I’ve worked several weddings where I’ve known the couple previously, either through family or friends, but never have I shot a wedding this close to home…literally! When my neighbor, Laura asked me to be her wedding photographer, I could already feel a lump in my throat. Laura and her brother, Michael grew up in the house directly next to mine and so they are in pretty much all of my childhood memories…right down to waiting for the school bus together 🙂 So when I was sitting with her and Mat at our initial meeting, it didn’t fully hit me that Laura was actually getting married and that I was going to be a part of their big day…just too emotional and big of a deal for me to wrap my head around!! It wasn’t until we were shooting their engagement session and I saw how absolutely in love Mat was with Laura that I was able to grasp the fact that this was SO happening. I couldn’t have even described how honored I was to be capturing their love without tearing up if someone asked me. To see someone I care about so much with her soulmate just makes me happy on so many immeasurable levels! And how absolutely perfect they are together…Laura has the BEST laugh ever, and Mat has a sense of humor that provokes some serious belly laughs…so you can only imagine how much I love photographing them, let alone the pretty locations we’ve been to for the engagement session. So when I learned that they had chosen New York Country Club, right around the corner from our houses, I literally squealed. This venue is unlike any other, perched on top of a series of rolling hills, surrounded by ponds, gorgeous trees and pretty, tall grasses. And Laura and Mat’s choice of a November wedding and portraits at sunset?….to die for. So on a chilly late afternoon, with the sun setting behind the hills of the venue, Laura and Mat (and their fabulous and fun bridal party) braved the cold and basked in the absolute beauty of the golden hour. So much love!
I love, love, love Laura’s style. Her invitation was simple with a pretty shimmer and leaf detailing. Her veil was short with beautiful trim that complimented her breathtaking dress…an A-line with the perfect sweetheart neckline. And the detail on this dress?! Oh my gosh. And those shoes!
Laura told me ahead of time that the room where we would be shooting bridal prep portraits had absolutely NO windows and NO natural light (my worst nightmare…especially for a wedding and with so many bridesmaids!) Thankfully, a very oddly placed fluorescent light helped give the illusion of natural, glowy light. Phew!
I told Laura that she could be a wedding planner…literally! The absolute worst aspect of late Fall and Winter weddings is the issue with light. It gets dark so early, that unless you have a morning wedding, portraits after the ceremony is just not possible. So when Laura told me that she allocated enough time between bridal prep and the ceremony time specifically for portraits, I could have squeezed her!!! From the first look, we got Mat and Laura right out on a pretty hill, surrounded by illuminated high grass and started snapping away! This light was seriously what dreams are made of. And they were such great sports…you would never know how cold they were!!
Favorite!!
Laura spotted this tree at the bottom of the hilly venue…so we all piled into golf carts and made it happen!! (Props to our videographer Christy who drove our cart and seriously thought she was going to die at the steepest parts). We made it!
Gahh!!! This is the moment I knew Laura and Mat’s wedding would be the first EVER in my career that I would cry at… and I did! So, so happy.
And a VERY special shoutout to my awesome team, Joanne and Christy who braved the cold like champs…you girls are amazing!
Congratulations, Laura + Mat! XOXO
VENDORS
Dress
Mori Lee / Bijou Bridal (Paramus, NJ)
Bridesmaid’s Dresses
Florist
Ceremony/Reception Venue
DJ/Entertainment
Cake
Hair
Makeup
Groom’s/Groomsmen’s Tuxes
Wonderfully creative. Hard to envision a better, more sophisticated complete re-imagination of the traditional wedding photo. Perfectly captures the enduring joy of the day and of their future with a distinct and unique elegance, while highlighting the whimsical sides of both the bride and groom. You should be very proud of this work.