Northport Long Island Wedding Photographers
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Ashley & Andrew’s Wedding
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Reception | Huntington Crescent Club
Ceremony | Private Residence
News Years Eve Wedding in Nashville at the Union Station Hotel
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Mike + Robyn
We Say Goodbye to 2021 with…country music?!
I’ve never liked country music, but Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver BANGS. And I’m not sure which genre you place Johnny Cash or John Prine in, but they’re good in my book, too. For the last wedding of the year Heather and I found ourselves in Nashville, Tennessee, on New Years Eve for my friend Mike's (henceforth known as Skeats) wedding. Skeats met Robyn in Nashville shortly after he moved down from New York several years ago, and everytime I’ve met up with them I’ve known that they found great partners in each other. Robyn loves country music and Skeats is coming around.
Traveling During Omicron: Making Things Happen
Unfortunately for Skeats and Robyn, the surge in Covid cases due to the Omicron variant threw a last minute monkey wrench into their plans. They pressed forward and still held the best New Year’s Eve party and wedding that I’ve ever been to! We all took the proper precautions to the best of our ability and knew the risks involved. So much has been made of Covid over the last two+ years that it’s hard to separate opinions from politics, but in Heather and I’s experience, just add this to the list of events that we were grateful to be a part of. Even in pre-pandemic times, there were always a million reasons to not do something, or be somewhere. We were totally stretched to our limits the past two years and time-and-time again the choice to just make things happen and show up put smiles on all of our faces.
Union Station Nashville Yards Wedding Photos
Holy beautiful, Batman. The clean large tile floors, plush leather furniture, vaulted ceilings, and massive crystal chandeliers. The tall christmas tree at the center of the lobby with woodcraft classic board games set up at every table gave this luxuriously welcoming space a homemade vibe. Skeats and Robyn’s ceremony was held at one end of the looming hall, right in front of a stone fireplace with a clean mantle. Robyn particularly loved descending the original wooden stairs of the building, holding onto a handcrafted handrail that has stood the test of time. It’s crazy how time can change a space from a place full of commuters to a venue to celebrate the commencement of love.
Broadway Doesn’t Disappoint
If you like to party and haven’t been to Nashville–get there. The main strip of Broadway is lined with live music bars with wide open windows, so every 15 feet you walk you hear a new tune. We didn’t get to get as crazy as a younger me would’ve liked, but we did stroll Capa down the block and watch as he marveled at every sparkling, blinking, banging, iota of stimuli. Heather went to the Country Music Hall of Fame with her aunt, Pam, then, the next day, Heather and I went to the Johnny Cash Museum. I didn’t know that Johnny Cash grew up listening to his 2nd wife, June Carter, on the radio. I also didn’t know that she was the one who wrote the song, Ring of Fire.
2022 and Beyond
Heather and I had one more wedding this past weekend on Long Island; and with that, our wedding season finally comes to an end. From here we plan on catching up on studio work, taking a vacation or two, and continue booking all the way through 2023! We are going to Aruba and Mexico City so please share with us any recommendations you might have! To a happy and healthy 2022, make sure you make the effort to make things happen.
Photography: Apollo Fields
Venue: Union Station Hotel
Day-Of Coordinator + Florist: Olive & Birch
HMUA: The Agency of Beauty
Band: For a Good Time Call
Cake: Nashville Sweets
Ringing In The New Year
It’s going to be hard to top this NYE for us! Nashville brought all the energy and good vibes.
Jackson Lake Lodge Wedding Photos at Grand Teton National Park
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Ross & MIchelle’s Wedding
Flying back from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I look over to see Capa pulling at Heather’s mask as she nurses him. When the mask snaps back it hits Heather in the face and she playfully whips her head back against the seat. Capa laughs. It’s his fourth flight in eight months and he’s been a doll through three of them: Falls asleep at takeoff, naps for two hours, then wakes up playing and trying to make friends. The one he struggled through we were taxi-ing for over an hour and a half. You learn to take the good times with the bad when you have a baby, and with Capa there’s been plenty more of the former.
We first met Ross and Michelle at Six Harbors Brewing Company in Huntington on Long Island. Heather was filling in for a bartender and I came in to keep her company with one of our favorite board games, Azul. Ross and Michelle sat right next to us and laughed at the way Heather and I talked smack to each other. We quickly invited them to play with us and we wound up laughing all night and closing the brewery down together.
