Elaina and Matt met when they were 17, at an age when love is its purest and sweetest. Remarkably, and as a testament to the strength of their bond, their loved endured the next seven years (and beyond). For that is a period often filled with the stress of change, of going through college and starting careers. Yet, rather than being torn apart, they were instead each other’s anchors. It is not everyday that I get to photograph a couple that are in essence high school sweethearts.
A number of my couples want a theme based backdrop for their portraits, and when I leave the immediate environs of Manhattan with so many distinct settings, I am always searching for something that hints at the iconic. And what could be more iconic than a colorful old-fashioned American diner? Everyone loves hip nostalgia and it immediately gets everyone away from the pressure of the wedding schedule into a fun easygoing mood. And let’s not lose sight of the symbolism, especially for a couple that met when they were teenagers- marriage should be about Sunday, Monday, Happy Days … :)
Here in Elaina’s words is the story of how they met and their proposal:
Story:
Matt and I met a little over 7 years ago at a concert. We both attended with mutual friends who introduced us to each other. Right away we hit it off and could not wait to see each other again and within a few months we began dating. Since we met when we were only 17, it is easy to say that we have pretty much grown up together. We went through college and the early years of the working world side by side. With Matt’s running career being very important distance and time apart was always a challenge. However that only made the time that we could see each other even more special.
Proposal:
Matt and I try our best to take at least one vacation a year and 2009 was no exception. After a long and grueling tax season we decided to take a trip to Key West Florida. It was there that Matt proposed to me in Mallory Square at Sunset. He was so excited and nervous that he did it the first night we were there. It was wonderful because we had the entire week to celebrate and enjoy each other before heading home to the madness of family and planning!
Ceremony: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Bay Shore
Reception: The Larkfield Manor, East Northport
Dress: Enzoani
Shoes: Colorful Creations
Suits: Oscar De La Renta
Flowers: Flower Michele, Carle Place
Cake: Black Forest, Lindenhurst
DJ: Tommy’s Tunes
Limo: Cruise Control Limousine
Bridal Hair: Cactus Salon, East Islip
Bridesmaids Dresses: Alvina Valenta
by admin