Autumn Wedding at Cherry Valley Country Club – Sara & Tom

Sara & Tom first met through what they consider a mutual friend of theirs – the internet. Meeting for the first time in person, they grabbed dinner at an Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village and still had lots to talk about despite being finished eating. That’s always a promising end to a first date. A last first date 🙂

They extended their date and Tom went out on a limb and asked Sara to take a chance. Either she’d love it or hate it, but just maybe it would be a fun idea. She agreed and they headed to Marie’s Crisis, a piano bar known for being big on show tunes. This turned out to be the perfect choice for the Hamilton (the musical) lover that Sara is. Hours flew by with the two of them singing through the night and already planning their next date. Having the courage to sing in front of someone on part 2 of date 1 says a lot about their instant connection.

The Proposal

Sometimes, there’s little clues that the guy will leave leading up to the proposal, whether it be hints that maybe it’d be a good day to get your nails done, or sending you on a random errand to get you out of the house. Luckily for Tom, the day of the proposal, Sara was oblivious to his plans.

Sara & Tom went out to their favorite restaurant in Hoboken, and as they were moving on to dessert, she noticed he was looking a little nervous. He said he had to ask her an important question, but being that the restaurant was starting to close, she said it’d be good for him to ask somewhere else.

They walked to Pier A and at the end of the pier, one of two scenarios were in Sara’s head. Either Tom was about to propose, or  he was preparing to throw her in the river (equally reasonable according to Sara). Thankfully it was the former. He got down on one knee and pulled out the ring and asked if she’d marry him. She said yes and no one had to swim out of the Hudson. Whew!

Here are some favorites from their fall wedding at Cherry Valley Country Club

• • •

Sara had her nieces in the wedding as flower girls, they took their job very seriously but knew how to have some fun too.

A mother’s work is never done, Sara’s mom helped her in the finishing touches of her officially becoming a bride.

The pit crew hard at work.

Tom was cool as a cucumber all day, and looking quite dapper too.

Florals by House of Blooms.

This photo truly represents the bride and groom perfectly, classy with a twist of goofball. Tom (and the groomsmen’s) socks were custom made with photos of Sara & Tom’s furbaby, Paco. While I’m sure he would have loved to attend, his invite got “lost in the mail.”

Cherry Valley Country Club has beautiful background, this one perhaps being my favorite spot on their grounds for wedding day portraits, especially in fall.

Tom claims he didn’t practice, but his “dude lean” was on point. Sara is convinced that sometime in high school, they pull all the boys aside and teach them how to perfect this stance. I think she may be right.

We were so fortunate to have a perfect day for the fall. Cool and crisp in the morning and warm in the afternoon. It’s the kind of weather every October bride dreams of and hopes for. Sara and Tom were lucky in love and lucky in weather!

The chuppah was beautifully decorated with florals that tied the colors together nicely and also incorporated a little piece of family history with the tallit draped across it as well.

The signing of the ketubah, it all starts to feel so real!

The wedding was planned to begin at sundown so we had pretty soft twilight light as Tom came down the aisle.

I’m pretty sure Thomas really WAS happy for his Aunt Sara and Uncle Tom, just a bit of stage fright got the better of this little dude.

There’s a Jewish custom of the bride circling the groom seven (sometimes three) times. There’s a few explanations for why, but one of the most interesting reasons is the teaching that in circling seven times, the bride “enters seven spheres of her husband’s innermost being.”

Mazel Tov!

Paco of course made an appearance despite not being invited- complete with a few crumbs at his paws.

See? I knew he’d come around. The tickle monster brings out the best in all of us.

Ah to be young and flexible again.

I was told we were not doing the chair thing…. the guests overruled and Sara lost. Up they went!

Bracing for impact. She would never.

Autumn is one of my favorite times to shoot weddings, and Cherry Valley Country Club certainly does not disappoint.

Vendors

Venue // Cherry Valley Country Club

Jeweler // Greenwich Street Jeweler

Dress Store // Bridal Garden

Groom’s Suit // Princeton Tuxedo

DJ // Gemini DJs

Ceremony Officiant // Cantor Ted Aronson

Hair Stylist & Make-up Artist // My Makeup Artist Victoria

Florist // House of Blooms

Wedding Planner // Bella Couture Events

Bakery // Sweet Sisters LLC

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