Brooklyn Bridge Park Engagement : Kate & Ryan : Brooklyn, NY

The ingredients for a gorgeous engagement session in Brooklyn or anywhere are always great light and stunning location. Brooklyn Bridge Park has become so popular and crowded these days but if you go on a weekday on the outer edges of the season (mid October in this case) you can have a relaxing session. It really is worth it if you want those sweeping views because there is little else like it. On the New Jersey side you can get an amazing view as well but the sun sets in front of you rather than behind. No better or worse just a different look and feel.

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.

Museum of the Moving Image Wedding : Kate & Joe : Queens, NY

A summer wedding at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, NY.

It's positively nuts sitting here in the middle of this coronavirus outbreak and looking back at people going about their wedding days and living life normally. That said, this was a positively joyful wedding at a super cool venue and I thoroughly enjoyed getting out of my COVID bubble for a moment to put this together!

Getting ready down the street at The Collective Paper Factory, Kate & Joe got ready with all their friends and then enjoyed a first look before we walked the few blocks to the Museum of the Moving Image. It was a bright, vibrant August day which echoed the fun floral bridesmaids dresses and decor. Guests arrived and were ushered into the museum's theater which is a striking, unusual setting for a wedding ceremony. It's kind of like going to the movies!

After that it was time to party which is especially fun at the Moving Image because for this particular wedding, the Jim Hensen exhibit was underway. Guests have the opportunity to get up and explore the exhibitions and they absolutely took advantage of this!

Temple Emanu-El Wedding : Venue Spotlight : Closter, NJ

Temple Emanu-El of Closter located in the Northern Valley of Bergen County, NJ is a beautiful setting for a Jewish wedding. Located just 15 minutes from Manhattan's George Washington Bridge, its central location makes it an easy destination for guests all around the Tri-State. With a lovely bridal suite, sanctuary and reception hall on site, there's no reason to leave the grounds keeping those wedding day logistics to a minimum. Tucked back in the woods, it gives off an intimate feeling as you wind down the tree lined path.