Cindy & Ben’s Wedding at Mallard Island

2020 has been quite the wild ride, and it has been especially nuts for those couples who were scheduled to get married in spring or summer this year.  Cindy and Ben had to push their date back 2 times before getting a date that they could stick to, and even so, they needed to make lots of adjustments to the plan to meet safety regulations and have a party where guests could enjoy themselves and stay safe. These guys pulled it off masterfully, and when Cindy’s dad joked about them starting a ‘covid wedding planning’ business it made perfect sense to me. When asked to reflect on their approach to the event, Cindy and Ben wrote:
“We both love LBI– Cindy’s parents bought this beach house when she was a freshman in college.”  Cindy wrote: “I have countless special memories here, especially with my Mom. LBI is probably my favorite place on the planet. I am definitely a beach/ocean girl. When we started dating, Ben quickly fell in love with it too & it’s been a no-brainer to quarantine here (been here since end of March). So, it was an obvious choice to get married here also! We love Mallard Island & have been leaning into a sophisticated beach (well, bay) wedding! For colors, we’ve chosen lots of blue and corals to pick up on the water and sunset backdrop. We have also done many Daisy accents as they were a meaningful symbol for my Mom (chapel flowers, flower girl dress & basket, Bridesmaid bouquets, masks, seed packet favors.) We are incorporating our dogs in the personalized hand sanitizer stickers & signature drink signage. We are providing masks for all the guests– We have a Sailboat pattern (Cindy’s Dad has a sailboat named for her Mom “Beverly T.”) and a mermaid pattern.”
It was truly such a pleasure to capture this wedding after months and months of no social gatherings due to the pandemic and you could feel how much their family and friends were enjoying the opportunity to celebrate their love together in a community, even if only for one evening. Congratulations to Cindy and Ben, you gave us all such a special day with you at Mallard Island!
Vendor Credits:
Reception Venue: Weddings of Distinction
Event Design: Gianna Verdoni
Wedding gown: Pronovias
Hair AND Makeup: Beach House Spa
Bridesmaid dresses: Kleinfeld Bridal Party
Groom’s suit/tux: Enzo Custom
Officiant: Iris Blasi
Invitation Design: Minted

Carly & Jason’s Winter Wedding at The Garden City Hotel

Carly & Jason were married on a chilly Saturday evening in February at The Garden City Hotel on Long Island, New York, under a beautiful Chuppah, surrounded by their loved ones.  I began the day with Carly and her bridesmaids (13!) getting ready in the hotel’s preparation suite.  It was plenty roomy for her crew and the hair/makeup artists and me and video– and I was able to take detail shots with some of the decor just out in the adjacent hallway (including a grand piano!).  Not far away my assistant photographer captured Jason and his buddies getting into tuxes.  Due to the extremely chilly weather Carly and Jason opted for a first look indoors, which was no problem seeing as the hotel had a nice big area that would later host their cocktail hour.  The look on Jason’s face says it all in that moment– Carly looked absolutely stunning in her gorgeous gown and it was a delight to make portraits with this sweet couple– they were great sports and let me take them outside for some shots with the hotel in the background and of course a little splash of greenery for variety.  I couldn’t resist getting a few shots on the staircases in the lobby as well– I just had to capture Carly’s train as she walked up the stairs.  The florist had set up an amazing floral Chuppah on a platform in the ceremony space and it provided the perfect backdrop for the big group pictures with their bridesmaids and groomsmen, and of course all the family combination shots to come.  I always love checking off this groups shot-list– it’s very satisfying to create those lasting portrait images that I know families will print and frame and revisit often!  Then we moved into a space across the way where Jason and Carly signed their Ketubah, which was an incredible piece of art with a beautiful cut-paper overlay to display it with.  Their Rabbi was a gifted and humorous orator and did a fantastic job of leading them and their loved ones through this signing and the ceremony to come, which was so romantic and beautiful with the dimmed lights and candle-lit aisle and the orchid-laden Chuppah.  After tying the knot Jason and Carly retreated for some time alone while guests were treated to a multi-room cocktail hour with various delicious looking food stations.  Meanwhile the ceremony room was being busily transformed into a reception room and a big stage was being set up for the amazing Chevy Chevis band.  Jason and Carly came in to see the room and I had them practice their first dance for a photo.  Before you know it, this party was getting started, and what a party it was!  The band was huge and could seemingly perform anything– they kept the guests dancing all night long.  Highlights included a Hora, a Mezinke (both favorites of mine!) and some very sweet toasts from the parents of both bride and groom as well as a gorgeous and delicious looking cake!  I couldn’t be happier for this delightful couple– it warms my heart to see such well-matched and kind people find one another and make this beautiful committment to share their lives.  Congratulations to Carly & Jason!

