Emily & Santiago’s intimate wedding was the epitome of a classy, chic NYC wedding, with an intimate twist. Their celebration perfectly captured their elegant style and connection to their home in the city.
Keep reading to see how they had the perfect NYC wedding…
A Classy NYC Wedding Day
First Looks & An Intimate Ceremony On The Stoop
The couple wanted their wedding to be extra intimate, so what better way than to host the ceremony right on the stoop of their home, surrounded by 30 of their closest friends and family.
Before the ceremony, they shared a private first look inside their apartment. Santiago waited patiently as Emily stepped out of their bedroom for the reveal – just the two of them sharing a quiet moment before their attention would be split between all their loved ones who came to celebrate.
Having the ceremony on the stoop is still something I can’t get over. It was such a simple yet perfect idea for adding personality and intimacy to their wedding. Their sweet vows in this meaningful spot made it even more special.
Bride and Groom Portraits & Promenading Through The Streets Of NYC
We then moved into bride and groom portraits. Emily specially requested photos of them running down the stairs together after saying “I do” – these perfectly captured that NYC wedding style they were going for. After getting all the classics, they both had an outfit change – Emily into an ivory dress and Santiago in a matching ivory suit jacket. We recreated some of those special moments in their new looks before heading to the restaurant.
The walk to the intimate dinner celebration might have been one of my favorite parts. There’s nothing quite like seeing newlyweds stroll through NYC streets while strangers stop to congratulate them! We made a quick detour to the Promenade, catching the most beautiful sunset photos with the city behind them.
Intimate Dinner Reception At Cecconi’s Dumbo
In true NYC fashion, their intimate reception dinner was held at an upscale Italian restaurant with stunning views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn – Cecconi’s Dumbo.
The private room was beautifully decorated with white tablecloths and flowers from the ceremony, plus touches of black and red to give that bold and classy vibe. And of course, they had the classic champagne tower, which is always awesome to capture!
If you’re in the middle of NYC wedding planning, Cecconi’s is seriously worth checking out. They’re located right in Brooklyn Bridge Park, with a private dining room and patio area perfect for gatherings of 36 guests or fewer. The authentic Italian cuisine and amazing ambiance make it ideal for an intimate celebration.
One of my favorite moments was during the groom’s brother’s speech – it had everyone in tears. Capturing Emily and Santiago’s reactions in that moment is exactly what documentary photography is all about – those real, authentic emotions.
Film Wedding Photography
The bride and groom emphasized wanting everything to be “New York Chic” – and they totally delivered with their outfits, locations, decor, and their decision to take full advantage of my film package.
The New York-style wedding they envisioned was the perfect opportunity for film photography. Film photos don’t just give that nostalgic feeling – they add a completely different vibe to the way moments are captured. When you’re working with a limited roll of film, each photo feels 100 times more special. Even the imperfect shots have this unique quality that’s full of life and emotion. I can’t tell you how many times the unexpected photos end up being the best shots of the day.
For Emily and Santiago, I shot with Portra 400 film on my Canon A-1 35mm camera. The photos paired with their theme perfectly – especially when incorporating flash wedding photography to capture those evening moments. That combination of film + flash creates the most nostalgic and timeless feel, exactly what they were going for.
Emily’s reaction to seeing her film photos says it all:
“Chrissy!! The film photos are absolutely stunning! 🤩 I’m beyond obsessed with how perfectly you captured everything! I have already looked through all of them! Thank you for being so amazing and making our day unforgettable! 🥰 You’re the best and can’t wait to see the rest!!”
Chrissy Marie Photo Co. | Film Wedding Photographer in NJ/NYC & Beyond
Like Emily and Santiago’s intimate NYC wedding, I love capturing those one-of-a-kind moments on film. As someone who specializes in film photography and intimate weddings, I understand that each couple’s style and vision are totally unique. Whether you’re dreaming of a classic New York moment or planning something completely different, I’m here to document it all – from those candid moments to the sweetest portraits. Film photography adds something so special to every celebration, creating images that feel nostalgic from the very beginning.
Want to learn more about film wedding photography for your special day? Curious about planning an intimate NYC celebration? Let’s chat about bringing your vision to life! Check out my blogs to see more film photography work, or reach out directly to start planning. I can’t wait to hear your story and capture those perfect moments – both the ones you plan and the unexpected ones that become your favorites.
