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Wedding at the Heritage Club at Bethpage: Grace & Justin
wedding photography | ny wedding photographer | elopement photographer | apollo fields
Grace & justin WEDDING
the couple
Grace and Justin’s wedding day was a captivating blend of cherished family customs full of meaningful moments and nods to their rich heritage. We loved how they incorporated pieces of their personalities and passions into every detail of their design. It was a wonderful day in Farmingdale, NY and the Heritage Club at Bethpage, was the perfect venue to host the days events.
getting ready
We loved spending the day with Grace and Justin and we couldn’t get enough of their unique design choices and their love for one another was truly contagious. After meeting through their co-ed soccer teams as Div. 1 athletes they quickly found they had a lot in common. You know that we are suckers for first look moments and we had to take full advantage of this gorgeous couple and their families. Not only did Grace surprise her groom with a first look moment but so did the bridesmaids!
the ceremony
The ceremony was set and ready, perfectly placed in front of the hearth of the fireplace where Grace and Justin said their vows. With heartfelt promises and dewy eyes the two said “I do” and began their next journey as newlyweds. The love between these two could be felt even from the back of the room as their guests applauded and congratulated them as they exited their ceremony!
the reception
We took full advantage of the Heritage Club’s grounds as they created the perfect backdrop for a March wedding. The greenery just starting to poke its way through and the fresh spring sunshine spilling out over the golf course provided the perfect opportunity to incorporate their love of soccer into their photos. Moving into the reception, we knew that Grace and Justin loved to have fun but we were pleasantly surprised when every guest brought the same level of excitement and energy to the entire evening. The dance floor quickly filled with guests and surrounded the lovebirds as they danced the night away!
thank you’s
We were absolutely honored to be part of Grace and Justin’s wedding day, from beginning to end it was a wonderful time full of love, joy, and excitement for the next chapter to begin! Cheers to the newlyweds.
If you’re newly engaged and on the lookout for your New York wedding photographer, we’d love to chat with you!
Vendor List
Photographer: apollo fields photography
Venue: heritage club at bethpage
Florals: beckman's florist
DJ/Band: east coast entertainment
Cake/Dessert: dortoni's bakery
Dress: max bridal
Make-Up: make-up by cole
Groom’s Wear: indochino
Videographer: white diamond video
Stationary: minted
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.