Bryant Park Grill Wedding : New York, NY

Aki & Ryan were married in the early summer at the Bryant Park Grill, which couldn’t be any more "in the middle of NYC” if it tried.

Weddings at the Bryant Park Grill are one of a kind. Rooftops in general are always memorable as are any NYC weddings with an outdoor component be it in a backyard garden or at street level. Bryant Park Grill somehow combines all of this into one - a garden/rooftop/semi street level experience surrounded by some of the most iconic parts of Manhattan. A ceremony and cocktail hour on the roof terrace is magical especially with perfect weather. And then, descending downstairs either to the tent or dining room for dinner feels so intimate and effortlessly “New York”.

It’s an obvious and excellent choice to set up a first look on the steps of the New York Public Library and we did just that after getting ready at The Bryant Park Hotel.

Photography: Brian Hatton
Planner: Fitting Fetes by Justina Michaels

Liberty Warehouse Wedding : Brooklyn, NY

Stef & Kyle were married in Spring at Liberty Warehouse in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY.

I kicked my season off last year with this amazing wedding on a perfect Spring day in May. Stef & Kyle’s day was packed full of emotion from beginning to end which is quite simply fun to photograph. There are some really nice moments with Stef and her mom and dad during the getting ready. While more and more couples are asking me if getting ready photos are necessary, I have to point to pictures like these. It’s really not about capturing makeup brushes. Not to mention it’s nice to have a second to get used to a camera being around before we dive right into some of the most important photos of the day (bride & groom portraits).

Brooklyn wedding venues come in all shapes and sizes but Liberty Warehouse is unique in its ability to host hundreds of people in such a way that doesn’t require renting every fork, table and chair. There’s no beating the terrace overlooking the water and experiencing a ceremony there at sunset is something guests will never forget I am sure. I love the way the light changes the vibe and mood as the sun slips under the horizon. Some couples opt for their reception upstairs which offers white walls and more of an open feel. Others set up downstairs for the industrial look and indoor/outdoor component that allows guests to walk outside for a drink. Either way it’s a win - and I always love the enormous getting ready suite for the bride and wedding party.

Florist: Beth Shubert
Stationery: Greenwich Letterpress
Hair: Bisous Beauty
Makeup: Susana Verdecia
Officiant: Jackie Weinstein
Lighting: Pegasus
Band: Michael Hart Band by Hank Lane, After Party DJ Daniel Pintauro
Videography: Candi Project
Wedding Dress: Eva Lendel
Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson
Groom’s Attire: Enzo Custom

Valley Rock Inn : Rehearsal Dinner : Sloatsburg, NY

It’s not often that I post images from a rehearsal dinner, but this one was nicer than my own wedding LOL. I love being present at a rehearsal dinner because I get a chance to establish a rapport with key players before diving in to some of the most important photos taken in a person’s life. Maple Field Floral made Valley Rock Inn look just stunning for both the pre-wedding event and the big day. These pictures essentially took themselves.

Westchester Country Club Wedding : Rye, NY

Rosie & Chris were married in December with a wedding ceremony at Church of the Resurrection followed by a reception at Westchester Country Club, both in Rye.

With the winter air just crisp enough to remind us it was December, we were so happy to be able to take some photos outside on the patio of the WCC after getting ready just upstairs with The Luminous Bride. A central figure in the wedding was Chris’ vintage Volkswagen, fresh from restoration. What a cool way to roll off from their ceremony in the stunning Church of the Resurrection. Back at the club, Brian Kirk and The Jirks entertained while friends and family danced the night away. I was joined by my colleagues of LoveBrain Films to document this lovely wedding decorated by Frank’s House of Flowers in Mamaroneck.

River Cafe Wedding : Brooklyn, NY

Rachel & Mike were wed at The River Cafe located on the waterfront in Brooklyn, NY in August.

I’ve come to love Brooklyn Bridge Park for its almost zen like atmosphere. The 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is built adjacent to the park which happens to be adjacent to The River Cafe. This is an indisputable trifecta for getting ready, portraits and reception. On this, my second of five stints at the River Cafe this season, I was met with overcast skies which cast a pleasing calmness and uniformity to the images throughout the day. Having sun is nice of course but there are definitely pros to the softness the clouds can provide.