River Cafe Wedding : Brooklyn, NY

Rachel & Mike were wed at The River Cafe located on the waterfront in Brooklyn, NY in August.

I’ve come to love Brooklyn Bridge Park for its almost zen like atmosphere. The 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is built adjacent to the park which happens to be adjacent to The River Cafe. This is an indisputable trifecta for getting ready, portraits and reception. On this, my second of five stints at the River Cafe this season, I was met with overcast skies which cast a pleasing calmness and uniformity to the images throughout the day. Having sun is nice of course but there are definitely pros to the softness the clouds can provide.

Liberty House Wedding : Jersey City, NJ

Gina & Ari held their wedding at Liberty House nestled in Liberty State Park overlooking the most spectacular lower Manhattan skyline view there ever could be.

Getting ready at the nearby Hyatt Regency Jersey City, Gina and Ari spent time with their closest friends within eyeshot of he venue a few piers down. We had a glorious, clear July day which was warm but perfect. They enjoyed a first look by the water before the bridal party joined us in the old train station for a bit of a respite from the sun.

It was soon time to return to Liberty House for one of their iconic back patio ceremonies followed by dinner and dancing upstairs. Through the wall of massive picture windows we all enjoyed the evening as the progression of sunset shimmered off the buildings of NYC just across the water.

Weylin Wedding : Brooklyn, NY

Veronica & Yakov were married at Weylin in Brooklyn, NY in March.

This celebration led by Benor & Beik events was breathtaking in its scope as well as the family centered, positive energy throughout. It’s funny how when you’re in a cavernous space like Weylin, Gothom Hall or Cipriani.. it’s so big it’s almost… intimate? The space is so vast that you feel especially banded together with those around you. We started the day off right getting ready at William Vale before a first look in the rotunda and portraits on the street out front. A tisch and bedeken set the stage for the ceremony that followed with Veronica entering through the Metropolitan Opera House-like red curtains.

River Cafe Wedding : Christine & Diego : Brooklyn, NY

Christine & Diego were married at The River Cafe overlooking Manhattan.

It’s always interesting to see how different couples bring a varied vibe to venues I’m at frequently. Sometimes The River Cafe is warm and intimate. Sometimes it fosters a casual party atmosphere. On this day there was a bit of an intriguing mystique to the air thanks to Christine & Diego’s creative sensibilities and penetrating gaze.

The bride and groom got ready at NU Hotel in Brooklyn allowing me to visit both of them as they prepped since I was flying solo that particular day. We took advantage of the sharp, contrasty light in Brooklyn Bridge Park for their portraits as the sun settled down on the horizon during the ceremony on the patio. Christine wore Robert Bullock while Diego donned a custom Alan David tuxedo. Another example of how TRC can take a bow tie or no tie.

Roundhouse Wedding : Jess & Josh : Beacon, NY

Jess & Josh held their Spring wedding at The Roundhouse in Beacon, NY.

I am lucky to shoot at The Roundhouse quite a bit and it was great to kick off this season of visits with this spirited couple. This was one of those weddings that feel like is photographing itself. So many raw and real expressions and a well crafted vibe. This venue is great just on its own without little dressing up, but Jess & Josh’s disco ball theme really upped the ante. I had a spree of 3 or 4 weddings in a row where they all had disco balls and it added so much! I hope to see more in the future.

These days I’ve found myself really gravitating towards the hotel building on the property at the top of the hill. I love the brick details and contemporary landscaping which. The warmth plus the cool greens really pop and I feel like many modern couples look and feel at home there.

Jess & Josh lucked out with both the ceremony and cocktail hour being held outside. I love how easy it is to get big group shots with family and friends on the expansive patio or down by the waterfall. It’s the ideal setting for cocktails.

Moving inside for the reception, the lights came on and we were in amazement at the zillions of bright disco spots swirling about the room. As we light various elements with flash the disco balls pick up that light and send it out like a sparkler. It’s pretty amazing to see flying across the viewfinder.

Photography: Brian Hatton
Venue: The Roundhouse
Florist: Lavender & Leaf
Hair & Makeup: Gem House
Officiant: Rabbi Lori Koffman
Lighting: LNJ
Band: Atomic Funk
Cinema: Kiss the Bride Films
Wedding Dress: Rebecca Schoneveld