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Capturing the Bride

Memorable shots of the bride can run from the more traditional photo of the bride looking directly into the camera, to one of her looking off in contemplation, to those expressing the emotions of joy, laughter, love. How the photographer creates that moment depends as much on the photographer’s style as that of their subject – the bride. Here are just a few of our fav StrictlyWeddings.com “just the bride” photos.

Carasco Photography – Chicago

Fred Marcus Photography – New York

Thisbe Grace Photography – Dallas

Fred Marcus Photography – New York

Gruber Photographers – New York

Jennifer Lindberg Weddings – Dallas and Austin

Courtesy of The Adolphus Hotel – Dallas

Jai Girard Photography – Chicago

New York Weddings – Lindsey & Tyler

Sometimes, the most important decisions are the easiest to make. “I realized very early on that this was the girl I was going to marry, probably a month or two after we started dating,” confides Tyler Rhoten of his bride, Lindsey Magness.

“We wanted to have an iconic New York wedding, which showed our out-of-town friends and family the best of the city we love and call home. Our locations were a big part of achieving that,” says the couple. StrictlyWeddings.com NYC partner, Gruber Photographers, shared this iconic wedding with us and it’s sure to become one of your favorites!

The sizeable bridal party – eight maids in all – wore floor-grazing charcoal gowns and held vibrant bouquets in brilliant hues of purple and blue. A vision in a tumble of ruffled fabric that fell in origami-like layers, Lindsey floated down the candle-lit aisle, her mother and stepfather by her side. One magical moment: Just as Tyler and Lindsey kissed after being pronounced man and wife, a gospel choir burst into song, setting the mood for the remainder of the night with their rendition of “Oh, Happy Day,” which set the mood for the remainder of the night.

For the reception, guests made their way to the New York Public Library for a night to remember. Tyler and Lindsey shared a ride in a classic car, which was fitting for their timeless, New York theme. “My advice to any bride and groom is to set aside some alone time, even just five minutes, between the ceremony and reception,” advises Lindsey. “It was so nice to take a moment to appreciate that we were officially married before starting the celebration.”

The bride’s favorite color palette of black and white, accented with shades of purple, set the backdrop for the elegant affair. Table cards cleverly fashioned to resemble catalog cards guided guests to their sage-toned seats. Long rectangular tables filled the immense room, each topped with gleaming silver candelabras and flowering branches of purple blossoms that reached toward the vaulted ceiling. Contrasting short, clean arrangements of white orchids, tea roses, lavender, purple iris, and calla lilies added texture. Candles of all shapes and sizes played up the romance, illuminating the hallowed halls. No two tables were identical, a visual feast for the eyes. Violet lighting cast a romantic glow during the dinner and dancing.

For guests that were less footloose and fancy-free, small lounge areas were provided to sit and enjoy so they wouldn’t feel left out of the action. Combining influences from the couple’s favorite Mexican and Italian cuisines, guests feasted on a first course of penne with tomato and hot peppers, lasagna Bolognese, and spinach tagliotini with ham and peas. A light salad followed. The main course included a choice of Dover sole or rolled chicken, both accompanied with sides of tomato and roasted-pepper flan, asparagus, and potato duchesses. A towering five-tiered buttercream cake was adorned with beautiful bouquets of sugar flowers, ranging from the palest lavender to the deepest plum. The ice cream-loving couple surprised their loved ones with a gelato cart serving hand-dipped cones. “It was definitely a hit with our guests!” says Lindsey. In lieu of traditional favors, a donation was made in honor of attendees to two local organizations. However, another tantalizing delicacy served as a sweet reminder of the night. Guests were encouraged to fill a to-go bag with fresh bomboloni (Italian filled donuts).

Bride & Groom: Lyndsey Magness & Tyler Rhoten
Photographers: Gruber Photographers
Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Veil: Mark Ingram Bridal
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Reception: New York Public Library
Ceremony: Saint Bartholomew’s Church
Cake: Sylvia Weinstock Cakes

Copy: Inside Weddings

New Featured Wedding features an Iconic New York

Our newest StrictlyWeddings.com featured wedding will definitely have you studying for ideas. The black and white with purple are beautifully incorporated into the details. Who doesn’t love a wedding with such a regal dog as part of the wedding party (below)! Add don’t miss the cake creation by Sylvia Weinstock. Many thanks to Gruber Photographers for sharing. Cheers!

Our Bride & Groom Photographs Capture the Moments

We just love how this post came together. We’ve captured poses from our Featured Wedding bride and groom showing love, joy, drama, playfulness … all the wonderful, exciting emotions that can be experienced during the wedding day.

We are so grateful for the amazing talents of our StrictlyWeddings.com photographers who made these moments possible – Carasco Photography, Brian Dorsey, Phil Farber, Jai Girard, Thisbe Grace, Gruber Photographers, Scott Hagar, Jennifer Lindberg, Andy Marcus.

Wander through our Featured Weddings

We regularly give you such wonderful featured weddings that highlight the talents of our StrictlyWeddings.com partners, but sometimes we think they may get hidden and you could miss them – we don’t want that. They are amazing photographs that tell the story of the bride from getting ready, to walking down the aisle to the creative “thematic” details to the reception where the party begins.

