The moment I met Kelsey, I adored her. She is so genuine and sweet, and there is something about her presence that feels soft and comforting to be around. And Derek is her perfect compliment.

Although we had to navigate pandemic rescheduling and venue changes, we finally made it to their beautiful wedding at Saugerties Steamboat Co. in May 2021, and being able to witness such pure love between the two of them was an honor and a joy.

THE COUPLE

Kelsey and Derek are such a comfort to spend time with. They are a beautiful pair, both inside and outside, and it’s clear that their partnership is easy. There is no pretense when they are together - they are just united in such a way that feels organic and natural.

Their first look was one of the best ones I have ever photographed. Their emotions were so open and raw; it was like their entire souls poured out when they saw each other for the first time that day.

THE VENUE

Saugerties Steamboat Co. in Saugerties, NY is such a unique and beautiful venue to host a wedding. With a beautiful view of Esopus Creek as the ceremony backdrop, you can’t go wrong with getting married there. Inside the venue itself is also lovely to host a reception, with both rustic and industrial elements. And, the brick of the building outside is able to serve as a gorgeous background for photos. Greenery can also be found on site for the sake of pictures, and the creek is also a stunning option to create variety in portraits, as well.

THE DETAILS

Kelsey wore a beautiful lace and tulle Madison James gown from Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, and because she is a pastry chef, she also baked her own wedding cake and all of the creations for the dessert table at the end of the night! They also opted for blush and white florals, which complimented Derek’s navy blue suit beautifully. While they didn’t have a traditional wedding party, they did have several little flower girls who also wore blush, and looked so darling all together.

At the reception, the tables were decorated with simple greenery and candles, which looked gorgeous in the rustic yet industrial setting.

THE RECEPTION

Kelsey and Derek started off their reception with an adorable choreographed first dance, which was then followed by parent dances, toasts, and then their guests got to enjoy dancing as well. This was one of the first few weddings where dancing was allowed again as pandemic restrictions began to lift, and it was such a joy to spend time in the company of others who were finally able to celebrate.

I think of Kelsey and Derek often. The sweetness that they shared on their wedding day was such a joy for me to photograph - it was 110% worth the wait.

FROM THE COUPLE

“Where to even start! After first getting engaged in 2019, we knew right away that our wedding photographer would be one the most important aspects of our day. On the car ride to our engagement shoot, we both were so nervous we hardly talked. That was a complete different story on the way home because Erica made us feel so comfortable after only knowing us a few minutes. She was there every step of the way during our planning process. From 3 different venues, 2 different dates, elopement conversations multiple times, and just random questions, she went above and beyond her role as our photographer for the last two years. We might’ve all been dying in the heat on our wedding day, but Erica’s reassurance and direction resulted in the most beautiful pictures we will always cherish. Our family is still talking about how amazing they all look and how Erica and her assistant made everyone feel so comfortable and beautiful while taking so many pictures. We cannot recommend Sweet Alice Photography enough - she is simply the best!”