The first time Emily and I spoke on the phone, I swooned over the thought of photographing her wedding. The stories she shared with me (like the way Vance proposed to her in the middle of a game of laser tag,) and the way she spoke of their love – they sounded magical. It was immediately clear – they were an off-the-charts fun couple who wanted to celebrate their love in a way that would be unique to everyone except them.
The morning of the wedding, the weather was a little moody. Patches of dark clouds and patches of rain mixed with bright moments of the beating sun. But just moments before I was due to meet Vance and Emily for the first time, the dark clouds seemed to disappear. We loaded onto the trolley and headed to an amphitheater beside the river. As guests picked their seats, they found a penny in each spot.
Emily and Vance shared vows that had everyone swooning. You could hear happy crying from every direction along with the occasional squeak of someone who was trying to hold back tears. Everyone watching laughed, cried, laughed, and then probably cried a bit more. Just before “I do,” they invited family and friends to join them in front of the river where they, all at once, threw their pennies into the water for good luck.
As for the reception – it was something for the record books, a sort of life altering event. The sun set perfectly as Emily and Vance danced at on a rooftop under strobes and stage lights, circling mini-pools and inflatable sharks, surrounded by the family and friends they hold most dear. There was so much love present that night, you could feel it thick in the air. It was obvious everyone there had been excitedly waiting for this day to arrive for some time.
A little preview video from my favorite, Pictory Productions:
Venue: Rock Top Lounge at Chestnut Boutique Hotel
Planner: Kaitlin Walker
Florist: Blooms florist
Cake: Shiela Gorgonio (Brides Aunt)
Caterer: The Rock Top
Dress: Saja NYC
Bridesmaids: J Crew and Nordstrom
Tux: Asos and Zara
Groomsmen: Top Man and Macys
DJ/Band: WESLEY BRITE AND THE HIGHLITES
Video: Pictory Productions
Wedding photographer: Veronica Varos
Emily and Vance’s trendy NYC rooftop inspired wedding has been featured on Southern Weddings and the TODAY Show blog – Read more about the wedding day at SouthernWeddings.com and TODAY.com