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-Rebeca & andrew
Welcome to your ultimate New York City Wedding Guide. As NYC wedding photographers, we've crafted this resource to help couples prepare for and enjoy every step of the journey through the lens of a Manhattan wedding. From the first look on a rooftop terrace to your grand exit beneath a skyline of twinkling lights, here's what to expect and how to plan for timeless imagery in the city that never sleeps.
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
welcome
Below you'll find some handy tips for nailing down the perfect style.
Engagement sessions in NYC offer iconic backdrops like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and classic brownstone-lined streets. These sessions are the perfect warm-up before your big day. Our approach is to make you feel comfortable and natural, guiding you with light posing so your personalities shine.
& why we love them!
Planning Your NYC Engagement Session
BEST TO KEEP AWAY
- Being "matchy-matchy"
- White Socks That Stick Out
- Big Logos and Writing on Shirts
- Small, Intricate, Busy Patterns
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Anything that makes you self conscious or uncomfortable; something that needs constant adjustment
- Professional Hair and Makeup
- Complementary color schemes
- Comfortable + easy to move in
- Flowing skirts or dresses that show movement
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - we want you to feel confident and look your best!
ABSOLUTELY!
Engagement photo styling tips
We believe what you wear should enhance—not distract—from the connection between you two. NYC engagement sessions involve a lot of walking, weather shifts, and occasional sidewalk dancing. Here’s what to keep in mind:
what to wear
Bonus: We’ll Create Your Style Board
After your session is booked, we’ll send you a personalized Pinterest-style mood board tailored to your style, shoot location, and vibe. Whether your aesthetic is editorial, romantic, minimal, or classic NYC glam, we’ve got you covered.
Prepping Your
NYC Wedding Details
BONUS: EXTRA FLOWERS
As your photographers, one of the first things we’ll capture when we arrive are your curated details. Having these essentials prepped and ready allows us to photograph them without interrupting your final moments of getting ready—and ensures nothing beautiful is overlooked.
ENGAGEMENT + WEDDING bands (& if you have a pretty ring box - we have them if you do not!)
This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, I love including family heirlooms in your detail shots.
SENTIMENTAL KEEPSAKES
2 FULL SETS WITH ENVELOPES + STAMPS & ANY OTHER PAPER STATIONARY YOU MAY HAVE (LIKE PROGRAM CARDS, ETC)
SHOES
VEIL
BOUQUET
HAIR PIECES
JEWELRY
VOW BOOK
shoes
Socks
CuffLinks
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL OR SENTIMENTAL.
We love to use a handful of FLORALS YOU'LL BE USING THROUGHOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY. IF YOUR FLORIST WILL SUPPLY A SMALL BUCKET OF EXTRA PIECES we CAN INCORPORATE THOSE IN YOUR DETAIL SHOTS.
Dress & Hanger
Rings & Ring Box
(IF THEY'RE SPECIAL)
wedding day
INVITATION SUITE
screenshot CHECKLIST!
THE RINGS
Soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
We love capturing the detail of your rings up close. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home:
01. A FIRST LOOK GIVES YOU QUIET MOMENT ALONE
Wedding days go by in a blur. As soon as the day begins there is so much to do and so many people to see. Doing a first look will give the two of you a moment alone to soak it all in and think through what the day means to you.
02. MORE TIME FOR PICTURES & YOUR RECEPTION
When you have a first look, we can take pictures of the two of you, the bridal party, and some family pictures before the ceremony even begins. This makes the day less rushed and allows us to take more pictures too!
03. POSSIBLY AVOID bad WEATHER
If there's bad weather on the forecast, a first look gives you the option to get pictures done earlier in the day and possibly avoid being stuck in the rain!
First Look Moments in Manhattan
WONDERING IF A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Whether it’s on a quiet cobblestone street in Tribeca, under the cherry blossoms in Central Park, or high above the skyline on a rooftop terrace, we’ll help you plan a first look that’s beautifully “New York” and entirely yours.
04. get out all your tears without the audience
A first look give both of you a moment to cry without the audience of all your wedding guests. You can get all your tears out knowing you'll have time to freshen up before pictures too.
That first moment you see your partner is always unforgettable—whether it’s during a private first look or as they walk down the aisle. In a fast-paced city like New York, many couples opt for a first look to slow things down, ease nerves, and make space for meaningful portraits before the ceremony begins.
Why NYC couples choose a first look:
"I love her. and that's the beginning and the end of everything."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
the perfect nyc timeline
VIEW TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
BUILDING THE PERFECT
with a
first look
no first look
traditional
Planning a seamless wedding day in New York City starts with a well-crafted photography timeline. As experienced NYC wedding photographers, we work closely with our couples to ensure every important moment is captured—whether you're doing a first look in Central Park or saving that moment for the aisle inside a Fifth Avenue church.
First Look or a Traditional Timeline?
Whether you choose to do a first look or opt for a more traditional reveal, we'll build a custom NYC wedding timeline based on your ceremony time, venue logistics, photo locations, and—importantly—sunset hour for golden hour portraits.
Explore our example timelines:
With a First Look: Allows for more portrait time pre-ceremony, relaxed pacing, and maximizing daylight for iconic NYC shots.
Traditional Timeline: Ideal for those who want the emotion of the aisle moment, with portraits scheduled after the ceremony.
