Maddie & Gyasi's Blenheim Hill Farm Wedding

It’s always a huge honor when a friend asks me to photograph their wedding, so when my old SU friend Gyasi reached out to me about his wedding to his fiancée Maddie, I was thrilled. Gyasi and I met while attending school at Syracuse University. He was a few years ahead of me but let’s just say he was A PRESENCE in the a cappella community and was super kind and welcoming to me as a shy newbie. I knew that his fiancée must be a really special, fun person to keep up with Gyasi, and I was definitely right. I video chatted with the two of them to officially meet Maddie and chat about their vision and I was so excited to find that 1. Maddie was super sweet and the two of them together seemed to be a perfect match and 2.

Their vision for their wedding photography matched my documentary wedding photography style exactly.

Maddie & Gyasi live together in New York City. The pair met in typical millennial fashion, on the apps. Coffee Meets Bagel was the one that brought them together. It was Maddie’s FIRST EVER date on said app (how’s that for luck?). 4.5 hours and a good number of margaritas later, their first date was over but their story had just begun (I’m sorry for the schmaltz, I know).

Fast forward to October of 2021, when Gyasi surprised Maddie by asking her to marry him! She said yes - and luckily he did too when she asked him in return (true feminism is thriving in this marriage, people!).

As a New England wedding photographer, I typically don’t venture outside of those bounds for weddings, but for these two I made an exception. We started with an engagement session in Manhattan in January 2022 where we explored Grand Central Terminal and Fort Tryon Park. Then, about 9 months later in October, Maddie and Gyasi had their wedding at Blenheim Hill Farm in Jefferson, New York. The venue was gorgeous, especially in its vibrant autumn colors. They were able to stay on location at a house on the venue and we had a wide array of beautiful scenery and foliage to choose from when it came to first look and portrait scenery.

Maddie and Gyasi had a low key morning on the property.

This quiet moments while getting ready before the day really begins are some of my favorite to be present for as a documentary wedding photographer. I tend to capture an array of emotion; from giddy, excited energy to calmer, quiet meditative moments and I have the time and space to get creative.

Maddie got ready at the farmhouse with her mom, her bridesmaid Hannah and bridesman, Adam, and Gyasi had his best man Chris with him in the barn. Gyasi and Maddie had a first look out on a bridge by the pond and we took some portraits along the water where the foliage was most vibrant. We also had to get some photos of Maddie tossing the frisbee in her dress (she’s an avid ultimate frisbee player).

Both Gyasi and Maddie are Jewish, so I documented them signing their Ketubah with their cantor, their families, and some friends and then got in place for their ceremony. The ceremony took place on the lawn in front of the pond. Their autumnal florals were done by Rose Red and Lavender and their Chuppah was made from Maddie’s mom’s wedding dress (love a meaningful touch). The ceremony had some traditional Jewish themes, and ended with the African wedding tradition of jumping the broom immediately followed by the Jewish tradition of smashing the glass. So fun!

After their ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio, then headed into the barn for the reception festivities. The festivities were filled with fun, candid moments for me to capture - dances, toasts, a song performed by Gyasi and friends to Maddie, and one of the best dance floors I’ve seen (partially due to who Maddie and Gyasi and their guests are and partially due to the amazing band, The Metropolitan Players).

Here's a few of my favorites from Maddie & Gyasi’s wedding day. Enjoy!

Vendors

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Blenheim Hill Farm

Photographer: Kayla Rice Photography

Second Photographer: A Voce Behind the Lens

Videographer: Magic Flute Videos

Band: The Metropolitan Players

Officiant: Hayley Poserow

Hair: Twisted Sister Salon, Candace Rudd

Makeup: Sarah Salvioli

Photobooth: Wanderbus Photo Booth

Florist: Rose Red & Lavender

Dessert: Donuts, Walkill View Farm Market; Truffles, Twisted Truffles

Planner: The Wedding Plan & Company, Christie Napurano

Gyasi & Maddie's NYC Engagement Session

Gyasi and Maddie met me at Grand Central Station (Gyasi’s favorite place in NYC) to begin their engagement session. Despite the bustling crowds, we managed to find some spaces without too much traffic and incorporated the crowds into other shots. I have been inside GCS at least 100 times commuting when I lived in NYC, and there was so much about the details of the architecture and the decor inside that I had never truly appreciated. I’m so glad I was able to explore the space in a new way with these two!

From GCS, we drove up 9A to the couple’s neighborhood of Washington Heights and explored another area that was brand new to me. The Met Cloisters was closing by the time we arrived, which we knew would be the case, so we spent our time exploring the beautiful architecture surrounding the building as well as the paths leading from the Cloisters into Fort Tyron Park. There were lots of intersecting paths jutting out from the original one, and because of our limited sunlight, we did not get to explore all of them, but what we found was perfect for our session. The museum and this park are #1 on my list to explore further when I return to Manhattan next.

Congratulations, Maddie and Gyasi! I can’t wait to photograph your wedding in (less than) 8 months!

Want to look as fabulous as these two for your engagement session or couples lifestyle photography session? Check out my post on What to Wear to Your Portrait Session for some helpful advice.

Jacob and Lisa's City Hall Wedding (Manhattan, NYC)

Lisa and Jacob got married at City Hall in Manhattan. Due to Covid regulations, they were only allowed one guest inside with them, so I acted as both their photographer and their witness. The experience at City Hall is a bit like the DMV, but much less stressful and way more romantic. Happy couples lined the street outside in various formality and waited anxiously inside for their number to be called. Lisa and Jacob were called in to the waiting room and given their number. After a brief wait, they were called up to a desk to fill out paperwork and sign their official marriage certificate and then sat back down to wait for their turn in the ceremony room. Their officiant called them up and delivered a straight to the point, but friendly ceremony. They said their vows, kissed, and were officially married. After the ceremony, we took some photos on the Brooklyn Bridge and in some nearby parks. Congratulations, Lisa & Jacob!

Dylan's Proposal to Jocelyn (Garden City, NY)

Dylan reached out to me in early April about photographing his proposal to his girlfriend, Jocelyn in Garden City, NY later that month. The plan was to go out for a weekend run (something they often do together) and pass by a gazebo where he would lead Jocelyn to and ask her to marry him. Dylan and Jocelyn’s mothers arrived to the scene early and decorated the gazebo with flower petals, champagne & candles. As the couple passed by on their run, Dylan pointed out the gazebo and started walking towards it with Jocelyn (I was hiding behind a tree for this part, as I do). Jocelyn was completely surprised and did not see the proposal coming at all. Dylan and the moms successfully pulled off the surprise and got a very enthusiastic “YES” from Jocelyn when he popped the question. My favorite photos are from when the moms (both hiding behind trees farther into the park) popped out and very excitedly ran over to the happy couple, arms outstretched. So freakin’ cute. Congratulations Jocelyn & Dylan!!

Lily and Rafet's Wedding (Mt. Tremper, NY)

Lily and Rafet’s wedding was one that was booked in early March of 2020 and ended up being altered a handful of times in order for it to happen when they wanted it to. Luckily for them, the plan all along had been to have the wedding in the backyard of Lily’s childhood home in Mt. Tremper, NY. This allowed the venue to remain the same while the guest list had to be cut down to just 50 people. Lily got ready with her bridesmaids and mother at the house while Rafet and his groomsmen got dressed at nearby Hotel Kinsley. Lily’s mother’s home and backyard were absolutely gorgeous with lush green fields and a gorgeous black walnut tree that the ceremony took place beneath. The home’s artsy vibe and family home details like childhood photos on the fridge added so much to the images.

The family dog made sure he was a part of the big day by wildly running through the aisle during the ceremony (chased down by Lily’s brother) and attempting to steal some charcuterie goodness from the table during cocktail hour. The reception included wood fired pizzas made to order, emotional speeches, and some wild and crazy dancing under the tent. Congratulations, Lily and Rafet!

Vendor Details

Catering/Bar/Cake/Decor: DIY, Pizza: Itsa Pizza Truck
Floral: Samantha Brown @samanthafrappiedbrown , Gown: Theia , Tux: Todd Snyder

DJ: Renaissance Noiz (Sal Busciano), Makeup: Alex Leskevich Makeup , Hair: Caitlyn Rauh

Wedding Planner: Jeanne Starke, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Hotel: Hotel Kinsley

JP and Tiffany's Wedding (Long Island, NY)

JP and Tiffany had their wedding this summer, and despite having to alter their guest list and reception location, they were able to have a beautiful wedding that was special to them and to their families. Tiffany got ready at her childhood home while JP got ready at a nearby hotel. The ceremony took place at Soundview Caterers in Bayville, NY on a patio overlooking the sound that made for some gorgeous photos. The reception was in the backyard of Tiffany’s childhood home and included some beautiful speeches, first dances and some amazing gelato. Congratulations, JP and Tiffany!

Vendor List

Assistant Photographer: Matthew Turri

Venue & Ceremony Catering: Soundview Caterers, Reception Catering & Bar: Felico’s Catering

Gelato: Dolce & Gelato, Cake: Dortoni, Floral: Tim’s Florist, Pool Decor: Events by Maria Lo

Hair & Makeup: Mirror Mirror Salon, Gown: Lotus Bridal, Tux: Bonobos NYC

Ceremony Musicians: Liann Cline