Vivian and John's Wedding

One word is all it takes: Incredible! But I'm not going to stop there, because there's simply so much else to say about Vivian and John, their gracious family and friends, and their beautiful wedding.

Vivian started her day in the spa at The Garrison, a resort located on the Hudson River in Garrison, New York. With bright airy rooms and beautiful views of the Hudson River seated in the changing autumn colors, the scene was set for an impossibly romantic wedding day. We were excited to see Vivian, as she sat in the hair salon where her stylist prepared her with a vintage 1920s hairstyle that suited her sense of style and elegance just perfectly. Her look was completed with a silken gown which was overlayed with a beautifully detailed lace top portion that formed its own train at her feet. She looked simply stunning. John came to meet her in the bridal suite, where we were able to capture some of the most lovely pictures of them alone together during the day.

We marveled at the richness of their shared Italian culture, as we heard young and old around us speaking Italian, greeting one another with warm hugs and kisses, and even treating Jenni and myself as if we'd known them all for years as family. What a privilege it was to spend the day with them all.

A highlight of the day came after Vivian and John's first dance. Vivian's father had passed away years earlier. To keep his memory alive at their wedding, a brief slideshow was seen on a large screen while Vivian and her mother danced together to the music and vocals of the group, A Touch of Jazz, as they played Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable". I do not believe there was a single dry eye in The Garrison as we watched this touching presentation.

The marvelous staff of The Garrison served some of the most delightful meals we've had the pleasure of enjoying: Roasted striped bass with grainy mustard sauce, and then an amazing plated dessert designed by John especially for the wedding. Since both Vivian and John are chefs with a keen eye for creativity and art, it was no surprise that the meals were as delicious to look at as they were to taste (thank you to Vivian and John, and to the staff of The Garrison — we could not have enjoyed ourselves more). The flowers by Artfool were breathtaking - some of our favorite ever.

The skies were overcast for most of the afternoon. But one of the highlights of our day with Vivian and John was when the clouds opened up to reveal a spectacularly golden sunset. As they basked in the rays of the sun, it warmed our hearts to hear Vivian say about our portrait sessions together, "I'm really going to miss this." We're going to miss photographing them, too.

As everyone said their tearful goodbyes to the couple, we were reminded of how precious it is to have in your life a soul-mate with whom you can share your loves, joys, and dreams. Our wish for Vivian and John is that their love and enriched lives continue to inspire all who know them. We know they have done so for us. We love you guys!

Their online gallery will be available soon in the "Client Proofs" area of our main website. Until they are available, however, please enjoy this slideshow preview containing a few romantic moments from their day.

Also, we would love to hear from you if you attended Vivian and John's wedding or saw these pictures. Feel free to post a comment by clicking on the Comment icon at the end of this weblog entry. We want this shared experience to continue with your help! Thanks!

Melissa and Vincenzo's Wedding

UPDATE: There is now a slideshow preview of a few of our favorite images from their wedding day (PC only). The complete wedding gallery should be available in time for Melissa and Vincenzo's return from their honeymoon. In the meantime, enjoy the slideshow along with the story below! Feel free to share the link and leave comments for their friends and family.

Melissa and Vincenzo are simply perfect for one another. We were actually photographing another wedding last winter near their homes, when we got to meet them for the first time. They felt like instant friends to us. And they were so enthused not only about our photography, but also about their wedding at Fordham University Church (also known as Old St. John's) and the prospect of having literally hundreds of their family present to celebrate with them. We couldn't wait either.

When we walked into the University Church, saw its vaulted ceilings, its tall stain-glassed windows, and the sculpted stations lining the walls leading from the main doors to the altar, we knew that this was going to be a special event. Once all the guests were there, the ceremony began with the stirring call of a trumpet and melodious organ accompaniment from the rear of the church. The wedding party marched down the long aisle, followed by a beautifully radiant Melissa as she was escorted arm in arm by both her father and her uncle. Vincenzo had a smile on his face as he nervously bit his lower lip and watched his bride approach. It was truly an incredible event to watch.

After photographing the family and party formals, we spent some time with the couple taking a few romantic portraits. They were ushered into a Rolls Royce that took them to the fabulous Marina Del Rey, located on the Long Island Sound. With the large windows showing off two of New York's most popular bridges and the NYC skyline behind them, it was an affair not to be forgotten. The multi-course meal was equally as memorable (our thanks to Melissa and Vincenzo, as well as to the exceptional wait staff of the Marina Del Rey).

The music and entertainment was served up with intensity, variety, and a true Italian flare by DJ Serg Entertainment. The grand finale of the evening was a marvelous eight-table Viennese hour with desserts and sweets of every possible variety.

If you've enjoyed these pictures, another great way to share in their photographic experience is to go to our Main website, and click on "Tell Others" in the side menu. There you will find another photo of Melissa and Vincenzo, which we would be happy for you to share with your friends and family. Enjoy!

Sarah and Jake's Wedding

Sarah and Jake came all the way out from Chicago to Saratoga Springs, NY, because of the beauty of the area and the memories they'd created there. We're so glad they chose Ulysses Photography for their wedding!

Situated along the stately Avenue of Pines, the Hall of Springs banquet facility truly reminds one of a grand era of luxury and style. One of the most impressive features of this incredible hall is its 30-foot marble columns that stand around the perimeter of the dining area. The crystal chandeliers and crystal sconces lend a touch of elegance. Well-placed lighting added an almost surreal quality to the columns and mood of the evening. The result was simply stunning.

Another feature that caught everyone's attention was a custom monogram that had been created specifically for this gala event. The monogram was projected from an elevated spotlight onto the center of the dance floor of the hall. When it was time to dance, the monogram in light was moved to another location where it could still be enjoyed.


Sarah is an event planner, and did an amazing job planning every detail of her own wedding to perfection. Her friend Jill Moran, a Certified Special Events Professional with offices in New York and Boston, worked tirelessly and did a meticulous job in overseeing the weekend so Sarah could just enjoy being a bride.

The excellent meal was provided by Glen Sanders Catering. With choices ranging from lobster to veal, there were almost too many selections to choose. Our most sincere thanks go out to Sarah and Jake, as well as the incredible staff of Glen Sanders Catering for making sure we partook.

The ceremony took place after sunset on the lawn between the reflection pool and the Hall of Springs. As the shadows of the hall got longer and the blue sky grew darker, a spotlight was turned on to give focus to the loving couple as they stood underneath the chuppah. With incredible flower arrangements provided by Susan Adam, owner of Adam's Garden of Eden, Sarah and Jake could not have had a better florist. Her work speaks for itself.

We've arranged this early preview slideshow (PC only), a look at a private interlude where Jake got to see his bride for the first time before their ceremony. This provided some intimate moments that we could not have captured any other way. The deep love and passion of their relationship was obvious. The complete gallery of photographs will soon be available in the "Client Proofs" area of our site.