Tara and Martin in Elle Marriage Japan

I am always so thrilled to share a wedding with the editors at Elle Marriage Japan, because they reliably put together the most beautiful spreads. So what if I can't actually READ it?! I'm a "look at the pictures" kind of reader anyway! Thank you, Eri, for the lovely feature!

English Manor

 

 

I recently shot the most beautiful wedding at the Skylands Manor in New Jersey. This "castle" sits on what is now a botanical garden owned by the state, but was originally built as a private home in the 1920's as a reproduction mansion in the English tudor style. The manor is filled with beautiful wood details and stained glass windows. My favorite shot of the day is of the bride heading down the stairs with this stained glass window filling the frame behind her. This is shot with my Contax, 400 speed film, and I made her go down the stairs twice:).

Client's Note

I received the nicest email from a client the other day!

Hi Charlotte, this is Doug here. I just needed to share with you that this morning I asked Elliott just out-of-the-blue "Elliott, who was taking your picture at the wedding?" Not sure that he could ever possibly get this, his first and only response was--after a big smile--"Charlotte!"
It was great having you involved in this great day and we look forward to seeing the wonderful results.
All our best,
Sue-Anne, Doug & Elliott

Check-out their snazzy custom-tailored suits by Ralph Lauren and their coordinated Tom's shoes.

Leah and Zeke's Wedding on Brides.com

Leah and Zeke's lovely wedding was featured on Brides.com today! Leah and Zeke were married at Race Brook Lodge in the Berkshires. All of the guests stayed in little cabins, and you could even bring your dog! There was badminton, croquet, hiking, and great food around the entire weekend.  This venue has since become one of my favorite places to go to watch the seasons change, and I have returned several times.

Check out the feature on Brides.com, as well as a few more of my favorites here.  

 

 

 

Warm-up

Groomsmen start the day with some pre-wedding margaritas! Yum!

In the car!

One of my favorite shooting opportunities at a wedding is in and around the car!

First you have the bride by herself. There's an excitement, an anticipation as she heads to the ceremony. She gets in and out of the car with nervousness and enthusiasm. And she'll usually sit with her body tight in the back of the car, careful not to wrinkle her dress.

Once the groom is added to the ride, there is a new level of relaxation! The post-wedding joy sets in.

The first in this series was from a wedding I shot eight years ago, and was a very powerful shot at the time. The vintage car (vintage was "new" then), the groom's confident pose, and the tiers on the train of her Carolina Herrera dress were all evidence of a very stylish wedding. The two color shots shown are taken within the last six months, and the third to last shot is yours truly- at my own wedding 3 years ago! (Taken by Liz Banfield)

Through all of the years of shooting, I've learned that photographing in and around the car is an opportunity not to be passed-up.

Tara & Martin's City to Woodland Wedding Tara and Martin combined the best of two worlds! Their wedding day started out filled with New York glamour- married at St. Patrick's Cathedral on 16th Street followed by portraits in Gramercy Park! Tara was dressed in classic Vera Wang with a crisp black and white scheme. Then the couple was whisked off to their home in Ardsley-on-Hudson, where guests dined tucked into the evergreens on their property. Birdcages and chandeliers hung from the tree branches creating a dark and iridescent woodland. This was one of my favorite weddings from last summer! View more pictures on the recent 100 Layer Cake post: http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?s=tara+martin&x=0&y=0