The best part about a Battery Gardens Wedding—pedestrians can stop and watch you declare your love!

Dane’s brother showed so much love during his speech.

Dane & Carolyn’s Battery Gardens wedding took place on a warm October afternoon in NYC.

Dane grew up in South Africa and recently came over to the United States, where he met Carolyn, a native New Yorker. Dane’s closest friends and family flew all the way from South Africa. Many of them had never been to the US before!

Dane and Carolyn wanted to take pictures in DUMBO, Brooklyn, in addition to Battery Park. After getting ready at their apartment (which had an amazing view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the roof,) we took the short trip to the bridge. We then headed to the wedding ceremony and reception at the Battery Garden’s Restaurant in the financial district.

 

Battery Gardens Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Tom Schelling Photography
Venue: Battery Gardens Restaurant
Florals: Masters and Co.
Cake: Peter Pan Doughnuts
Bride’s Dress: KittyChen Couture
Groom’s Suit: Bonobos
DJ: Hank Lane Music
Makeup / Hair: Beauty by Leeat
Bride’s Shoes: Adrianna Papell
Invitations: Invitations and Beyond
Rings: Zales Emerald

 

Are you thinking about taking photographs in DUMBO, for your wedding? You might be interested in this article:

5 Tips for Amazing Wedding Photos in DUMBO, Brooklyn

As a wedding photographer who frequently works in the Hudson Valley, Bear Mountain is one of my favorite locations to take photographs. The short drive from the base up to the Perkins Memorial Tower summit make it feel like you’re deep within the mountains. The best part is you’re only about 45 miles from NYC!

It was a beautiful day in November for Zach & Sam’s engagement session. We began at the summit and made our way into the surrounding areas to take photos.

 

I love the way these two look at each other!

Zach and Sam’s outfits were on point—look at those colors!

 

Here’s Zach describing how he and Sam met: “We actually went to school together all the way back to 1st grade. We didn’t really talk much until 7th grade when I asked Sam if she would go to a dance in Boston with me on our school field trip. We danced once together but we were both shy and it never amounted to anything more. Sam went away for college and I stayed in New York and we didn’t really talk for 2 years.

It wasn’t until Sam transferred schools and came home to Long Island and that we ended up right back in the same group of friends without even realizing. This reignited some old feelings for both of us and we found out how much we had in common. Cue endless nights driving around in my pickup truck, listening to Taylor Swift (side-note—yes!!!) We quickly became inseparable and fell more and more in love with each other!”

 

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest!

After the first look, we decided to do the second from the top of Taft Point, a short hike from the road to Glacier Point. We were treated to one of the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing!

There are few places in the world better suited for an adventure session than Yosemite National Park!

Alexis and I have met years ago when I worked at Apple. When her and Reuben told me they were living in San Jose (only a few hours from Yosemite) and soon to be married, I knew we were going to create some amazing photographs together!

Yosemite Valley is absolutely breathtaking, but it can get insanely busy during the summer months. To avoid the crowds (and the heat), we decided to capture their Yosemite adventure session in September.

Alexis & Reuben did a few separate looks, with the first focusing on the floor of Yosemite Valley. We made sure to hit up the iconic Tunnel View and the fields and meadows of the Valley before heading to Taft Point for sunset.

 

Are you interested in planning an adventure elopement? If so here are a few tips!

Are you looking for some more adventure wedding inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest!

This mountain inspired Adirondack Elopement Editorial took place in Saranac Lake, New York. It felt great to get out of the house and into the mountains during all of the craziness of COVID!

 

Adirondack Elopement Editorial Vendors

Stylist / Planner: Katherine Phillips
Host: Mary Dougherty
Hair / Makeup: Katherine Elizabeth Salon
Flowers: Little Farmhouse Flowers
Photographer: Tom Schelling

Francesca & Brendan are from Atlanta, Georgia. They are both frequent travelers who love to see the world. Francesca talks about their relationship:

On how they met

“Brendan and I both attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated the same year. We never met until 4 years later when our sisters — who were roommates — were graduating.

Both of us attended their graduation weekend and hit it off on the dance floor of our old favorite dive bar, Finny’s. Immediately we were attracted to each other’s outgoing personality, fun dance skills, and common interests. We went on our first date just a few days later and subsequently spent the entire summer together getting to know each other and falling in love.”

On getting engaged

I was sure we were going to get engaged the Christmas after we had been dating for a year and a half. I had dropped lots of hints to Brendan about wanting a ring and that we’d need time to plan our wedding since we were dating long distance.

That year I flew down to spend New Years with him. I was ecstatic when he pulled out a small box and asked if I wanted to open my Christmas present. Eagerly I ripped into it and was unpleasantly surprised to find a claddagh ring with our alma-mater emblem on it. He genuinely thought I would love it! We had both gone to Notre Dame and also had gone to Ireland together the year before. Although it was a very thoughtful gift it wasn’t ‘THE ring’ I was hoping for. We got engaged the next year and now we laugh about how eager I was.”

 

Check out this article if you’re interested in learning how to plan an incredible wedding adventure like this one!

Are you looking for some more adventure wedding inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest!