Long Beach Island Wedding // Casey + TC

Long Beach Island Wedding // Casey + TC

If you tell me you want to take wedding photos on the beach, the only question I will ask is, “When?” As a Boston native, I find the ocean extremely comforting. The sounds of the waves, the feel of the sand, the lack of shade from the sun - it all feels like joy to me.

When Casey and TC decided to host their small ceremony at the Spray Beach Chapel on Long Beach Island, with accompanying first look and couple portraits at the nearby beach, I had no reservations - I just knew I wanted to be there.

Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding // Stephanie + Sean

Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding // Stephanie + Sean

In 2020, I photographed exactly one (one!) “traditional” wedding, held at Hollow Brook Golf  Club in Cortlandt, NY. A traditional wedding like this one during the pandemic looked like a guest list of less than 50 people, submitting COVID test results prior to arriving to the venue, always being 6 feet away from everyone, and a first dance being the only allowable dance on the dancefloor. Times were weird.

Backyard Wedding in Westchester, NY // Stefania + Daniel

Backyard Wedding in Westchester, NY // Stefania + Daniel

Oh, I feel these next set of blog posts are going to be hard to write, but so lovely and rewarding to look back on.

We all know 2020 was a year. But today I get to share a beautiful moment in that strange year that was important and lovely and a sweet break in everything else that was so hard to handle that year.

Enter Stefania and Daniel’s Westchester wedding. 💛

Nyack Beach State Park Wedding // Maddie + Greg

Nyack Beach State Park Wedding // Maddie + Greg

Maddie + Greg were both in medical school when I first met them; it was a bittersweet thing to photograph their Nyack Beach State Park wedding  for two doctors during the pandemic. When I first saw them the day of their elopement, Greg mentioned how his face felt raw from constantly wearing an N95 mask in the hospital where was working nonstop. Greg and Maddie were conscientious and cautious of the virus during their elopement, but also just completely wrapped up in their love for each other. It was so much like any other wedding day in that respect that that’s really all I see when I look back at their photos - how much they love each other, how committed to each other they are, and how full of joy they felt to be getting married…

St Augustine Roman Catholic Church Wedding // Allie + Andrew

St Augustine Roman Catholic Church Wedding // Allie + Andrew

Way back when I used to host wedding consultations in coffee shops instead of on Zoom, Allie and Andrew met me for their consultation at a small coffee shop in Cold Spring that had no wifi, limited seating, and I’m pretty sure also didn’t accept credit card as a form of payment. (Thank God that quirky meeting places don’t have much of a bearing on whether or not I get to work with a couple for their wedding day.) Even though the space was weird, the vibes between all three of us were excellent, and Allie and I basically became fast friends who bonded over reality television - specifically, the Real Housewives of New York.

Allie is the sister of one of my other dear couples, Kerri and Brian, who got married the year before, and while these two couples are very different from each other, they are both very dear, and I feel so honored to have captured both of their wedding days…

Cape Cod Backyard Wedding // Gretchen + Ryan

Cape Cod Backyard Wedding // Gretchen + Ryan

As the childhood best friend of one of my college best friends, Gretchen has always taken up space in my heart in a positive way. Whenever I would think of her, or she would come up in conversation, I would vividly remember her big smile, her warm spirit, and her fun laugh. Gretchen is a welcomer - someone who is happy to include anyone in her circle. Even if you haven’t seen her in years, she makes you feel like you just saw her last week. She’s a good spirit. A kind soul. Special in the specialest of ways.

And in everything that Gretchen brings to the table by way of excitement and welcoming, her husband Ryan brings a quiet, calm, and comfortable vibe. They are both warm in their own respective ways. And when they are together, their warmth glows that much brighter - like the haze around the sun on a hot summer day…

Sweet Alice Studios Wedding in Stony Point, NY // Kaitlyn + Louis

Sweet Alice Studios Wedding in Stony Point, NY // Kaitlyn + Louis

I met Kaitlyn and Louis at a wedding in 2018, so when they reached out to ask about photographing their wedding and I couldn’t photograph it myself, I knew the team would be a perfect fit for them.

Kaitlyn is someone that you spend time with, and think to yourself, “Ah - I have found a fast friend.” I had the honor of photographing she and Lou for their engagement session, and it was such a lovely hour spent together. Maria let me know that their wedding was just as lovely. 💛

Crested Hen Farms Wedding // Kristine + Matt

Crested Hen Farms Wedding // Kristine + Matt

I think there are some couples and some weddings that show you what’s possible. Like a breadcrumb trail, people and weddings like this only enter your life when you are truly ready for them - because once you see the possibilities of working with such wonderful people on such wonderful days, you want nothing else but to recreate that every weekend.

