Do you want to see each other before the wedding?

I ask a ton of questions during the initial client consultation, but few  generate such mixed emotions as the decision to see each other before it’s time to walk down the aisle. According to a tradition, the bride is supposed to be in seclusion before the wedding in order to build anticipation, which somehow keeps the groom from getting cold feet (or something like that).

With so many couples living together before they get married that tradition has slowly waned. I get plenty of couples that want to have their portraits taken before the ceremony, but they also want to capture some of the magic involved in seeing each other in their wedding outfits for the very first time. In that case, I often suggest a First Look. The first look is when the couple see each other for a few minutes before the ceremony, without any friends and family hovering about. The first look can involve a kiss, a smile, a huge hug, and a lot of love. All that matters is that all the day’s stress is gone, and the couple can share a special moment.

Personally, I do not have a strong preference as to whether the couple see each other before the wedding or not. As long as I have enough time (usually about an hour) and the light is good, I’m perfectly happy to wait until after the ceremony to photograph formal portraits of the family and bridal party, and create romantic photos of the bride and groom. The first look is simply an option that should be considered, and I’m perfectly happy to set it up during your wedding. Here are some of my favorite first look photos from the past few years.

My final wedding of 2011 was at the lovely Glen Ridge Country Club, just a stones throw from our home in Bloomfield. Nicole and David were recommended to me by Nicole’s sister (one of my old colleagues in the newspaper business) and she was so excited to have me photograph her family. The only challenge was that the couple lives in Virginia and were trying to book a New Jersey wedding from afar. “Don’t worry,” I said. “That’s why they invented Skype.”

The wedding was a wonderful late-Fall affair. The weather was crisp, but warm enough for portraits, and the ceremony was conducted by the fireplace in the country club’s charming inner hall. The two shared their vows in front of the mayor of Glen Ridge and an audience for their closest family members. The reception was simple yet exquisite. Nicole and David chose to have a traditional sit-down dinner, and so as not to ignore the dozen or so children in attendance, the kids’ table took center stage. Balloon animals, board games, candy – the reception was a five-year-old’s dream come true.

We capped off the day with a portrait session on the golf course, dodging golf balls and carts. As the sunset on Glen Ridge, it was hard not to notice the love in the couple’s eyes as they kissed and giggled through my crazy portraits suggestions. Thank you, Nicole and David, for inviting me to document your wedding. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to an amazing wedding season.

VENDORS

Ceremony/Reception: Glen Ridge Country Club
Glen Ridge, NJ

Florist: A New Leaf
South Orange, NJ

Hair/Make-up: Bangz
Montclair, NJ

When you ask Steph about Michael, she says that he has the most caring heart and soul. She says that she never trusted anyone as much as she trusts him and she knows that no matter what, life will always be ok with him in her life.

We had an amazing time documenting their wedding in Keene, New Hampshire. This was our first trip to NH, and we were shocked by how courteous everyone is (cars actually stop at crosswalks) and the landscape was spectacular. The ceremony took place at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, a small building that was obviously converted to a Greek worship hall in recent years. The wedding was a traditional Hellenic affair, with an exchange of crowns and a candle-lit parade around the alter (albeit a bit cramped).

Pink light poured through the red stain glass, casting everything in a rose hue and creating a dazzling array of color in the stark (for a Greek church) white room. Stephanie was all smiles as she made her way down the aisle, hanging from her father’s arm. Michael held back the tears as the priest walked them through their vows and they exchanged rings. I always say that you can really tell when a couple is truly in love and Steph and Michael perfectly personify that statement.

“The world could be falling apart but he knows how to calm me and make me feel secure,” Steph told me after the wedding. “A few years back I had surgery and he took such great care of me. That was when I knew he was the one.”

Thank you so much for inviting us into your lives and letting us photograph your big day. We had a blast and wish you many years of happiness. Stin ygia mas.

Cake: Tastefully Wright
Wilton, NH

Music: Main Event DJ’s & Entertainment
Londonderry, NH

Reception/Catering: Keene Country Club
Keene, NH

Flowers: Naturally Elegant Designs
Keene, NH

Hair/Make-up: MJD & Company
Keene, NH

Their wedding reception was held at the beautiful Oakeside Mansion in my hometown of Bloomfield, NJ. The place is a mesmerizing manor built amidst a sea of gardens and greenery. I’ve been itching to photograph a wedding at the Oakeside ever since I moved around the corner last year, and the building was just as magnificent inside as it was from the street.

