In this week’s blog post, I have a thoroughly entertaining Briarcliff Manor wedding to share with you. The wedding includes two separate ceremonies, an expertly choreographed first dance, and even a surprise serenade. So, get your popcorn ready and let’s walk down the aisle (twice!) with Carly and Declan.
Meet Carly and Declan
I would be remiss if I didn’t begin this post by introducing the bride and groom. Carly and Declan met the old-fashioned way – through an online dating site. But unlike most online daters, they had their first date less than 24 hours after matching. The couple spent their first official date in Central Park on July 4, 2016. Fireworks definitely went off for the couple, and Declan asked Carly to marry him five years later.
And this is where I enter the picture. I had the pleasure of photographing Declan’s proposal to Carly on Governors Island in 2021. It was an epic moment atop Outlook Hill, and the photos turned out beautiful. You can read all about their proposal (and get all the details of how to propose on Governors Island) here.
The First Ceremony
So that brings us to their wedding day. The festivities actually began with a private ceremony at Saint Paul the Apostle Church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Here Carly and Declan said their vows in front of only family. It was a wonderfully meaningful service officiated by the priest who served at Declan’s childhood church in California.
After the ceremony, we walked to Lincoln Plaza to take photos in front of the venue. While it is virtually impossible to take photos inside Lincoln Plaza without a very expensive photo permit, the sidewalk in front of the space is fair game. There is also a small park just across the street that offers a little triangle of greenery. By getting close to the couple and using a shallow depth of field, I was able to keep the visual distractions to a minimum.
Carly is a Broadway-trained dancer, singer, and actress. Those moves you see in her portraits are a little taste of what’s to come at her Briarcliff Manor wedding reception.
The Briarcliff Manor Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Two days afterwards, the wedding fun began in earnest. In case you’ve never visited Briarcliff Manor, this is a one-stop-shop venue with everything you would need – photo-wise – on the premises. Briarcliff Manor is a historic home that has been converted into a wedding venue. As such, you can find lots of unique architectural details and photo opportunities from the front yard to the back.
Bridal Suite Photos
We started the day in the bridal suite. The suite includes a vintage mirror. plenty of light; and some retro, funky furniture. These are all ingredients for fantastic bridal party photos. And the ‘getting ready’ photo session would not be complete without a champagne toast.
By the way, the room for the boys was equally glam. The groom’s suite includes leather furniture, and a charming fireplace.
First Look and Portraits
I always say that you know you are going to have great wedding photos when the ‘getting ready’ photos are off to such a good start. The front entrance of Briarcliff Manor offers the perfect set up for an epic ‘first look’ moment. I began our portrait session with Carly and her bridesmaids sauntering down the stairs. Then we had a cinematic moment with the doors opened and Carly walking down the steps to Declan.
The front of the building is relatively short in terms of space, but you have everything you need for quality photos. What you can’t see in this image is the parking lot directly behind me.
One spot not to miss for your bride and groom portraits is the backyard. The large yard includes huge, mature trees. One tip I always suggest to photographers is to have the couple practice their first dance in front of you. These ‘rehearsal’ first dance photos turned out amazing, and it was a brilliant chance for me to know where I need to be positioned for Carly and Declan’s first dance. There is nothing worse than missing the big dip in a couple’s first choreographed moment.
All the bridal party photos were taken in the front of Briarcliff Manor, with some fun photos shot in front of the main fountain. As the guests started to arrive, we moved the family portraits to the back of the building in order to keep the bride and groom hidden. This was perfect timing because we had an equally epic backdrop for these photos, but there was no pressure of guests intruding on our portrait time.
The Second Ceremony
The second ceremony was as equally moving as the couple’s first ceremony. The priest officiating at this exchange of vows was a friend of the family. Additionally, the ceremony included a performance by two of the couple’s best friends. The operatic recital brought tears throughout the crowd. Finally, the event ended with a big kiss in the aisle and some fist pumping by the bride and groom as they exited. THIS is how you conclude a ceremony.
The Reception
I promised you would be entertained, and that leads us straight into the couple’s first dance. As I mentioned earlier, Carly is a wonderfully talented performer and choreographed the entire routine. Declan clearly put in hours of practice because he did a great job as well.
The night ended with a cake cutting and bouquet toss followed by a surprise serenade from the bride to the groom. After Carly’s command performance, the live band kept things grooving, and the dance floor really came alive. Also, for any of you Ohio football fans, there was a definite show of support on the dance floor.
It was a real pleasure to photograph Carly and Declan’s wedding. The staff at Briarcliff Manor were very professional, and it is clear that this is not their first rodeo. I wish Carly and Declan all the best as they plan their new lives together. Enjoy the images, and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!
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Are you planning a Briarcliff Manor wedding this spring? Drop me a line and let’s talk about your photography needs.
If you would like to see more images from my wedding portrait portfolio, then please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com
Vendors
- First ceremony venue – St. Paul the Apostle Church
- Singer and piano player (first ceremony): Kayleen Seidl and Andrew von Gutfeld
- Second ceremony and reception venue – Briarcliff Manor
- Caterer – Briarcliff Manor
- Bride’s Briarcliff Manor wedding dress – Valentino’s Bridal & Tailoring
- Bride’s hair stylist – Beauty Refinery NYC
- Bridesmaids dresses – Elyse’s Boutique Bridal & Prom
- Groomsmen bow ties and pocket squares – Robbie & Co. NYC
- Wedding rings – Blue Nile Jewelry
- Florist – Evelisa Floral and Design
- Cake – Cakes on Hudson
- DJ – Element Music
- Reception decor – Patricia Ameling (mother of the bride!)
