Merchant’s House Museum NYC Wedding Photos

Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms toasting champagne glasses

Want to get married in a secret garden? Just such a place exists in the middle of Manhattan. In today’s blog post I will share with you Brian and Andrew’s Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos and let you decide for yourself if this isn’t the most precious garden in New York City.

 

Meet Brian and Andrew

Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms hugging in front of vine-covered wall

As always, let’s start off the story by meeting the couple. Brian and Andrew met the old fashioned way, via OK Cupid. After many happy years together, they had a quiet proposal at home. The couple wanted their wedding day to be intimate and personal, and most importantly, to be surrounded by their loved ones.

 

The ‘Rehearsal Dinner’ Cocktail Party

Guests toasting with cocktails outdoors at High Line Hotel

The wedding festivities began the night before at the High Line Hotel. Since their wedding was a simple affair, Brian and Andrew wanted to welcome all of their friends in a casual atmosphere. As such, their choice for the evening was to throw a ‘come-when-you-want’ cocktail party.

This is not the first time I have had clients opt for an alternative to the more formal rehearsal dinner. I think it’s a great idea since it first and foremost makes it easier for guests to get to know one another and also cuts down your wedding budget.

 

The History of the Merchant’s House Museum

Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests during wedding ceremony

For their wedding day, Brian and Andrew wanted to cultivate an intimate atmosphere so that they could truly feel surrounded by friends and family. The Merchant’s House Museum was the perfect venue for just that. Built in 1832, the Merchant’s House Museum is actually a nineteenth-century family home in New York City that has remained perfectly preserved. The house is considered one of the finest surviving examples of architecture from the period and has been awarded landmark status for both its Greek revival interior rooms and Federal-style brick exterior.

 

Merchant’s House Museum NYC Wedding Photos – The Portraits

Couple on streets of NYC reflected in window glass

The portraits of the grooms were all taken ahead of the ceremony on the street in front of the museum and in the lovely garden. Brian and Andrew did not want a big paparazzi moment, so we stayed close to home, so to speak. I was able to talk them in to a few street shots, however.

 

The Ceremony

Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms exchanging vows

I had the pleasure of photographing my first ceremony at the Merchant’s House Museum many years ago. Although you can hold a ceremony in the museum parlor, the garden is a perfect little piece of paradise in which to say your vows. Something is always in bloom in the garden and the high, brick walls keep out the chaos of New York City.

Brian and Andrew’s ceremony was a very personal affair, officiated by a friend of the couple. After saying their vows, the couple elected to have a fun group photo. This has become a very popular option for couples after their ceremony, and I welcome the new tradition. Then it was time for a quick champagne toast before Brian and Andrew headed out the door with all their guests for the reception.

 

Il Buco Alimentari Reception

Guests walking on sidewalk into Il Alimentari wedding reception

The main reception was held at Il Buco Alimentari restaurant, just one block over from the Merchant’s House Museum. For Brian and Andrew, it was very important to capture a true New York scene as their wedding guests walked over to the restaurant. I love a good documentary moment, so you know I was all on board. The guest count for the day was 42, and we didn’t lose one person in transit.

The reception was a low-key event that started off with some epic speeches. I was there for the cocktail hour to photograph the toasts. There was no cake cutting or first dance, so when the couple and guest sat down to dinner my day was done. It was a wonderful evening and I know the couple felt truly surrounded by love.

 

Enjoy the images and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

 

Vendors

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Getting married soon? Looking to create your own set of Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos? Drop me a line, and let’s chat about your photography needs.

If you would like to see more images from my wedding photojournalism portfolio, then please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com

Images from the ‘rehearsal dinner’ cocktail party

Two men sitting at an outdoor table at the High Line Hotel Two men at an outdoor table underneath a black and white umbrella at the High Line Hotel
Two men sitting outdoors at a table at the High Line Hotel Two men holding hands and walking along pathway in front of brick facade of High Line Hotel Man touching the cheek of another man while walking along the pathway Man caressing the shoulder of another man at the High Line Hotel

Merchant’s House Museum NYC Wedding Photos

White guest book on a stone bench Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms seen through the main doorway Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms sitting on the front steps of the museumMan kissing another man on the cheek in front of graffiti wall Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms in front of vine-covered wall Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of a man pinning a boutonniere on another man Close up shot of shoes of two men facing each otherMerchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two gay men hugging in the garden Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms holding hands in front of brick wall Close up of man wearing blue blazer and white flower boutonniere Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms in front of vine-covered wall Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms holding champagne glasses in the gardenMerchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests during cocktail hour Close up of bartender pouring a glass of champagne Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests during pre-ceremony cocktail hour in garden Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of male guest during cocktail hour Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of female guest smiling during cocktail hour Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests during cocktail hourMerchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests signing guest book Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests seated in garden during ceremony Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of groom in profile Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of groom wearing blue blazerMerchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of grooms exchanging vows during gay wedding ceremony Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms holding hands Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms kissing Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms during wedding ceremonyMerchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of two grooms Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests at gay wedding ceremony Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests at gay wedding ceremony Merchant’s House Museum NYC wedding photos of guests at gay wedding ceremony Wedding guests in crosswalk of NYC Wedding guests walking to ceremony in NYC Two grooms holding hands and walking to NYC wedding reception Menu sheet and candle in front of flower bouquet Groom during wedding Il Alimentari wedding receptionGroom toasting glasses with guests during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guests smiling during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Hand picking up meat from a platter during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guests chatting during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guest chatting with groom during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Two grooms talking into microphone during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding receptionGuest listening to toast during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guests speaking during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Man giving toast during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Groom and guests laughing during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guests listening to speeches during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Groom hugging male guest during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding receptionMale guest giving speech with microphone during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Two grooms listening to speeches during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Groom laughing with guests during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Groom chatting with guests during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guests smiling during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Three male guests chatting during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding receptionMale guest in front of triangular-cut out wall Male guest laughing during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Guests listening during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Older gentleman wearing blue bow tie listening to male guest Groom listening to guests during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception Groom smiling during wedding Il Buco Alimentari and Vineria wedding reception

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