Mallory & Rory’s Wedding at Pine Hollow Country Club

Mallory & Rory planned an elegant September wedding at a former Vanderbilt mansion that is now the Pine Hollow Country Club, and the day couldn’t have been more lovely.  I arrived early to scout spots for portraits and was delighted by a staircase to the right just after entering– I knew I’d be able to make something gorgeous there with Mallory once she had her dress on and sure enough, these are some of my favorites pictures of the day.  I also loved that she gave her father, Bill, a sweet first look with her in the bridal suite before heading outside with me for the first look– his reaction to seeing his beautiful daughter in her wedding gown was priceless!  Outside the weather was gorgeous and I was able to take the happy couple to a few different pretty spots for portraits alone before gathering their family to do the list of group pictures they had requested.  Once finished with this, it was time for a short rehearsal followed by a Ketubah signing indoors with their Rabbi while guests arrived and made their way to the ceremony location.  The ceremony itself couldn’t have been more beautiful, what with the sun going down and the lanterns with candles along the aisle.  Mallory and Rory read beautiful vows they’d written themselves before sealing their marriage with a kiss after Rory did the traditional “breaking of the glass.” Guests were led into the mansion where they were treated to a fabulous cocktail hour complete with a raw bar and other delights, while the happy couple took a few minutes to themselves to celebrate their newlywedded bliss.  As soon as I heard the band warm up I knew we were in for a treat during the reception– Luxe is one of Hank Lane’s outfits, and they did not disappoint!  Mallory and Rory’s first dance was followed by a lively traditional Hora, complete with chair-lifting of not just the bride and groom but their parents and her grandmother as well.  The rest of the evening unfolded in a beautiful flow of dining punctuated with moving toasts, interwoven with dance sets that hit all the right notes.  After sharing some special dances with their parents, Mallory and Rory cut their wedding cake and dessert was served. I took an opportunity to steal them outside for a few quick night portraits before returning them to enjoy the end of their party, punctuated by a raucous rendition of “Shout!” that delighted everyone on the dance floor.  Congratulations to Mallory and Rory! I was so honored to capture this beautiful wedding!
Vendor Credits:
Reception Venue: Pine Hollow Country Club
Event Design: Emma Meola
Wedding gown: Rita Vinieris
Bride’s shoes: Kate Spade
Groom’s suit/tux: Enzo Custom
Officiant: Rabbi Scott Matous
Invitation Design: Minted
Floral Design: Petals
Cake: Saint Honore
Ketubah: Ink With Intent
Videographer: Chris LoBello

Karin & Michael had a baby!

Karin and Michael were married almost 3 years ago in a beautiful ceremony at The Liberty Warehouse.  When Karin got in touch with me about scheduling an upcoming baby portrait session I was so excited for them!  These two have just started the sweetest little family.  They have had their beautiful dog for a few years now and with the birth of their son Benji the family is just as cute as can be.  we met in Central Park on a lovely early afternoon in September to capture some family portraits and some pictures of Benji alone.  He’s right around 4 months old now and already smiling and holding his head up for tummytime.  Check out some of my favorite shots from our shoot!

Daisey & Derek’s Engagement Portraits at Fort Tryon Park

Daisey & Derek are getting married next May at Roton Point Beach Club in Connecticut.  For their engagement portraits they wanted to do something in a botanic garden or somewhere with a lot of greenery– Fort Tryon Park fit the bill with it’s amazing public garden and hilltop full of trees with views out over the water.  There was no shortage of cool spots to capture these two and they even had a 2nd outfit for variety– check out some of my favorite shots below.  Congratulations to Derek & Daisey!  I can’t wait for the wedding next spring!

