If I’m being honest, I think about Sophie and Eric’s Callicoon Hills wedding weekend often, especially when the late days of June turn into the early days of July, as the weather is consistently warmer, and the trees are most lush. Sophie and Eric’s wedding weekend is seared into my mind, and looking back on it feels as nostalgic as looking back on my own milestones feels. There was just something about that weekend, those 72 hours, with the most endearing and wonderful of people that felt like a gift, like I was welcomed and included, like I could have spent another whole week there with these souls. It just all felt GOOD.

THE COUPLE

Oh, what can I say about Sophie and Eric that can encompass all that they are? They’re creative and intuitive, exciting to spend time with, and warm beyond measure. They are people you immediately feel comfortable around, and can’t help but cheerlead. You want the best for them because they want the best for you. They’re decisive and fun; when you’re in their presence, you want to be all in.

Sophie, Eric, and I bonded over the enneagram when we first met, a mild passion of both of ours. Sophie and I are the same exact enneagram type (2w3; Eric is an 8), so we understood each other quickly and innately. At one point, I heard her tell her friends how much she trusted me because of this understanding of each other. What a treat to be connected to people who always think the best of you.

But this is Sophie and Eric - they love you and trust you and take care of you. It’s just who they are.

THE VENUE

Callicoon Hills is a venue I could photograph over and over again, and still feel inspired by it every time. There is something so comforting about this unique location - nestled in the Catskills, it feels quiet and peaceful, almost as if it is always ready to welcome friends around a campfire or host a family for dinner.

Callicoon Hills has a storied history in hospitality, dating all the way back to the early 1900s, and Sophie and Eric utilized every inch of the space there, booking out its many rooms on-site, enjoying coffee at the cafe and meals in the restaurant, hosting brunch and trivia in its resource room, enjoying yoga poolside and opening the pool to their weekend guests, and of course, getting married in the forest ceremony location and enjoying their reception in the newly-updated barn.

Callicoon Hills is truly amazing in all that it offers, and such a perfect spot to host an entire wedding weekend.

THE DETAILS

Aesthetic details weren’t the biggest priority for Sophie and Eric. Of course, they had pretty, unique, and colorful tablescapes, and Sophie wore burgundy shoes beneath her tea length wedding dress, but what was most important to this dear couple was spending as much time as possible with all of their guests. They facilitated activities for everyone to join - a trivia, roast, yoga session, after party, farewell brunch - and tried to spend as long as they could enjoying both each other and their dear family and friends.

That detail was the best and most important: that their guests felt as included in their love as they felt themselves.

THE RECEPTION

Sophie and Eric hosted such a fun reception, with live music and guests able to either join in on the dancefloor, spend time mingling at tables, or explore the outdoor scenery. The barn doors were open, and everything felt so spacious. The highlight of the reception was the toast that Sophie’s mom made. It was so clear and evident from this speech that Sophie is the apple of her mom’s eye, and that she only ever wants to support and encourage her daughter - it’s a beautiful thing to have a mom like this, and an incredible gift.

The morning after the reception, Sophie and Eric hosted a farewell brunch, which was so precious to photograph. Everyone was a little sleepy, a little slow moving, but everyone was so content and joyful - and a few people even brought their dogs.

72 hours with Sophie and Eric was 72 hours well spent. I miss that weekend, and I miss these souls.

FROM THE COUPLE

“Booking Erica was by far one of the best decisions we made when planning our wedding. She is extremely easy to work with, is remarkably professional, and, importantly, the pictures are spectacular. From the first chat with her to receiving the finished pictures, each interaction was a joy.

Erica is fully present, thoughtful, and responsive. We never felt like we were being told to just do the same poses that she does with every couple - it all felt really authentic to us as a couple. She made us and our families feel comfortable in front of the camera with such sweetness and and encouragement.

Erica and her co-photographer on the day of were somehow everywhere and nowhere. They knew how to seamlessly capture every moment while somehow not being in the way of any moment. This is evident in the pictures we received. Not only do we have stunning pictures of us as a couple in settings and poses we never would have thought of on our own, we have countless candid shots of all our guests enjoying the event.

If you are considering hiring Erica, do not waste another minute. Do it. Now. Before she's booked on your date. You won't regret it!”