Oct 29 2017

Noah & Erica’s Modern Fall Wedding at The Loading Dock in Stamford, Connecticut

Posted in Wedding Day,Weddings
Erica & Noah were married at The Loading Dock in Stamford, Connecticut on a lovely Saturday in October.  I started the day with Erica’s getting ready process and my assistant photographer was meanwhile capturing Noah and his father, who got to hang out in the game room for a bit after getting dressed.  After a sweet first look I took them outside for some portraits.  The location of The Loading Dock has an industrial feel, so we utilized a brick building, an actual loading dock, and some greenery I spotted a short walk downhill from the parking lot. For the family groups we set up some lighting in the ceremony space so I could shoot the groups with the lovely floral Chuppah behind them. They had a quick rehearsal and then we gathered around a table for their Ketubah signing, which was a beautiful handmade document by Risa Aqua.  Their ceremony was so lovely and moving– the Rabbi told the story of how they met and Erica and Noah exchanged vows they had written themselves.  After breaking the glass and making it official, guests were treated to a cocktail hour and were then led into the reception space for dinner and dancing.  The food looked amazing, as is always the case at Abigail Kirsch events, and highlights of the evening included the wonderful toasts from parents– Noah’s dad even played us an excerpt of a tape recording of a charming conversation with Noah from when he was a child!  This crowd had a great time dancing thanks to the fantastic band and they even got one of the guests up there to play the saxophone on “Rosalita!” I so enjoyed capturing this wonderful wedding– Congratulations to Erica & Noah!
Vendor Information:
Wedding Day-of Coordinator: Stephanie Hill
Wedding gown: Elizabeth Fillmore
Bride’s shoes: Valentino
Hair: Nancy Monroy
Makeup: Dominique Aro
Groom’s suit/tux: Alton Lane
Invitation Design: Carrie Meyers
Catering: Abigail Kirsch
Ketubah: Risa Aqua
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Oct 20 2017

Jona & David’s engagement portraits at Gantry Park, Long Island City

Posted in Engagement Portraits

Jona & David are getting married at The Vineyards at Aquebogue next summer, so naturally for their engagement portraits they wanted something more city-focused. The waterside park in Long Island City was a perfect spot to capture this sweet couple as they enjoyed the views of the Manhattan skyline across the water. These two make each other so happy– just look at their smiles! I had such fun capturing this great couple and I can’t wait for the wedding!


Posted in Engagement Portraits
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Oct 18 2017

Risa & Jared’s Fall Wedding at The Roundhouse

Posted in Wedding Day,Weddings
Risa & Jared were married on a warm weekend in October at The Roundhouse in Beacon, NY.  Though we were tentatively expecting rain at some point in the day, not a drop fell and all was well!  I started the day in the bride’s suite (The Roundhouse is also a hotel with a great restaurant) while my assistant got some shots of the guys downstairs in the charming bar and lounge area. Risa and her bridesmaids had matching sweatshirts and everyone was blown away by Risa’s beautiful gown- she looked so radiant holding her fresh bouquet of flowers!  Risa was a little worried about stepping off into the grass during portraits so we set up a first look with Jared on the patio by the waterfall, which worked out beautifully!  He was unfortunately not feeling well on the day of the wedding and despite being a bit sick he looked so happy to see her and toughed it out through all the portraits and groups they had planned for me to get with the bridal party and families.  We ended up shooting the family groups indoors as it was a bit muggy outside and everyone was more comfortable there, but of course the Roundhouse has huge gorgeous windows, so it was practically like being outside anyway what with all the greenery in the background.  The ceremony was performed beautifully by Risa’s brother, an actor, who delighted the crowd with jokes and stories and kept the ceremony simple and to the point.  Guests were then treated to a cocktail hour on the patio outside the Roundhouse as the sun set and then led into the brick building where the reception would unfold, amidst lovely modern rustic florals. Highlights of the evening included fantastically entertaining dance moves from the ring bearer, moving toasts by siblings, and an excellent set performed by the Billy Stone Band, who kept this fun crowd active on the dance floor for hours.  Risa even changed into the sneakers Jared had given her back when he proposed– custom Nikes that say “Marry Me”.  I was so honored to be a part of this beautiful wedding day and had such a blast capturing all the memories for Jared and Risa and their wonderful families!

VENDOR CREDITS:
Reception Venue Round House Beacon
Event Design Corrine Van Arsdale
Wedding Day-of Coordinator Corrine Van Arsdale
Wedding gown Pronovias
Bride’s shoes: Christian Louboutin
Hair:  Theo Sandoukas
Makeup: Lucy Flint
Invitation Design: Sloane Madureira
Floral Design: Dark & Diamond
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Sep 21 2017

