Elaina & Matt Married | Long Island Wedding, Part 1
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
I’m so excited that Brides Magazine featured me in their “favorite seasonal venue” editorial in the latest issue. They asked my favorite place to shoot in the summer and I had to tell them about the incredibly beautiful Blue Hill Farms. It’s a lush farm with chickens and animals – beautiful daylight and lush greens all around. The photo is from Adam and Dale’s wedding there three years ago.
There is nothing like being swept up in love on a windswept beach. Southampton’s charm and unspoiled beaches were the perfect drop backdrop for Katherine and Michael’s wedding. Everyone holds certain places, for beauty and sentiment, close to their heart. As Michael related when he was planning his proposal there, the beach in Southampton was Kate’s favorite place in world. Now after having married her love there as well, it is without doubt, a place even more endeared to her heart.
The Preparation was really lovely to photograph. Michael surprised Kate with a beautiful bracelet as a gift, and you can read Kate’s very modern text message appreciation. I really liked the shot of Kate holding the string of pearls. Besides the aesthetics of composition, with the pearls mirroring the pearl-like ornaments of the dress, it is a perfect example of a photo that to me conveys the ideals of wedding photography – both beauty and meaning. The fact that these were, along with the stunning ring, a precious family heirloom is reflected in the delicacy with which Kate holds the strand and begins to draw it to her neckline.
Michael and Kate met on a fun filled night of heavy party during the 12 Bars of Christmas in 2007. And for a couple that knew how to party on the night they met, they also knew how to celebrate the day they married. As a photographer, I was very happy when the room and dance floor filled with energy, especially when Michael and his friend got into a breakdancing dance-off.
Michael and Kate’s full story in their own word can be read here.
Reception: 230 Elm
Hair & Makeup: Kevin Maple Salon, Southampton
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Dress: Christos
Suits: Michael Kors
Ties: Vineyard Vines
Flowers: Topiaire Flower Shop, Southampton
Cake: Peconic Bakery, Riverhead
Cupcakes: Baked by Melissa and Sugar Sweet Sunshine, NYC
DJ: Rob Kelly
Caterer: Tim Burke Productions, Southampton
Limo: M&V Limousine, Commack
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Vendor List:
Dress: Lena by La Sposa, Provinas NYC
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Purse: Via Bella
Bridesmaids Flower Hair Pins: YJ Designs
Bride’s Handkerchief, Groom’s Pocket Square, Dress + Tux Label: My Mother Mary
Tuxedo: Trussini, Boyd’s
Cuff Links: Anne Holman
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Ceremony: Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church
Reception: The Royalton at Roslyn Country Club
Hotel: The Inn at Great Neck
Wedding Cake: April Reed Cakes
Videographer: I Do Films
Wedding Band: Marty Hroncich, Ecstasy Entertainment
Trolley: North Fork Trolley
Limousine: Royalty Limo
Bridal Hair: Nubest Salon
Makeup for Bride, Maid of Honor, Mother of Bride: Anni Bruno, NYC Faces
Swarovski Peal and Crystal Bracelet: Jurgita Handmade
Bride’s Ring: Barsky Diamonds
Bridesmaids Dresses: Silk Chiffon Collection, J. Crew
Groomsmen Tuxedos: Calvin Klein
Letterpress Invitations: Plume by Two Paper Dolls
Ceremony Programs and Menu Cards: Lisa Samartino
Save the Dates: Stefanie Donadic, Printed by Thomas-Printers
I was so happy to receive this wonderful feedback from Jen & Mark:
“Shira, you are so talented – all your photos are so beautiful and so perfect! We can’t thank you enough for making our wedding day so memorable – you made us so comfortable and truly captured the fun and happiness everyone felt that day. – Thank you again sooooo much – you are incredibly talented and I can’t wait to recommend you to everyone I know! The photos are soooo beautiful. You are the best and truly captured the fun and happiness of our wedding day.”
by admin