Ross and Michelle are the kind of people you want to go on vacation with. They always bring a bunch of energy, love to goof around, and don’t take things too seriously. They know how to keep it loose while putting things in motion and they never lose sight of the big picture. When Heather and I met Ross and Michelle they weren’t sure what kind of wedding they wanted—actually—they weren’t even engaged yet. But once we told them about one of our couples eloping in Grand Teton National Park, their eyes lit up. “Now that’s something I can imagine us doing, Michelley” Ross said.
Ross and Michelle wound up holding an intimate wedding in Grand Teton National Park at the Jackson Lake Lodge. The morning of the wedding, Heather, Capa, Ross, Michelle and I piled into our rental car at sunrise and we headed for a few overlooks off the main road. Unfortunately, smoke from forest fires to the west clouded the atmosphere, hiding most of the national park’s dramatic peaks. We adjusted on the fly and hoped for a clearer afternoon.
The haze hung in the air through Ross and Michelle’s ceremony but we came up with a game plan to get them a view of the mountains. Once again we all piled into the car to head for Jenny Lake. Windows down, we blasted the radio as the mountains grew closer and closer. We all whooped and hollered as we climbed out of the car to get the shots that we all came here for. We then took Ross and Michelle to a secluded field to share their vows in private.
As we made our way back to their wedding at Jackson Lake Lodge, we all couldn’t believe that our connection came from a game of Azul. To share such a special time together in a place so far away from our homes. We were all riding high, enjoying an adventure with friends who decided to create a good time when the bad tried to cloud the experience. If Ross and Michelle’s wedding was any indication, there there will plenty more of the former rather than the latter. After all, another adventure awaits.
Enjoy these photos from Ross & Michelle’s Grand Teton microwedding:
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | Jackson Lake Lodge | Moran, WY
Astoria Wedding Photographers
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Alexis & Dan’s Wedding
Ever since Heather and I lived on the Upper West Side over five years ago, people have always talked about “the beer garden” in Astoria, Queens. For us, it was always too far to trek to from the UWS--kind of like Williamsburg or Bushwick in Brooklyn--but the thought of this little German-themed beer and brat oasis has never eluded me. I was so stoked to hear that Alexis and Dan planned to hold their wedding reception at Bohemian Hall because that’s where they had their informal first dates among friends.
We first met Alexis and Dan when we photographed their elopement in Gantry Plaza last year. It was a sweet, intimate outdoor ceremony with the skyline of Manhattan in the backdrop. Champagne was popped, cake cups were served, and smiles and giggles were seen and heard through cloth masks. It was evident that Alexis and Dan’s relationship is light and heartfelt, sincere and silly. They are so thoughtful that they gave us a thank you card with a typewriter print on the outside and a handwritten message on the inside--things like that go really far with us.
When we asked Alexis to compare Dan to an animal, inanimate object, scene, song, or movie in our questionnaire, she said “every entrance Kramer makes into Jerry’s apartment in Seinfeld,” and I can’t stop laughing. That is such a specific reference and vibe that I don’t think I know anyone else that can fit that description. Additionally, Alexis is as ruthless when playing games with Dan as Heather and I are and I love it. She made him spell an answer in Trivial Pursuit once and he said “Vellagio” instead of “Bellagio” and it makes me think of all of the times Heather used a bullshit word in Scrabble and I called her out on it. Relationships are all fun and games until you unfold the cardboard and put the pieces on the board.
Heather and I have always loved to play and bet on games like mini-golf, Scrabble, Patchwork, Tokaido, Sequence, and Rummy. Sometimes we make silly bets like you have to wear two different shoes on a date and other times it’s more serious like you’re picking up the tab at the brewery. There always has to be some element of embarrassment to the wager to really spice up the competition. I fondly remember one time where Heather had to wear her pants backwards at a dinner party we hosted. Somehow, people didn’t really notice--and the one person that did thought it was a style choice, lol.
It’s easy to get caught up with work and other responsibilities and forget to give your partner the same amount of attention that you did at the beginning of your relationship. Over time romance waxes and wanes and life inevitably becomes more complicated. Since having Capa Heather and I have barely played any board games and made any bets. We said we’d make a concerted effort to spend time with each other before he was born, but time management is really difficult with a little one. We both understand that we are doing all we can and before we know it we will be embarrassing one another. I just can’t wait to get Capa in on the action.