Rachel & Robert’s Festival themed Wedding at Stone Tavern Farm

Posted in Wedding Day,Weddings
Rachel & Rob love music festivals and wanted their wedding to reflect their passion. With help from their briliant planner, Kate Arel of A Charmed Affair, they put together a celebration featuring all the best elements that make summer dance parties so fun, and hosted it at all at Stone Tavern Farm in Roxbury, NY. When I dropped off my assistant to shoot the groom getting ready in the “Wizard of Oz” room at a nearby boutique hotel with artistically themed rooms I knew the day was off to a great start! Meanwhile Rachel and her bridesmaids were hanging out in their adorable customized onesies at a fabulous rental home down the road. We met at the farm for their first look and couple portraits and got a good round of shots in before it started to get just a *little bit* rainy during the bridal party group shots. For the family groups we stayed indoors and utilized the pretty lights in the reception area of the barn and crossed our fingers the rain would wind down.  Guests were already being escorted up the hill to a gorgeous field where the ceremony was to take place, and of course the show had to go on. Despite the very light droplets picking up and becoming more forceful for about 30 seconds (as if on cue) during her walk down the aisle to meet her groom, Rachel was laughing and smiling through it all.  This couple couldn’t have been more radiant as they tied the knot with help from their friend and favorite Yoga instructor under a glorious tree as friends and family surrounding them with love. Guests popped confetti cannons as Rob broke the traditional glass underfoot and they sealed their union with a kiss. We hopped on some golf carts and retreated to the barn for the signing of the marriage license as the guests were taken to a covered deck overlooking a pond for cocktail hour. As the rain died down guests ventured out to enjoy the lawn games provided and later made their way down the path to the barn for the reception. The evening unfolded with magic around every corner– highlights included a hot-dog-costumed toast, a glitter and glow station to spice up the dance floor, a live painting being created during the wedding, and a surprise fireworks display followed by an afterparty with live music performed by Space Bacon and an accompanying laser show! Congratulations to Rachel & Robert!

VENDOR CREDITS:
Wedding Planner – Kate Arel, A Charmed Affair
Floral Design:  Flower Scout – Colie
Music:  DJ Julie Jakolat and Space Bacon, Live band
Live Painter During Cocktail Hour and Reception:   Jamie Gaviola 
Wedding gown:  Grace Loves Lace 
Bride’s shoes:  Stuart Weitzman 
Groom’s suit/tux:   Sarar 
Officiant:   Leila Swenson
Getting Ready Location: Bride Catskill Mountains Designer House  Groom: Roxbury Motel 
Videographer:  Glass Planet Videography
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Sep 04 2017

Delara & Nikhil’s Wedding at Belle Haven Club

Posted in Wedding Day,Weddings
Delara & Nikhil were married on a beautiful sunny Saturday at Belle Haven Club on the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut.  Officiating the proceedings was Senator Richard Blumenthal, and guests had come from far and wide to celebrate their union.  I began the day at the Delamar Hotel where Delara and her bridesmaids were getting ready, and my assistant photographer was with Nikhil and his groomsmen at his parents home.  We brought them together for a first look at Belle Haven Club and walked around with them capturing portraits of the two of them before pulling in their bridal party and family for group shots, and we finished ahead of schedule so there was time for everyone to cool off indoors.  I went upstairs with the bride and her bridesmaids and made what might be one of my favorite bridesmaid pictures ever of their squad with their hands in the pockets of their gowns, looking tough and serious!  I personally just love dresses with pockets and I knew I wanted to show them off in a photograph but the expressions on their faces took it to another level!  Guests arrived and were served refreshing drinks as a string quartet played prior to the ceremony on the lawn facing the ocean and we prepared to shoot the ceremony.  It was full of meaningful readings and the couple wrote their own vows.  After the ceremony guests were treated to a cocktail hour by the sea, complete with an oyster bar, and at sunset the club staff fired the canon and pulled down the ‘colors’ (flag), a yacht club tradition.  Once invited to sit down, they entered the tent, complete with a dance floor and festooned with ornate white lanterns  hanging overhead.  Just before their grand entrance my assistant and I captured a few sweet shots of the couple enjoying a moment alone before they were announced, and then it was on to their first dance.  Delara and Nikhil’s siblings and parents were prepared with speeches full of funny anecdotes and there were lots of laughs all around. I had shot their engagement party in the city earlier this year and a welcome party at a friends’ home the night before so I was familiar with many of the faces and it was so fun to capture this beautifully diverse crowd enjoying the dance floor together as the band played throughout the evening.  When it seemed like a good time to take them out of the tent for a few minutes I captured a few portraits with the darkening night sky and the party in the background. At the end of the night Delara and Nikhil hopped in the club’s launch boat with some champagne and were driven back to their hotel– it must have been a glorious moonlit boatride!  Congratulations to Delara and Nikhil and their wonderful families on this fabulous celebration!

Vendor Information:
Reception Venue:  The Belle Haven Club
Wedding Day-of Coordinator: Eloquence Events – Hannah Elsaesser
Bride’s shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Makeup: Andy Jablow
Groom’s suit/tux: Jos. A. Bank
Invitation Design: Social Alchemy
Floral Design: Elegant Effects
Catering: Belle Haven Club
Music (Ceremony): Highline String Quartet
Music (Reception): Audio Via of Elan Artists
Ceremony Program:  J Papers
Menu Cards:  Belle Haven Club
Wedding Cake Designer: Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes
Getting Ready Location: Delamar, Greenwich Harbor
Tent:  Cove Tent
Lighting:  Spectrum Lighting
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