Category Archives: Wedding
Food is often part of many ceremonies and in particular wedding ceremonies. A Chinese wedding may include a tea ceremony, a Jewish wedding the drinking of wine and a Persian wedding the breaking of bread with a sword. There are many traditions that have a strong connection with food and which demonstrate the rich cultural world we live in and the people who live by those traditions.
We decided to include food as an important part of our wedding ceremony, and we made it our own. The love and joy of discovering, cooking and eating food has been a facet of our relationship from when we first met and has only grown over time. We both love figs, the fresher the better, and we had the idea of holding a brief ceremony to plant a fig tree the day before our wedding. The tree is now full of leaves and reaches up toward the sky. The tree lies in the front yard of my new parent in-law’s home (Richard and Debra in Reidsville, NC). In many ways the tree is a symbol of our relationship, it is our own but shared, it takes work, love and support from us and our family, and the better it is cared for the stronger and more fruitful it will grow. And we just can’t wait to sink our teeth into a rip fig in a few years!
Thank you to my brother Tim for capturing these moments that are so special to us.
I unwrap the 2 year old sapling fig tree for preparation for planting. (We ordered three trees, Italian Everbearing, Turkey Brown and Peter’s Honey, one of which we planted that day as part of the ceremony and the other late that week. We didn’t keep track of which one’s are which and are waiting for each to get larger so we can identify each varietal by the shape of the leaves and type of fruit).
Our officiant and family say a few words as we look on american gothic style.
Chrystal waters the tree for the first time.
The tree today, 10 months later, via Chrystal’s iphone.
An example of what we are hoping for. Figs served as Donna and David’s Provence, France wedding I photographed in 2007.
My wife and I where on hand to support and enjoy the launch of a brand new on-line magazine for the green bride and groom. We were surprised to see our picture taken during the event in the latest issue. See Eco-Beautiful’s newest issue on line here, and there continually updated blog here. The event was held at 632 Hudson in the West Village (see my NYC locations guide here)
I am currently thoroughly evaluating my own business practices and carbon footprint and putting into place several meaningful changes that will help green my business, please stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on exactly what I’m doing.
Spring Cover of Eco-Beautiful Weddings
Chrystal and I (center in B&W) enjoy a drink while listening to founder/Editor Katie Martin (upper left).
Check out the Spring/Summer 2010 Conde Nast Brides New York for all of the details of Dana & Rahul’s wedding in The best of Local Weddings section. For the full post on this amazing Battery Garden’s and Ellis Island wedding go here.
As I sat down to work on archiving the weddings I’ve worked on last year I was reflecting on all of the great venues I’ve had the privileged to photograph and thought it would be a great idea to share some of those locations with those brides and grooms looking for a venue in or around New York City. The venue is an important decision during the planning process, reflecting the bride and grooms tastes, sensibility, style and budget. Brides.com has an excellent guide on how to choose a venue for your reception and what factors to consider in weighing your decision.
The Frick Collection
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The Frick Collection is probably one of the most amazing architectural and art treasures in the city and one of the most unknown.
1 East 70th Street
Phone: 212-288-0700
Studio Square
Studio Square is one of the newest and most exciting venues to open recently. Located in Long Island City with views of the Manhattan Sky and multiple floors with space to spare it is likely to become the next most sought after location. In addition to the few photographs below be sure to check out the images I recently took of their wonderful Empire Suite on their website.
35-33 36th St, Long Island City
(718) 383-1001
Altman Building
Conveniently located, open floor, and that quintessential New York feel make the Altman Building a top choice.
135 West 18th Street
(212) 741-3400
Montauk Lake Club
Accessible yet secluded enjoy all that is Montauk at the Montauk Lake Club.
632 Hudson
This unique and intimate gem in the west West Village is for those looking to reflect their unique tastes: 632 Hudson
632 Hudson
212.620.7631
St. Regis Hotel
If you think and breath classic New York, opulent appointments and midtown location put the St. Regis hotel on your list.
2 East 55th Street
(212) 753-4500
Smack Mellon Gallery
Location, location, location, between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges over looking lower Manhatten, this Dumbo Brooklyn venue will brighten your day. Smack Mellon Gallery
92 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn
(718) 834-8761
Battery Gardens
Battery Gardens, with airy and wrap around windows with views of the Hudson, Statue of Liberty this location will inspire your dream of what it is to have a New York wedding.
17 State Street, Manhattan
(212) 809-5508
Ellis Island
A world recognized New York City monument, Ellis Island is perfect for a grand celebrate with no limits.
17 Battery Place #210
(212) 561-4588
W Hotel, Hoboken
Modern with views and access to the Hudson you can’t get in Manhattan the newly completed W Hotel is in a class of its own.
