Weddings, PhotographyCharles MaringOctober 31, 2016Wedding Planning

Wedding at The Pierre Hotel NYC

Weddings, PhotographyCharles MaringOctober 31, 2016Wedding Planning

FRANCESCA + PETER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARING VISUALS
CEREMONY ST. VINCENT FERRER
RECEPTION THE PIERRE HOTEL NYC
FLORAL DESIGN BY CARROLL'S FLORIST
ENTERTAINMENT BY HANK LANE
PLANNING AND COORDINATION BY POLKA DOT EVENTS

The Pierre Hotel is among Manhattan's most regal locations for a luxury wedding. We have had the privilege to photograph many weddings and events at this iconic location over the years, and it's hard to find the words to express the attention to detail that we see each and every time we work here. When Francesca and Peter first met with us in the city at our artist social club, they were still working on finding the perfect venue. The couple came to us after seeing a friends wedding photographs, and they were certain that they wanted the high caliber work that we represent. A couple of weeks later, they reserved the date with us, and we were over the moon excited that they had chosen the Pierre Hotel as the location for their wedding celebration.

The wedding day showed up in the middle of one of those over the top New York City heat waves. The summer in NYC can be ruthless at times, but it made their Pierre Hotel choice incredibly smart because guests, family, and the bridal party had a luxury oasis away from the heat and humidity for most of the day, with the exception of our travels over to the ceremony that took place just a few blocks away at St. Vincent Ferrer church in Manhattan.

THE WEDDING CEREMONY

Floral down the center aisle by Carroll's Florist creating beautiful leading lines to the alter.

Taking portraits in the center aisle rather than the alter adds grandeur.

Guests entered the church with a perfect touch of floral gracing the entrance followed by flowers guiding them down the aisle created by Carroll's Florist. The ceremony was a full mass, and one great part about these large stone cathedrals is that they tend to stay cool even when the outside temperatures are unbearable. After the recessional we created a few portraits with the couple and families back inside the cathedral. We want to bring attention to the exquisite lighting, and our choices for portraits here. Too many photographers choose to take post ceremony portraits on the alter missing out on the grandeur of the location. The smarter choice is to take portraits in the center aisle away from the alter, and to use off camera lighting that is both flattering, and that fills the room with a warm glow as seen in the portrait to the right.

WEDDING PORTRAITS

After the ceremony the plan was to head over to Central Park for portraits of the couple and the bridal party. Everyone hopped into a limousine and headed over to the park, and we walked quickly to a gorgeous location overlooking a lake. We worked quickly to capture a few photographs in this iconic spot, and before the heat became too much to bear we made our way back across the street to The Pierre Hotel with time for the couple to freshen up and take a breather before continuing the portrait session, which was planned for the Rotunda Room at The Pierre Hotel.

Luckily for all, Polka Dot Events coordinated the day with grace and style creating a timeline that was stress free. The timeline allowed ample time for portraits, and relaxation as well. As photographers that is incredibly appreciated and thoughtful not only for ourselves, but also for family, the bridal party, and the couple. A great pre-planned timeline with cushion on all sides makes wedding days a breeze, and it allowed us to go above and beyond with their portraits, which was important to the couple. Far too often party planners leave almost no time for family photographs, so this was a welcome gift to the couple from our perspective to have it so well thought out.

Fashionable bridal party photographs in The Rotunda at The Pierre Hotel

The Rotunda Room at The Pierre is about as beautiful as it gets. Modern furniture compliments classical mural paintings on the walls making an ideal location for wedding photographs. To create beautiful portraits in this location though requires a high level of competency and lighting skills as a photographer. This is where it pays to hire a photographer of distinction that can work quickly, and efficiently, to produce photographs that are both natural yet glamorous. A skilled artist will not just photograph your bridal party in a lineup when there is an option to think fashionably, and as you can see to the right that is exactly what we did.

About the time the portraits were complete guests started arriving right on time flowing through The Rotunda Room into a lavish cocktail party with food stations of all kinds. The Pierre understands the flow of weddings incredibly well, and as always they devised a way to guide guests through a multitude of experiences throughout the course of the evening.

THE WEDDING RECEPTION

Peter and Francesca made it a point to join their cocktail hour since all of the photographs were completed on schedule. Whenever possible, this is a great idea as it allows couples to greet guests casually without the pressure to spend too much time at each table during the reception. Again, a great timeline at work. This also frees up your photographers and videographers to capture the details of the reception, and make a plan for the grand entrance at the reception.

A lavish floral display by Carroll's Florist at The Pierre Hotel with gorgeous room lighting by Maring Visuals

Natural yet glamorous lighting by Maring Visuals.

Carroll's Florist created a lavish display with an abundance of floral that was fitting of a king and queen. The Pierre Ballroom was simply stunning in a blend of white floral and candle light. The Pierre Ballroom is incredibly unique, but because of it's unique characteristics it does have it's challenges in regards to lighting in the ballroom. We understand how to handle this room exquisitely in order to capture photographs that are natural, but also that are as glamorous as the location itself. I truly don't know any other photographer who captures the room decor as beautifully as we do, and the candids are so real and natural that there is no filter wanted, or needed. When photographs are this natural in color and BW, it would be a shame to cover up this quality with filters. It's Hollywood quality lighting of real moments!

Beyond the the amazing natural moments captured as you see here, the entertainment of Hank Lane was nothing short of spectacular. We have to give the band an A+++ on this evening. As you can undoubtedly tell by the photographs this was an epic celebration filled with love, laughter, and the magic that every couple deserves. We were honored to have been a part of this incredible day. Congratulations Francesca and Peter! May everyday of your life together be as beautiful and meaningful as this day was for all who attended.