Before the story of Leonora & Stephen’s upstate NY wedding, the story of Leonora and I goes back quite far. We grew up in adjacent neighborhoods and went to elementary school together (go H.E.S. Stars!). Since our last names both started with P-E-R it also meant that we would forever be High School homeroom & locker pals. As life often happens, we both got consumed by different activities in High School (me in Marching Band/Colorguard and Lee in Field Hockey) and then off to college.
Fast forward a bunch of years, Lee and Stephen are engaged and she asks ME to be her wedding photographer during their Upstate NY wedding!! It’s always a huge honor when someone who knew you before you were a real adult (not that I’m really one anyway haha) asks you to be a part of their lives in such an intimate way. Rekindling my friendship with Lee and her new beau Stephen kinda felt like there wasn’t any missed time in the middle. They are perhaps the least sappy couple I’ve ever worked with, so shooting with them was a lot like roasting them – hey whatever it takes to get a real smile, right?! But the important part is that it reflected them as a couple. Here are a few faves from their amazingly fall foliage, pumpkin spice, apple cider everything wedding!
Of course, we had to do our own little “Bridesmaids” movie cover. Personally I think these ladies killed it better than the original.
Yeah, I’d say we hit it juuuuust right with the fall colors!
There was no shortage of fun locations to shoot at, Full Moon Resort was a perfect rustic choice for this laid-back wedding in Upstate New York!
This gal has been pals with almost all of these ladies since the days of Hillsborough High School or earlier, I’m sure they all have plenty of good dirt on Lee 😉
Lee’s is here with her dad’s prized vintage Corvette. Thankfully this beautiful royal blue was the perfect complement to the yellows and oranges of fall.
Just when I thought they were tapped out from portraits, I begged,”Just one more guys!” I’m so glad they obliged because this ended up being mine (and Lee’s) favorite from the day!
Damn straight I’m going to photograph your drunken shenanigans!!! Well played, Aly. This sign was made with the amazing styling of Lee’s bridesmaid, Aly, calligrapher extraordinaire.
Lee planned a special dance with her grandfather, not a dry eye in the house!!
It isn’t customary for the bride and groom to address the crowd but rules were made to be broken, right? Plus she had a sweet reading to say thank you to their parents.
Remember how I said Lee makes girls cry?!?!
When I found out that Hoi Polloi would be the band providing entertainment that night I knew it was going to be a packed dance floor…the open bar didn’t hurt either! They are my absolute favorite band to work with!!!
Wedding Venue // Full Moon Resort in Big Indian NY
Bridal Hair & Make-up // Alana Schmidt Makeup in Westchester County NY
Flowers // Elderberry Designs in Woodstock NY
Reception Music // Jersey’s Own Hoi Poiloi Live Band
Photo Booth & Wedding Video // MSV Entertainment (Music Speaks Volumes) in Wappingers Falls NY
Wedding Dress // I Do, I Do Bridal Studio in Morristown NJ
Tuxedo // Hollywood Bridal in Kenilworth NJ
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