Crystal and Michael came all the way from New Mexico for a winter wedding in Central Park! Crystal got ready in a hotel near the park.

Wedding ring

wedding details preparation photography

black lace garter wedding bride

winter boutonniere wedding

wedding the plaza nyc photography

winter wedding bouquet

The beautiful ceremony took place on the Gapstow Bridge.

The ceremony was performed by Crystal’s best friend, Kathryn. Crystal adds, “We have known each other for only four years but it feels like we have known each other all of our lives!  She is so important to Michael and me and we were so thrilled when she agreed to officiate our wedding!”

wedding ceremony

During the ceremony, Crystal and Michael had a special tribute to their new family; Crystal married Michael and gained two daughters and a son.

central park nyc wedding

wedding nyc

Winter Elopement in Central Park NYC

elope nyc wedding photography

Crystal shares, “I have always wanted to have a small wedding in NYC and I love winter! Michael and I got engaged in August, and winter was only a few months away! Planning a wedding in a few months from across the country wasn’t easy but it turned out better than we could have imagined. All of our vendors were amazing.  We got our winter wedding and were married on our 8-year anniversary!

The whole day was absolutely beautiful.  It was supposed to be one of the coldest days of the year but it seemed like the universe was on our side.  The sun was out, the wind had stopped and the weather was perfect.  I was so happy to have both of my parents walk me up the bridge. Seeing Michael for the first time that day was incredible. After 8 years together, I still get butterflies when I see him. Our wedding day was better than any fairytale I could have ever dreamed of!”

Michael adds,  “The most memorable moment was when I saw Crystal walking towards me as I was standing at the top of the bridge.  Everything flowed so naturally, it was magical.”

nyc elope wedding locations

Grand Central Station Wedding photography NYC

Family and friends gathered at Brooklyn’s The River Cafe for the wedding reception.

river cafe brooklyn ny wedding

brooklyn river cafe wedding photography

brooklyn river cafe nyc wedding

wedding photography nyc

wedding cake pink ruffles and diamonds

Congratulations Crystal and Michael!

Special Thanks to the Vendors:
Venue: Gapstow Bridge in Central Park, The River Cafe
Officiant: Kathryn Ebbens
Flowers: Flowers by G Bella
Hair: Liz Nevin
Makeup: Clarissa Luna
Cake: City Cakes NYC
Dress: David Tutera
Groom’s suit: Rothmans
Bride’s shoes: Betsey Johnson
Invitation: The Blushing Belle
Bride’s hair comb: Veiled Beauty
Garter: Bridal Special Day

Jill and Josh were married at The Foundry, a gorgeous, historic metal factory in Long Island City.

The Foundry, LIC, NYC wedding photography

NYC skyline wedding photography

Wedding at The Foundry, Long Island City, NY

NYC groom looking out the window at the city skyline

The couple shared a first look before the wedding ceremony. They were SO excited to see each other!

bride and groom first look

The Foundry, LIC, NYC wedding photography

The Foundry wedding, long island city NYC

The Foundry wedding, LIC NYC

The Foundry wedding, long island city NYC

wedding at the foundry, nyc

The Foundry NYC LIC, adorable flower girl

Jill and Josh had a maid of honor and best man and then asked all of their friends to be included in some fun portraits before the wedding.

NYC wedding The Foundry LIC

NYC wedding The Foundry LIC

NYC wedding The Foundry LIC

Jill shares, “When it comes to our wedding style, we really loved the idea of an art deco/1940’s feel for the wedding, but we also wanted it to be simple and personal. We had fun adding the personal touches like my grandma’s gooey butter cake, cocktails named after people we love, and then bringing New York City into the mix by making our own Chuppah. It began hanging over us, and then we attached balloons that turned it into the NYC skyline as our backdrop. Our friends Lloyd and Michael made the design of the Chuppah possible, and Josh and I spent two full Saturdays painting it!”

unique chuppah, Wedding Ceremony at the Foundry

The foundry wedding ceremony birds eye view

NYC wedding Long Island city

NYC wedding ceremony

NYC wedding Long Island city photography

The band, led by the amazingly talented Corin Ashley, was awesome!

NYC wedding The Foundry LIC

NYC wedding photography

wedding toast nyc photography

Ah! I love a champagne fountain! So glamorous and romantic!

NYC wedding photography champagne fountain

NYC wedding photography chevron table

NYC wedding photography, The Foundry

First dance at the Foundry wedding photography

I asked the couple about their favorite moments from the day and they answered, “It was great having so many people we love in one place, and they were there to celebrate US!? Can’t ask for much more.”

NYC wedding photography

Congratulations Jill and Josh! For more photos check out the slideshow:

Check out their engagement photos in SoHo here.

Special thanks to the team: Venue: The Foundry
Caterer: Indiana Catering
Officiants: Rabbi Paris & Reverend Kessler
Flowers: Village Flowers
Lighting: Universal Light and Sound
Band: Corin Ashley, Murray Hill Talent
Hair: Ernesto Aquino, Tres Jolie Salon

Make-up: Sally Biondo in North Port Long Island

Cupcakes: Sweets First Bakeshoppe

Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller, Bride’s shoes: Rachel Simpson, Fur Coat: Antique Store

Groom’s Suit: John Varvatos

Chuppah: Josh and Jill with “expert instruction and hand holding” from Lloyd Marks and Michael Tavano of MT Customs

Rings: Designed by the bride and groom, made at De Hago

Party favors: Metropolis Soap Company: “We gave everyone organic lip balm (lavender and spearmint for the ladies and anise and spearmint for the men) and a pair of gloves… wintertime necessities! Megan at Metropolis really came through for us and custom designed the labels – all of their products are great quality and made in LIC!”