Samantha & John’s Wedding at The Greenpoint Loft

Samantha and John are actors, which delighted me.  I was a theatre directing major (doubled in religion) back at Wesleyan, so working with actors is extremely comfortable for me and I knew they would be super fun to shoot with.  I got a preview of the fun to come on Friday night at their rehearsal dinner, where they had me come and capture some pre-dinner portraits on the street and a good portion of the dinner party, complete with moving toasts from friends and family.  These two were clearly made for each other and their friends all delight in how happy the relationship has made them.  On wedding day I began by documenting Samantha’s getting ready process at a lovely Airbnb rental she found just a few blocks from their incredible rustic-industrial venue, The Greenpoint Loft, an old rope factory that’s been brought to life as an exquisite event space in the heart of north Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood.  To make things even more amazing, there was a fabulous little waterfront park right nearby too, so once we had their first look on the street we wound our way over to the water and back, snapping some lovely couple portraits along the way.  Samantha had put together her own wedding gown from 2 pieces she selected that worked beautifully together– she looked amazing from head to toe.  I couldn’t resist asking her to twirl around for John after their first look, and sure enough her beauty just blew him away!  After arriving at the loft and shooting some group pictures on the roof deck, guests were gathered downstairs for their ceremony.  True to their theatre backgrounds, the ceremony was “in the round,” which must have felt very cool for them– to be surrounded on all sides by loving friends and family!  I loved getting to walk around and capture different angles on the whole thing, and the balcony provided an excellent wide shot from above.  After they tied the knot, Samantha and John took some time to themselves in the bridal suite while guests were treated to a cocktail hour and able to wander upstairs and take in the views from the roof while staff cleared the chairs and transformed the space into a big beautiful dance floor.  After introductions, these two did not disappoint when it came to their first dance choreography!  Other highlights of the evening included a series of moving and hilarious toasts, and of course there was tons of talent and enthusiasm on the dance floor–what would you expect from a theatre crowd?  I got to cap the night off with a pretty night portrait up on the roof with manhattan’s skylight glittering in the background. I couldn’t have been more delighted to photograph this momentous occasion– congratulations to Samantha and John!

Samantha & John’s wedding at The Greenpoint Loft in Brooklyn NY from Sarah Tew Photography on Vimeo.

Vendor Credits:
Wedding Planner: Stephanie Gatton
Two piece wedding gown: Carol Hannah, and Lace and Liberty
Bride’s shoes: The White Ribbon
Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo
Groom’s suit/tux: Indochino
Officiant: Andrus Nichols
Invitation Design: Minted
Floral Design: Lucy’s Flowers
Music: 74 Events
Bride Getting Ready Location: Upper Duplex
Groom Getting Ready Location: William Vale Hotel

Jona & David’s Wedding at The Vineyards

Jona & David were married at The Vineyards at Aquebogue, a beautiful venue out on the North Fork of Long Island.  I started the day with the bride and her bridesmaids at a hotel where they were getting hair and makeup done.  We hopped in a lovely vintage trolley for the ride to the Vineyards, where she put on her gown and jewelry before heading out with me to meet her groom in a “first look.”  This is always a great idea as it enables me to then work through shooting the couple’s portraits alone, with their wedding party, and with their family before the guests arrive, freeing up more of their time later so they can fully enjoy the post-ceremony time with friends and family. Jona and David’s ceremony was officiated by a Rabbi, and they signed a Ketubah beforehand in the bridal suite with family gathered as witnesses as guests were entering downstairs and making their way to the outdoor ceremony space.  The venue was quite lovely and was so kind as to give us a golf-cart ride out to scenic spots in the estate directly following the ceremony while guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on their tented deck overlooking the vineyards.  Once back from our sunset portraits in the fields, my assistant and I set up the photobooth and lighting for their reception and I made sure to get some nice shots of the reception space before guests entered.  As the their fabulous band, Code Bleu, kicked off the reception, the wedding party made a grand entrance, followed by Jona and David, who happily high-fived friends and family as they made their way through the crowd to the dance floor.  A lively first dance and Hora were followed by a traditional Albanian number in honor of Jona’s family heritage, and it would not be the last!  Later in the evening Jona and David changed into traditional garb for another traditional group dance that involved Jona’s father hurling dollar bills into the air as women danced with scarves. Everyone in attendance had a raucously good time– so much so that when the band finished the last song, one of the groomsmen spontaneously started leading a singalong to keep the party going.  I couldn’t have been more delighted to be a part of this wonderful celebration, and I loved capturing all the fun!  What a night!  Congratulations to Jona and David!
Vendor Credits:
Reception Venue: The Vineyards
Wedding gown: Allure
Bride’s shoes: Kate Spade
Bridesmaid dresses: Dessy
Groom’s suit/tux: Hugo Boss
Floral Design: Pedestals
Music: Code Bleu
Tuxedos: TheBlackTux
Videographer: NST Pictures