Andrea & Rob | Hamptons Pool Party Proposal | Long Island, NY

As I have mentioned before, my favorite part about working my day job as a bartender is meeting new people. Sometimes new people turn into friends and sometimes they turn into clients! (You may remember last month's blog about Doria & Cory's wedding.) Last year, I met Rob. He recently decided to ask his girlfriend, Andrea, to marry him and asked me to capture the moment!

There were so many reasons to celebrate! In honor of Andrea's birthday, Rob rented a gorgeous house in The Hamptons and invited all their friends and family to join them for the weekend. All her sisters even flew out from Los Angeles for the occasion!  

When the moment came for Rob to get down on one knee, an airplane flew over with a banner reading, "Andrea, will you marry me?" He slipped the most beautiful diamond on her finger and she said yes! See more of the happy couple's pool party proposal below!

Museum of Ice Cream

Since living in NYC, I haven't seen anything create such a frenzy as the summer 2016 pop-up Museum of Ice Cream in the Meatpacking District. When I first heard about it, I immediately jumped online to buy tickets for Olivia and myself. So glad I acted quickly because it ended up selling out before the gallery even opened! Not surprising because who doesn't love ice cream?! 

The museum was full of interactive exhibits featuring everyone's favorite dessert. There were sundae inspired paintings, sculptures, and more. The highlight was hands down "swimming" in the sprinkle pool. It was such a hit, it was hard to get a photo without all the other visitors diving in! Olivia's favorite part was "seeing me so happy"! Awww, isn't she sweet?! 

Share your favorite flavor in the comments! I can't choose just one so my top three are cookies & cream, cake batter, & anything with caramel! 

As the sprinkle pool rules warn you: "may cause spontaneous happiness." Check out photos of our cherry-on-top afternoon below. 

Doria & Cory | Van Cortlandt Lakehouse Wedding | Bronx, NY

This past winter, on a cold afternoon, Doria and Cory came to the midtown bar I work at for a drink. We chatted about this and that; they were lovely! At one point, Cory asked me what the name of the song playing was. He explained they had recently gotten engaged and were in search of the perfect wedding song! He went on to tell me the pair had dated 25 years before, but life had taken them in different directions. All these years later, they reconnected and now were finally getting married - you can't stop true love! Isn't that just the most amazing story?!

While I don't recall what the song was, I do recall congratulating them, wishing them all the best and giving them my card before they left in case they were in search of a photographer!

Several months later, an email from the bride-to-be popped up in my inbox about their July wedding. It was wonderful to hear from her! We had a great phone call and that was that!

Their engagement session was in the beautiful Fort Tryon park in Washington Heights, Manhattan. We had an amazing time capturing images which would be featured at the wedding as part of their guestbook and seating arrangements.

Sunday, July 24th was the day of Doria and Cory's gorgeous wedding. It was a scorcher, but I never saw them sweat! It was the most beautiful ceremony outside of the Van Cortlandt Golf Lake House with a cocktail hour on the deck, and dinner and dancing in the ballroom. They were surrounded by friends and family who told tear-jerking stories of their love.

It was truly an honor to photograph such wonderful people (and two stunning wedding gowns)! Congratulations to the happy couple, Doria and Cory, and their families!

Photographer: Kate Alison Photography
Event Planner: Beauty & the Details
Hair/makeup: Color of Fashions
Flowers: Hollywood Florist 
DJ: Jimmy Dee Entertainment
Cupcakes: Cake in a Cup

Carnival Styled Wedding Inspiration | Brooklyn, NY

A few months ago my good friend and fellow Rising Tide Society member, Yari Santiago, of Cake and Champagne NYC, came to me with an idea for a styled shoot. It would be carnival themed, which is something she knew was right up my alley! There is a glamorous spin on the theme which was so fun because who doesn't love sparkles?!

It was supposed to be a rainy, overcast Saturday, but the sun shined on us at Coney Island. It turned out to be warm and beautiful for our first styled shoot! Our models, Brooklyn and Darryl, are a real life, amazingly adorable couple living in Brooklyn. 

Thank you so much to all the vendors (listed below) who donated time, services and products to make this happen. 

Photographed by Kate Alison Photography
Planned & designed by Cake and Champagne NYC

Cake & doughnuts baked by Slice of Vintage
Flowers provided by Stem and Bloom
Hair & makeup styled by Emma Buel
Invitation suite & menus designed by Borne of Ink Paper Co.

Jewelry made by Everistta Bridal