I have enjoyed the privilege of photographing Zackary and his family annually since his mom, Lydia, was pregnant and came to my studio for maternity portraits. I look forward to seeing how he’s grown each year and my gosh has he grown– this little boy is hilarious and really fun to talk to and play with. I just had a ball at this shoot– we started at their place in Brooklyn where we could make a family portrait with their 3 dogs– after some other fun shots of Zackary around the house with his toys and on their stoop outside we hopped in the family car and drove over to Greenpoint where we could catch a ferry ride down to williamsburg. Zackary loved the ferry ride and we made some nice pictures with the wind in their hair and the empire state building up in the background from the stern of the boat. Back on land we did another handful of shots featuring Zackary running around in his cape and mask… what fun. I can’t wait to meet this fellow at age 5! Here are just a few favorites from our shoot…
Julie & Ryan are getting married in May at Battery Gardens in Lower Manhattan. I’ve shot at Battery Gardens before and it’s such a lovely venue, I was psyched to book this couple! For their engagement session we discussed the DUMBO area and then came up with ending our shoot with a ferry ride on the East River Ferry– we timed the shoot so that sunset would hit while we were on the boat, and though we didn’t get the most glorious sky it was quite pretty with the lights twinkling on over in the manhattan skyline. Check out my favorites from the shoot!
Julie & Ryan Engagement Portraits in DUMBO (featuring Ferry Ride to Williamsburg) from Sarah Tew Photography on Vimeo.
When I had the pleasure of meeting Devin & Mike I was so excited to potentially shoot their wedding in Greenwich, CT– I always like getting out of the city and it’s a rare treat that I get to shoot anywhere as genuinely “coastal” as their venue, the Belle Haven Club. And as you can see they’re both totally over-the-top *beautiful* people (see their cute engagement session here too!) but I simply couldn’t have predicted how gorgeous their whole wedding day would be. Zack and I arrived early (as usual), so we drove to each of the locations and scouted out spots for the portraits we’d later shoot at Bruce Park, walked around at the Yacht Club and made sure the church had a parking lot! We still got to The Delamar Hotel early and picked a spot down by the boats for the couple’s first look before we split up to start shooting the getting ready and bridal details. Devin chose a sleek and sophisticated lace gown by Monique Lhiullier that featured an amazing back– it was PERFECT on her, and I don’t think Mike could have been happier when he finally laid eyes on her. After a couple quick portraits with their adorable dogs, we drove to Bruce Park with the wedding party and family members to get those group pictures taken care of before the ceremony at St. Mary’s Parish in downtown Greenwich. After their ceremony we hustled over to Belle Haven (unfortunately sunset was already over if it had ever looked like a sunset– it was a fairly cloudy day– so we decided to do some night portraits of the couple later in the night instead) and during cocktail hour I shot all the reception details I could before the tables filled up with people– Devin had planned one of the most beautifully detailed wedding receptions I’ve seen in some time! She thought of everything– from the octopus cake stand down to the rope-shaped drink stirrers everything at this wedding was nautically themed and/or shaded in blues… though Amy Hardisty of White Hall Events was there doing all the day-of event coordination, I beleive that Devin had pulled together all the event design concepts herself. I was so impressed with the array of beautiful ideas on display… blue lanterns throughout the tent, blue patterned china vases and frames with blue-toned photos of Devin and Mike at various stages of life…blue patterned tablecloths on accent tables– and Devin even designed the programs, placecards, and favors herself! The solid orange flowers arrangements and bright pashmina shawls for the bridesmaids provided the perfect splash of complementary color for all these lovely blues. It was just a beautiful wedding from top to bottom. But enough about the details. Mike gave the *most romantic* toast to his new wife after they cut their cake. I wish I could quote it verbatim, it was so good. In short he shared some of the special, cute things she does which reinforce how much he loves having her in his life, and finished by saying he could have married her the day he met her… and you could just tell how completely smitten he is. I can’t wait to see where life takes this sweet couple– may their love continue to grow and deepen over the years to come!
