When Lauren first contacted me about her wedding photography, her email just jumped out at me because she was bursting with excitement about her upcoming wedding and hopes that I could photograph it. I heart people who love me before they’ve even met me 
Lauren and Chris’s wedding was an immense pleasure to photograph. Lauren wore a pale gold Ellana Couture dress made from Doupioni silk. A simple ceremony was held at one of my favorite places – Chapel of Our Lady Restoration – a very tiny chapel from the 1800’s that perches on a rock cliff overlooking the Hudson River in Cold Spring. An intimate dinner party for family and friends followed at Hudson House Inn. And although I have used the words simple and intimate here, there was nothing simple about the fact that every little detail was put into this wedding. A handmade ring bearer pillow, accent diamonds from two grandmother’s wedding ring incorporated into Lauren’s ring, a piece of a meteorite used in Chris’s wedding ring, I could go on forever…. And the best part of this was that I had my own place card for dinner! Something that has only happened at a few weddings out of the hundreds I have worked at. Having dinner is part of every full day wedding I work at, but I’m not usually given ‘honored guest’ status too. Thanks Lauren & Chris!
Dress by Ellana Couture; Flowers by Carolyn’s Flower Shoppe in Cold Spring; Ceremony at Chapel of Our Lady Restoration; Reception at Hudson House Inn
LOVE this ring bearer pillow!
Chapel of Our Lady Restoration
Hudson Harbor House, Cold Spring
Kristina and Erik’s wedding day was one of those perfect warm August days of summer – not too hot, not too humid – the kind of wedding weather everyone hopes for! The bridal party and families gathered at one of my favorite spots at Marist College in Poughkeepsie for a quick photography session before heading to The Grandview for a sun kissed ceremony on the patio by Judge Robert Freehold. Erik’s dad was his best man and brought everyone to tears during his touching toast to his son and new daughter in law. Vinny from Jimmy Dee Entertainment kept the Kristina on the dance floor for the entire night until Erik joined her for the last dance of the evening.
Dress by Casablanca; Ceremony and Reception at The Grandview, Poughkeepsie, NY; Flowers by Carmel Florist; Music by Jimmy Dee
When I first met Dara and Will, they drove up from the city during the 1st of two whopping snow storms to try and meet me. Trees had come down across my driveway and the plows couldn’t get through plus I had no electricity, heat or running water in my home studio. I met them in the Highland Diner in jeans and bundled up sweaters – not looking too great considering I couldn’t shower for two days. I LOVE Dara and Will so much because they booked me as their wedding photographer anyway! Instead of being annoyed at all the inconveniences, they looked at the trip as a great adventure. And right then I knew their wedding would be spectacular. And it was.
A hot summer evening with cool mountain breezes, parasols for all the wedding guests, a beautifully personalized wedding ceremony in the gardens at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, a great three piece trio playing music throughout the night- Dara and Will had it all.
Ceremony and Reception at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY; Hair and Makeup by Studio One Hair Design, New Paltz; Ceremony by the Reverend Puja; Dress by Kirstie Kelly; Shoes by Cole Haan; Music by Big Joe Fitz
The Pavillion at Mohonk Mountain House
So anyone who knows me knows that I am just not a cold weather person. Don’t like snow, don’t like snow shoveling, not a skier, hate icy winter roads. And if you have been to my home and know my 1/2 mile long dirt driveway in the winter ….. nuff said. So I am finally doing what I have always threatened – I am heading to Arizona before the snow flies this year! I fell in love with Tucson a few years ago – so I am going to escape the cold and work poolside this winter.
If you have already hired me as your wedding photographer, or plan to, don’t worry, I will be back in the spring and be shooting New York weddings all summer long. If you need to check out swatches for your wedding album cover or want to meet with me in person to book your wedding next summer, make an appointment now! If you would like to book a wedding photographer in Tucson Arizona this winter, I am available!
The Sonoran Desert in Tucson at dusk
When Jennie first emailed my about photographing her wedding, her and Eric were living in Paris and planning everything from overseas. The next time I chatted with her, they were living in Qatar – and here I am thinking I’m far from home when I’m in Florida! Needless to say, and with alot of help from Gary Stone of Cornerstone Caterers and the amazing Jeanne Stark of Hudson Valley Ceremonies, their wedding day was everything they had wanted and more. A beautiful July day with an outdoor ceremony on the lawn of the Wainwright House in Rye. A wonderful evening of dancing with Metropolitan Music and then the getaway car and a sparkler send off with all their family and friends. The classic car drive away is just something that nobody seems to do anymore – I LOVED being able to get this photo at the end of the evening!
