Intimate Ceremony Now, Big Party Later | Misha and Sahill

One of the biggest wedding trends we saw in 2023 that I think will be a super big wedding trend moving into 2024 is the “Get married now, party later” concept. SO MANY of my couples were eloping in New York City for the city vibes and iconic backdrop, but most of them were planning on having a big wedding party to celebrate their union later in the year. Couples are really breaking tradition. They want there to be a sacredness to their wedding ceremony and they want their ceremonies to really scream “intimate”. And I don’t blame them. Sometimes it's really nice to just enjoy celebrating with others at a more casual party later instead of putting on a huge production of a wedding day.

This is a trend I can jump on board and support! As a photographer, I really believe some of the best weddings I photographed this year were of intimate elopements. Sacred now, party later. I love it. I’m here for it!

If that sounds like you, let’s talk about what that could look like— especially in New York City where the aesthetics are endless and the vibes are romantic as hell.

With that said, I want to share with you one of the coolest wedding I photographed (and Brett officiated) this past year! This was a surprise sunrise wedding on the Brooklyn Bridge! If Misha and Sahilll had a cheesy tagline for their wedding it would be: A celebration filled with love, laughter, and a touch of Fireball whiskey. Or maybe: A Fire-Ball Infused Celebration. Misha and Sahill’s family knew how to CELEBRATE. This wedding probably could have been sponsored by FIre Ball Whiskey.

The weather was perfect, with clouds somewhat hiding the sun during the ceremony and peaking out every now and then. Their closest family members showed up to celebrate them. The surprise is that none of their friends or family outside of their immediate family had any idea they were getting married. They announced their wedding a few months later with the photos from their wedding. SO FUN.

After their ceremony, which Brett helped them craft and make unique to them, they popped their champagne and we took family portraits. I LOVE how their family portraits turned out.

Pro Tip: Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo early in the morning is the best time to take photos and not get other tourists or locals in the background of your photos.

Despite the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn Bridge traffic, Misha and Sahill's wedding was a two-hour event filled with laughter, love, and joy. To ensure every word of their ceremony was heard, Stacie's husband, Brett, used a mic speaker to amplify the sound, overcoming the lively surroundings of the iconic bridge.

Pro Tip: We always bring a mic and amplifier to make sure everyone can hear your carefully crafted ceremony.

If you're envisioning a unique and unforgettable wedding experience, let’s chat about what it’s like to have me document your love story with a cinematic touch. Cheers to early morning celebrations, surprise weddings, and the joy that comes with saying "I do" in the heart of New York City.