Michelle and Justin were married at Congregation Shaare Zion. Michelle lives very close to me in the City, and the preparation took place at her apartment.
Her best friends were with her and everyone and everything bristled with excitement. It is always inspiring when I feel that energy in the air – which continued throughout the day until the very end of the dancing. Michelle and Justin kept saying to me “Wait until you see our friends. The party is going to be so much fun. Our friends are crazy!” And it was a crazy party indeed with great candid moments to show for it.
While I do my best to keep things fresh and treat every wedding as a unique one, there is still inevitably a timed structure to the day. It was quite refreshing that this wedding felt very relaxed and broke from my usual routine. Michelle and Justin married on a Saturday, but out of respect for Justin’s family, the Ceremony could not take place until after Shabbat (The end of the day on Saturday.) This afforded me the chance to really enjoy a relaxed portrait session around the Meatpacking district without the usual time pressures. There was even enough time that Michelle and Justin suggested shooting at the irresistible Pastis with all its French bistro charm. It must admit it felt a bit surreal to be invited along with my second shooter to sit with them, drink coffee and have a nibble. Not that I mind socializing with my couples, but it is certainly not something I am accustomed to in the middle of a wedding day when every minute usually counts. In retrospect, I think it says something about a couple’s relationship when they know amidst the often hectic pace of everyday life, let lone their wedding day, that they can permit themselves some time to still enjoy life. The strongest bonds of marriage are often forged, as much by commitment and support, as by conversation and dessert.
This is the story of how they met in Michelle’s words:
“I met this handsome man at a Cinco de Mayo apartment party in 2006. It was my cousins boyfriend’s party and I didnt know anyone except my cousin. I went because I had no other plans and was always interested in meeting a nice Jewish boy. In particular, my cousin thought this guy Mike would like me. I went and the party was great. I looked over at Mike- he was a short guy, not quite right for my 5’9 stature. Then walked in Justin- a very tall, very good looking guy with hair like Fabio. I immediately asked my cousin “Who’s the guy with the hair?” And minutes later I found myself taking Patron shots with him (and to this day debate who walked over to who first). I remember him taking me into one of the bedrooms and watching a weird music channel on TV, despite the live DJ in the next room- weird.
Two days later he called and I invited him to come over to my apartment. He came over and helped me fold laundry (plus 1).
He asked me to go out on Friday night and took me to his favorite local sushi spot, Mizu. The place was hopping and we were waiting a long time for a table. I told him it didnt matter where we ate, and convinced him to go to the empty shabby sushi place across the street. When the food arrived he began to say a blessing, ‘Baruch atah adonai, please dont let me die. Amen’ That was the moment I knew that this guy was mine.”
Vendor List-
Dress: Ulla Maija Anna Maier from Saks
Hairpiece: Kleinfeld trunk show
Earrings: Bridal Reflections
Belt: Guy Carsone at Saks trunk show
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Venue: Shaare Zion, Brooklyn
Band: Craig Scott Entertainment
Florist: Konstantinos
Make up: Waltaya Culmer from Mario Diab Salon
by admin