Brian Hatton Brian Hatton

Metropolitan Club Wedding : Jade & Julian : New York, NY

Metropolitan Club Wedding : Jade & Julian : New York, NY

Jade & Julian were married in the summertime at The Metropolitan Club on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

The Met Club is one of those places that makes you feel the weight of the city's history the second you walk in. J.P. Morgan founded it in 1891 — literally because he and a few friends got blackballed from another club and decided to build a better one to hang with his buddies the Vanderbilts and the Roosevelts. The interiors are jaw-dropping in the way that only Gilded Age excess can be. I've shot there a handful of times now and still spend the first few minutes just staring at the ceiling.

Julian wore his Navy dress whites for the ceremony and cocktail hour, switching to a sharp summer white tuxedo for the reception. There's something about that particular combination of venue and uniform that makes the whole thing feel like a different era, the good kind. Jade leaned hard into the glamour of it all and it showed — she was completely in her element in this space.

Jade is a film photography enthusiast and we planned ahead for that. Over the course of the day we went through more than ten rolls. It changes the energy on a wedding day when you're working with film — there's a deliberateness to it, a different kind of attention, and Jade felt that. You can see it in how she carries herself in those images. The overcast summer light was perfect for it, soft and even without being flat.

Jeannie Uyanik did the planning and kept everything running with the kind of smooth efficiency that lets everyone relax. The florals from Bastille Events were big, lush arrangements that held their own against the ornate gilded rooms without trying to compete with them — no small feat. Frank Simmons Band ran the reception floor while Art Strings handled ceremony and cocktails, and John Castillo was on video.

For portraits we crossed 5th Avenue straight into the park and worked our way down to the lake. Jade had a crimson red umbrella that was just perfect against all that green — one of those props that makes a lot of sense the second you see it in the frame. Back inside, the rest of the day was really about being present in the space itself. The gilded walls, the candlelight, the scale of those rooms — you let it do the work. We mixed in a touch of direct flash here and there, enough to give a few frames that modern edge without it taking over.

Vendors
Event Planning/Design: Jeannie Uyanik / C&G Weddings 
Venue & Catering: The Metropolitan Club 
Florals: Bastille Events 
Band: Frank Simmons Band / Hank Lane Music 
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Art Strings
Videography: John Castillo 
Hair: Elena, Bridal Squad Pro
Makeup: Jasmyn, IVJ Beauty Services
Lighting: Fusion

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Robert Wedding : Museum of Art & Design : New York, NY

Celia and RJ were married in Spring at Robert located in the Museum of Art & Design at Columbus Circle in Manhattan.

They both got ready on a drizzly spring morning at the iconic JW Marriott Essex House, with sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline below. Celia wore a beaded gown by Enaura, paired with sparkling Stuart Weitzman heels. Her classic updo and soft, glowing makeup by Willow House Beauty highlighted the timeless elegance of the day.

RJ kept things sharp and classic in a black tuxedo from Suit Supply, and the couple shared a quiet, intimate first look before heading out into Central Park. Even with the mist and soft rain, the cherry blossoms were blooming and the park felt alive with the rhythm of spring—an unforgettable backdrop for portraits that felt both cinematic and personal.

Their ceremony was held at Robert, the stunning restaurant perched at the top of the Museum of Arts and Design, overlooking Columbus Circle. With floral arrangements by Verde Flowers framing the space, Celia’s brother officiated a deeply personal ceremony filled with humor, emotion, and meaning. It was intimate, heartfelt, and exactly right.

Cocktail hour and the dinner reception at Robert were warm and stylish—panoramic views of the city, glowing candlelight, and a perfect playlist from DJ Xenia of Non-Traditional Wedding DJs that set the tone for a night of celebration. Guests mingled as the fog settled over Manhattan, the skyline twinkling just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The evening ended with joyful dancing and a slice of cake from Ladybird Bakery, a sweet finish to a day filled with beauty, love, and just the right touch of city magic.

Vendors
Venue & Catering: Robert
Cake: Ladybird Bakery
Florals: Verde Flowers
Hair & Makeup: Willow House Beauty
DJ: DJ Xenia of Non-Traditional Wedding DJs
Dress: Enaura
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Rings: Frank Darling
Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply
Stationery: Minted

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Long Island City Engagement Session: Film & Digital : LIC, NY

Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City has a way of feeling both iconic and intimate — urban yet serene. I recently photographed an engagement session here in early March, catching that golden hour glow that feels like a reward for enduring winter’s chill. The park’s views of the Manhattan skyline offered a sense of both expanse and closeness which is a setting I feel especially at home photographing in.

