Photographer & Photojournalist – Buffalo, NY – Weddings, Portraits, Brand

Emily and Chris celebrated their wedding in some of Buffalo, NY’s oldest buildings that also serve as some of our newest wedding venues, Karpeles Manuscript Library and the Barrel Factory! We also made stops for portraits at Hertel Avenue’s Gord Downey mural and Delaware Park where the couple also had their “first look” in front of the Ivy Bridge and family photos taken in front of the Albright Knox Art Gallery near Hoyt Lake!

Before we get to all that, let’s start at the beginning. I began the day with Emily and her sisters at the Embassy Suites in downtown Buffalo while second shooter Steve hung out with Chris and his groomsmen (and their perfect pup Dougie) at the couples home.

Dougie.

The Ivy Bridge in Buffalo’s Delaware Park is the perfect location for a first look! I love the mystery of Emily in the shadows as she’s about to make her appearance!

Isn’t this bouquet from Chickory Kin perfection? I love the way the edges are left looking organic and wild.

This tour group popped by for a history lesson and the groomsmen figured they may as well learn something in the interim!

Chris and Emily’s family’s then met us on these gorgeous steps in front of the Albright Knox for their family portraits.

On to the historic Karpeles Manuscript Library (Porter Ave. location) on Buffalo’s west side for a beautiful wedding ceremony.

Dougie made quite the appearance at this ceremony, roaming up and down the aisles barking and even coming up to the altar a couple times for some pets!

Our last stop for the day, the Barrel Factory for a wedding reception over on the south side of Buffalo. We really did the full city tour for this one!

Many thanks to Emily and Chris for having us document their wedding day! It was such a treat to be part of this one.

Bride Preparation: Embassy Suites

Groom Preparation: Private Residence

Reveal + Portraits: Ivy Bridge, Albright Knox, Hoyt Lake & Rose Garden of Delaware Park

Ceremony: Karpeles Manuscript Library (Porter Ave. location)

Reception: The Barrel Factory

Hair + Makeup: Salon Lulo (Sarah + Becca)

Florist: Chicory Kin (Sarah)

Bakery: Paula’s Donuts

Lucy and Josh were married on a rainy late August day that somehow never really rained too much on us. I started the day with Lucy in her parents home where delicious Lebanese treats were instantly pushed on me.  This is ALWAYS a great sign of the day ahead.  Lucy and Josh’s family and friends were such lovely and EXCITED people, you could really feel the pride, love and support for these two.

Now let’s take a moment to appreciate the sparkly things:

Lucy and Josh both selected their siblings as their maid of honor and best man, looks like a good choice to me.

We traveled to Trinity Episcopal Church in Buffalo, NY for Lucy and Josh’s ceremony.  Trinity is a gem in Buffalo.  It’s an inclusive space that welcomes all, and it’s beauty is undeniable.  These cozy, candle lit ceremony’s may challenge photographers, but they sure take your breath away.

From Trinity we continued to the Japanese Gardens outside the Buffalo History Museum.  This is a classic location for wedding pictures and for good reason.  The rain must have scared away the other brides and grooms this day because we somehow had the place to ourselves.

A little light rain encouraged us to move beneath the columns of the stunning Albright Knox Art Gallery, another classic location that never, ever disappoints.

We finished the day off at Samuel’s Grande Manor where a festive reception was under way.  Sparkly table decorations filled the room and were complimented Flowers by Nature’s gorgeous center pieces and Ohlson’s incredible glittery cake! 

No Lebanese wedding is complete with out LOTS of circle dances!

Can you find second photographer Steve?!  I put him to the task of painting the sky with sparklers for a portrait of Lucy and Josh, but he didn’t quite manage to exit this scene on time.  I left him in this shot for comedy sake (:

Any Sound of Music fans?  I can’t help but sing the song “You are 16 going on 17” when I look at these photos in Samuel’s gazebo.

Many thanks to Lucy and Josh for having us document their wedding day!  And as always, thanks to all the other vendors who helped make this day special:

Preparation: Bride – Private Residence / Groom – Hilton Garden Inn

Ceremony: Trinity Episcopal

Officiant: Kirk Laubenstein

Portraits: Japanese Gardens, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Delaware Park

Reception: Samuel’s Grande Manor

Flowers: Flowers by Nature

Hair + Makeup : Hair I am

DJ: CJ Sound

Cake: Ohlson’s Bakery

Second Photographer: Steve Karosik

Often times my clients live out of town and I don’t have the chance to meet them before their weddings.  I generally try to at least get a Facetime call in before the wedding so we can get to know each other a little bit.  The second that facetime call went live with Alexa, I had a real good feeling I was going to get some great moments with her, and I was right.  The joy was as visible as I’ve seen – all the laughter and tears brought about some of my favorite candid shots of the year.  Add to that Rob’s tux, the single coolest military uniform I’ve ever seen (Rob’s a PARATROOPER… also probably the coolest military job I could think of) and this wedding was a sight for sore eyes.

I started the day with Alexa at her parents home while my lovely second photographer for the day, Ms. Teri Fiske, hung out with the guys at the Mansion on Delaware.

From here we traveled to Blessed Sacrament church, enter the water works.

Favorite!  ↓My favorite moment from my facetime call with Alexa was when she asked, “would it be ok if we went to Mr. Goodbar for a few photos?”  Now my friends spend a lot of time in Mr. Goodbar, so I had to ask what the connection was.  Rob chimes in, “she likes drinking!”  Yes, we’ll get along just fine.  Onward to the reception at the fabulous Mansion on Delaware!

Big City Horns may have taken up half of the room, but no one would have had it any other way.  They are fantastic entertainers!  Last but certainly not least – a photobooth photo ready for awkwardfamilyphotos.comMany thanks to Alexa and Rob for having us along to document this beautiful day and many thanks to these fabulous vendors who contributed to the day:

Ceremony: Blessed Sacrament Church

Portraits: Albright Knox Art Gallery

Reception: The Mansion on Delaware

Second Photographer: Teri Fiske

Hair and Makeup: Pure Organics

Band: Big City Horns

Florist: Tops

Bakery: Tops