The Foundry LIC Wedding : Elisa & David : Long Island City, NY

Elisa & David held their wedding ceremony and reception at The Foundry, the iconic event space in LIC.

On quite literally the hottest day of the year, Elisa & David invited their friends and family under the open sky in Long Island City for a stunning evening at The Foundry. They requested that their photos be summery, light and “New York-y”. We did our best to make that happen as we shot their first look and portraits on the steps of the New York Public Library on 5th Ave under that July sun. Although midday in summer can be challenging, I do enjoy the spotlight effect you get. You don't have to spend all the time chasing shade. Elisa & David then hopped into a yellow NYC cab to head over the Queensboro Bridge to wrap up with family photos before guests began to arrive.

After the ceremony, they quickly changed out of their wedding attire into traditional Korean hanbok for a fun paebaek ceremony in front of guests as cocktail hour was underway. Before long, friends and family were escorted into the courtyard for dinner and toasts framed by the bridge on one side and the richly textured brick facade of the Foundry on the other. They ate straight through the meal and then came inside for dancing. I generally prefer this sequence as people get a chance to really settle in to their meal, make conversation and loosen up before exploding onto the dance floor.

I was paired up with Elisa & David thanks to my buddy Dave Adamick of Events by Jesse. Working with great planners results in a different kind of synergy between all the vendors at a wedding and makes for an overall pleasant workday for all those involved.

At The Foundry, Red Table was hit up for the catering amongst the stunning decor designed by Kraft & Company. Silver Arrow Band kept the night lit up.

Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers WEdding : Monica & Andrew : New York, NY

Monica & Andrew were married at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

I met up with Monica at the Hyatt Herald Square where she was prepping with her bridesmaids before her first look with Andrew. Although there were hints of the forthcoming Spring, the crisp day in the park just North of the venue was quiet making it a perfect setting for some pictures with their bridal party. The sweeping Hudson River views were on display during their ceremony which makes The Lighthouse pretty unparalleled in this regard. Superior Florist lit up the dark feel of the event space with their clean white color scape while the band 45 Riots, one of my favorites, kept the dance floor alive all night.

Metropolitan Club Wedding : Allison & Ethan : New York, NY

A Winter Wedding at The Metropolitan Club in New York, NY

Allison & Ethan were married on the day of the biggest snowstorm in the NYC area this year which I am certain was nerve wracking - but by the time the ceremony began the sidewalks had been cleared and they had a full compliment of guests. The gold metal certainly goes to Allison who braved truly frigid temperatures and snowy conditions in a wedding dress to take some photos outside.

Allison made some amazing choices in decor with vivid color and tons of candlelight which set the tone for a stunning evening. I love how it gave a fun, energetic vibe to the stately and elegant club off Central Park. The party really ratcheted up a notch after the cake had been cut as Sticky's Finger Joint, Katz's Delicatessen and Chip City Cookies set up to offer a quintessential NYC food hall. Lit batons passed around the dance floor as the band drove an amazing experience for the guests. My second shooter and I remarked how this would be an amazing party to attend ourselves. That's how you know we're having fun.

Photographer: Brian Hatton Photography

Cinematographer: Frank Ahn Films

Rabbi: Rachel Ain, Sutton Place Synagogue

Florist: Forever in Bloom

Cake: Lulus

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Band: Brooklyn Sound, Hank Lane

Hair & Makeup: FaceTime Beauty

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier

Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Jewelry: Nuha Jewelers

Groom's Attire: Enzo Custom

Barclay New York InterContinental Wedding : Sarah & Chris : New York, NY

Sarah & Chris' wedding at the Barclay New York InterContinental was everything you could dream of in a elegantly appointed midtown masterpiece of a property. I have absolutely never witnessed a bridal suite like this one with its massive living space and balcony. Truly the ideal place to get ready for the wedding day.

After an intimate first look on the balcony, we walked outside to Park Avenue for a few photos before it was time to stand under the chuppah. Fleurs NYC designed the florals which 'married' just perfectly with the built in decor of the hotel. And of course, the show-stopping cake by Ron Ben Israel was positively covered in hand made sugar flowers. Absolutely amazing.

Capitale Wedding : Jenn & Matt : New York, NY

At the end of February, with a bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket, I made my way downtown for a glorious wedding at Capitale on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. Looking back I feel completely relieved for Jenn & Mike that they were able to fit this in before everything got shut down. The next weekend, I had a wedding canceled just hours before.

Getting ready at Public Hotel, Jenn was surrounded by friends and family as she was wrapped up in final preparations before seeing Matt. Using Public Hotel as a starting point added a modern element to the day before entering the old New York charm of Capitale, the former Bowery Savings Bank. After a first look at the base of Public's iconic elevator bank, we took some photos around the hotel and out on the street, braving the winter chill.

With its soaring ceilings, guests entering Capitale were greeted with a magical atmosphere complete with aerialists, a huge band, and elegant decor by Rebecca Shepherd Floral Designs.