I brought both my digital setup and my 35mm film camera shooting a mix of color and black & white films. I have a deep affection especially for b&w film — there’s something timeless about its ability to strip away distractions, highlighting emotion and texture. Every time I get those film scans in from the lab I’m surprised by the depth. In that late-day light, the still-bare branches and the skyline took on a sculptural quality, made all the more striking through the grain of black-and-white film.

The couple and I wandered the park, embracing the last hour of daylight. The sun hung low, casting long shadows and painting the East River in warm, reflective tones. We made use of the waterfront’s gentle curves and industrial walkways, contrasting them with the softness of quiet, candid moments.

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NY Athletic Club Wedding : Ellen & Michael : New York, NY

Ellen & Michael's Winter Wedding at The New York Athletic Club

Manhattan knows how to do winter weddings, and Ellen & Michael's celebration at The New York Athletic Club (NYAC) was no exception. Set against the iconic backdrop of Central Park South, their big day was a masterclass in elegance and the kind of festive energy that only December in NYC can bring.

The day kicked off on the residential floor of the NYAC, where all great NYAC weddings begin. While Ellen and her bridesmaids were putting the finishing touches on hair, makeup, and good-natured banter, we captured those fleeting pre-ceremony moments. This warm-up session helps everyone relax in front of the camera before the big moments take center stage.

New York in December can be unpredictable, and so was the temperature on the NYAC rooftop! But Ellen & Michael were absolute troopers, braving the chill for their emotional first look. There's something magical about seeing each other for the first time amid a rooftop scene overlooking one of the world's most iconic skylines—even if you're quietly wishing for heated hand warmers in your pocket.

The wedding party showed similar resolve joining for some group photos on the terrace. Afterward, we moved inside to warm up and took cozy family portraits by the fireplace.

The next stop was the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer on Lexington Avenue, a Manhattan gem that embodies timeless elegance. This neo-Gothic masterpiece set the stage for a heartfelt ceremony conducted by a dear friend of the couple.

With the “I do’s” completed and spirits high, the wedding party returned to the NYAC for an unforgettable reception. Bud Maltin’s Metropolitan Music lit up the venue with unbelievable energy.

The night had everything you’d want from a winter wedding in New York. A gorgeous cake by Daniel Colonel. Stunning floral arrangements courtesy of Jerome Florists. And then, of course, there were the post-cake light-up glasses—a sign that this party wasn’t ending anytime soon.

Vendors

Coordinator: Eventful Days

Photographer: Brian Hatton

Cake: Daniel Colonel

Florist: Jerome Florists

Hair & Makeup: Alena Bankovsky

Band: Bud Maltin Metropolitan Music

Bride's Shoes: Loeffler Randall

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy

Rings: R&R Jewelers

Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers

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TriBeCa Rooftop Wedding : Katie & John : New York, NY

Katie & John’s TriBeCa Rooftop wedding photos in lower Manhattan on September 7th.

Getting ready nearby at The Roxy Hotel, Katie’s expansive suite and terrace was the perfect setting for her entourage to get ready before we geared up for a first look on the roof at TriBeCa Rooftop. I loved the rich tones and textures throughout the room. Working alongside Emma Cleary Video, we captured the wedding party as final touches were applied and then made our way for Katie to see John for the first time in her wedding gown.

This season I found myself photographing three TriBeca Rooftop weddings which I’m enjoying more than ever with their newly laid out space. The room keeps going and going with those endless skyline views. For a venue which offers such a nice outdoor space for a ceremony, it’s a luxury to have an equally nice setting indoors when the weather is iffy. With the panoramic views through all the windows, the outside is brought within.

As cocktail hour was underway, right on queue the heavens opened up to reveal the most glorious sunset I’ve seen in a while. It didn’t take long for guests to find a way outside as I brought the bride and groom out for a few minutes of photos with the setting sun. While we captured these wonderful moments of guests greeting Katie & John following their vows, Christina Whitney Events worked with Fleurs du Mois to create a breathtaking reception room. It was just a few months since I had last worked with Christina at TriBeCa Rooftop. Having that long established rapport with planners is so helpful to making it a seamless day. We work together with the ebbs and flows of the day to make things go smoothly.

I was unsurprised to find the bride and groom letting absolutely loose on the dance floor which was framed by gorgeous lighting, excellent entertainment and the signature TriBeCa Rooftop cuisine. This was one of those weddings that positively sails by and I had a wonderful time capturing these memories. It’s made all the more special when my efforts are reflected in a glowing online review by the couple :-). Thank you Katie & John!

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