Initially introduced to me through their work in the theatre a few years back, Sharon and Brian have become great friends of mine. They are just the sort of driven, fun-loving people who you know are going to have an unforgettable wedding. What an outstanding group of friends and family and an incredible location!

Sharon is the sort of bride who can’t stop laughing the whole day. Every time you think she is smiling the biggest smile that life can provide her, she somehow finds a little more joy…a little more grace…a little more absurdity; their wedding was full of all of those moments. Brian’s emotions seemed to ricochet around the room, swept away by the enormity and blessings bestowed upon them both with every passing second. Every friend seen for the first time, every recollection in a toast and every warmth-filled hug brought a new discovery and he cherished them all.

Their friends and family were absolutely committed to keeping them aloft…a spiritual hora that lasted the whole day. I can only imagine that by the time they fell into bed, they could barely summon another “I love you”…another kiss…another act of surrender. Then again… ;)

Congratulations you two!

Event & Catering: Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

Cake: Sweet on You Bakery

Dress: Badgley Mischka

Florist: Blade

Hair: Dana Bartone

Paper: Prim and Pixie

(Please allow a minute or two after clicking the “Play” symbol for the slideshow to download.)

When I met Jennifer and Dylan last year, I got cocky and decided I knew how this wedding was going to go.

She was the planner and he was the color commentary.

He would party while she controlled the flow of the day.

She would cry in the ceremony and he would laugh.

So much for my intuition! What a difference a wedding makes.

Jennifer is one of my favorite ever brides. Come the day, the planning was all but left left behind (note to brides…really good strategy if you want to enjoy your day!) She simply spent the morning getting ready and loving her amazing, gorgeous bridesmaids and mom. Smooth sailing. Smiles. No barking, tears or cajoling. She was perfect.

I didn’t see Dylan (also one of my favorite ever grooms) until he was at the altar. And the cool demeanor was abandoned. He waited impatiently for her, fidgeting and seemingly unsure of what to do with his hands, his eyes, his brain. And then she walked in the church.

She was grace in human form, clearly brought to the height of her beauty by her love for Dylan. The moment he saw her his tears flowed… so clearly humbled by his soulmate’s elegance and the prospect of spending the rest of his life with her. Then their smiles and laughter and shared love joined together on the altar and they became so much more together. Deeper, funnier, more beautiful and complete.

The rest of the day seemed a blur for everyone involved. Hilarious toasts. Amazing family. Brilliant dancing. Ridiculously tasty food. Rocking, talented band…and one new Danish tradition that I’ve never seen:

Nearing the end of the night, several men got together on the dance floor, lifted Dylan up, forcibly removed his shoes and someone came at him with a pair of scissors (mind you, this is later in the night and drinks have been flowing liberally)…and then they cut the toes of his socks off.

I love my job. Best of luck to both of you (and your little nugget of a dog Sebastian) as you move forward in your new lives together.

(Major note to brides who want to plan a city wedding: New Lead Café is an INCREDIBLE venue with attentive staff, the best food I’ve ever tasted at a wedding and an ability to roll with the punches of the day without ever asking the guests to.)

Reception: New Leaf Cafe

Dress: Badgley Mischka

Flowers: Posies

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Band: Hank Lane Music

Hair: Orchid Spa (her mom!)

Makeup: Deb Genova (646) 492-2215

Paper: Lee’s Art Shop

Wedding Venue: Full Moon Resort

Catering: Full Moon Resort

Shoes: Kate Spade

Florist: Elderberry Designs and Flowers

Cake: Sweet Nothings

Dress: Temperley London

DJs: Trent Wolbe & Rob Hatch-Miller

Groom’s ring: Simply Wood Rings by Gustav Reyes

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Oh my Gosh! Where do I start on this wedding!? At the beginning…

I met Libby, Eric and Libby’s mom, Chris this Spring and was informed immediately that they all hated having their photos taken. Of course, I am ALWAYS up for a challenge…

…and come the wedding day, no challenge showed up. The brief period of rain in the middle of the day happened when everyone was beneath the reception tent and only REALLY opened up once everyone was either safely in bed or tearing up the floorboards in the after party. Eh? And where was the couple who was camera shy? (Their guests certainly weren’t: I got my first intentional flasher in the photo booth.)

As my guest photographer, Jennifer Boyle, said: “I want these people to be my friends!” I felt the same exact way. And, as you can see, the dancing went late into the night, starting at the reception tent and moving into what Full Moon Resort calls their “Party Barn” but seems to be a full-on bar and dance hall. DJ friends rock. I’ve never heard such great music at a wedding. I don’t know if these guys do weddings regularly but if they do and you are looking for hipness personified…email them.

Full Moon Resort is an extraordinary place to have a wedding. I just can’t say it enough. It’s a little off the beaten path but worth the drive (which is stunning in its own right!)

I have been blessed this September with couples with so much style and love and joy. Christine and Jason raised the bar for me in their wedding at Osborne Castle in Garrison, NY overlooking the Hudson Valley. (If you brides are thinking about a wedding with under 100 people, I would seriously consider booking here.)

I have already decided to steal like FIVE things from their wedding for mine, so that should be some indication of how awesome they are. Christine sang to Jason during the ceremony while the assembled guests passed their rings amongst themselves and blessed them with their wishes. The food was just ridiculously yummy and beautiful to look at. And the family. Ooof. What an awesome family and group of talented, beautiful friends. Ahhhhh…this was as relaxing as a wedding photography day gets.

Stacey and Trevor are a pair of my favorite human beings on the face of the planet. In addition to being total freakin rockstars, they have just incredible friends and family and incredible taste in photography. ;) And they ain’t too hard to look at either…

We had a lovely time down shooting in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and their whole ceremony was right under the Manhattan Bridge as well, right on the water and they held their reception at Smack Melon Studios. They had the most awesome use of the Photo Booth so far, with a couple of pro photogs who starting directing things. I shot this one with my awesome guest photographer, Stephen Young and with a TON of help from Shannon Cunningham.

It’s a long slideshow, but it ONE OF MY BEST PHOTO SHOOTS EVER. EVER.