Our latest Featured Wedding is from Chicago’s Jai Girard. We have another incredible wedding from New York’s Gruber Photographers that will follow. So take 15-20-30 minutes and wander through the fabulous world of luxury weddings from StrictlyWeddings.com.

Photo by Jai Girard

Photo by Gruber Photographers … looking forward to our next featured wedding!

New York City Secret Proposal in Central Park

Gruber Photographers wanted to end our week with a smile. This secret proposal in New York City’s Central Park, captured by Maike Schulz, says it all. Enjoy their story!

Prospective groom Alejandro may have pulled off one of the biggest New York surprise proposals that we have seen in awhile – his girlfriend didn’t even know he was in the same state!  Here’s how it went down …

Alejandro and Marie, who are from Houston, had planned a fun weekend in New York City visiting relatives.  The plan was for Alejandro to arrive a day later and meet Marie in the city.

Marie and Alejandro’s sister decided to take a walk in Central Park (how she got her to take a walk in the rain is genius!) and when they arrived at Bow Bridge, Alejandro was waiting.

The wonderful Maike Schulz who braved the elements as well, was hiding out prepared to capture the monumental moment.

And as soon as Marie accepted his proposal, the rain stopped.  It doesn’t get more fairytale than that.  Wishing them a bright future!

Love Actually – Abby and Marty

This lovely bride and groom, so very in love, is courtesy of our StrictlyWeddings.com New York City partner Gruber Photographers. After choosing the magical Angel Orensanz as their New York wedding venue, Abby and Marty, with the help of Chlo Events + Production, began creating a night that truly reflected their personalities, style and love for one another. The couple wanted romance and glamour to shine through, so the space was bathed in the glow of candlelight while the abundance of crystals lent an additional sparkle. Gruber’s New York wedding photographer, Maike Schulz, was there to capture every moment.

Just as the couple was about to begin the processional, Marty had a surprise for his new wife! Being that Love Actually is their favorite movie, he surprised her with a gospel choir during the processional and an acoustic guitar version of their wedding song (Jason Mraz “I’m Yours”). Cue the tears!

Abby and Marty are such a social couple, for their reception they decided upon a chic cocktail reception event complete with various lounge areas that allowed the drinks and dancing to flow all night!

New York’s The Pierre Perfect Setting for this Featured Wedding

StrictlyWeddings.com New York City partner, Gruber Photographers, shared this beautiful wedding with us that was held at The Pierre. The bride and groom, Chloe and Alex, met in early 2003 at Dim Sum Go-Go in Chinatown, and thus began dating six years later, ending the longest flirtation on record! Good friends through many days, it was clear marriage was their next destination. The proposal came when on a trip to Beijing. Alex cornered Chloe in remote China atop the Great Wall. Out of breath with nowhere to go, she readily agreed. Later he made up for it with champagne cocktails in the hotel in Beijing.

The wedding ceremony was held at New York’s landmark The Pierre Hotel in the Cotillion room where the famous tango scene in the movie ‘Scent of a Woman’ was filmed. The reception was also at The Pierre.

Wedding Vendors
Place: The Pierre Hotel
Photographer : Gruber Photographers
Videographer : Robert Allen
Flower & Design : David Beam
Hair : Hiro at Eva Scrivo
Make up : Eunjung Kim
Rings: Tiffany
Tuxedo: Tom Ford
Ceremony Dress: Vera Wang
Reception Dress: Valentino
Wedding Shoes: Fendi
Bridesmaid dress: Priscilla Boston
Bride’s Cake for wedding: Sylvia Weinstock
Groom’s cake for rehearsal dinner: Colette’s cakes

Wedding Proposals: Photographers Capture the Moment

In today’s world where everything is discussed, texted, posted, etc., it’s a challenge to surprise your perspective bride. Add a photographer (maybe incognito) in the mix to capture your “secret wedding proposal” and, if you pull it off, you are “king” in our books!

The photos below are “secret proposals” captured by StrictlyWeddings.com New York City partner, Gruber Photographers. Location Central Park, Gruber  clearly captures the surprise, joy, love and excitement that each of these couples exhibit.

Let’s be honest, this post is really for the groom, so leave a print out of it in a place he can see, post it to your facebook, tell your best friend about it (or his). You’ll find all of our StrictlyWeddings.com photographers more than capable of producing something that will capture this special moment for the rest of your life together. (more…)

European Country Charm Shines At This New York Wedding Venue

We received this fab wedding from our New York StrictlyWeddings.com partner Gruber Photographers that showcased this very cool venue in the heart of New York City - 632onHudson. Originally built in 1847 as a townhouse for the family of a sashmaker, 632 Hudson Street was converted to a general store and produce market late in the 19th century by Hugh King, whose name appears on the pediment. Purchased by the Esteve family in the 1930’s, the building became home to an import export business and chorizo sausage factory, which it remained until 1992. In that year the present owner acquired the building, restoring and renovating it with a grand theatrical gesture that spans both space and time, and leading to its present incarnation as 632onHudson – a premier space for receptions and events in New York’s far West Village.

The wedding was inspired.  With details that spoke from the heart, right down to her bouquet separating into three smaller bouquets—one piece for his mother and one for hers as a thank you for bringing them to that moment in their lives. The presentation was made during the ceremony. Her dress was a light-as-air silk chiffon Reem Acra evening gown. (more…)