I was exited to see that Jen & Mike’s wedding that I photographed in October is now featured on the W Hotel’s world wide WOW Weddings website. The Hudson waterfront location in Hoboken, New Jersey boasts unparalleled New York City views, modern interior design and impeccable service.
Get ready to put your arms in the air and smile chin to chin! Put one Mike, one Jen, two families, two religions, one Catholic Church, one Chuppah, one Hoboken, many close friends and you get a whole lot of love and commitment! This was a local wedding in every sense, you see, Jen and Mike live one block from the Church they were married in, and a windows eye view from their apartment lies the W Hotel, where the reception took place. They also got engaged on the Hoboken waterfront with the New York City in the background (see their engagement session here). Their wedding was about community, bringing together the best of two families and surrounding themselves with support. I’ve know Jen for a few years and also live just down the street, it was amazing to see this day come to fruition, along with the planner, invitation designer, pastor and floral designer, all friends of Mike and Jen’s.
Here is an excerpt from a poem written for the day by two of the bride’s maids that my lens found titled “Twas the Night Before the Wedding”
“…
The preparations were done
All the planning – no more
The gift bags were stuffed
With goodies galore
The girls started chatting
About the festivities ahead
While visions of Michael
Danced in Jen’s head
Fast forward to morning
The preparations – a flurry
The girls sip Moet as Jen says
C’mon girls, let’s hurry!
THE BIG DAY IS FINALLY HERE
ALL THAT IS LEFT IS THE TO HAVE FUN
THERE’S NO ONE WHO DESERVES IT MORE
THEN YOU, YOU ARE SECOND TO NONE!
We get to the church
It’s a beautiful sight
Is Mike gonna cry?
We don’t know, he just might?
…
The Party winds down
As giggles and laughter hung in the air
It was a night to remember
The BEST party ever…WE mean it, WE swear”
Planner: The Brides Aid (Tracy)
Venue: W Hoboken (Vivian)
Invitation/ Graphic Design: Just Because (Amy)
Church: ST. Peter and Paul’s
Floral Design: Matthew Robbins Design
Favors: Whimsy & Spice
Dress: Selia Yang
Hair : Salon Caru
Make up: As U Wish
Second Photography: Parris Whittingham
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I had the pleasure to photograph Mary & Jason’s grand party!…I mean wedding! All eyes where on Mary and Jason during there ceremony at the Holy Name of Jesus Church on the upper west side. The grand structure of columns and intricate facades were contrasted with Jason’s soft stare as Mary walked the isle. Guests where then shuttled downtown to the Altman building in Chelsea, where even the priest took part in the festive karaoke. You new that the reception would be a grand party given that Jason owns the bar Bourbon Street. Between the ceremony and reception the rainy weather broke with a warm sunshine through clouds lighting up Riverside park, where I snapped a few portraits of the bridal party and the newly married couple. My lips are still moving to sound of music and if I where not typing I would be making jazz hands!
Planner: Always a Bridesmaid (Mayra, Christine, Xochitl)
Ceremony: Holy Name of Jesus Church
Reception: Altman Building
Reception Floral: Verde
Second Photographer: Christopher Duggan
DJ: Bride, Groom and guests!
When I arrived in Montauk during the early afternoon of Gabrielle’s and Michael’s wedding they were fast asleep! Why might a bride and groom be fast asleep in the middle of day on one of the most exciting days of their life? I like to think it was because they wanted to be as energized as possible for our three hour portrait session but, actually it was their waking well before dawn for their sunrise ceremony on the tip of Long Island (unfortunately due to other commitments I wasn’t able to make it to Montauk that morning). Once awakened and refreshed, we headed out to the Lighthouse, the beach, the pier and even grabbed a cup of coffee at the Just Coffee cart, which had perked up the guests earlier at the sunrise ceremony. Each location that we took photographs was laced with memories of their meeting here and their countless trips out to this sea surrounded gem which is called Montauk.
The reception was filled with lively conversation under the clear blue, shining stars. The nautical table theme complemented the bay filled with sailboats returning from early fall outings. Amid festive dancing there were watermelon martini’s, rock candy and a pie cutting! The evening continued into the night with a bond fire with roast marshmallow smores…ummmm!
Planner: Tammy Golson
Venue: Montauk Lake Club
Floral & Decor: Bride/Planner
Graphic Design: Avivit Fisher
Tent: American Tent Company
DJ: Justin Pallack
Dress: Nicole Miller
Pies: Briermere Farms
Coffee: Just Coffee
Rings: Zilvinas Bautrenas
