Sep 11 2018

Max & Eleanor’s Wedding at Housing Works Bookstore

Max and Eleanor planned an intimate celebration with close family and friends at several locations around Soho, all within walking distance of their wonderful venue, the Housing Works Bookstore. The weather was looking iffy but then turned out to be just perfect, always a welcome turnaround! Eleanor got ready at the Bowery Hotel just around the block from their ceremony spot, the New York Marble Cemetery, which, for the record, does not feel like a cemetery at all, but is a big beautiful open grassed area perfectly suited for a wedding ceremony! I couldn’t believe I’d never been to this hidden gem of a spot in all my years shooting weddings… after their first look and some portraits there in the garden we took a walk around the block and went back up to their room at the Bowery Hotel to get some shots on their surprise bonus balcony while they kept out of sight as guests arrived. The ceremony itself was super sweet– the couple shared vows they’d written themselves and exchanged rings, all with the excellent officiating of their friend who had been specially ordained online for the occasion. After walking back down the aisle the couple and I made our way outside for some “just married” portraits on the route to Housing Works, taking a taxi part of the way and making use of the NYC street scenes. We arrived to find guests enjoying a cocktail hour in the bookstore. I love shooting weddings at Housing Works– the warmth of the wood bookcases full of used literature really adds character to any wedding and of course the nonprofit nature of the organization itself always warms the heart. Highlights of the evening included a fabulous set of toasts, a choreographed first dance, complete with a beautiful dip (*shout out to 2nd shooter, Ryan, who nailed the shot!), and a wonderful sparkler exit complete with decorated citibikes for the couple to ride back to the Bowery Hotel. I can only imagine the afterparty on their beautiful balcony. Congratulations to Max and Eleanor, it was an honor and a pleasure capturing this momentous occasion!