The reception was exactly as Alison had described. “We want the reception to feel like a party in an cool, old jazz club,” Alison told me when we met. Needless to say, Alison made it happen. Blue Soul with Herb Woodson on vocals nearly tore the tent down with their raw jazz stylings and guests, both young and not so young, danced the night away to tunes ranging from Miles Davis to the Rolling Stones. Barry and Alison toasted their family and friends with great music, terrific food, and plenty of love. Here’s to many years of happiness.

VENDORS

Cake/Catering: Frungillo Caterers
Mountain Lakes, NJ

Music: Blue Soul with Herb Woodson as the vocalist

Florist: The Garden Shop
Upper Montclair, NJ

Hair & Make-up: Edgar Anthoney Aspen Hair
Montclair, NJ

Wines and Spirits: Amanti Vino
Montclair, NJ

Many moons ago, Kathleen was betrothed to Don and the two were happily in love. Due to situations out of both of their control, the wedding was called off mere weeks before it was scheduled to happen. Sadly, the two went their separate ways, moved hundreds of mile apart, and started new families. There was only one problem—the two were still very much in love.

Flash forward a handful of decades, Kathleen is single and excited to move to the next stage of her life. She joins Facebook to keep up with her friends and family, and, out of nowhere, receives an unsolicited friend request from Don. The sparks immediately fly, and within weeks the two are reacquainted, in love, and engaged. Their love is as strong as ever, and it seems as if time actually stood still after all these years.

This type of true love doesn’t come very often and I was honored to document their wedding. Kathy and Don spared no expense. She made it clear from the onset that this was to be the wedding that should have taken place  ages ago. The Birchwood Manor made a wonderful backdrop for an elegant wedding, decorated to the nines by Pink Dahlia Floral & Event Design. The ceremony was presided over by the mayor of Parsippany, and the two exchanged their own eloquent vows. “The way we were has only gotten better,” Kathy said between tears. “Waiting for each other all these years has only made it sweeter.” You just couldn’t ask for a more memorable wedding. Best of luck, Kathy and Don. Your love is inspirational. Here are some of my favorite photos.

VENDORS:

Photography: GLK Creative
Ceremony & Reception: Birchwood Manor
DJ: Ultimate DJs
Florist, Sparklers, Candy Bar: Pink Dahlia Floral & Event Design
Wedding Dress: Kleinfelds
Cake: Carlos Bakery

It’s always fun to go back and look at older weddings, even if they are from just a few months back. In this case, I will never forget the end of the ceremony. It was supposed to be dark already, so Michelle and Ed opted to do a first look and take all the family portraits before the wedding. As I walked out into the church parking lot, I saw the sun just starting to set and the light was absolutely brilliant. I immediately grabbed the couple and an off-camera flash and proceeded to make a handful of epic portraits of the newlyweds as the sun set in the distance. In no way could you tell that the we were in an ugly parking lot, surrounded by cars. What we created was an image of two people that truly love each other and the only thing watching them was the sun.

As an aside, anyone looking for incredible, custom invitations should check out Michelle’s work at Shelly’s Touch Boutique. Her attention to detail is phenomenal and I couldn’t recommend more highly.

Click here to see the featured article on Wedding • Paper Divas

Click here to see more photographs from the wedding

Steve and Britt are perfect together. She’s the planner, the organizer, the creative type—the type of person that makes an awesome friend and who you know has your back no matter what stupid situation you get into. Steve is the epitome of the proper gentleman. He’s soft spoken, smart as hell, and never seems to get upset about anything. While Britt is running through a litany of portrait ideas and concepts, he sits back, smiles and is open to anything. The way the two work together is just amazing, and the love they have for each other is inspiring.

Needless to say, it was an absolute joy to document her marriage to Stephen at the lovely St. Louis Roman Catholic Church with a reception held at the historic Mansion on Delaware Ave in downtown Buffalo, NY. Both Steve and Brittany were absolutely devoid of stress before the wedding and she looked stunning in her San Patrick gown with matching Bagley Mishka shoes.

The trip down the alter was a tear jerker as Britt’s dad gave her away in front of a hundred friends and family members. The two sat front and center as the priest led the congregation through a traditional Catholic ceremony. The hall at St. Louis is simply spectacular, featuring a massive domed ceiling decorated with ornate stained glass and marble. You could just feel the excitement in the room. Following the ceremony, the couple exited the church through a sea of bubbles and we made our way to the Olmsted Park Rose Garden and downtown Main Street for portraits.

