A lot of my couples are based in New York City and want to get married somewhere that is not New York City. I understand completely. I have photographed weddings across the Hamptons, Hudson Valley, Palm Beach, and Miami. Here are the destinations I know firsthand and the ones worth knowing about.
The Hamptons, Long Island
The Hamptons are the most common first destination wedding instinct for New York couples, and for good reason. Two to three hours from the city, ocean light, sophisticated venues, and the specific relaxed-but-elevated atmosphere that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Gurney’s Montauk is one of the great Hamptons venues. A luxury resort directly on the beach in Montauk, with wedding events in a tent on the property and some of the best ocean light I have photographed at any venue in the region. I have a full guide to Gurney’s at [link to your Gurney’s guide].
Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club is another venue I know well. Beachfront, quintessential Hamptons, beautiful natural light. Full guide here.
Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack offers rolling vineyards and rustic elegance for couples who want a wine-country feel without leaving Long Island.
Hudson Valley, New York
The Hudson Valley is my most-photographed destination outside New York City. An hour to two hours from Manhattan, with historic estates, river views, and a quality of light in the late afternoon that is genuinely extraordinary.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills is one of the most extraordinary wedding venues I have ever photographed. A working farm, a world-renowned restaurant, a HayLoft ceremony space with floor-length windows, and 80 acres of grounds. The coordinator requirement is real and worth planning for. Full guide at [link to your Blue Hill guide].
The Garrison offers sweeping Hudson River views and beautifully manicured grounds. Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown is a Gothic dream with 67 acres on the Hudson. The Roundhouse in Beacon is modern and Hudson Valley at the same time.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is one of the great American wedding destinations. The Gilded Age mansions, the cobblestone streets, the harbor, the ocean views. For New Yorkers, it feels European in the best way, and it is a short flight or a comfortable drive.
Rosecliff is one of the most photographically beautiful mansions in Newport, modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles with formal gardens and a grand ballroom. The Breakers is the grandest of the Newport estates. Castle Hill Inn offers a more intimate coastal setting on a private peninsula above Narragansett Bay.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
The Berkshires are a natural destination for New Yorkers who want countryside, culture, and quiet in equal measure. Rolling hills, charming small towns, and a genuine arts community make it feel like a world apart despite being only a few hours from the city.
Blantyre is a luxurious estate with old-world charm and manicured gardens. Tanglewood offers a genuinely unique setting combining music, culture, and natural beauty for couples who want their wedding to feel like an event.
Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach is one of the great American luxury wedding destinations. Pristine beaches, historic estates, warm weather year-round, and the specific, elegant-tropical atmosphere that Palm Beach has, unlike anywhere else.
The Breakers Palm Beach is one of the most iconic resort wedding venues in the country. Grand ballrooms, oceanfront lawns, historic architecture, and service at a level that consistently delivers. I have photographed here, and it is exceptional.
The Flagler Museum, also known as Whitehall, is a Gilded Age mansion with opulent interiors and sweeping staircases, offering extraordinary portrait and ceremony options. The Brazilian Court Hotel offers a more intimate boutique setting with beautiful courtyard spaces.
Miami, Florida
Miami brings tropical light, architectural beauty, and a vibrant energy that makes for wedding images unlike anything you get in the Northeast.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of my favorite venues I have ever photographed at. A historic estate modeled after a European villa, with formal gardens, waterfront views, and architectural detail that is genuinely extraordinary. The light in those gardens is unlike anything else.
The Setai Miami Beach offers sleek modern luxury directly on the ocean. The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables brings Mediterranean grandeur and a stunning historic setting.
A Note on Destination Photography
I travel for weddings. The Hamptons, Hudson Valley, Newport, the Berkshires, Palm Beach, Miami, and well beyond. If you are planning a destination wedding and want a photographer who knows the venues and the light, get in touch!
