Check for yourself. See. Look!!! Check out this intricate, beautiful detailing on her gown!

Sarah and Jose got ready at the Omni Berkshire Hotel in the city and it was filled with beautiful light and the perfect place for a First Look

…and just down the hall from Sarah, Jose was ‘getting ready’ aka playing poker with his guys! Which is something they do quite often, I was told!

Sarah’s bouquet from Lenox Hill Florists was a thing of beauty. So elegant and graceful

and then there were the shoes!! So many lovely shoes

So I have to preface this whole First Look portion of our post with how much Sarah did not want to do one. Like many brides, she wanted the first time Jose saw her to be when she was being walked down the aisle by her Dad.

But her schedule being what it was, and with light constraints, she realized she had to do it in order to get the pictures she really wanted.

Can I get an AMEN here for that, because the images we got from this was some of my all time  FAVORITE first look images ever!!! eevvveerrrr

Here is Jose, right before Sarah came out, perched high above the city with no one else around. Well. but us!

Sarah was pretty emotional when she saw Jose for the first time!!

I love this shot by Mike. MIKE!!!

Mike has been rocking his composition like CRAZY, and here is a perfect example of why I love that boy’s eye!!

Greg Lewis threw this in to keep us on our toes

My view from the other side, this light was pretty. sweet!

Yes! Central Park on a beautiful summer day in August. Looks like no one was around huh. As if!!! Just watch how packed it was

Parasols are a yes every, single time!! YES. YEEESSSS

See what I’m saying here. Now, if we did not do this first look we would not have been able to have had this light here for all of our portraits!!

See how crowded it was? There were people every! where!!

Mike and I were crushin’ on the bubble guys like crazy!!

These portraits make me think of like way way back in the day, they are so timeless feeling

So after our portrait session, Jose went ahead to the ceremony site and Sarah hung back here on this park bench

My side kicks for the day, Mike and Max getting in my shots!!!

Sarah here makes me kinda crazy she is so beautiful!!!

Can you all see how excited both Sarah and Jose are to see each other?? And they just saw each other!

Me and Mike tag teamed here, I’m on the left

I love catching how happy the parents are

Jose shares an emotional moment with his Dad right after walking down the aisle. It was really sweet

Another Mike and Ten Eyck visual smash up, Mike’s got the left this time! do-si-DO

Their flowers and details were so rich warm and colorful!

I was paying total attention to them. And the cupcake tower. But mostly them!! but there were cupcakes too..

Mike on the left again! Don’t judge us on how many images of cupcakes there are!! They were so pretty

LOVE!!

Sarah and Jose, you two were such a joy to work with thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!

XOXOXO

Internet: welcome to my dream:

Our C10ike clients, Shubha and Rohith were married on a gorgeous, cloudless Saturday that was perfect in every way.

Shubha’s dad (who was the most loving, funny person) glowed with pride every time he looked at his beautiful daughter. I love this shot of him:

Ro… you’re like an Indian Clark Gable. So very handsome.

These are the moments right after their First Look. I love the joy in their eyes.

He looks at her. She smiles. It lights up the world:

The ceremony was full of tradition after meaningful tradition. Each one had a unique place and purpose. My favorite part was Ro’s vows. He looked at his bride, lovingly and with a knowing smile, and said “Now I can safely tell you what the rest of us have known all along: You, Shubha, are way too good for me”.

The adorable cake and cupcake tower from J-Cakes in North Branford:

During the reception Ro’s brother gave a toast in song accompanied by a mandolin, Shubha’s cousin performed a beautiful dance, and everyone partied into the wee hours of the morning.

Shubha and Ro, You are such an amazing couple. People like you are the reason we love our jobs so much, and we feel so blessed to have you as friends.

Here Margy, Mike’s mom (on the left) and her mom check out her amazing wedding dress, a Priscilla of Boston gown she got from Carine’s Bridal Atelier in Washington DC

There were hugs to go around all. day. long

Margy’s flowers were done by the talented Candi’s Floral Creations out of North Branford CT

Mike’s Mom wore her heart on her sleeve and she made my day every time we ran into her!!

So we popped over around New Haven and took some shots of the ladies before the ceremony- we had so much time to go all around town and the Yale University Campus, another one of my favorite places to photograph.

I swear every corner we turned there was a doorway here, a gate there that was so amazing and full of texture and I just had to take advantage of it!!

The orchids in their hair was such a nice touch!

Margy was so amazing to photograph

The wind was such an added bonus with Margy’s long veil!

I love this image of Margy and her sister after they thought I was done shooting… I love being sneaky!

These ladies were so much fun to work with, it always makes the day so much more fun

Candi did such a great job on the flowers!

yeah. talk about second shooters!!!! We stumbled upon a group of tourists, armed with cameras….!

So we were on a ROLL here with using our environment and all and Margy sure did just jump in a pick up soccer game on the Yale campus!!

