Jill and Tom’s wedding day was full of so much personality. They were married the morning of Cinco de Mayo so of course there were margaritas and a churro stand at the wedding! My kind of party. It isn’t often that I do early morning weddings, but every time I do they are so much fun and I am always shocked at how packed the dance floor remains. Jill and Tom’s day was no exception. They started off the morning getting ready at hotel rooms right across the hall from one another. Although I’m sure they were tempted to sneak a peak at one another, they saved that for their first look. Both the ceremony and reception took place at the Timber Point Mansion. It was a cool and foggy morning on the golf course making for a really great scene for their ceremony. Jill and Tom were married through a few tears and the most heartfelt vows. You could tell by their words and the words of their friends at the reception that Jill and Tom were always meant to be together!
I swear there must be something in the air at the Central Park Boathouse! Every wedding I have done there has had the most incredible vows and most heartfelt speeches. Darius and Kara’s wedding was no exception. The entire day was full of so much love. The girls and guys both started out at the oh-so-amazing London NYC hotel. After getting ready, we headed over to Central Park for their first look. The weather could not have been any more perfect and it is always so much fun having the entire day take place in Central Park. Their ceremony was officiated by Darius’ uncle and included several Persian traditions which were so beautiful. They wrote their own vows and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house! Powerful words. Kara and Darius had an evening full of celebrating, dancing and heartfelt toasts with their family and friends. They have traveled the world together, started businesses together and now will build their lives together – Kara and Darius I wish you nothing but the best!
I always think the comparison of pre wedding activities that brides do compared to what grooms do is hilarious. The girls are often up super early, starting on hair and makeup and getting all of the last minute wedding details taken care of. The guys on the other hand are relaxing, working out, playing golf (or in Jamall’s case playing video games) and then spend the 15 minutes before departing for the wedding putting their suits on. Of course it takes girls much longer to get ready than guys, it is just always funny to see the different activities that each group does before the wedding! Tiffany and Jamall had a beautiful ceremony filled with heartfelt readings and music. Guests then traveled to Glen Terrace in Brooklyn for a super fun party! They had a band and a DJ who both kept the dance floor completely packed the entire night. Everyone was so happy to be a part of Tiffany and Jamall’s wedding and to celebrate their love. Congratulations Tiffany and Jamall!
Sarah booked me only two short weeks before her wedding and I am beyond happy that I was available! Their day was nothing short of amazing. Sarah and John both grew up in NYC and their brothers were in the same class at school and great friends. Although they always knew about one another, there wasn’t a spark until a few short years ago. I heard mention of a Cinco de Mayo party being the beginning of love for them. From the moment I arrived at Sarah’s parents home in Park Slope (where she grew up with her five siblings), I could feel the love. All of the girls were dressed in matching hot pink robes, picking out jewelry from the collection of their late grandmother, Grand Mary. It was so special to be able to capture the love and warmth between Sarah and her family in the home she grew up in. From there, Sarah and John were married at Xavier church where John attended school growing up. There was so much history for both families between the churches walls. Keeping with tradition, guests spent the night celebrating at the New York Athletic Club where Sarah’s grandparents were both members and spent much of their time dating there. Love it! The party was nothing short of amazing, guests danced the night away with the help of a great band, bag pipers and an impromptu river dance performance by a few of the guests. Sarah and John, I am so happy you found me and I am honored to have been a part of such a special day in your lives!
It was such a pleasure being a part of Rebecca and Rohit’s wedding day! They were married at the end of March at Water’s Edge in Long Island city. Their day began getting ready at different locations, and eventually meeting up for their first look at Gantry Plaza state park which has the most beautiful views! We were right on the water looking over onto Manhattan. Rohit’s sister officiated their ceremony and it was full of so much personality. It is always really neat when a friend or family member does the officiating because you get a real glimpse into the couple’s love and life. Everyone spent the rest of the evening celebrating Rebecca and Rohit’s love for one another. Please enjoy the preview below!
