New York City Elopement

Kenzie & Dongju’s New York City Elopement

Last year, Kenzie and Dongju asked me to come to New York to photograph their intimate elopement in October of 2022. I met Kenzie at the University of Arizona where we both attended. They wanted a photographer they knew and they wanted photos that felt unique to them in a city that they both love. This is one of my favorite days of my photography career to date. The love between these two radiates and I was so grateful to be a part of their love story and wedding day.

The Met

We met up at the Metropolitan Museum and took some photos inside. Little did we know you have to rent out the Met if you are going to take pictures inside. We still got some great photos in the veil and then took it off to be a little less conspicuous. And to top it off we got an iconic Met steps photo that really reminded me of Gossip Girl. Make sure to read this article about The Met photography rules before you go to save you some awkward moments.

The Wedding Ceremony

The leaves on the trees around us were brilliant shades of fall colors as we walked to Central Park. A light rain drizzled down but the moment was so perfect that nothing could have ruined the mood. On the way to the ceremony, Dongju got some cheese fries from one of the many little food carts along the streets of New York which provided me a photogenic moment. The ceremony was filled with tears, beautiful vows and love emanating from these two and their family. It was a beautiful private moment which enabled everyone to be so present for the celebration of their relationship. When the ceremony was finished, Central Park erupted in applause! We hadn’t realized that people had been watching quietly the whole time and wordlessly cheering them on them on from a distance. It was so beautiful to have so many total strangers overjoyed at seeing a wedding ceremony of people they didn’t know. That’s one of the many beauties of New York!

Central Park

For some “not your typical” bridals we walked around Central Park and took it all in after their ceremony. I hardly had to pose these two the whole day. They are so in love that they danced and hugged and smiled at each other without a prompt all day long. Dongju got a pretzel from another one of the food carts which of course we had to break into mid photos. Pretzels and wandering Central Park on an elopement day? What an absolute dream.

Walking around New York City

We then walked around the city to get more urban shots. There is truly nothing like being with a couple all dressed up for their wedding day in New York City. They were the main characters of the world it felt like! People would honk their horns to shout their congratulations and stop Kenzie to tell her what a beautiful bride she was (and of course they were correct).

We ended the day with a slice of pizza and a moment to take it all in that these two were now officially married. I think about this New York City elopement in October of 2022 very often. I am always thankful to have been a part of Kenzie and Dongju’s beautiful wedding day. Any more New York elopements anyone?