Christine & James | Staten Island Wedding Photographer | The Westmount Country Club

Christine & James | The Westmount Country Club | Staten Island Wedding Photographer

Christine met James during her freshman year of college at SUNY Albany over ten years ago. No sooner did they meet that they discovered James went to high school less than one block away from Christine’s childhood home. But as they say… timing is everything. In college they shared mutual friends, and met at – where else – a bar. James was very funny – in a very unique way. They were initially friends, and then their relationship blossomed.

They had their first date during a school break one weekend home in Staten Island. And the rest is history….

I love to hear about proposals and this one is almost too funny to write. I’ll share this story from James’ perspective, but may need to omit a few funny one liners. James proposed on July 3, 2010.

“I retrieved the ring from the jeweler that day, Saturday, July 3, 2010. My goal was to have it on her finger ASAP because I feared I would lose it and endure a lifetime of ridicule. The plan was a brunch/picnic in Prospect Park. A necessary component of the plan was sandwiched between my picking up the ring, and our ultimate destination. That component being requesting permission from her father. Immediately after picking up the ring, I went to Christine’s house to pick her up. I was extremely nervous. I probably drank too much coffee. Christine and I got into my car. However, knowing I still needed to request permission from her father, I awkwardly blurted out that I needed to use the bathroom. I didn’t need to use the bathroom. I entered the home. I saw her father in the kitchen. I entered the bathroom to gather my thoughts. I exited the bathroom in a nervous hurry and while her father was enjoying some sort of a breakfast sandwich with her brother (I didn’t realize he was also there); I shouted: “I would like permission to marry your daughter.” He said yes, gave me a hug and kiss, and I bolted out of the home. We arrived about 30 minutes later in Prospect Park. It was extremely hot, and I was sweating – a lot. We walked to an area I was familiar with overlooking a waterfall. We sat to prepare for the picnic feast. While she was about to remove some items, I got on one knee (maybe two), and asked her to marry me. She looked at me…and looked at me…she eventually agreed. Immediately after that, two dirty looking 30-year old men jumped out of some bushes, and shouted – “this is really important, have you seen our weed?” Stupefied, Christine and I searched the ground for the weed – we couldn’t find it. At that point, we decided it’d be a good idea to head back to civilization and break the good news.

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Engagement Photos in Long Island

We planned their engagement session in Long Island June 2011. It was a beautiful day. Here are a few of my favorite fine art portraits.

What a gorgeous couple. Christine is so beautiful and elegant. I had such a wonderful day getting to know Christine & James.

Christine & James were married on a warm and beautiful day in New York City. Christine envisioned a “whimsical, classical” wedding. In an ode to her family’s roots, they had the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. In celebration of James’ Irish-ancestry, they hired a bagpiper from the NYPD Emerald Society to perform outside the church. Christine chose elegant and formal dresses for the bridesmaids and James and groomsmen wore classic tuxedos.

The weather was mild – for July. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The “first look” was magical. We did it alongside the brickwall that encircles the church. James was nervous with excitement. There were throngs of people along the street and James could tell by their reactions that Christine was approaching. She tapped him on his shoulder and he turned around to see her for the first time. It couldn’t have been any better.

A first look in New York City

I love having a first look – its such an intimate moment between the bride and groom. Some of our couples are traditional, but they opt for a very romantic and intimate first look. Some benefits include enjoying a few intimate moments together, often an hour or two alone. Your able to take all your bridal portraits earlier in the day and spend more time with family and friends during the reception. Often our clients enjoy the cocktail hour as well. A first look can take some of the pressure off the exciting day as well. I highly recommend it!

The church looked beautiful. The ceremony was simple. It was just as we planned.

Christine & James booked their reception at one of the best New Jersey wedding venues. The Westmount Country Club – and it was absolutely beautiful. They told me they had a tough time finding the perfect venue, until they walked through the doors at the Westmount… and they just knew. I was familiar with that feeling having been married in 2006 walking through those very doors at the Westmount and booking on the spot. Ow how excited I was to return!!! The reception was amazing. The room looked perfect. The music was great.

I love getting to know my couples. Christine & James find happiness and joy in everything and laugh so easily. I asked Chrsitine what she loved most about James. “I love his sense of humor. He is so funny, and has a knack for cheering me up whenever I get overwhelmed.” I asked James what he loved most about Christine… “Where do I begin…She’s beautiful, funny, and so smart. She’s an all-around amazing person, and somebody that I look up to and proud to call my wife.”

Their hope for the future is to be together happy, with a growing family! Ow how I can’t wait to photograph their beautiful babies someday! yay! When I saw them last they told me they wished the were getting married again to each other – it was the best day ever! How I love them!!!

Christine & James Wedding by Joey G Memories