As a NYC Photographer, one of the things I love most about NYC elopements is that they come with few rules. You can do a quick ceremony at City Hall, wander around the city, take the subway with your friends, and end with a party at your favorite restaurant with your favorite people. That’s exactly what Katie and Chris did. Their NYC wedding was actually broken up into two days, with two very different experiences. Day one included City Hall, and day two included a large dinner party at Don Angie with their closest family and friends. They knew what mattered most to them, and they built their wedding celebration around it, and the result was a wedding that felt incredibly special.
Day One: A Small City Hall Ceremony
Katie and Chris’s wedding day started out intentionally small. It was just the two of them and Katie’s twin sister and her husband. Instantly, I knew the photos were going to be beautiful because you could feel how much love was in the room, not only between Katie and Chris, but also between the two sisters and the two couples. It was such a special moment and set the stage for an amazing afternoon.
For the ceremony, Katie wore a stunning tailored coat from The Frankie Shop. It was tailored more like a dress and fit her like a glove. It was such a great example of how you can have fun with your NYC elopement outfit without feeling like you have to follow any traditional “rules.”
The ceremony was quick and private, exactly what they wanted. As soon as Katie and Chris were officially pronounced husband and wife, they stepped out of the City Hall doors and were greeted with loving hugs from Katie’s parents. I love capturing these special moments between family members. The wedding day is often a blur, and there is something so special about looking back and noticing all the tiny, in-between moments, like stolen smiles, hugs, and reactions you might not even notice happening around you.
After the ceremony, we went to take photos around the city. Usually, I take the subway with the couple alone for photos. However, the whole group came with us this time. Partly for fun, but also because it was the quickest way to get back to the hotel. Either way, having everyone along for the ride made the whole experience feel like a true subway adventure.
Day Two: Dinner Party At Don Angie
The day after their ceremony, we spent five hours together capturing all the highlights from their dinner party. They rented out Don Angie, an Italian restaurant in the city. The restaurant feels warm and intimate, and it reminds them of their own kitchen back in L.A. When a location feels meaningful to the couple, you can feel it, and that was definitely the case here. It felt less like a traditional wedding reception and more like a place where everyone could gather for a great night together.
Katie wore an oversized silk button-down with an embroidered skirt overlay from Lein. It was so much fun to photograph her sparkly skirt as she moved around the room greeting her guests.
Prioritizing the things that matter most
One of the things that Katie and Chris prioritized most for their wedding day was good food! And Don Angie truly delivered. They have a Michelin Star, so we knew the food would be incredible, and it was! Dinner was served family style, and delicious plates lined the table all night. We, of course, got the perfect shot of the cheese pull from the famous lasagna pinwheels. It turned out to be exactly the dinner party they envisioned. Everyone gathered around the table enjoying delicious food, talking, and laughing all night.
Afterward, Dinner was followed by some of the most moving speeches and toasts I have ever heard. I loved capturing each of the little reactions as their family and friends shared some of their favorite memories and stories about the couple. Getting to see the couple through the eyes of those who know them best is always so much fun to photograph.
Toward the end of the night, everyone spent time mixing and mingling, which was what Katie and Chris wanted. They wanted a celebration that felt more like a big rehearsal dinner party rather than just another traditional wedding. The night was absolutely perfect. I am so happy for Katie and Chris to have photographs to remember the night for years to come.
Photographing A Day That Feels Uniquely You
This was one of those weddings that reminds you to focus on what matters most to you. Katie and Chris focused on all of the best parts of a wedding – amazing food, getting to enjoy time with friends and family, meaningful toasts, great fashion, and none of the stress of a huge traditional wedding. They created a day that truly felt like them, and at the end of the day, that is what they will remember the most.
If you are dreaming up a wedding day that is unique, and maybe even out of the box, get in touch. Helping you plan and capture a day that feels uniquely you is what I do best!
Vendors:
Photographer: Sylvie Rosokoff
Reception Venue: Don Angie
Ceremony Location: New York City Marriage Bureau
Content Creator: Austin Wyatt
Ceremony dress: The Frankie Shop
Reception dress: LEIN
Hair stylist: Gabrielle Kim
Makeup artist: Olivia Garvin
Flowers: The Urban Florist
Paper Goods: Anne Robin Calligraphy + Design
Hotel: The Ned NoMad