & Andrew were married at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

I met up with Monica at the Hyatt Herald Square where she was prepping with her bridesmaids before her first look with Andrew. Although there were hints of the forthcoming Spring, the crisp day in the park just North of the venue was quiet making it a perfect setting for some pictures with their bridal party. The sweeping Hudson River views were on display during their ceremony which makes The Lighthouse pretty unparalleled in this regard. Superior Florist lit up the dark feel of the event space with their clean white color scape while the band 45 Riots, one of my favorites, kept the dance floor alive all night.

Roundhouse Wedding : Don & Anthony : Beacon, NY

A summer wedding at The Roundhouse in Beacon, NY.

I was fortunate to photograph FIVE weddings at The Roundhouse in The Hudson Valley this season. It’s been amazing to see this venue and its reach grow as a wide variety of couples come to Beacon and put their spin on this wonderful space.

On this particular occasion, Don & Anthony came up from NYC along with their family and friends for what was a sophisticated outdoor/indoor event on the Roundhouse terrace and loft. Flying solo that day, I photographed both of their prep before we united for a first look off the main hotel building. I always remark that the possibilities are endless on this property and you really feel that on an August afternoon mid-day. As the sun moves around it casts shadows and highlights various facades in ways that you don’t expect and is exciting to someone like me who visits the location many times over. While there are certainly some popular spots for photos, I always seem to find some new variation based on the conditions that afternoon.

Looking back over the photos of the day I’m reminded of just how many genuine expressions of joy there were to photograph. While wedding photography is certainly my job, its being able to document and preserve these types of moments that helps blur the line between work and pleasure while I’m on the clock.

Don & Anthony looked to the talents of Kraft & Co for decorating the space, After Party Band of Around Town Entertainment to keep the dance floor packed and my buddy Carrie of The Roundhouse who makes the event come together in a way that is effortless.

New York Athletic Club Wedding : Katherine & Brian : New York, NY

Katherine & Brian were married in July with a ceremony at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church followed by a reception at New York Athletic Club on Central Park South in NYC.

I’m always impressed by the expression of elegance that a NYAC wedding exudes. Katherine and Brian’s looked poised throughout and their beautifully decorated ballroom set a beautiful yet relaxed tone for their guests. Katherine and Brian got ready in suites at the club and met for a first look on the rooftop with the expansive view of the Central Park below. Fortunately, 7th ave and the Southern edge of the park offer plenty to work with for portraits and we were able to dot across the street quickly before the rain.

The Kirkland Chapel at 5th Ave Pres is stunning and perfectly suited for a typical NYC wedding with a size and shape that allows the pews to fill nicely. In addition to the scope of the space, I find the clergy here to conduct a ceremony that feels especially warm and personal. With family and friends congregated, we photographed their vows and then finished up with some family photos at the altar before heading back to New York Athletic Club.

Westhampton Country Club Wedding : Allie & Lisa : Westhampton, NY

Lisa & Allie were married in June on the East End of Long Island at the lovely Westhampton Country Club. I seem to make it to The Hamptons or The North Fork at least once every year for a wedding and I really enjoy the change of pace.

With Allie at her family’s home and Lisa in an amazing nearby Airbnb, they got ready with their cherished friends and family before we head to Westhampton Beach for a first look. The fantastic Hamptons wedding planner Claire Bean knows Allie’s family intimately having arranged numerous events for them and was an indispensable part of making this day as perfect as it was. The beach was pretty quiet that day thankfully so we had the run of the place capturing portraits of the ladies, bridal party and their families. Once we made it to the ceremony, the rest of the day was just about being part of a great party. The sun was dancing in and out of the clouds while we were at the beach which gave us a lot of variety. The cloud cover makes for soft flattering images no matter what you do while the direct sun livens and adds tons of depth.

Moving over to the country club, Allie & Lisa’s dads gave their toasts mid ceremony which was a fun twist and personalized what can sometimes be a typical matter of going through the paces to get married. The golf course was a wide expansive setting for both the ceremony and cocktails and guests were free to drift under cover or out onto the green as they enjoyed a cocktail and bite to eat before settling down for the reception.

45 Riots was at the bandstand that night which always means a good time and they really turned up the heat. But nothing compared to the moment Lisa took the stage and performed a number with the band as confetti was thrust over the dance floor. Truly an amazing moment to be a part of! It can be bittersweet to reach the end of the night after spending months chatting with a couple, photographing their engagement session and then capturing the main event and that certainly was the case here. Congrats to the bride and bride!

501 Union Wedding : Lauren & Jeff : Brooklyn, NY

Lauren & Jeff were married in the heart of summer in NYC hosting their wedding at 501 Union in Brooklyn.

Beginning their day at the stylish Bowery Hotel, Lauren & Jeff utilized the terrace on their stunning suite for a first look. While Lauren worked with Bespoke Beauty & Bridal for hair and makeup, Jeff and the guys got ready in the hotel’s lounge. I love all the rich and moody tones of the decor at the hotel and how they play against the rich greenery that encircles the outdoor space. It makes for a wonderful setting for a few portraits before heading out into the city. Had it rained, the awning still would have given us some outdoor access in addition to the lovely room itself.

After capturing the bridal party and some family photos, Imani Starr of Blossom Events kept us on track and it was time to make our way to St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church just off Houston on Sullivan Street. I’ve passed it a million times but never been inside. It’s always shocking to me how many grand, cavernous sanctuaries there are dotted around Manhattan. And this one in an area notable for its particularly tiny apartments and storefronts. It was a beautiful ceremony and from here we hopped on NY Trolley over the Manhattan Bridge to photograph the bride, groom and bridal party along the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park. As popular as this area has become, it’s actually pretty nice mid summer because the city is overall a little quieter. Everything was just working right that day. Excellent light. Time on our side. Enthusiastic group of people.

501 Union awaited us and was looking fantastic thanks to Petunia Bug. The raucously amazing Shag Horns Brass Band turned the space into an instant party. Not a wedding reception - a party. I loved it. There were about 85 guests which felt full yet intimate. It let the room breathe and photographed really well. This was a fun, super chill wedding to document.