WNY Micro Wedding at Youngstown Yacht Club

Erin + Rigo

A big Buffalo ballroom wedding was planned for May at 500 Pearl. But 2020 said… nah. Erin and Rigo decided to postpone to the fall as so many couples did, only realize the realities of that were dwindling as time went on as well. But the show must go on and so these two devised an entirely new plan for a late summer micro wedding in WNY instead. Erin and Rigo were able to keep their ceremony location, St. Peters Church in Lewiston and moved their reception to a perfect river side tent at the Youngstown Yacht Club.

I began the day with Erin at her family’s home for a few quick photos before heading to the church. Meanwhile second photographer, Steve, joined Rigo at the lovely Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa in Lewiston.

mom helps bride with wedding dress before micro wedding in WNY
mom helps bride with wedding dress before micro wedding in WNY
matron of honor helps bride with veil before micro wedding in WNY
bridesmaids laugh together and pose for photographer before micro wedding in WNY
bride and mom smile for photographer before micro wedding in WNY
father escorts bride in to vintage truck before micro wedding ceremony in WNY
groomsman prepare for wedding ceremony at Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa in Lewiston, NY before micro wedding in WNY
groomsman laugh as they prepare for wedding ceremony at Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa in Lewiston, NY before micro wedding in WNY
groom prepares for wedding ceremony at Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa in Lewiston, NY before micro wedding in WNY
groom prepares for wedding ceremony at Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa in Lewiston, NY before micro wedding in WNY
groom and groomsmen smile for photographer before wedding ceremony at Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa in Lewiston, NY before micro wedding in WNY

Erin and her dad arrived to the wedding ceremony at St. Peter’s Church in style in one of his vintage cars!

father escorts bride out of vintage Buick before micro wedding ceremony in Lewiston, NY
father escorts bride out of vintage Buick before micro wedding ceremony in Lewiston, NY

I happened to grow up in Lewiston and actually went to St. Peter’s church as a kid. This ceremony was so nostalgic for me having spent so much time here back in the day.

guests gather at St. Peter
father and bride walk down aisle during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
groom smiles and waits for bride at end of aisle during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
father hugs bride at end of aisle during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom say vows during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom say vows during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom exchange rings during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom exchange rings during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter

This is Erin’s Grandma, still taking speaking engagements in her 90’s. (:

grandmother gives reading during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom share first kiss during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom wave to guests during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom celebrate with arms raised as they leave church during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
little girl blows bubbles from bubble gun during micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
groom opens door of vintage Buick for bride after micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom wave to guests from vintage buick after micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
groom waves to guests from vintage buick after micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter
bride and groom drive away in vintage buick after micro wedding ceremony at St. Peter

We took a quick ride down to Lewiston Landing for portraits of Erin and Rigo with their families and their wedding party. The gorge of the lower Niagara River is seen in the background – such a gorgeous spot for portraits!

bride, groom families and wedding party smile for photographer during wedding portraits at Lewiston Landing during WNY micro wedding
bride, groom families and wedding party smile for photographer during wedding portraits at Lewiston Landing during WNY micro wedding
bride, groom families and wedding party smile for photographer during wedding portraits at Lewiston Landing during WNY micro wedding
bride, groom families and wedding party smile for photographer during wedding portraits at Lewiston Landing during WNY micro wedding
bride, groom families and wedding party smile for photographer during wedding portraits at Lewiston Landing during WNY micro wedding
bride, groom families and wedding party smile for photographer during wedding portraits at Lewiston Landing during WNY micro wedding

From Lewiston we left friends and family for a little bit to venture off to Buffalo. Erin and Rigo live in Brooklyn now where they are both teachers. They consider themselves “city people” and really wanted a more urban backdrop for some of their photos. Going to Buffalo specifically was extra personal because while Rigo is from Brooklyn, he actually attended Canisius College here in Buffalo! The couple met back in Brooklyn, but Buffalo is still a special part of both their histories, so taking this short drive was a no brainer.

portraits of bride and groom smiling for photographer in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
portraits of bride and groom smiling at each other while walking in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom touching noses in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom kiss in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom kiss in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom look at each other along brick wall in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom kiss in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom laugh in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom smile for photographer in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea
bride and groom kiss in theater district of Buffalo, NY near Shea

This silhouette from Steve is the coolest happy accident ever. I sent this photo to him to tell him how much I loved it to which he replied, “totally on purpose!” All I know is next time I’m here I will take a shot like this on purpose (:

bride and groom look at each other in silhouette in theater district of Buffalo, NY at the "greetings from Buffalo" mural during WNY micro wedding celebration
bride and groom smile at each other in theater district of Buffalo, NY at the "greetings from Buffalo" mural during WNY micro wedding celebration
bride and groom kiss in theater district of Buffalo, NY at the "greetings from Buffalo" mural during WNY micro wedding celebration

After our portrait session, we met back up with the rest of the guests for a small, intimate wedding reception at the Youngstown Yacht Club!

The Yacht Club is situated on the lower Niagara River, just shy of where it meets Lake Ontario. They set up a tent right by the water with sunset views for miles. It was really such a beautiful, tranquil setting for a micro-wedding reception!

decorations at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
decorations at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
couple sits on dock at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
guests pose for photographer at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and nephew look out on Niagara River at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
wedding party is introduced at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom are introduced at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
matron of honor delivers speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom laugh during at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
matron of honor delivers speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom laugh during at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
matron of honor delivers speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
best man delivers speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
groom and best man hug after speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
best man delivers speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom laugh during speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
guests laugh at speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom cut cake at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
father and bride dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
father and bride dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
father and bride dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
groom and mother dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
groom and mother dance at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
kids use bubble guns groom at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding

I see a future photographer right here! He was taking photos of the reflections in his sunglasses! Very cool!!!

boy takes photos at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
Bride and groom enjoy sunset on dock at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom with sun setting behind them over the Niagara River at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
guests smile for photographer at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
guests gather on patio in front of Niagara River at sunset at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
guests lay on dock at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
guests smile for photographer at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
bride and groom deliver speech at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
sailboats on the Niagara River at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding
wedding tent in front of Niagara River at Youngstown Yacht Club during WNY micro wedding

That’s a wrap! Many thanks to Erin and Rigo for having us document their lovely wedding day, it was such a pleasure!

Additional thanks to all these great venues and vendors who made the day what it was!

Bride Preparation: Private residence

Groom Preparation: Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa

Ceremony: St. Peter’s RC Church

Portraits: Theater district of Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Theater and Greetings from Buffalo Mural

Reception: Youngstown Yacht Club

Hair: Ciao Salon Niagara Falls

Florist: April Spencer Floral Design

Bakery: Erin’s sister!!!

DJ: DJ Hassan

Second Photographer: Steve Karosik

If you or someone you know is interested in hiring a photographer for an upcoming WNY micro wedding, please have them contact me here!

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