Documentary-Style Wedding at Brooklyn Winery | Brooklyn, New York

Silean + Pat’s wedding at Brooklyn Winery is one for the history books. 

Not because it was stunning, the florals, the lights, the architecture—but because of their deep, authentic love for one another. 

This day was full of so much love and living in the moment. As a documentary-style wedding photographer, it’s always such a treat to be able to truly lean into that. 

I was almost entirely hands-off this whole day because these two didn’t have to act, they didn’t need direction, they just existed in the moment.

It allowed me to be a fly on the wall and document all the in-between moments I see, instead of crafting something behind the scenes. 

The day started with the bride getting ready in her mother’s home. It felt so special to be in a space that had so much life to it. The walls lined with pictures spanning back decades with the bride’s mother pointing out different relatives in different photos. There were so many special touches added into the day as well. The mother of the bride came up to me with a hankerchief that she hand-embroidered with a quote “When can I talk to you and Freddy—Silean is very special.”

The ceremony was beautiful, with the sweetest glances at each other during the whole thing. The little glances, the kisses on the hands. Whatever space they were in, it always felt like they were the only two around.

We got a few quick portraits in after the ceremony before heading onto the party bus to get to their reception. The whole bus ride we were all laughing, dancing, drinking, and celebrating! Some iconic songs were played on that bus, including “I 2 I” from “A Goofy Movie”.

When we got to the reception at The Brooklyn Winery the bride got her dress bustled before they entered their cocktail hour and I got to capture one of my favorite photos from the entire day.

A Tidbit About Cocktail Hours + Timeline Planning:

Speaking of cocktail hours, I have been loving that more and more couples want to be there for the whole cocktail hour! I think it’s such an important bit of time where you can be with all your friends and family during your day. I always try to encourage couples to be present during the cocktail hour. It requires a little bit of reworking of your timeline so that we can ensure you get all those other photos you want in your day. If you’re wanting to enjoy your cocktail hour—let’s make it happen!

One of my favorite moments of the day is The Brooklyn Winery having a little bit of a “walkthrough” with the couple when their reception area was fully done and ready. They got to have a look at it all put together before all the guests were ushered in. The DJ played a little bit of music while they looked at all the amazing details they put into their day. These two ended up dancing through the reception tables and it was the sweetest, cutest thing I’ve ever seen. They were all smiles and laughter and it was incredible to be able to capture those private moments for them.

The rest of the night was nothing short of amazing.

Heartfelt speeches, the kids dancing throughout the entire night, and everyone dancing their absolute asses off.

When the night was winding down I went to find the couple outside having a bit of fresh air and I had them cuddle up on the step and soak it all in for their last final photographs.

It was an absolute treat and a joy to be able to document this wedding day.