New York City Elopement | Jade + Shaina
Getting married on Top of the Rock is a dream of many. Jade & Shaina dreamt about an epic elopement since they started dating, and that dream came true in early March 2020. They flew from Texas with a beautiful white dress and a stylish burgundy suit to read their vows to each other with incredible views on New York City. Rockefeller Center offers the most iconic scenery, and, as a photographer, I always recommend its observation deck as one of the must-see places in the city. Naturally, the views on the Empire State Building, Central Park, and Manhattan concrete jungles make it a top choice for a photoshoot. Since it's not easy to fit dozens of guests on the deck that is always open to the public, Top of the Rock is the best option for intimate weddings and elopements in New York.
Having an intimate ceremony at the Rockefeller Center is easy. You don't need any special permits, which is a big plus. With regular tickets, we go to one of the decks 70 floors high with mind-blowing views all around. Whether you decide to get married by an officiant, or you opt-out for an informal vow-reading to each other, I will be there to capture it all in a story-line concept with all little details and candid emotions. Jade & Shaina chose the best possible day for their elopement to avoid crowds on the deck - Monday. We were there soon after the opening, at around 8:15 am, so there was plenty of space for them, and those few tourists present on the deck with us were kind enough to give us enough privacy. Of course, people were interested in what was happening, but no one interrupted the ceremony and vows, no one jumped in front of them to take a selfie, and I was able to get wide shots of my couple without other people in the photo. You can even think that there were no other people around us at all, but that just how I photographed ;)
After the ceremony and a short session on Top of the Rock, we went down to loud, full of life New York streets and got beautiful photos by the Radio City Hall. It was so much fun to cross the street multiple times and to have taxi drivers congratulate Jade & Shaina on their marriage. That's the experience that only New York can offer. Then we jumped in Uber and went to Dumbo, Brooklyn. Jade asked for a few photos on the Brooklyn Bridge since that's where her grandparents had their wedding photos taken many years ago. I couldn't resist the call to take a few photos on a small pebble beach with an iconic view on lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Then we had a blast on the bridge, where I took photos of ladies having fun and celebrating their marriage.
I am incredibly grateful for my incredible job and amazing couples!
I want to thank everyone involved in this elopement:
Amazing wedding & elopement planner
Great make-up artist & hairstylist
Friendly and professional officiant
Beautiful bouquet by Nava Floral By Julian