I had the best time getting to know Cathy and Jeff and being a part of their wedding weekend. First of all Jeff is a fellow Auburn grad so I knew we would get along from the beginning! Because of conflicting schedules, we hadn’t met until the night of their rehearsal dinner and Paebaek ceremony and they immediately welcomed me in. All of their friends and family were so warm and made me feel like such a part of the night! On their wedding day, we started off at a beautiful hotel right on the Hudson River in Jersey City. It isn’t often you get a completely unobstructed view of the New York skyline. The party then moved over to the Liberty house for their first look, ceremony and reception. Cathy and Jeff were so genuinely happy the entire day. You could tell just how in love with each other they really are. I am so happy I was able to be there with them on such an amazing and special day!
I’ve said it before and I will say it a million more times, I love winter weddings! There is a different feeling to them, a warmth that you don’t get with other weddings. Mary and Alex’s January wedding was no exception. They started off the day at different locations – Mary at Cutler salon in Soho with her girls and Alex at a hotel in New Jersey with his groomsmen. Eventually they met for their first look at Nania’s in the Park, their beautiful venue in Belleville, New Jersey. Their night was filled with a beautiful ceremony, heartfelt toasts and the most fun reception. It was such a wonderful day to be a part of! Congratulations Mary and Alex!
I had the pleasure of working with Laura Pennace on this wedding. We worked together on another snowy winter wedding last January and it was so fun seeing her again! Check out her beautiful photos on her blog.
It is hard to believe another year has gone by and it is already 2012! I had such a great year in 2011 and I am looking forward to what this year has in store. I shot 30 amazing weddings this past year in Austin, New York, Alabama, Florida and a few other locations. Yesterday completed my first full year of living in New York and I couldn’t be happier. McKenzie Miller Films has grown faster than I ever though possible and with an almost full calendar for 2012 I know it is going to be another wonderful year! I am so honored to have the job I do and to have been able to be a part of so many perfect wedding days. Through the freezing temps of January, the hurricane that hit in August and October’s out of the blue snowstorm, I was a part of some very memorable events. Getting to know and be a small part of each of my client’s wedding days is the best. I compiled a short video of 2011 in review and it is posted below. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012! I can’t wait to see what is to come.
I couldn’t have imagined a better wedding to end 2011 on. Dorthy and Alek are friends of mine from NYC who planned their destination wedding at The Casa Marina in Key West. What a great excuse to get away from New York’s freezing December temps! I was definitely not ready to come back at the end of the weekend. Dorothy and Alek had an intimate beachside gathering with about 60 of their close family and friends. The day could not have been any more perfect. They were married right on the beach with Key West’s crystal clear waters behind them. Alek’s father officiated and their ceremony was filled with personal, heart felt vows and music performed by their friends. After the ceremony, everyone moved into the Grand Ballroom which had been decorated with tons of hand cut (by the bride and groom) streamers and confetti. It couldn’t have been any more adorable. Dorothy and Alek I wish you nothing but the best as you begin this new chapter of your lives together!
Shooting proposals is so much fun! Although slightly nerve-wracking, it is exciting to get to be a part of such a special time in someones life. Jamey contacted me in the beginning stages of planning his proposal to his girlfriend Geree. They live in Oklahoma and were planning their first ever trip to New York. After brainstorming for a few weeks on possible locations, Jamey decided on the Bow Bridge in Central park. I arrived early in the morning to sneak around and film them on their carriage ride through the park. After the ride, Jamey and Geree had lunch at the Boathouse before making their way over to the bridge where Jamey hired a guitarist to pose as a street performer playing a few of their favorite songs. After arriving, checking out the view and taking a few pictures, Jamey and Geree were making their way off the bridge when Jamey reached down to put a tip in the guitar case and stood back up with a rose and a ring. He popped the question and she said yes! Jamey and Geree were able to spend the rest of the weekend celebrating in New York City.