This intimate wedding was so sweet to capture– Stacy was tearing up before we even got to the sunlit greenhouse hallway where she was to have her first look with Wayne. When he turned around and came to embrace her she sobbed such sweet tears of joy and he wiped them away for her and held her sweetly. Nobody likes rain on their wedding day but I knew Stacy and Wayne were particularly enamored with the exteriors of the venue, so I kept peeking outside to see if the misty rain had cleared up yet. Luckily the venue itself was quite lovely and expansive– so even though we didn’t get much time with them outside I was able to get some portraits in the pretty natural light of the plant-filled greenhouse, as well as a handful of other portraits I knew they’d love at various spots in the beautiful spaces we found there. After capturing the couple alone together and then with their wedding party and family groups, Stacy went up to the bridal suite to change into a long red gown she had chosen to wear for a traditional tea ceremony with their parents. Wayne got a 2nd “first look” with this dress as she came down the stairs, and they exchanged meaningful blessings with their parents in the privacy of a small elegant room as they served them tea and gracefully received wedding gifts in the traditional red envelopes. Right after the tea ceremony I noticed that the rain was much lighter (though still lightly sprinkling)– I suggested we step outside with one of my white shooting umbrellas and the couple was game! We quickly made some pictures with them outdoors and then it was back upstairs to change back into the white wedding dress as guests began arriving for the main ceremony with Father Jack Ryan. Much of the ceremony was translated so that guests from abroad could follow the events, but I dont’t think you’d need to know english to feel the emotions that came through in their wonderful vows to one another. After an relaxing cocktail hour where family and friends reconnected, Stacy and Wayne and their guests were invited into an elegant dining room for dinner and dancing. Everyone was delighted by the Tango they had learned for their first dance, and we were treated to a series of toasts that celebrated the couple’s history, accomplishments, and love for one another. Stacy and Wayne capped off the evening by cutting their wedding cake and giving a speech of thanks to their family and friends who had come to support them as they made their commitment to marriage. These two are off to a wonderful start– congratulations to Stacy and Wayne!
Alex & James are to be married next month up at Fort Tryon Park and New Leaf, a wonderful restaurant I had the pleasure of shooting Laura & Joel’s wedding at not long ago. For their engagement session they selected Central Park, an ever-popular location that I never tire of! I was especially excited to shoot there this Sunday, as our wacky April winter-weather was finally lifting a bit, and the flowers were all finally popping throughout the park. It was even the first official event of the season for the Central Park Skate Dancers Association, which I always get a kick out of seeing in action! We enjoyed a beautiful walk around the park to a bunch of favorite spots and as always I discovered a few new locations that I’ll have to remember for future visits. Check out my favorites from our shoot!
MaryJane & Robert were married on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at St. Patrick Church, and celebrated with family and friends that evening at The Park Savoy Estate. I started the day with MaryJane and her bridesmaids at the Short Hills Hilton— these gals were having a blast hanging out and MaryJane’s gown was just stunning— the look on her father’s face when he stepped into the room to see her says it all. We drove to the church early to meet the men and capture them as they put on their boutennieres and got ready for the service, which was a beautiful catholic ceremony complete with mass. I am always excited when I see there is a balcony level in a church like this and indeed my assistant got some nice wide shots from that perspective. After the ceremony guests blew bubbles outside as the happy couple made their exit. We shot some portraits and groups there at the church steps and then all headed to the Park Savoy, where we’d shoot the majority of the wedidng party and family pictures before cocktail hour started. The food at this wedding was abundant and beautiful— the feast at cocktail hour was followed by a sit-down multi-course dinner and a viennese dessert hour after the couple cut their cake. The couple and their guests had a marvelous time dancing the night away, and we got some really fun shots of the action. I was also excited to shoot some outdoor night portraits behind the venue’s reception space as I noticed there were beautiful string lights twinkling in the trees out there and sure enough, the images came out wonderfully. Congratulations to MaryJane & Robert on a fabulous wedding!
Vendor Credits:
Getting Ready Location Bride: The Short Hills Hilton
Getting Ready Location Groom: The Westin Governor Morris
Ceremony Location: St Patrick Church
Reception Venue: The Park Savoy Estate
Wedding Cake Designer: Palermo Bakery
Makeup: La Sorella Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Sung
Groom’s suit/tux: Baldwin Formal
Ceremony Musicians: Chrisopher Pinella
DJ: DJ Spyros
Videographer: Sands of Time