The wedding reception was equally fabulous. The couple split the evening into two parts with a toast-filled dinner in the upper level of the Mansion on Delaware, followed by an outstanding party downstairs. Guests tore up the dance floor as DJ Sean Eagen spun an assortment of modern and ’80s dance tunes. In the course of three hours I saw some one pull off a version of the Dougie that had me crying from laughter, and Britt joined her friends for the best rendition of Living on A Prayer I’ve ever seen featuring a bouquet as a mic.

Weddings like these are the ones that make me realize just how much I love my job. Britt and Steve, I wish you many years of happiness.

VENDORS

Photography: GLK Creative
Ceremony: St. Louis Catholic Church
Reception: Mansion on Delaware Ave.
DJ: Sean Eagen with Signature Entertainment
Florist: The Trillium’s Courtyard Florist
Videographer: David LaNasa with Phenomenon Events & Production
Hair: Lauren Miller, Mode Image Salon, Lewiston, N.Y.
Makeup: The Makeup Parlour – Stephanie Signorelli
Gown: San Patrick
Shoes: Bagley Mishka
Cake: Dessert Deli

Rain threatened to fall the day of the wedding. Rather than spend time worrying about the weather, the bridal party worked overtime to help me create as many portraits as possible during the short window of clear skies. Kate didn’t bat at eye at treading over damp grass in her heels, and was the first to suggest we hike up a hill to take some stunning portraits under a massive tree. The first look is one of my favorite parts of the wedding and this time we decided to do it outdoors behind the winery. Dan looked into the distance as Kate snuck up behind him and hugged him with a huge smile on her face. His eyes lit up when he saw her and the love between the two vanquished any sadness stirred by the gloomy weather.

The ceremony was moved indoors to avoid the rain. The winery served as a lovely, rustic backdrop for a picture-perfect wedding. Kate and Dan read their own vows, smiling the whole time (with the exception of a stray tear). Family and friends huddled into the main hall to watch the two share a cup of wine and embrace for their first kiss. The scene was simply magical. The reception was a giant party courtesy of Elite Rhythms. These guys truly brought the entertainment with live instrumentalists and a singer that had no fear leading the entire dance floor in a Journey singalong. What more could you ask for?

A big thank you to Alexander Meseguer for second shooting for me and keeping us company on the long ride.

VENDORS

DJ/Musicians: Elite Rhythms Entertainment (Tami & Arial)
www.eliterhythms.com
Fair Lawn, NJ

Ceremony/Reception Hall: West Park Winery
www.westparkwinery.com
West Park, NY

Professional Videographer: Nick Benedetto
www.njreelproductions.com
Midland Park, NJ

Florist: Monica Chimes Floral
www.monicachimesfloral.com
West Harrison, NY

Hair/Make-up: Beauty Collective
www.BeautyCollectiveinc.com
Brooklyn, NY

Officiant/Certified Celebrant: Gerald Fierst
www.geraldfierst.com
Montclair, NJ

The ceremony decorations had already been set up on the beach when the storm rolled in. Stark white chairs stood on the beach behind the shore house, peppered between lovely white tiki torches, and a beautiful scarfed alter stood before a wild Jersey ocean.

I whipped out my iPhone and started checking the live storm updates on my weather app and noticed that the storm was expected to pass in a few hours. I asked the couple to hold off on plan b (the living room) for as long as possible. They both agreed.

Krista was sequestered in her room dressed in a stunning white gown. She laughed as her bridesmaids joked about makeup applications, and shed a few happy tears as her mother touched up her jewelry. But never once did she get upset about the weather or show any anxiety. She was the perfect bride.

Downstairs, Chris and the rest of the guests watched as the sky turned from black, to grey, to white. When I couldn’t see any more drops I ran out and saw that there was only a mist in the air. “Let’s do this,” we all agreed.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The couple shared their heartwarming vows before engaging in a traditional unity sand ceremony. The wind kicked up, but the storm never came back as Krista and Chris walked down the beach hand in hand as man and wife.

The reception was set for the next day at Symphony Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania. We got there early to create some fun portraits in the historic theater before the couple made their grand entrance before their guests and family. Krista and Chris had a choreographed dance off between the groomsmen and bridesmaids that was off the charts hilarious, followed by a traditional first dance. The rest of the party was a whirlwind of festivities as guests danced, drank, and partied the evening away. The storm from the previous day was a fading memory, and the only thing on everyones’ mind was celebrating Krista and Chris.

VENDORS

Photographer: GLK Creative
Ceremony Site: Jersey Dunes
Reception Hall: Allentown Symphony Hall
Videographer: Abominable Productions
DJ: Rob Reilly
Catering: Culinary Experts (610) 820-0800
Hair/Make-up: ULTA Beauty Salon