Upstate NY Wedding Photography at "The Big House" in Newburgh
Billy and Rachel's Summer Wedding in Newburgh, NY | Upstate New York Weddings | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
What do you do when you have to reschedule the best day of your life? You focus on people rather than things. Obviously it’s easier said than done, but our initial experiences of weddings during Covid have shown us what it looks like when couples are forced to strip away wedding details like invitees from an oversized guest list. Every item or service lost pangs of what could or should have been, but what remains is what really matters. When Rachel and Billy held their wedding in Cornwall, New York, this past weekend, you never would’ve known that this was a contingency plan.
The day began at “the big house,” a stunning Airbnb seated on a hill in Newburgh, NY, which boasts an obstructed view of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge as it stretches over the Hudson River. The eight-bedroom, six-bath, feels like a boutique hotel with its combination of modern and classic decor, and seemingly has natural light pouring in through every one of its unique windows. Heather was like our Jack Russel, Riddle, on a hunt in there--taking sharp turns through hallways and bedrooms while chasing the light (her most cherished natural resource). Meanwhile Rachel and her bridesmaids lounged in luxury as they got ready way ahead of schedule.
When Billy arrived, one of his groomsmen helped him tie his bow tie on the wrap-around porch in front of a rolling peanut gallery of family and friends. He then made his way down the stairs to the sloped green grass in front of the house, and drank in the view of the bridge before closing his eyes. If only we could live our whole lives in those tense moments of beautiful anticipation leading up to a first look. When Rachel tapped Billy on the shoulder and their eyes met you could see them get lost in a look of relief and wonderment, almost as if their souls took a breath of fresh air.
We proceeded to the venue which was a private residence 20 minutes south, in Cornwall, NY. The expansive property had rolling green hills, a pond tucked away in the corner, a putting green, and a house built around an old barn that was brought onto the land several years ago. Rachel planned this entire contingency celebration and the ceremony and reception hummed along as the hot summer day turned to a warm summer night. The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love echoed in the air as their recessional music after an intimate and heartfelt ceremony.
With the help of family and friends, Rachel and Billy never let the best day of their life slip away from them. They showed us that it is possible to safely plan a ceremony and reception during a pandemic while staying true to themselves and their relationship. Cheers to their perseverance, love, and all of their future plans, contingencies and otherwise.