Vendor Credits:

Venue: The Garden City Hotel

Bridal Attendant: Olga Palusko

Dress:  Mira Zwillinger

Shoes: Jimmy Choo 

Makeup:  Anabelle Laguardia

Hair:  Rachel Watson

Floral Design: Andrew Pascoe

Band: Chevy Chevis 

Officiant: Rabbi Lev Herrnson

Ketubah: Enya Keshet

Invitations: Inklinations

Video: Mike Williams

 

 

Jaclyn & Larry’s Wedding at Village Club

Jaclyn & Larry were married at the Cure of Ars Church in Merrick, NY on a sunny winter saturday in December. We began the day at their respective homes nearby on Long Island where they were getting ready with their bridal party and parents. A charming Trolley was arranged to transport the groomsmen and then the bride and bridesmaids to the church. They had a Catholic ceremony complete with readings and music and a moving sermon about marriage. After a lively receiving line, Jaclyn and Larry exited the church as their guests cheered for them and blew bubbles. Due to the waning day and unknown transportation timeframe we went ahead and played it safe and got a bunch of their couple portraits right there in and outside the church before they hopped into the Trolley with the rest of their wedding party. We got to the Village Club with just enough time to shoot some lovely sunset portraits on the edge of the golf course. It was so cold of course the rest of our group photos were slated for indoors, where the family was arriving. The couple was able to enjoy a magnificent cocktail hour with guests and then it was on to the party! The Jenna Wynne Band provided fantastic music all night long, and Jaclyn and Larry were no slouches on the dance floor! After their first dance and parent dances we heard a handful of speeches from Jaclyn’s parents and siblings of both bride and groom. Everyone was delighted by the stories about these two— they are obviously meant to be! After a beautiful cake cutting, guests were treated to a dessert parade on the dance floor, but this celebration just wouldn’t quit! Congratulations to Jaclyn & Larry, may they enjoy every happiness!

Vendor Credits:
Ceremony Location: Cure of Ars Church
Hair & Makeup: Willowhouse Beauty
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo
Groom’s Suit/Tux: Black Tux
Officiant: Father Tom Harold
Invitation Design & Escort Cards: Minted
Floral Design: Black Dahlia
Favor Cards & Signage: Zazzle

Alicia & Carson’s Intimate Wedding at Housing Works Bookstore

Alicia & Carson were married on a chilly Saturday in November in the heart of Soho in New York City. The couple wanted an intimate wedding with close friends and family in attendance, and their venue, Housing Works Bookstore, provided the perfect cozy atmosphere with unique decor for their celebration. I started the day with them in their hotel room just down the street– a lovely room at The Crosby Hotel. Though they got *most of the way* ready together, the two did split up for Alicia’s final dressing details and we brought them back together for a first look in the hotel’s amazing lower level, where we found this cool cinema room to shoot some portraits with them, among other spots. To capture some portraits and group shots outdoors while it was still light out we had planned to meet their family at Washington Square Park under the great arch, just a short cab ride away. From there we made our way back to Crosby street for a few more couple-shots on the walk to the venue, and the rest of the night unfolded beautifully. The officiant did a lovely job of presenting their love story, and highlights of the evening included a set of very sweet toasts from Alicia’s mother and father as well as a lively father-daughter dance and a lot of excitement around the photobooth we set up, utilizing the bookshelves of the bookstore as the backdrop. Towards the end of the night my assistant and I went outside and found a spot to capture a cool LED light-painting shot with one of my favorite photography tools for some swirly rainbow stripes around them during a long exposure. I love what we got! I was honored and delighted to be able to capture this wonderful couple’s wedding– congratulations to Alicia and Carson!

 

Vendor Credits:
Getting Ready Location: Crosby Street Hotel
Event Design: Gillian Todd
Wedding gown: Shareen Bridal
Alicia’s shoes: Madewell
Carson’s suit/tux: Black Lapel
Officiant: Karla Villar
Invitation Design: Greenwich Letterpress
Floral Design: IndyFaSo
Catering: Chef Cava

Jamie & Breese’s Brooklyn Engagement Portraits in DUMBO

Jamie and Breese are to be married this coming March at The Village Club at Lake Success on Long Island. For their engagement portraits we chose the amazing neighborhood of DUMBO, Brooklyn, which boasts some of the most lovely views of the city across the water, as well as having a fantastic variety of settings for photographs. Thought it was chilly out, Jamie and Breese were pretty comfortable with their jackets off, and they kept each other warm with love and affection throughout the shoot. I just love Jamie’s smile when Breese makes her laugh! Check out my faves from this sweet couple shoot!