Enjoy these pics from Alexis & Dan’s Bohemian Beer Garden Wedding:
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Reception Venue | Bohemian Hall [Beer Garden] | Astoria, Queens | NYC
It’s Us!
With Alexis and Dan having a great time at their wedding!! Reach out for your own photography below:
Barn Wedding in Lancaster at The Farm at Eagle's Ridge
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Kevin + Danielle
I’ve known Heather for seven years and I never knew she had a thing for the Amish. I’m not sure if it’s their tight community, hard work ethic, beautiful handmade furniture, or their simpler way of life, but I have to admit as we passed through Amish country I was pretty enamored as well. I couldn’t believe that people ride their horse-and-buggies right on the side of a highway with a 55mph speed limit but there they were, steadfast in their dedication to their way of life as cars and trucks zipped on by.
Heather, Capa, and I were on our way to Danielle and Kevin’s farm wedding in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at The Farm at Eagle’s Ridge. We were charmed by the old architecture of Lancaster, which reminded us of a combination of some of our favorite neighborhoods in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Just minutes outside the busy streets of the city we drove through rolling farmland and pulled into Kevin and Danielle’s gorgeous wedding venue.
The Farm at Eagle’s Ridge is a beautifully curated and cared for piece of property with a large barn, a spacious covered outdoor patio, a picturesque pond, and a 5+ bedroom updated and refurbished colonial home. Kevin and Danielle and their respective bridal parties lounged in the luxurious home, getting ready, playing games in the early afternoon. We eventually headed out to the lawn for Kevin and Danielle’s first look, followed by a few family formals and bridal shots. The mid-70’s overcast spring day was perfect for the outdoor ceremony by the dock at the pond as the live music floated in the air.
The proper planning combined with the design of the property and Kevin and Danielle’s laid-back vibe made the entire day a seamless experience. Nothing felt rushed, every detail was curated and executed to perfection, and Kevin and Danielle looked like a million bucks. I keep saying that I need to invent a word for when I see a couple look at each other and really mean it--the kind of look that speaks the words that your mouth can’t quite say--well whatever that word turns out to be--Kevin and Danielle embody it.
As day turned to night and cocktail hour gave way to the sit-down dinner, we stole Kevin and Danielle for some romantics around the property. We took them through the grass, around the pond, in front of a grove of beautiful cherry-blossom like blooming trees, and finally back to the stone wall that they walked by on their way to their ceremony site. Kevin and Danielle walked with an ease like they were combing back from a Sunday brunch and when we took a few individuals of each of them the other looked on with a sparkly-eyed admiration of their partner. At one point as Danielle was comfortably seated on the rock wall Kevin muttered under his breath, “wow.”
It’s this kind of admiration, this kind of connection that I’ve been missing during this past year. Documenting our couples connect this deeply is food for my soul and I’m growing more and more grateful with every wedding of 2021.
Enjoy these sneaks from Danielle and Kevin’s wedding:
The Vendor Team—
Photography: Apollo Fields
VENUE: The Farm at Eagles Ridge, Lancaster PA
PARTY PLANNER / DAY-OF COORDINATOR: Danielle Boyer at Planned Perfection
VIDEOGRAPHER: Cinema 440
OFFICIANT: Rachel Wade
FLORIST: JDK - Colton
DJ / BAND: Steve Johnson Band
CAKE / BAKERY: Cakes by Rosie
DECOR / PARTY RENTALS: Shumaker / Treasured
DRESS: Seng couture
SUIT: Black Tux
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Lea from Style Co
Hey! It’s us…
…team Apollo! Having a great time with Danielle & Kevin.
Sapphire Point Engagement Photos in Dillon CO
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“Hey, hi,” I said to the illuminated frozen-over Starbucks drive thru sign at 6:30 a.m., “I’ll have a double-shot Cortado with almond milk and a bacon, egg and cheese, please.”
“Ok, great, uh, I, is a Cortado the one with the chocolate in it?” A voice on the other end responded.
“Um, no, it’s a shot of espresso with some steamed milk--more than a macchiato but less than a latte,” I replied.
“Ok great, no problem! First window, please.”