Seriously!!

And here is Mike! My Mike started off with Margy’s Mike so it was The Mike’s for a spell

Then I had to break up the Mike fest and have some fun myself!! Which is why everyone is laughing here. Because I was so much fun.

Regardless of what campus you are on, nothing says college to me like these boards! Am I right or what

The Battell Chapel at Yale is so beautiful, any chance I get to photograph there would be celebrated!!!

Honestly, when I saw her sitting here, in this light, I was so pumped! Isn’t she beautiful!!!

I love the way these two are smiling at each other…

Then there is sneaky Mike, always lurking in the back, getting shots like these

My favorite ‘groom waiting at the altar’ shot. EVER. ever… ever… (that was an echo)

Another Mike + 10 ike special! Mike got the shot on the left

Every inch of this place was waiting to be photographed! every. square. inch.

Miss Rebecca Hales from her sneaky perch in the sky

I totally love these spontaneous displays of affection!!

One of my favorite things on a wedding day is all of the random well wishing from people in cars honking and hootin’ and hollerin’

This was in an alley. AN ALLEY

This is a Rebecca + Mike extravaganza here- Mike’s is on the right

mad mad points for this bridesmaid for the piggy back, am I right

Mad nerdy time here: perfect display of camera to subject ratio- check out how different the background gets when we move away a bit and shoot at a really wide aperture

I know, I told you all NERD city

This guy. Maaaaybe we didn’t communicate on how he would throw the bouquet and how he was supposed to catch it… but it still made for a great shot

Mike. MIKE!! I love his take on the above scenario

And yet. Amongst the old old architecture of the sprawling Yale campus there is this building, and I love it! And the light was.. Well it was ok I guess

I had to hit up my secret little nook again but with both of them this time!

Mad props to Tom Morlock of Vantage Point Films, as always a barrel of laughs and the best videographer to work side by side with- Tom set this shot up which I loved!

When Mike and I were walking back from our earlier shoot and I asked him very nicely to please please remember this gate!! I had to come back here…. and this is why

Mike Connelly of Mike Connelly Sound Productions did an amazing job DJ-ing and lighting the space

This space is just opulent, amazing, I love the chandeliers, the stage in the back, the mantel… just everything about it!

I have really been digging shooting the toasts this year for some reason. Maybe it’s because they are a bit challenging, to get in the right spot to get the couple, the people toasting, and anyone else reacting?

But it’s always a great time to really get some amazing emotion, however quiet, or in your face it is…

see how emotional this glass of champagne is

Check out the colors here, I gotta tell you professional lighting can make all of the difference!!

Their cake was by The Royal Bakery

Big sparkler exits are always a great way to end!!

Margy, Mike, everyone!! Thank you all so so much for being so great to work with!!

XOXO

Lisa and Ben’s wedding is a visual feast, with DIY details like you’ve never seen before at the Barns at Wesleyan Hills.  Combine Lisa’s details with portraits at Wesleyan University, a family whose love you can feel and a wedding party that doesn’t stop dancing, and you have one heck of a wedding.  Congratulations Lisa and Ben!

Kudos to Athena Blude for shooting with me, and don’t miss cameo appearances by VIPs and photographers extraordinaire, Tony and Steve.

A combo of shots from me and Athena.

Athena’s shot below.

Athena’s two photos on top, my photo on the bottom.

Athena’s photo below.

Before heading to the Barns at Wesleyan Hills, we stopped at the Wesleyan University campus in Middletown for some portraits.

My photo on the top and Athena’s viewpoint on the bottom.

Athena’s photo below.

A mix of details from me and Athena.

Sometimes the best family photos are the ones that don’t quite go as planned. 

Flowers were by Hot Petunia!

Lindsay and Evan went to Fairfield University… good old F. U!

Lindsay’s gorgeous dress was by none other than Priscilla of Boston

Stuart Weitzman shoes AND Blue Nina shoes, yes please!

Evan gave Lindsay their team jerseys framed from their days back at FU

Yes. That IS in fact a lobster balloon in the back! A remnant from their clam bake rehearsal dinner the night before

This woman was the most rockin’ ist violin player ever! Just wait till you hear what she was playing at their cocktail hour

What? There was a 10. There was me. ’nuff said!

This beautiful shot of the ladies was all Cheryl Cronin!!!!

Me and Cheryl here – Cheryl snagged the shot of Evan

Their cake was by Lovley Cakes! And it was, in fact, Lovely!

Her sheet music here, if you have magnifying glass eyes, reads ‘I Am the Walrus’ YES. And she played Led Zepplin!

Evans pretty ankles

So we were doing some portraits and realized we wanted Lindsay’s bouquet…. good thing Max is so speedy! He ran back in the unbearable heat to grab it for us!

Come on, isn’t this place beautiful!?

Yes. It does look like their first dance is on the sun! But I looooove it baby, yes I do!

