Coindre Hall Wedding : Sandy & Anthony : Huntington, NY

A Wedding at Coindre Hall in Huntington, NY

Sandy & Anthony were married on a warm summer’s day at Chateau at Coindre Hall, a grand property nestled in the woods on Long Island’s Huntington Bay. As you turn onto the grounds you’re presented with numerous mature trees with one particularly stately specimen that is just calling out for a wedding ceremony. I love how the French inspired chateau comes seemingly out of nowhere with its impressive facade - beautifully front lit in the afternoon sun.

The couple began the afternoon with a traditional tea ceremony with cherished family before changing into their Western wedding day attire. I was particularly impressed with their ability to look cool and collected on a day that was pushing 100 degrees! They enjoyed a first look in the central courtyard and we knocked out some portraits so that they could enjoy the rest of the day with their guests. The sun was doing interesting things throughout the ceremony which highlighted important family members and the bride at key moments. I love when you get these chance opportunities to add a different dimension to the coverage.

Wythe Hotel Wedding : Hilary & Andrew : Brooklyn, NY

A wedding at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

Hilary and Andrew were married in an intimate summer wedding at Wythe Hotel, a gorgeous boutique property in Williamsburg. In fact, I believe it was one of the first of such hotels in Brooklyn. Its warm brick facade invites you in from the street while its stunning bi-level penthouse suites open up to sweeping views of the neighborhood as well as all of Manhattan. I love the way the outdoor event space at ground level feels almost like an indoor space since it's nearly entirely enclosed - yet you feel an actual breeze. Pretty cool. I'd say that it makes you feel almost like you're on the patio of someone's home rather than at a hotel. And, the food from Le Crocodile is amazing. Win win.

As this was a small wedding with less than 40 guests, I photographed this alone and got to spend a few minutes with Andrew as he finished his prep before heading up to Hilary's room. It was nice to get settled with him and his family before the day really got rolling. Both he and Hilary were pretty much squared away once I got started so getting ready flew by in a second before it was time to queue up for a first look on the roof. The bright afternoon sun was a true reflection of the overall mood of the day and made for a perfect setting for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time.

The great thing about the Wythe's location is that you really don't have to venture far at all to get some great street scenes for portraits. We took a tour of a one-block radius and then head inside to the stunning floral design by Bride & Blossom which framed the ceremony. The evening hummed along perfectly thanks to the great staff at the hotel and the guidance of Brittany Ward of Modern Rebel. I hadn't worked with Brittany before but it was great to get to know her as she kept things calm and collected for Hilary and Andrew.

As we get back into the swing of things here in 2021, I'm excited to share this wedding which is uncharacteristically one of the first of the year!

Photography: Brian Hatton
Event Planning: Brittany Ward, Modern Rebel
Venue & Catering: Wythe Hotel
Florist: Bride & Blossom
Stationery: Shine Wedding Invitations
Hair: White Rose Collective - Halie Kellagher
Makeup: Alexa Rae
Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville
Bride's Shoes: Ted Baker
Groom's Tux: Armani

Barclay New York InterContinental Wedding : Sarah & Chris : New York, NY

Sarah & Chris' wedding at the Barclay New York InterContinental was everything you could dream of in a elegantly appointed midtown masterpiece of a property. I have absolutely never witnessed a bridal suite like this one with its massive living space and balcony. Truly the ideal place to get ready for the wedding day.

After an intimate first look on the balcony, we walked outside to Park Avenue for a few photos before it was time to stand under the chuppah. Fleurs NYC designed the florals which 'married' just perfectly with the built in decor of the hotel. And of course, the show-stopping cake by Ron Ben Israel was positively covered in hand made sugar flowers. Absolutely amazing.

Tappan Hill Mansion Wedding : Venue Tour : Tarrytown, NY

Tappan Hill Mansion, set at a high point overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, NY, offers a beautiful, relaxed, historic without being stuffy atmosphere for a wedding in Westchester County. After winding your way up to the venue you're greeted into a white rotunda with dramatic high ceilings which is perfect for family photos and other portraits. In my eyes, the two main draws have to be the dramatic stone lined ceremony space with sweeping views as well as the wonderful hospitality provided by Abigail Kirsch Catering. You can always count on a wonderful meal at Tappan Hill. Additionally, when you pay for a vendor meal at TPM you can be assured the vendor is receiving a real hot plate of food which is infinitely appreciated in the midst of a long day on our feet.

You'll find a tastefully appointed getting ready suite as well as some adjoining rooms which can be utilized in the case of a large bridal party. I tend to gravitate to those neighboring rooms because there is much more light to work with. Groomsmen will usually get ready in a wood trimmed room on the first floor. I've also personally seen couples choose to get ready at a nearby hotel and then move on site for final touches.

For photos, the grounds feature large lawns, mature trees, forested areas, and landscaping out front. I could return to the venue several times and make the weddings look different which means each wedding won't be so cookie cutter. In the event of rain, the rotunda, ceremony space, and windows along the main cocktail area will be your main opportunities.

Tappan Hill has an understated elegance enhanced by its natural surroundings. There is a feeling of serenity here that gives you the feeling of a getaway from the city while still being just a short 30 minute drive or train ride away. It's one of my favorite venues within close range of New York City.

Capitale Wedding : Jenn & Matt : New York, NY

At the end of February, with a bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket, I made my way downtown for a glorious wedding at Capitale on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. Looking back I feel completely relieved for Jenn & Mike that they were able to fit this in before everything got shut down. The next weekend, I had a wedding canceled just hours before.

Getting ready at Public Hotel, Jenn was surrounded by friends and family as she was wrapped up in final preparations before seeing Matt. Using Public Hotel as a starting point added a modern element to the day before entering the old New York charm of Capitale, the former Bowery Savings Bank. After a first look at the base of Public's iconic elevator bank, we took some photos around the hotel and out on the street, braving the winter chill.

With its soaring ceilings, guests entering Capitale were greeted with a magical atmosphere complete with aerialists, a huge band, and elegant decor by Rebecca Shepherd Floral Designs.