1:00 pm
COVERAGE BEGINS & DETAIL SHOTS / candids
1:45 pm
couple GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH bridal party or dad
2:00 pm
PORTRAITS + BRIDES AND BRIDESMAID PORTRAITS
2:30 pm
First look + portraits
3:30 pm
bridal party portraits
4:00 pm
family portraits
4:30 pm
couple hides away before ceremony
4:30 pm
ceremony detail PHOTOS
5:00 pm
guests begin to arrive
5:30 pm
ceremony begins
6:00 pm
CANDID COCKTAIL HOUR PHOTOS
6:30 pm
reception room detail photos
6:50 pm
Couple portraits in reception room
7:00 pm
reception begins
7:15 pm
grand entrances + first dance
8:30 pm
sunset photos
11:00 pm
Reception ends + exit photos
with a
first look timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
FIRST LOOK
12:00 PM
COVERAGE BEGINS & DETAIL SHOTS / candids
12:45 PM
Couple GETS DRESSED
1:00 PM
Getting ready portraits + first look wth dad or bridal party
1:45 PM
leave for ceremony location
2:30 PM
photograph ceremony site and guests
3:45 pm
exit photos
4:00 pm
family photos
4:30 pm
leave for venue
5:00 PM
couples portraits
6:00 pm
bridal party portraits
6:30 pm
couple joins cocktail hour
7:00 PM
candid cocktail hour photos
8:00 PM
reception begins
8:15 pm
grand entrance + first dance
9:45 PM
Night portraits with the couple
10:00 PM
coverage ends
without a first look
traditional timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
Traditional
3:00 PM
ceremony
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
"You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement."
FAMILY PORTRAITS
A FEW HELPFUL TIPS + TRICKS
crowd management
Worried about wrangling the family for portraits? Don’t be! While Rebeca is capturing the perfect shots, Andrew will take charge, effortlessly organizing everyone, guiding poses, putting people at ease, and keeping things moving quickly down the photo list—so you can relax and enjoy the moment!
KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN THE LOOP
It makes the whole process of family photos faster when everyone in them knows what to expect. Let your family members (or anyone else who will be in a photo) to know where to be for photos and the time to arrive. It's wise to tell them 15 minutes earlier than we need them.
short + sweet
Family photos aren't anyone's favorite part of a wedding day and we try to take them as efficiently as possible. With that said, keep in mind that every grouping typically takes 2-3 minutes to pose. We want to make sure we get all the family photos that you want and that everybody looks great in them!
create a list
We'll ask you for a list of family picture groupings a few weeks before the day of your wedding. Make sure you list everyone's first names. Please inform us any family dynamics we should be made aware of so we can be mindful and sensitive.
sample family photos list
screen shoot & CUSTOMIZE THIS LIST!
individuals with GRANDPARENTS
individuals with IMMEDIATE FAMILY + GRANDPARENTS
individuals with IMMEDIATE FAMILY
individuals with SIBLINGS
individuals with PARENTS
couple with GRANDPARENTS
couple with IMMEDIATE FAMILY + GRANDPARENTS
couple with IMMEDIATE FAMILY
couple with SIBLINGS
couple with parents
Reception Moments & Iconic NYC Wedding Exits
RECEPTION
During your NYC reception, we blend into the action to capture speeches, dancing, and unexpected moments. From heartfelt toasts to packed dance floors and those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hugs between old friends, we document the energy and emotion of your celebration as it unfolds. Whether your wedding is held in a candlelit ballroom, on a skyline-view rooftop, or in an elegant private club, our focus is on storytelling—highlighting all the candid, fleeting moments that make your New York City wedding unforgettable.
Grand exits
There’s no better way to end a New York City wedding than with a grand exit that captures the energy of the day. From sparkler tunnels along cobblestone streets to glow stick send-offs under the city skyline, your exit should feel as unforgettable as your entrance. These moments are fast, fun, and full of emotion—perfect for capturing cinematic photos that close your album on a high note.
Want it to run smoothly? Designate a few guests to help guide your friends and family into two organized lines, and pass out any props like sparklers or bubbles ahead of time. We always suggest doing the run-through twice—it ensures the moment gets the attention it deserves and gives us the opportunity to capture multiple angles of your NYC grand finale.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- Dr. suess
IMAGE DELIVERY
IN A CURATED ONLINE GALLERY
HOW IT WORKS
One of our favorite parts of the wedding experience is delivering your beautiful gallery of images! When your photos are edited and ready, you'll receive a link to your online gallery. This is a URL where you will have access to all of your images at high resolution. You can scroll through, view, and download them at any time. You'll also be able to share this link with friends and family so they can relive your best day with you!
Contact us for sample galleries
THE HIGHEST QUALITY AlbUMS FOR YOUR MOST TREASURED MOMENTS. THESE QUALITY BOOKS WILL LIVE ON FOR GENERATIONS.
WEDDING ALBUM
Heirloom
ALBUM DESIGN
A couple of months afte wedding (once you've received your online gallery!) we can start designing your wedding album. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it.
Link to album guide
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
You'll have the chance to pick out your album size, material and color. I have a page outlining all of the choices!
Album Page Layout
Once your options are selected, I'll create the page layouts using the best of your wedding day photos. When I'm done I'll send a proof your way and we can make any changes you want.
Enjoy your alubm
Once everything looks good to go and you like the layout, I will order your album and have it sent directly to you.
Album design process
Feel free to email us with any questions!
From elegant rooftop portraits to quiet Central Park moments and bustling Manhattan celebrations, we specialize in timeless, editorial-style wedding photography rooted in the heart of New York City. If you're planning a New York wedding and want photographers who know the city—and how to photograph love in it beautifully—we'd love to connect.
Ready to Bring Your NYC Wedding Vision to Life?
