I find so much joy in capturing weddings of all sizes, but Manhattan's City Hall has a special place in my heart.
It is as iconic a New York experience as you can get. In a city where things move fast, getting married at City Hall can feel like a dream sequence. It is a day to simply exist. Without stress or timelines, couples can find themselves led by the process, fully basking in the glow of their day and letting their love and the love of their friends and all the other happy couples wash over them. Nowhere was that more evident on B&Y's magical summer wedding day this past June.
B&Y are amazing - so full of life, warmth, empathy and kindness. I was immediately struck by their inquiry and later the questionnaire they filled out for me about their desires for their shoot. Wanting their wedding to represent 'an everlasting love, a dream come true, commitment, abundance, joy, celebration, care, affection, subtle glances, kisses, and smiles', we planned to take photos of their entire City Hall experience, followed by a fun exit with confetti poppers and portraits nearby.
Outside City Hall, surrounded by their closest friends and dressed to the nines, a mix of suit-clad New Yorkers and low key tourists paused to congratulate them. Inside, the energy was palpable. B&Y remained unfazed as the City Hall staff went about their work days, instead focused totally on each other and reveling in the joy of signing their paperwork and waiting for their officiant to call them in for their ceremony.
After their ceremony and grand exit, we wandered to some of the most iconic New York City locations in walking distance of City Hall. The marble of the Supreme Court steps, the bright yellow of the taxis and lush summer greens at City Hall park provided an amazing backdrop for this stunning couple. Finally, they rang in their wedding to each other with a champagne pop in the park and, in typical New York fashion, everyone cheered.
Among all of these things though was the feeling of pure love that B&Y had for each other and the excitement they had over committing to their soulmate. When I'd asked them in their questionnaire what they loved about each other they both enthusiastically said 'EVERYTHING!!' and with just a quick glance through these photos, you can tell that it is fully the truth.
Congrats you two! I am so beyond thrilled for you!!