I’m still not sure why Starbucks decided to invent their own interpretations of coffee and espresso drinks, but the truth is all I want is the caffeine before a sunrise photo session--who cares what the drinks are called. I was actually pleasantly surprised how engaging and friendly this particular barista was in the dark early hours of that fall day in Silverthorne, CO; taking the time to teach me how to properly order from their overly complicated menu. It was honestly a great start to the day as we made our way up to Sapphire Point for Paige and John’s engagement session.
I knew it was going to be cold but I did not expect the mountainside to be covered in snow. Neither did Paige and John. We all went into this shoot expecting it to be golden Aspens and fall and cute and it wound up being a frigid winter wonderland. The other day, someone asked me about our couples keep warm during these chilly sunrise sessions, “do they wear huge coats or how do they not look cold?!”
“Nope, no coats,” I replied, “I’m not quite sure how not to look cold, honestly.”
But Paige and John, whatever they did to keep themselves warm that morning, were troopers. They even had an outfit change where Paige’s arms were bare! I was totally impressed while drinking my macchiato, Cortado or whatever the hell it was. They were riding high coming down from a visit in Telluride, one of our favorite Colorado mountain towns. We had been trying to get them on our crazy 2020 calendar and meeting at Sapphire Point worked out perfectly.
Paige and John are getting married at Wedgewood-Boulder Creek in September 2021 and we are confident that fall weather will still be around that time next year, haha. The beautiful thing is that even if it isn’t, now we know Paige and John will roll with the punches and still be happy and beautiful. Heather and I love to do these engagement sessions because they are opportunities for us to get some face time and get to know each other. We totally understand that most people are not comfortable in front of the camera, nor can they easily overcome quick weather changes, but we do our best to keep it light and fun.
In the case of Paige and John--they did it for us--and we just got to laugh, enjoy the beauty of the view, and drink a hot frappuccino while doing it.
Enjoy these photos from Paige & John’s Sapphire Point Engagement:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Bedford New Hampshire Winter Wedding
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Liz & Nick
Every wedding trip begins with Heather and I going through a checklist as we pack the car: light stands, extra batteries, memory cards, and camera bodies, toothpaste and toothbrush, contact lenses, a cooler for snacks and beverages, Capa. Holy shit. Our son has officially become part of the workflow. During Heather’s pregnancy we were constantly told how much our lives would change when he arrived and we always pushed back with the phrase, “oh, we’re not slowing down for him, he’s just going to have to learn to keep up.” Seasoned parents typically responded with a smirk and playful eye roll so as to say, “you have no idea what you’re getting into.” Well I’m happy to report that Capa’s first wedding, Liz and Nick’s beautiful winter wedding at the Bedford Village Inn in New Hampshire was a huge success.
We did Liz and Nick’s engagement photos in Providence this summer, but they picked the Bedford Village Inn for their wedding because of its colonial architectural charm. The hall where they held their reception was anchored with large, rustic wooden beams connected with mortise and tenon joints. Brass chandeliers lit the large room, evoking a cozy warmth on a bitterly cold New England winter day. Both Liz and Nick got to enjoy a spacious suite to comfortably get ready in, and the venue’s classy restaurant rounded out the wonderful service and amenities that every bride and groom deserve.
Heather and I were happy to see Liz and Nick take the proper health safety precautions, asking each of their guests to wear masks and provide a negative Covid test in order to attend their celebration. We’ve seen many different approaches to weddings during the pandemic but it was really comforting to see the lengths that her family and friends took to assure every one’s safety. It not only made us feel more comfortable, but it also made the coziness and overall atmosphere of the wedding feel the closest thing to pre-Covid times that I can remember.
Heather wore Capa on her chest for most of the day, handing him off to me for important events like the ceremony, family formals, and speeches. Liz and Nick’s family and friends were so sweet to Capa, welcoming him to the celebration like he received a tiny little invitation in the mail. We heard tables buzzing as we walked past and it means so much to us that our couples and their guests are as willing as we are to welcome Capa into our professional lives. We don’t intend on slowing down any time soon.
I have a feeling that I will cherish the memory of Liz and Nick’s wedding for many years to come. Whether it was because of the way they welcomed Capa, or the many friendly faces behind the masks that made the event feel like a semblance of pre-Covid life; I will always be grateful for that warm wooden room on that cold winter day.