Vendor Credits:
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Amy Hardisty of White Hall Events
Reception Venue & Catering: Belle Haven Club
Wedding Gown: Monique Lhiullier
Reception Dress: Notte by Marchesa
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Veil: Debra Moreland
Hair: Stacy Pitt of Styles On B
Makeup: Elizabeth Black
Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew
Tux: Lee Baron
Engagement Ring: London Jewelers / Wedding bands: Kent
Flowers: Adam Manjuck of Flowers & Flowers
Music: DJ RT of Scratch Weddings
Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper
I love the cake stand! Any chance you’d be willing to sell or rent it for another wedding? 🙂
Let me know your email address and I can forward your interest to the bride!
Well decorated and organized party with lots of entertaining acts…looks like this wedding has gone through some unique captures as well 🙂
Mike & Melissa had their unique and intimate afternoon wedding last Saturday in 3 parts: A sweet garden ceremony behind the Merchants House Museum was followed by a leisurely afternoon reception in the back of a delicious Italian restaurant they love called Gnoccho. To top it all off the couple and their friends enjoyed a private room over at St. Mark’s Karaoke that evening, and I was so lucky to be there to capture it all. I started off the day photographing Melissa’s bridal details and preparation with her bridesmaids in the beautiful Bowery Hotel. Melissa looked just stunning in her gown, I couldn’t wait for Mike to see her. We walked together the few blocks over to Merchants House and after a sweet and moving ceremony we quickly knocked out their group portraits there in the garden behind the historic building. Melissa and Mike made a bunch of choices that really personalized the wedding– for one thing Melissa skipped flowers on the tables in favor of decorating with some handmade birdhouses that she and her bridesmaids had crafted and painted together and lucky guests could take home. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Mike & Melissa “cut the calzone”– Gnoccho’s specialty desert that is, and one of these giant fresh nutella-filled pastries was then brought to each table for guests to enjoy. Ryan & I had our own table there at the luncheon and you can bet we enjoyed taking little breaks to sample the delicious italian courses that were brought out one after another… I will most definitely be taking my husband Keith out for dinner at Gnoccho– these are real Italian waiters who take their work seriously and delight in providing excellent service. I was thoroughly impressed with the food and atmosphere. But enough about Gnoccho. KARAOKE WAS AWESOME! Mike & Melissa’s friends were hilarious and there was some real talent in the mix there, I must say. I had to get involved after I was off the clock, it was such an excellent end to a fabulous wedding. Congratulations, Mike & Melissa!
Other Credits:
Hair: Teresa of Peter Frank Salon
Makeup: Brittany Rose Hina
Rings: Brilliant Earth
Ceremony Music: Robert Savino
Officiant: Reverend Will
Seth & Jennifer joined their hands in marriage one week ago today over at Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo. Having shot their engagement session in Times Square and Bryant Park area (with some shots in Grand Central too!) I knew they were going to be a really fun couple to work with on wedding day… Ryan and I started with some getting ready shots at their hotel and then after a ‘first look’ outside we walked-slash-got a cab up to Washington Square Park to meet their families to take care of all the group portraits somewhere with some greenery. I always love meeting the families and seeing the resemblances– both in looks and personality. Seth clearly got a robust sense of humor from his parents… he has a way of making Jen laugh just about any time he gets the notion. And Jen herself has quite a lighthearted nature, so I hadn’t expected such beautiful moments of emotion and gravity that I felt so honored to witness at this wedding. They way they spoke to each other during the vows was so sincere and sweet, after all their playfulness I was moved by how sweet and tender they really are towards each other. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house during Jen’s father’s toast– in which he himself got choked up while speaking of his love for his own wife and how deep love grows throughout a couple’s marriage. I was so pleased to be a part of this special couple’s big day. Congratulations, and happy one-week anniversary, Seth & Jennifer!
Credits:
Venue: Housing Works Bookstore
Catering: The Works Catering
Florals: Kerry Quade
Dress: Justin Alexander
Shoes: Arturo Chiang at Lord and Taylor
Rings: LaGravinese Jewelers of Pelham
Officiant: One Heart Ceremonies
Invitations: Papyrus
Hair & Makeup: Sam Brocato Salon
I was there in spirit and now I see the beautiful ceremony and the handsome newlyweds. Blessings. Aunt Kath