Two ceremonies, one sword, several locations, a civil war re-enactment, Abe Lincoln, and a gorgeous forest backdrop. Wow. It started early, it finished late, but it was a blink of an eye. Watching Nachel and Morgan ease their way through a day of multiple cultures, traditions, and rituals, I couldn’t help but think that this was the perfect iteration of the modern wedding. A blend of so much, but so cohesive. It was all heart, all fun, all throughout.

A special thanks to the talented Jason Andrew for coming out to shoot and to Amy Champagne for her pitch perfect planning.

There’s something to be said about a couple who decides to extend their coverage just to have pictures of their guests. It was a day about the people. About their stories, about the celebration. The scheduled was packed. It started early. It finished late. There were two outfits, and I never stopped snapping away, but you wouldn’t know it. Neha never tired, Kashif never stopped smiling, and being around them, you’d never feel anything but relaxed and happy right to the very end.

Sometimes you just know it’s going to be a good day. You know when you walk in a room at a bride’s home, and there she is, completely relaxed. You know, when you see a groom with his sunglasses on, smiling, greeting his guests at the church, happy to be there. You know when a couple looks happy together simply for being present, as you watch the sun set over the reception on a breezy sort of night. And that was just the type of day it was for Tara and Mario. Smiles, hugs, happiness, and joy on a wonderful wedding day.

Neither the rain, the storm, nor the winds made a bit of a difference, as Rita and Kyle celebrated through the night. How can you not love a tented wedding on the waterfront? The sun held its ground just long enough to matter, giving way to a striking Manhattan view at night. As I left, I could hear the music from their wedding in the evening air, suspended and floating in the thick skies and the lights of the pier.