George + Martina || The Tides Estate

What an incredible way to wrap up our 2016 wedding season with George and Martina’s wedding.

After an exciting morning filled with laughter, singing, thoughtful gift exchanges and stunning wedding details, our bride and groom had their first look at Kakiat Park in Montebello, NY. Admittedly, the weather was bone chillingly cold. We are both grateful that our large bridal party was brave enough to battle the cold for a quick portrait session at the park.

George and Martina got married at St. Mary & St. Pachomious Coptic Orthodox Church in Stony Point, NY. Over the last few years, we’ve had the privilege of photographing quite a few Coptic Orthodox weddings. If you’ve never been to one, then surely you are missing out. From a visual perspective, there so many beautiful aspects that make up the wedding ceremony. Between the crowning of the bride and bridegroom to ceremonial robes draped upon the couple, to the anointing and reciting of scripture, the many traditions seen at a Coptic Orthodox Ceremony highlight the sanctity of marriage within the Christian church. Although the entire ceremony is performed in Arabic (of which neither one of us speaks), we’ve thankfully been invited to enough Coptic weddings to know how it flows. Although we know the routine, we love the challenge of seeking out unique wedding moments— whether it be candid or emotional or just plain comical— and thats really what we love about photographing weddings.

Immediately after the ceremony, we headed towards one of the most elegant venues in New Jersey, The Tides Estate. Their wedding reception was packed with a whole lot of celebrating and fun details. We especially enjoyed their miniature-house gift card holder, and the decadent wedding cake featuring fresh orchids. Right after dinner, the bride led her bridesmaids in a surprise dance performance for the groom; the rest of the evening was spent on the dance floor.

George and Martina, thank you for allowing us to pop a champagne bottle during our final portrait session that evening hours. We hope that image captures the emotions you felt that day as two became one.

blog_001