Happy Birthday, Central Park | Manhattan Engagements, Elopements, & Micro Weddings

Central Park is the most magical place in New York City. After living here for five years, there are many corners even I still haven’t discovered. It’s easy to get lost wandering the winding paths, and even easier to completely forget you’re in the middle of the biggest, most bustling city in the world.

It’s the perfect backdrop for a photo session too, with so many beautifully different locations in every season. See some of my favorite highlights from engagements, elopements, and weddings in Manhattan’s iconic Central Park.

Natty & Morgan | Central Park Micro Wedding | New York, NY

Natty and Morgan first found my work on Offbeat Bride. It was easy to tell right away they were my kind of couple. I was immediately hooked at the mention of a fun, intimate ceremony, and a sequin dress! One of my favorite things about photographing such important moments is getting to know my couples and their love stories. As we emailed more and more, I saw how special and silly the love they share is.

On a bright and warm Monday morning, I met these two, their pastor, and six of their closest friends at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. We walked around the fountain enjoying the sunshine, and they shared a classic NYC soft pretzel for breakfast. Once the ceremony began, everyone (including Olivia and me) started crying! No other couple has made me as emotional while reading their vows. It was the most heartfelt and loving union I’ve ever witnessed.

After the promises were made and rings exchanged, they shared their first dance as a married couple, followed by a champagne toast and group dance party. We strolled through Central Park, took the subway to Mom’s Kitchen & Bar for some “Bigmouth shakes”!

Congrats to Natty & Morgan on their new home, their marriage, and start of the rest of their lives together. Wishing you all the glittery, tattooed happiness in the world!

Their elopement was later featured on Offbeat Bride! Full circle!

Sami-Beth & Miles | City Hall Elopement | New York, NY

It was a Saturday afternoon when I received an email from Miles, wanting to know if I was available to capture his wedding at City Hall in Manhattan — just six days later! He and his fiancée, Sami-Beth, were willing to take a gamble with my schedule, and on a rainy Friday morning just after 7:30 am, we were waiting in line at the marriage bureau! We didn’t have to wait long, as they ended up being the second couple for a ceremony.

These two are an effortlessly cool and laid back couple. They are very go-with-the-flow, taking in the rain, the old ladies flagging cabs behind them, bird accidents, and all the onlookers in lower Manhattan. Sami-Beth’s spectacular DIY bouquet featured gorgeous orange and white flowers (matching her manicure), greenery, and cabbage, wrapped beautifully with strings of pearls.

Thank you to Kristen, of Kristen Kiraly Films, for referring me to her amazing friends and being a pleasure to work with! Check out their video!

Miles & Sami-Beth, wishing you both all the love, happiness, and “first time as newlyweds” milestones in the world! Congrats!

Sara & Kelly | Musical Engagement Session | Queens, NY

The best thing about Sara & Kelly is how strong their love for each other is. They are adorably silly and totally compatible, always laughing. And they are unbelievably talented! Music and performance is a big part of their lives, as individuals and as a couple. It was so special to capture this connection as part of their engagement session. I loved getting to explore their Queens neighborhood and photograph Sara’s custom designed engagement ring and those cool guitar string bracelets Kelly made.

A funny thing happened a few years ago. Sara and I were working together at a restaurant in midtown Manhattan when she told me that if she ever got married, she would want me to photograph her wedding. Weddings seemed like far off dream at the time, but I had taken her headshots and some photos of a show she and Kelly were in, and I guess she liked my stuff!

We recently reconnected over chocolate martinis, and now it’s all happening! So excited to know these wonderful people and to photograph their wedding next June!