Kristine, Matt, and their gorgeous October wedding day at Crested Hen Farms did exactly that - showed me what was possible for the future of this precious wedding photography business. After working with them, I couldn’t imagine not working with people like them from there on out. They inspired me just by who they were. That is a special and rare quality…

Avon Old Farms Hotel Wedding in Avon, CT // Mallory + Josh

Avon Old Farms Hotel Wedding in Avon, CT // Mallory + Josh

I met Mallory and Josh at a wedding I photographed way back when (shout out to Nikki and Sean 💛). They were both in the wedding party, and as soon as I met them, I knew I wanted to keep in contact with them. They are fun, funny, warm, empathetic, and kind - my type of people…

Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa Wedding in Milton, NY // Christine + Lou

Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa Wedding in Milton, NY // Christine + Lou

There is something so incredibly endearing about Christine and Lou. From the moment I met them, I felt like our hearts just matched. They were dog people, loved the outdoors, and were getting married in one of the most gorgeous locations in the Hudson Valley.

On the day of their wedding, Christine’s warm and even presence was an anchor; for someone getting married, she showed no nerves - just sweet anticipation. And Lou’s fun-loving personality was the perfect compliment to Christine’s soft demeanor. Their first look is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt I have ever captured…

Old Adriance Farm Wedding in Staatsburg, NY // Kimberly + Dominick

Old Adriance Farm Wedding in Staatsburg, NY // Kimberly + Dominick

Something that I desperately desire is to be funny. I mean, sometimes I’m able to pull out some funny quips and sayings, but I feel that being the funniest person in a room is such a gift, and any time I meet someone funny, I just really want to be their friend (this has been true for forever, and is how I met my college bestie).

Kim is one of those people that is just funny. She has an excellent sense of humor, and brings such light and playfulness to any conversation and interaction. So, naturally, we got to work together because, like I mentioned, I will do anything to be able to hang out with people who are funny…

Lake George Wedding // Meighen + Chris

Lake George Wedding // Meighen + Chris

Some wedding days are so good, I have to pinch myself to remind me that this is actually real life. Meighen + Chris’ weddings was one of those days. From the moment I walked onto Chris’ family property in Lake George, NY, it felt like home. Cultivating that type of an atmosphere is a gift, and Meighen, Chris, and all of their family members and friends had it - and gave it freely… 💛

Judith + Bryant // A Sweet Alice Studios Summer Wedding at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY

Judith + Bryant // A Sweet Alice Studios Summer Wedding at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY

You all know I like to reminisce, and when I think back on planning for Judith + Bryant’s gorgeous summer wedding, all that stands out for me are the little meet-ups that Judith and I shared at the cutest little coffee shop, and her gorgeous smile as she told me all about her life with Bryant, and her dreams for her wedding day with her family and friends…

Kate + Erick // A Sweet Alice Studios Wedding at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, NY

Kate + Erick // A Sweet Alice Studios Wedding at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, NY

I have been photographing weddings for over a decade (yes, I'm old; no, I don't look it #goodgenes), and I've seen a whole lot in the wedding industry between 2010 and today. Most of what I have witnessed has been lovely and given me the warm fuzzies, but one of the least cool things I have seen in the industry has been the lack of care that wedding photography clients have gotten from photography teams, in particular.

I think we all know the studio photographer stereotype: an egotistical individual that continually gets in the way, wants to do weird old-school poses, is rude to the family, gets stressed about the timeline, and creeps on the wedding party.

I deeply desire to turn that stereotype on its head.

It's my dream that the Sweet Alice Studios team of womxn wedding photographers embodies a new incredibly intentional and especially kind boutique team wedding photography experience for clients. More than taking your photos, we want to take care of YOU. Every Sweet Alice Studios team photographer has been personally chosen and vetted by me, not only for their ability to take gorgeous photographs, but also for their ability to treat you and all those around you as the beautiful souls that you are on your wedding day. For us, it's not about building our portfolios or gaining more Instagram followers - it's about the honor of documenting your story and supporting you throughout your journey. We consider it a joy and a privilege to photograph every single wedding that we are contracted for…

August Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding in Cortlandt, NY // Tara + Stephen

August Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding in Cortlandt, NY // Tara + Stephen

When I think about Tara + Stephen’s wedding day, it’s all lace and smiles and laughter and comfort. It’s Tara smiling at Stephen to keep him comfortable. It’s Stephen responding to her offers of comfort with his sweet easygoingness.

It’s a beautiful August day, and it’s all kindness and ease…

The Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding // Kari Jo + Andrew

The Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding // Kari Jo + Andrew

When choosing images for this blog post, I couldn’t stop smiling and tearing up.

Y’all, this day was just SO GOOD. Incredibly romantic, unbelievably authentic, beautifully intentional. It had everything precious included in it: ducks as ring bearers, a donut wall, the most meaningful chuppah. Not to mention the love between Kari Jo + Andrew, which felt almost tangible. Moving in their midst to photograph them felt like walking across clouds. Easy, soft, kind. I was completely taken with them…

July Wedding at West Hills Country Club Wedding in Middletown, NY // Anna + Brian

July Wedding at West Hills Country Club Wedding in Middletown, NY // Anna + Brian

I believe one of the most generous things a wedding photographer can do is to treat every wedding as if it were brand new - because it really is, if we think about. Brand new to the couple. Brand new to the guests. Even though us wedding photographers capture dozens of weddings a year, that shouldn’t mean that we don’t capture every single one with heart eyes as if we had never seen a wedding before. To me, that is loving our clientfriends well; it is cherishing what they cherish, adoring what they adore, getting excited about what they are excited about….