Their dance floor was packed! Like sardine can packed, this is pretty much how I had to shoot it all night lest I be squashed like a BUG

There is a first time for everything, and this chair dance was the first of its kind!

I love when the DJ’s tell everyone to stop and look at the photographer (i don’t really love this) especially since I am usually spacing out and this always manages to startle me! Mike loves when they do this to me, I can’t wait for them to do it to him!

In the end it’s great, look at everyone here!

Lindsay and Evan, thank you both so much for being so great to work with!!

XOXO

She continued to shine as she slipped into her gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown, and as her veil was put in… and the radiance stayed, not waning one bit, for the entire, beautiful day.

It’s So Ranunculus did a beautiful job with the flowers:

And Chris? He radiated, too… but in a manly, I’m-so-handsome-it’s-breaking-hearts-across-the-world kind of way.

Neyla and Chris have an extraordinary love; it’s like they are connected at the soul. You can tell in the way they look at each other… and it makes my heart smile.

The Farmington Club did a beautiful job with the reception.

The toasts were beautiful and full of emotion.

Nel and Chris: Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day!

Her engagement ring is one of my all time faves!

When Alison saw her grandmother for the first time, she was in tears! They were so adorable and sweet

Did I say it was hot? Well it was HOT! So hot, in fact, that a cold pack of peas didn’t do much to cool anyone down!

I know Mike was just secretly hungry

Alison saw one of the groomsmen right before the ceremony and just lost it!!

Enter: Nick! He was hilarious, emotional and he just loved hanging out with me, Mike and Greg!! We were all for it, of course!

Greek weddings have such cool traditions, like the ring ceremony- the best man here was putting them on, taking them off, then put them back on!

Peek a BOO! I loved her shoes

This little flower girl was from Greece, and did’t speak a lick of English! I love little kids that speak in other languages, come on!

photo on the right was all Mike bo Bike

One of my favorite groomsmen shots!

Reason number 537 why I love Nick! These poor guests got on the shuttle at the hotel and came to the wrong wedding! Nick thought it was hilarious and had to have his picture with them!

How much they love each other is obvious- but how much they love their families was so amazing to see

See what I mean? Nick took this shot of us, while we were all hanging out!

Thank you Alison and Nick so so much for being so wonderful!!

XOXO

Wait, let me pinch myself. Sometimes it’s too good to be true. Well pretty much all of the time it’s too good to be true. This I know more than ever when we are all together laughing, cooking, and chatting and the kids play effortlessly and the time flies by faster than fast and then pretty soon it’s too dark to see our hands in front of our faces. To say I am thankful would be an understatement. For this I am so grateful.

Okay, no more run-on sentences for YOU! Only photos!!

The one and only photo I have of Carla’s family. Hope I don’t get fired for that…

The adorable Rebecca and her sweet hubby Jared!

Kim Romano (Mike’s wife) and their baby boy, Aiden. With blankie.

The woman who keeps us all sane – Dominique and her cute hubby, Rick.

The Chapman’s of the White Dress by the Shore fame!

Candice of Event Jubilee and her sweet hubby, Mike!

Tony from Datura: A Modern Garden and his beautiful wife Aryn and the boys.

At the end of the day Mike Romano set up his lights and took some ridiculously amazing photos which I am sure he is going to post any day now (wink, wink). I threw his pocket wizard on my camera so I could catch John Locke (aka Chris Slater, my hubby) posing with Carla. So, anyway, this light set up was courtesy of Mikey. Thanks Mike!

Love you all!

xo,

Katie

I know there are love fests in the world, faux and real- but let me tell you something. My team is the real deal. 100% certified really- really- I’d get in a bar fight for you REAL.

It extends beyond my studio- which is big, beautiful and filled with wonderful, amazing people! Candice from Jubilee Events, Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the Shore and Tony from Datura a Modern Garden have turned into the extended, crazy talented family of the studio, and I had to have them along for the day as well.

Let it be said that there were two of my favorite people are missing from this shoot and video- Erik Maziarz and Greg Lewis couldn’t make it, so don’t go thinking they aren’t with me, because they ARE!!! And we missed them dearly.

Enter: Jim Alteri. Not sure I can say anything that can really sum up this guys talent, so maybe I won’t even try! Maybe you should just watch. And see for yourself!!

Carla Ten Eyck Photography | Buttonwood Farms from Jim Altieri on Vimeo.

XOXOXO

I don’t know where to confirm this, but I’m pretty sure that the day of Dan and Mariah’s engagement shoot back in July was officially THE hottest day of the summer.  Even in the early evening when we were shooting, the temperature was still in the 90′s and the humidity almost unbearable.  These two were troopers though, and I think you’ll agree that it was totally worth the extra sweat.  Their Greenwich engagement photos have a little bit of everything – from urban downtown photos, to the beach and even the firehouse (Dan is a friend and fellow firefighter).  Congratulations Mariah and Dan!