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

Max & Eleanor’s Wedding at Housing Works Bookstore

Max and Eleanor planned an intimate celebration with close family and friends at several locations around Soho, all within walking distance of their wonderful venue, the Housing Works Bookstore.  The weather was looking iffy but then turned out to be just perfect, always a welcome turnaround!  Eleanor got ready at the Bowery Hotel just around the block from their ceremony spot, the New York Marble Cemetery, which, for the record, does not feel like a cemetery at all, but is a big beautiful open grassed area perfectly suited for a wedding ceremony!  I couldn’t believe I’d never been to this hidden gem of a spot in all my years shooting weddings… after their first look and some portraits there in the garden we took a walk around the block and went back up to their room at the Bowery Hotel to get some shots on their surprise bonus balcony while they kept out of sight as guests arrived.  The ceremony itself was super sweet– the couple shared vows they’d written themselves and exchanged rings, all with the excellent officiating of their friend who had been specially ordained online for the occasion.  After walking back down the aisle the couple and I made our way outside for some “just married” portraits on the route to Housing Works, taking a taxi part of the way and making use of the NYC street scenes.  We arrived to find guests enjoying a cocktail hour in the bookstore.  I love shooting weddings at Housing Works– the warmth of the wood bookcases full of used literature really adds character to any wedding and of course the nonprofit nature of the organization itself always warms the heart.  Highlights of the evening included a fabulous set of toasts, a choreographed first dance, complete with a beautiful dip (*shout out to 2nd shooter, Ryan, who nailed the shot!), and a wonderful sparkler exit complete with decorated citibikes for the couple to ride back to the Bowery Hotel.  I can only imagine the afterparty on their beautiful balcony. Congratulations to Max and Eleanor, it was an honor and a pleasure capturing this momentous occasion!
Vendor Credits:
Getting Ready Location: Bowery Hotel
Ceremony Location: New York Marble Cemetery
Event Design: Amy Shackelford, DoC
Wedding gown: Atelier Pronovias
Groom’s suit/tux: Hugo Boss
Floral Design: The Mini Rose
Catering: Comparti

Joanna & Daniel Wedding at Tribeca Rooftop

Joanna & Daniel were married on a summer Saturday at the beautiful venue Tribeca Rooftop, overlooking downtown Manhattan. All week the weather had been making this couple nervous as Saturday they were expecting thunderstorms, but we got wonderfully lucky and instead of being stormy it ended up being sunny and hot– a much easier problem to have! I arrived at Joanna’s hotel suite to find her bridesmaids in the cutest robes, hanging out and playing Bananagrams on the floor between turns getting hair and makeup done. Joanna had also gotten them sweet matching socks to remember the occasion. Once she put her gown on I was able to take a few portraits with her and her big group of bridesmaids out on the large terrace, and then we were off to the first look. Joanna had found this wonderful little alley she liked that has a skybridge, so we coordinated with the groom and my assistant photographer to have us arrive shortly after Daniel was in place. These two were so happy to be together again, I just love first looks! We took advantage of the lack of rain and walked to a few spots I had scouted earlier for portrait locations and then hopped in a cab to get to the venue to meet our wedding party for group pictures. The streets around Tribeca Rooftop had a few nice spots to offer for groups this large so I was able to get some variety in backgrounds, and then we all headed upstairs for family pictures in the air conditioning. Joanna put on her veil and we captured them signing the gorgeous floral Ketubah while guests were directed to the roof for the ceremony. The view was incredible– the freedom tower just off in the distance behind the amazing Chuppah covered in white orchids and roses and more. Joanna took everyone’s breath away when she was escorted down the aisle by her parents. The couple exchanged their own vows and the Rabbi did a fantastic job– after breaking the glass cheers of “Mazel Tov!” erupted from the crowd and Joanna & Daniel shared their first kiss a married couple. I followed them around the corner of the roof and we shot a few “just married” portraits with the sunset sky before they were whisked off for some alone time. Guests were treated to a cocktail hour on the roof as the sky darkened, and then were led down the incredible staircase into the reception space, impeccably decorated and ready for the fabulous party to come. Joanna and Daniel made their entrance on the same staircase and shared a beautiful first dance followed by a Hora. Highlights of the evening included the incredible toasts full of sweet stories from the both Joanna and Daniel’s parents and siblings, as well as an energetic dance floor, a “donut wall” (!) the likes of which I’ve never seen or imagined, and a lovely moment with sparklers down on the cobblestone street below. It was an honor and a pleasure capturing this wedding and I couldn’t be happier for this amazing couple– cheers to Joanna & Daniel!

Vendor Credits:

Getting Ready Location: The Smyth Hotel
Ceremony Location: Tribeca Rooftop
Reception Venue: Tribeca Rooftop
Bridal Attendant: Brianne Coccaro
Wedding gown: Monique Lhuillier
Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo
Makeup: Tanya Rae
Invitation Design: Lion in the Sun Park Slope
Floral Design: Stonekelly Events
Ketubah: Rebecca Novick
Videographer: Michael Joseph Films
Wedding Cake: Milk Bar