A Flushing Meadows Corona Park Wedding
So photographed Melanie and Jalani’s maternity shoot today, but I wanted to first introduce them to you with photos from their Flushing Meadows Corona Park wedding. This couple are Queens natives, and proud of it. Their ceremony was held in the shade of the Unisphere, followed by a reception at Rainhas Churrascaria. As a resident of Queens myself (team Kew Gardens!), I was proud to photograph these two.
A Flushing Meadows Corona Park Wedding:
How They Met
Melanie and Jalani’s love story goes all the way back to high school: ‘We met my freshman year of high school because Jalani lived next door to my best friend Thea. Her younger brother set us up when we both asked him about each other. We dated (made googly eyes at each other and walked around the neighborhood holding hands) for about three months before calling it quits. After over ten years of casual run-ins, in 2010 we decided to hang out and be friends, neither of us looking for a relationship. But then ‘just friends’ wasn’t enough so we tried dating. We’ve been partners in crime ever since.’
A Flushing Meadows Corona Park Wedding:
The Ceremony
Their ceremony was a bit unique, in that it was under wraps right up until the day of the wedding. As Melanie puts it, ‘Our semi-elopement has been a fun secret to keep between us and our loved ones and has been mostly absent of all the typical stress that comes with wedding planning. Keeping it between “us” and as low-key and hassle-free as possible is a testament of how we want to spend the rest of our lives together.’ One other unique characteristic is that the couple did a ‘ring warming’ ritual, whereby the rings are passed from guest to guest so that each friend and family member can impart a personal wish or blessing upon the couple through the rings. Oh, and who can not notice the bride’s choice of an elegant jumpsuit by Trina Turk over a traditional gown?
A Flushing Meadows Corona Park Wedding:
The Reception
For the reception, it was all meat, all day at Rainhas Churrascaria. The couple celebrated with friends and family, and enjoyed such delicacies as grilled pineapple on a skewer.
Enjoy the pics, and I’ll have more tomorrow from Melanie and Jalani’s maternity shoot.
Vendors
Ceremony venue: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Reception venue: Rainhas Churrascaria
Bride’s jumpsuit: Trina Turk
Bride’s Shoes: Sam Edelman
Bride’s Hair: Studio MoHair
Bride’s Make Up: Natasha Brown
Groom’s Blazer: Ralph Lauren
Groom’s Pants: Kenneth Cole
Custom rings: Tinken Jewelry (via Etsy)
Florist: Seasons A Floral Design Studio
Car Service: VIP Limo Services
If you would like to view other images from my wedding photojournalism portfolio, then please visit my website — KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com
