A RUSTIC FARMHOUSE WEDDING : KERRY + MIKE

The sun was shining and the fall air was crisp.  It was a beautiful day, the type of day every bride dreams of.  Kerry and Mike were busy getting ready for their rustic wedding at Queen's County Farm Museum in New York.   The day had finally arrived on which they would become man and wife .

Mike and Kerry met four years ago when they were set up on a blind date by their close friends.  Instantly hitting it off, Mike and Kerry spent the first few months of their relationship with constant smiles on their faces and laughter on their lips.  Mike quickly fell in love with Kerry's carefree spirit while Kerry adored Mike's sense of humor.  When Mike got down on one knee, Kerry didn't hesitate in saying yes!

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of photographing Kerry and Mike's gorgeous wedding with Betsi Ewing Studio. Come with me on a journey through Kerry and Mike's special day!

Mike and Kerry chose the beautiful Queens County Farm in Floral Park, NY for their rustic wedding.

I spent the morning with the guys!  Waiting at the house for Mike was a stunning Yves Saint Laurent watch from Kerry.  

The guys sported colorful ties matching the colors of the wedding day.  This was only one of many unique details!

The church was so close to Mike's house, the guys were able to walk!  Every time I look at this picture I see Abbey Road.

Kerry and Mike were married in a Catholic church with colorful stained glass windows. 

Mike couldn't get over how beautiful Kerry looked.  

After years of waiting, Mike and Kerry are finally husband and wife!

After the ceremony, we headed over to the farm for a few pictures of the bride and groom with their wedding party.

Kerry, your flowers were simply gorgeous...

...just like you!

The farm was huge, holding fields of sunflowers, pumpkin patches, and apple trees. 

LOVE.

Cocktail hour was held in the large barn.

The reception took place under a white tent overlooking the sunset.  

Mike and Kerry made their grand entrance and went straight into their first dance.  

The signature drink of the night?  Pumpkin Spice Ale with a cinnamon sugar coated rim.  

The bride and groom went all out on their wedding cakes!  They actually had a cake for each individual table!  Thank you to Buttercooky Bakery for these delicious creations.  

The cake cutting was followed by the father/daughter and mother/son dance.  Both brought tears to my eyes.   

The next few hours were spent rocking out!  Kerry and Mike danced until the wee hours of the morning...surrounded by their closest friends.  Kerry and Mike, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your fabulous wedding!  It really was beautiful...just like you!

A PERFECT EVENING : CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF LOVE

The night was warm, bearing a striking resemblance to the night on October 16th, exactly one year before.  As Matt and I boarded the World Yacht Duchess, we smiled at each other,  remembering that it was on this exact ship that we got engaged.  As the sun slipped below the city skyline, Matt and I set sail on our dinner cruise around New York City, celebrating one year of marriage, filled with love.  

After dinner was served, we ventured to the lounge on the upper deck to take in the beauty of the bright city lights.  This being a momentous occasion in the journey of our lives, we began reflecting on the past year together.  How the time flew by!!  In this short year we: 

-Moved into a new townhouse, filling it with things of our own  

-Explored the beauty and the splendor of five countries we had never visited together before (Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Turkey)

-Adopted our first daughter (cat) Kylie

-Ventured onto the golf course together, where Matt discovered just how stubborn I can really be

-And realized that the thing we are most thankful for in our marriage is the constant love and support we give one another every day 

As the night came to a close, Matt and I put the past behind us and started making new memories for our future. Dancing cheek to cheek to Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," I was filled with great happiness.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening, a night I will remember for years to come.

For one of my presents, Matt agreed to do a one year anniversary photo shoot in Central Park!  I was excited about the photos but even more excited that my sister Ali Beavers and close friend (and second shooter) Mekina Saylor were going to be taking them! 

I LOVE this creative angle Ali captured through the trees along the Reservoir.  

Before starting the shoot, I gave Ali a quick lesson on how to shoot in manual.  I was so impressed with how quickly she learned how to adjust the ISO and the shutter speed for the changing light!  We left the aperture wide open at 1.4 for the majority of the shoot.

I am SO IN LOVE with this sweet shot.

We arrived on bow bridge, just as the city lights began to twinkle against the night sky.  Thanks to Mekina for capturing this beautiful photo.

One of my favorite parts of our one year anniversary was cutting into the top tier of our wedding cake!

I actually thought the cake still tasted good.  Matt...not so much!!

The views from our dinner cruise around New York City were amazing...

But not as amazing as the wonderful night I spent with my husband.  Happy one year anniversary Matt, I love you sweetheart.