sarah tew photography

Shanna & Aaron were married at The Current, one of the amazing water-side venues at Chelsea Piers along Manhattan’s west coast.  We started the day capturing them getting ready along with family and friends at Eventi Hotel.  The bridesmaids and Shanna’s mother helped her put on this amazing beaded Jenny Packham gown that had her looking like a vintage starlet, complete with perfect red lipstick!  To my delight, they were in a fabulous suite complete with a beautiful deck area that was big enough to shoot most of their wedding party groups.  Downstairs on the street and around the corner from the entrance to the hotel there were another few great spots that I was able to take advantage of before we loaded up and rode across town to the venue.  Once arrived, we did another round of portraits and groups with the water behind them, and then headed upstairs for their Ketubah signing.  Shanna and Aaron also added a special Japanese Sake ceremony, which involved them and their parents drinking from 3 different ceremonial cups of sake, and their Rabbi gave a lovely explanation of everything for both ceremonies. Meanwhile guests were arriving downstairs and taking their seats in the ceremony space, which overlooks the water and features huge windows overlooking the water.  I loved shooting this ceremony as the sun got lower and lower creating pretty amber light to once side of my view down the aisle while the happy couple exchanged vows.  After breaking the glass and sealing their marriage with a kiss, everyone moved into the long cocktail hour space with a view of the sunset deepening into a dusky blue sky and my open-air photobooth set up in one corner, ready for action.  Meanwhile the staff removed the Chuppah and brought arranged dinner tables to transform the ceremony space into a reception room complete with a large dance floor. Highlights of the evening included some delightful toasts from family, a very hip setlist from the DJ, Jay McElfresh, that got everyone moving on the dance floor, and an incredible looking non-wedding cake desert courtesy of Abigail Kirsch‘s top-notch catering.

Reception Venue: The Current at Chelsea Piers

Wedding Day-of Coordinator: Carly Mansucci of It’s My Party NYC

Wedding gown: Jenny Packham

Bride’s shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Hair: Zuleika Acosta

Makeup: Sariah

Officiant: Rabbi James Stoloff

Invitation Design: Michelle Edgemont Design

Floral Design: Michelle Edgemont Design

Catering: Abigail Kirsch

DJ: Jay McElfresh