NY Athletic Club Wedding : Jackie & Mike : New York, Ny

The New York Athletic Club sits at the southeast corner of Central Park — 180 Central Park South — and it does not understate itself. The ballroom has a coffered and painted ceiling that runs the full length of the room, a dozen chandeliers, and windows that look directly into the park. It's the kind of room that sets an expectation for the evening before anyone sits down.

Jackie and Mike were married on a Saturday in June. Both got ready at the NYAC itself, on separate floors. The first look happened on the outdoor terrace. Mike had his back to her, turned around, saw her, and wiped his eye.

The ceremony was at St. Paul the Apostle on 59th Street — full Catholic Mass, tall nave, white orchid arrangements on pedestals at the altar. Jackie walked in on her father's arm to the Bridal Chorus, pink peonies in hand. Father Chris Krall officiated. There's a frame from the middle of the ceremony — the two of them seated side by side on the altar, turned slightly toward each other, congregation a blur behind them — that I kept coming back to in the edit.

After the ceremony it was time to hop in the iconic vintage checkered cab from Film Cars NY. These cars have been working the roads of NYC for decades including in countless movies like Home Alone 2. We drove across to Central Park and went straight down to Bethesda Terrace. The arcade tunnel frames the fountain through the arch and the light was hitting the stonework right for that time of afternoon. Then up to Bow Bridge — where Mike had proposed — which from the right distance reduces two people in a ballgown and a tuxedo to a very small detail against a lot of summer green. The veil was doing its own thing the entire time.

Lauren Zizza had the evening running exactly the way a room this size needs to run. Cocktail hour in the Card Room with the East Coast Band's piano and saxophone setup, then the full nine-piece for the reception. Jackie and Mike came in to "Jubel" — Mike's arm was up before he was fully through the door — and danced their first dance to Natalie Cole. There was a lift at the end. The room had circled the floor and it stayed there.

Venue: New York Athletic Club

Ceremony: St. Paul the Apostle

Planning: Lauren Zizza Events

Florals: Ariston Flowers

Band: East Coast Band

Cake: Empire Cake

Videography: First Day Films

Photobooth: Flux Photobooth

Hair: Jvalldi Styling

Makeup: Karla Duarte 

NY Athletic Club Wedding : Alana & Matt : New York, NY

Alana & Matt were married in September at The New York Athletic Club adjacent to Central Park in Manhattan, New York, NY.

I’ve photographed a number of NYAC weddings over the years but this was my first upstairs in the Main Dining Room. I didn’t even realize it was not in the Ballroom to the extent that I photographed someone else’s table details while thinking to myself - this really doesn’t seem like my couple. Lo and behold, we were in a completely different space which has a more modern, almost Manhatta type vibe with a bar centrally located between lounge and dining areas. I love the party atmosphere this offers as it blurs the line between cocktails, mingling and dining. Flowers by Brian decorated the space beautifully.

We photographed their getting ready and first look on a spacious balcony and the NYAC roof surrounded by NYC skyline before venturing outside for some photos on 59th and 6th Ave. Time flew with these two and soon we came back inside for their ceremony on site. After saying their vows, it was off to the reception for an amazing evening lead by the Ignition Band by Hank Lane. I was joined by my long time colleagues at First Day Films who captured the event in motion.

Central Park Boathouse Wedding : Olivia & Daryoush : New York, NY

It’s back. Olivia & Daryoush were wed at the iconic and elegant Loeb Boathouse in the heart of Central Park. Closed for a time, the Central Park Boathouse is under new management and I cannot wait to get back to shooting in what I call, my office. Although ultimately the bride and groom were lucky to be graced with a picture perfect day, I felt like the lucky one with the kind of scene setting weather that wedding photographers cross their fingers for every weekend.

The day began at the luxurious Park Lane Hotel located just across from the park on 59th Street. I arrived as hair & makeup were making their final touches and Olivia was preparing for the first of the first looks of the day… with her dad. I love when dads light up and Olivia’s father most certainly did. The moments kept rolling as we brought Olivia to Daryoush for his first look followed by some photos on the street in front of a vintage taxi courtesy of Film Cars. It’s pretty fun when you’re taking photos and each image that flashes through the viewfinder looks like it’s from a magazine.

As it tends to do, time slipped away and I switched gears from my role directing the photo session to disappearing into the event as guests began entering the front gate of the boathouse.

Behind every fantastic wedding is a superb team of vendors and this wedding certainly followed suit:

Event Design: The Bride
Photography: Brian Hatton
Cinema: Frank Ahn Films
Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BHLDN
Rings: Spring Lake Jewelers
Cake: A Simple Cake
Day of Planner: Exquisite Affairs Productions
Florist: Eros Flowers
Stationary: Binvited
Hair: Salon Yoshiko (Kenji Ishimoto) Bergdorf Goodman
Makeup: Alexa Rae Makeup
Officiant: Louis Olivieri
Band: Elegant Music Group - Neon Transit
Transportation: Film Cars & NY Trolley Company