Stephanie & Bianca's New York Botanical Garden Wedding

When I first met with Bianca, she told me “I need fun and embarrassing pictures of our friends and family and Stephanie is more sentimental and wants the beautiful pictures.” Right off the bat, I knew they were going to be a lot of fun to photograph. Out of all of the weddings I have photographed, they take the cake for the most thoughtful and unique details throughout their wedding. Stephanie had a few surprises up her sleeve for Bianca, which incorporated Norwegian tradition as well as something they saw at a bridal expo they had gone to at the beginning of their wedding planning journey. They also incorporated their dog, Marshmallow, in many ways- including a “Marshmallow Toss” rather than a bouquet toss! Scroll below to see highlights from their New York Botanical Garden Wedding in NYC – a place that is very special to them!

Stephanie and Bianca started their wedding day off at the Arthouse Hotel in the heart of New York City! Upon arriving, I started with detail photos of their rings, invitations and Stephanies shoes and perfume. Their color scheme was “tulip colors without the tulips.”

After Bianca got ready in her room, she did pictures in the lobby of the hotel, which was a whole vibe!

After getting mostly ready at the hotel in NYC, we headed to the New York Botanical Gardens, where Stephanie got her dress on, followed by a first look with her and her dad. I am a sucker for a father daughter first look – it is always such a special moment on a wedding day!

Next we walked over to the conservatory for Bianca and Stephanie’s first look. Stephanie was running a few minutes late, which Bianca made sure to take note of!

For Stephanie’s first surprise to Bianca, she brought a Norwegian Bridal Crown!

Since Stephanie and Bianca did a first look, we were able to get all of the bridal party and family pictures completed before the ceremony started!

The Ceremony

Golden Hour Portraits at the New York Botanical
Garden Tulip Garden

At the end of the ceremony, there was a beautiful golden hour! We snuck away while guests went to cocktail hour to get some golden hour portraits! It was only fitting that their color scheme was tulips and the tulip garden was in full bloom!

If you are the couple getting married at the New York Botanical Garden, you are chauffeured around in a golf cart. In this case, Bianca got the chance to drive while Stephanie relaxed in the back. They rode up to cocktail hour in style!

Cocktail Hour

When they walked into cocktail hour, Bianca found her next surprise! Acrobat Victoria from Alterra Productions!! What a unique and fun gift for everyone at the wedding to enjoy! How did this come about? Stephanie and Bianca had been at a bridal expo where they saw the acrobats performing. Bianca loved the drama of it all, meanwhile Stephanie responded, “no way!” Little did Bianca know, it was happening! Victoria gave multiple performances throughout the night, providing amazing entertainment!

The Reception

The reception room was exactly what I would expect – colorful and bold, all while being beautiful! The colorful florals and DJ lights set the mood for a fun reception.

A Special Father Daughter Dance

For the father daughter dance, I absolutely love what they did! Stephanie and Bianca each danced with their own dads, then switched and danced with each others dad, THEN switched and the two of them danced while the dad’s danced together! Not only was it so sweet, but it made for a good laugh when the dad’s got together!