Photography by: Jessica Schmitt and Eric Swartz

I’m so excited to have Kristie and Clint’s gorgeous winter wedding featured on the Washingtonian!

Washingtonian wedding photography

Check out more photos from the wedding at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel.

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A beautiful album is like the gorgeous topper on the wedding cake–completing your wedding photography experience. Investing in an album is an important part of the wedding process. Long after the vows have been said and the champagne has been poured, you’ll still have your beautiful wedding photographs to hold and enjoy for a lifetime.

The album can be created with a linen cover or a leather cover. The linen album is a light, textured, animal-friendly option. The linens highlight the true hand-made nature of the books. The leather features 100% natural leathers selected for their grains, texture, strength, and quality with thick pages.

Check out some samples of the Linen album:

linen kiss album

kiss linen wedding album pages

linen album kiss

I have been married for over 6 years and still get my album out all the time to relive my wedding day. I love it! The photos were carefully selected and tell the story of my day from putting on my dress to  leaving the reception on a horse and carriage in Central Park. I also love sharing it with friends and family, holding the album in my hands and experiencing the photos with loved ones.

Rather than clicking through a Facebook gallery or scrolling through folders on your computer, cherish your memories. Consider having your favorite photos printed in a beautiful album that you can enjoy on every anniversary, something destined to become a family heirloom you’ll pass down for generations.

kiss linen wedding album engraving

All books are made with true photographic printing on the finest Fuji crystal archival paper. Pages lay beautifully flat, so you don’t lose any of the image in an unsightly fold. A modern binding and block-building processes are used to bring everything together. All album covers are customized with a laser engraving and come in a canvas case.

Many couples choose to purchase additional  8×8 copies of their album to give to their parents and grandparents. It makes a wonderful gift!

kiss linen album with engraving

kiss linen wedding album photography

Check out some samples of the leather album:

Kiss album leather

kiss leather album

kiss leather album

Kiss leather album

Please ask me about options for leather covers, different sizes, cover color options, and the brand new luxury Tuscany album, pictured below.

Kiss album tuscan

Amanda and Eric were married on an unseasonably warm December day at the Annapolis, Maryland, Courthouse. They planned an elopement-style wedding in just two weeks!

Historic Annapolis Wedding elopement Maryland

The Annapolis Courthouse is so charming and lovely. Amanda told me she looked into civil ceremonies at courthouses in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, but neither of them had the pretty chapel atmosphere. The courthouse in Annapolis is the perfect place for an elopement because the area is beautiful and historic and the ceremony is in a private room that can seat around 20-30 guests. It also seems less rushed. Amanda and Eric had time to say their own personal vows and really enjoy the ceremony.

Annapolis wedding courthouse church circle

Annapolis courthouse Wedding elopement photography

Annapolis courthouse Wedding elopement

After the ceremony, we walked around the area.  The weather was so incredibly nice that we were able to walk all around historic Annapolis to take photos and Amanda didn’t even need her coat!

Downtown Annapolis Wedding elopement Maryland

white bouquet Annapolis Wedding

white boutineer Annapolis Wedding

Annapolis Wedding Maryland photography

Annapolis Wedding elopement Maryland photography

Historic Downtown Annapolis Wedding

Historic Annapolis wedding photography

Amanda shares a wonderful proposal story, “While I was working in Africa this summer, we decided to meet in Tanzania and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was an amazing experience. Eric carried the ring to the summit, but with the dizzying feeling at almost 20,000 feet, and with crowds of people around, he decided to wait for a more private moment. We flew from Arusha to Zanzibar the day after reaching the summit. After spending three days scuba diving, as the sun began to set we headed back to the room to relax. Eric had champagne waiting and rose petals in the shape of a heart on the bed and he popped the question. We celebrated sipping our champagne and watching the sunset in the beautiful Matemwe Beach area of Zanzibar. In similar fashion, we wanted something small and intimate for the wedding, and Annapolis could not have worked out more perfectly.”

Annapolis wedding photography

Annapolis wedding water Chesapeake

Annapolis wedding water Chesapeake

After taking portraits by the water, we walked back up to the enchanting Reynold’s Tavern for a reception with the couple’s family and friends.

Reynolds Tavern Annapolis Restaurant

Reynolds Tavern Annapolis Restaurant

Reynolds Tavern Annapolis Restaurant wedding

Reynolds Tavern Annapolis Restaurant wedding

Congratulations Amanda and Eric!

Special thanks to all the vendors:
Hair and Makeup: Janelle at Structures Salon, Frederick, Maryland
Rings: Ron George, Annapolis
Flowers: York Flowers, Annapolis
Cake: Cake & Confections, Severna Park
Groom’s Tux: Made in Pakistan
Invitations: Sirk Photo & Design, Manasquan, NJ

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