When I first met with Kayla and Anca, I was incredibly lucky because about twenty minutes into the meeting they said “oh, by the way, we’re obviously booking with you.” From then on we just got to drink on a Williamsburg rooftop and really get to know each other after that, so these lovely ladies felt more like friends than clients. The more I learned about them, the more we shared – from being queer feminists to working for social justice and even having ties to Southern Florida, I felt like we were made to work together. Needless to say I had been counting down the days to their love party at Hudson Valley Weddings at The Hill with anticipation and excitement.
When I really connect with a couple, I feel a heightened pressure to capture their personalities and individual love story. And I don’t think I am tooting my own horn to say these shots from their Hudson Valley wedding feel intimate, personal and maybe a little goofy. I am so grateful that I rarely had to provide any direction, and just got to sit back and click my shutter (and maybe cry a bit). Kayla and Anca naturally wrap each other in their arms like pretzels and laugh like childhood best friends. Their friends and family are even sweeter and kicked ass on the dance floor. I was in awe of their day. From an emotional first look to the breeziest family portraits of my career, there were happy tears at the ceremony and then awesome dance moves all night. Then we capped it off with a bon fire, smores and campfire singing. Can you ask for anything better? Cause I can’t. Seriously just check it out:
Kayla and Anca’s first look is among my favorite ever.
I ask all of my couples for a shot list. It usually comprises of lists of family members and maybe details that had a lot of planning go into them. Kayla and Anca’s said “AT LEAST ONE SHOT WITH A FREAKIN HORSE.”
Can you think of a more dapper, gorgeous or strong pairing of brides? Because I can’t.
We got briefly lost trying to find the way to a dock on the grounds of Hudson Valley Weddings at The Hill, but I’m not mad at where we ended up.
The bane of my existence as a wedding photographer is family formals. These two had the most generous and happy families who were so excited to support their marriage, that I just got to point and click while they all snuggled.
Can we talk about how effortlessly cool this wedding party is? I want them all to be my best friend.
Kayla and Anca chose an untraditional way to be given away and walked down the aisle. While their family members escorted them and handed them off, they doubled up their relatives and did so at the back of the aisle so they could all hug, get in a happy cry, and then process down the aisle. I am a huge fan, and everyone should do this. Just sayin, these guys were wedding planning geniuses.
I AM SUCH A SUCKER FOR PEOPLE CRYING AS THEY COME DOWN THE AISLE.
When you smile this much during your vows, you’re going to have the happiest wedding imaginable.
I love this barn wedding’s casual chic vibe with all the bistro lighting, potted plants and mismatched plates. It also just screams Hudson Valley Wedding, amirite?
Although Anca is a trained ballerina, I have to say Kayla brought way more swag to the dance floor.
I am a slut for smores, so ending a campfire with a wedding is my dream. These guys also busted out an acoustic guitar, and all sang the night away. Even though I’d just shot for 10 hours, I really never wanted to go home.
VENUE: Hudson Valley Weddings at The Hill
PLANNER: A Charmed Affair
FLORALS: Flower Blossom Farms
MUSIC: DJ One Flight
CATERING: Hudson Valley BBQ Co
PHOTOBOOTH: BTTR Booths
