Sep 15 2018

Jona & David’s Wedding at The Vineyards

Jona & David were married at The Vineyards at Aquebogue, a beautiful venue out on the North Fork of Long Island. I started the day with the bride and her bridesmaids at a hotel where they were getting hair and makeup done. We hopped in a lovely vintage trolley for the ride to the Vineyards, where she put on her gown and jewelry before heading out with me to meet her groom in a “first look.” This is always a great idea as it enables me to then work through shooting the couple’s portraits alone, with their wedding party, and with their family before the guests arrive, freeing up more of their time later so they can fully enjoy the post-ceremony time with friends and family. Jona and David’s ceremony was officiated by a Rabbi, and they signed a Ketubah beforehand in the bridal suite with family gathered as witnesses as guests were entering downstairs and making their way to the outdoor ceremony space. The venue was quite lovely and was so kind as to give us a golf-cart ride out to scenic spots in the estate directly following the ceremony while guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on their tented deck overlooking the vineyards. Once back from our sunset portraits in the fields, my assistant and I set up the photobooth and lighting for their reception and I made sure to get some nice shots of the reception space before guests entered. As the their fabulous band, Code Bleu, kicked off the reception, the wedding party made a grand entrance, followed by Jona and David, who happily high-fived friends and family as they made their way through the crowd to the dance floor. A lively first dance and Hora were followed by a traditional Albanian number in honor of Jona’s family heritage, and it would not be the last! Later in the evening Jona and David changed into traditional garb for another traditional group dance that involved Jona’s father hurling dollar bills into the air as women danced with scarves. Everyone in attendance had a raucously good time– so much so that when the band finished the last song, one of the groomsmen spontaneously started leading a singalong to keep the party going. I couldn’t have been more delighted to be a part of this wonderful celebration, and I loved capturing all the fun! What a night! Congratulations to Jona and David!