Dress by Junko Yoshioka; Shoes by Calvin Klein; Flowers by Lee Vasquez Floral Design; Catering and Event Coordination by Gary Stone and Cornerstone Caterers; Day of Event Coordinator Jeanne Start of Hudson Valley Ceremonies; Ceremony & Reception at The Wainwright House in Rye, NY; Ceremony by the Rev David James; Video by Bill Celnick of Starlight Productions – it was great working with Bill again – the video preview was amazing! ; Music by Bud Maltin and Metropolitan Music
photo by Peter Nicholson for Lori O'Toole Images
Love, Love, Love Kerry’s hot pink wedding shoes! You couldn’t even see them until she lifted her dress – then POW – what a great pop of color! Kerry and Keith had a gorgeous warm 4th of July day to celebrate their wedding. Following a traditional Catholic ceremony at St Dennis Church in Beekman, an entire bus of wedding party and families headed over to Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie for photos. I can’t forget to mention, Bryce, who was one of the most awesome ring bearers ever – he was just a natural for the camera. Then on to The Grandview for a reception topped by fireworks over the Mid Hudson Bridge later that evening – a beautiful 4th of July weekend for me!
Dress by Private Label by G; Shoes by Nina; Flowers by Heavens Scent; Ceremony at St Dennis Church in Beekman, Reception at The Grandview; Music by Joseph Carbone
Breathe In, Breathe Out.... Coming down the Aisle
4th of July Fireworks over the Hudson River
All the details and soft romantic colors that Lauren worked so hard on transformed the ballroom at The Grandview from everyday already beautiful to stunningly spectacular. The soft dusky rose colors perfectly complimented pale champagne accents and white peonies. The uplighting in the ballroom highlighted all the details and brought oohh’s and ahh’s from the guests as they entered the reception. I LOVE uplighting! Lauren and Bill perfectly compliment each other – they are just plain old crazy in love with each other. A very touching ceremony on the outdoor patio at The Grandview brought tears to Bill as he choked up several times during his vows. Oh and did I mention the steel drum band that played during the cocktail hour? I am now firm believer that every wedding should have a steel drum band – they were fantastic!
Ceremony and Reception at The Grandview; Flowers by Ranita Productions; Dress by Watters & Watters; Shoes by Liz Rene Couture; Music by Next Generation
Steel Drum band
Okay, so I know this engagement photography session is really about Lauren and Mike, BUT, 4 month old Mason really does like to steal the spotlight! He is just so cute, as only a 4 month old Golden Retriever puppy can be. And so Mason is in a ton of these photos (and yes Lauren, there are plenty of photos without him too!). I had a great time photographing this fun couple (and their adorable puppy) at exactly the one year point before their July 2011 wedding. In the beginning, Mason was super curious about everything I was doing, but eventually he just became bored with the whole idea of engagement photos and went to sleep. I guess I’m just not that exciting….
I knew that Nora and RJ were a perfect match for my wedding photography from the moment I met them. RJ was rolling around on the floor with the studio dog, Riker, while Nora and I talked about photography, weddings, and everything else under the sun. Nora jumped at the idea of doing some urban city scenes – they just weren’t flowers and gardens kind of people. We had a huge amount of time for photos, which is sooo rare! Nora was one of those DIY’ers and had put so many personal touches into her wedding that it’s hard to recount them all. Logs carved with her and RJ’s names. an actual tree trunk for a wedding cake stand, rustic hand made – hand tied church programs, a handmade guest book, birds nests, the list just goes on. Nora and RJ’s wedding had a rustic country theme that came through in every part of the day. I also had the pleasure of working with some of my fav people to work with! The fabulous videographer and friend, Jen Cassaro and Stephanie and Jeff of The DJ Solution – a win win day for me!
Flowers by Genesis Florist of Stone Ridge; Ceremony at St Joesph’s Church, New Paltz; Videography by Jen Cassaro of Masterpiece Weddings; Reception at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel; Music by Stephanie & Jeff of The DJ Solution
The cake topper was made from Nora's mother's wedding dress
Photographing Rebecca and Kevin’s engagement session was such a pleasure! Rebecca’s Maid of Honor, Michelle, bought them the session as an engagement gift – such a great idea! It was one of those hot steamy summer days we’ve been having alot of lately and taking these guys on a hike around the grounds at the Vanderbilt Estate definitely gave them a workout. Our 1st date had a rain-out, but this day was absolutely gorgeous. It was also a perfect opportunity to get to know Rebecca and Kevin better – I can’t wait for their wedding next May!
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