Wedding at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Who? : Casey + Jack
What? : Preparations, first look, portraits, cocktail hour, and reception at a turn of the century manor house in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Ceremony at a nearby church.
Where? The Sleepy Hollow Country Club
When? : October 2018
I first met Jack and Casey via an email from Jack’s mother that read : “We heard about your and your marvelous photography from our friends.” It’s always excellent to begin that way, when a past client hands my name over, knowing that I’m going to take care of their loved ones and that we’ll be a great fit together. And we were, right from the start. Jack and Casey are from amazing families, with warm, incredible mothers, fantastic fathers, and a sprawl of siblings, cousins, and friends that surround them with so much love that you can’t remember where friend stops and family begins.
Their wedding was on a fall day so clear and bright, and so full of light that it was only inevitable that it slide towards the most flawless of orange sunsets and end in a blaze of sparklers on the steps of the club. Jack and Casey, thank you for being bright, amazing human beings and bringing me into your day. Documenting it for you was as much of a treat as the gorgeous cool weather!
Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding:
Casey got ready in one of the rooms at the club. These rooms aren’t just rooms, they’re little kingdoms full of direct beams of light, high ceilings, and magic. I can’t imagine a more gorgeous, fitting space to get ready for a wedding than at the club itself. I mean, LOOK at that LIGHT. (And that gorgeous woman, too!)
Not to be outdone, Jack had his one room one floor up to get ready in. Unsurprisingly, he also had some pretty perfect sunshine.
It’s October. I’ve been on a horror movie kick, and nothing has been creeping me out (and amazing me) quite like the new Haunting of Hill House on Netflix. When I saw the praying statue, I knew I had a great element to add to the already-awesome shot of Casey getting her lips touched up. Someone to watch over us indeed, am I right?
Casey’s hair was PERFECT. Smooth and sleek, but with boho braids to lighten the look.
Light, light, light. You know I love it. It was everywhere, around every corner, in front of every perfectly placed window. Seeing moments come to life in that setting was nothing short of completely magical.
“Some people like to do their first look on the stairs,” someone at the venue told me. I am pretty sure they suggested a few other spots, but it was all white noise once my eyes locked on this staircase. Drenched in directional light, warm and welcoming, where better to lay eyes on your loved one for the first time on your wedding day? Hi, drama.
Then it was time for a quick stroll around the grounds of the club for some images pre-ceremony.
Sometimes weddings are crazy, sometimes they’re calm. No matter how the day is flowing (and this one flowed with extreme peace and ease!), I always try to take time to do that little something EXTRA. This day’s extra was brought to you by arching trees, a bright sky, and a little in-camera double exposure action.
The most insanely cinematic beam of light burst through the stained glass windows the second the door opened on Casey and her father.
After the ceremony Jack and Casey hopped in her mom’s red convertible, put the top down, and sped off towards the cocktail hour, Casey’s bouquet waving in the air.
Cocktail hour sprawled across the lawn behind the club – I LOVE these two men chatting, oblivious to the fact that a overexcited photographer was insanely grinning from the back steps over the symmetry, the light, and the shadows behind them.
A quick sunset shot? Don’t mind if I do.
…and a few more portraits of Casey? Yes, please. Jack’s mother had requested an image of Casey on the stairs, and I was only too happy to oblige.
The reception took place on the back lawn, under a tent. The sun set directly through the clear sides of the tent, bathing the tables in the warmest of light.
Jack and Casey had a choreographed first dance. They’re great dancers, this is true. But what really stays with me, even now, is how HAPPY they were, how lively, how cheerfully overjoyed. THAT makes a great first dance.
After a lively first dance, it was time for two pretttttty spectacular parent dances.
…and then it was time to party!
When it was time to set up for the sparkler exit, we were dismayed to see that it had started drizzling. Who was going to want to go out in THAT for a sparkler exit? Turns out? EVERYONE.
Good night and good bye, what a gorgeous ending to the first truly fall wedding of the year. Crisp light, crisp weather, incredible people, an amazing party – let’s do it again next year y’all, okay? One year anniversary party? Just name the place, I’ll be there.
