River Cafe Wedding in Brooklyn

Christina & Ted’s wedding at The River Cafe in Brooklyn was such a treat to capture! The pair met at a concert in high school and have been inseparable ever since. Through long-distance during their college years, establishing their careers in finance, and eventually moving to New York City together, New York became home. So when it came time to get married, celebrating in the city where they had built a life together was the obvious choice.

The couple got engaged at The River Cafe a year prior, and after celebrating their engagement there, they knew it was the perfect place to host their wedding celebration. With its intimate garden, skyline views, and longstanding reputation as one of New York’s most celebrated restaurants, The River Cafe feels tucked away while still being distinctly New York. It was the perfect setting for the intimate dinner party wedding they were imagining.

Getting Ready in DUMBO

The couple started their wedding day in DUMBO at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. They opted to spend the morning together writing their vows, but separated shortly before Christina slipped into her gown. I arrived at their hotel suite overlooking the Manhattan skyline and found Christina in the hair and makeup chair. While she finished getting ready, I captured a few of their details and the quiet moments around the suite.

Christina’s mom and sister helped her into her gown before adding her cathedral-length veil, which paired beautifully with her natural red curls. Once she was ready, Christina shared a first look with her dad. It was an intimate and emotional moment that the rest of her family got to watch from nearby.

Despite having a Catholic ceremony at The Cathedral Basilica of St. James, the couple chose to do a first look at Brooklyn Bridge Park beforehand. The two read their private vows along the waterfront, just in front of Pier 2. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, with soft afternoon light and clear views of the Manhattan skyline behind them.

Wedding Ceremony in DUMBO

Their faith is an important part of their relationship, so having a Catholic ceremony was especially meaningful to them. They chose The Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn, just a short distance from The River Cafe.

70 of their closest friends and family gathered in the pews that Saturday afternoon to watch the pair exchange vows and officially tie the knot. After sharing a private moment together, Christina and Ted exited the church and were met by the faces of their loved ones before hopping into a vintage yellow cab and heading over to The River Cafe to kick off the celebration.

Wedding Photos at The River Cafe

For their wedding photos, Christina and Ted wanted things to feel natural and easy. When they first inquired with me, they mentioned how much they loved my documentary and candid approach to weddings. They wanted their photos to focus on the atmosphere of the day, the in-between moments, and their guests, rather than spending a large portion of their wedding taking portraits. Of course, they also wanted to highlight the beauty of The River Cafe.

To honor their request, I snapped a handful of candids on the drive back to The River Cafe. The moments directly after a ceremony are some of my favorites to photograph. Everyone is riding the high of what just happened, and they often result in some of the most authentic and joyful photos of the day. Christina and Ted were no exception.

Upon arriving at The River Cafe, we took some photos in front of the venue alongside the vintage yellow cab, which added a distinctly New York feel to their portraits. While The River Cafe is known for its waterfront location, Manhattan skyline views, and incredible food, its ivy-covered exterior and lush garden entrance are just as recognizable.

The couple was drawn to a handful of spots around the venue, including the terrace overlooking the water and the interior bar. We stopped inside before The River Cafe officially opened and took advantage of the empty spaces for a few more portraits before joining their guests for cocktail hour.

Cocktail Hour at The River Cafe

Their cocktail hour took place on the terrace of The River Cafe’s event space. While the terrace was tented due to potential rain, guests still had a clear view of the Manhattan skyline across the East River. Signature cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres made their way around as everyone mingled, while a live jazz trio serenaded the couple and their guests.

While the couple enjoyed time with their loved ones, I focused on documenting the quiet, unseen moments happening around them, giving Christina & Ted the opportunity to look back and remember how the day actually felt.

Wedding Reception at The River Cafe

The sun was beginning to set, and guests were escorted inside the reception space for dinner and dancing. Christina & Ted were introduced; guests waved their napkins and cheered as the couple shared their first dance to That’s All (Baby Rose version)

Ted’s welcome toast kicked off the evening as The River Cafe began dinner service. With a longstanding reputation as one of New York’s most celebrated restaurants, the food is just as much a part of The River Cafe experience as the views. For the appetizer course, guests chose between hot foie gras and a fresh melon and prosciutto salad, followed by Chilean sea bass for the fish course and roasted tenderloin of Certified Angus Beef for the meat course. All equally delicious. While guests enjoyed dinner, a saxophonist played throughout the evening, adding to the intimate dinner-party atmosphere Christina and Ted had envisioned.

As dinner came to a close, the evening shifted from an intimate dinner party to a celebration. Christina and Ted cut their wedding cake before making their way to the dance floor, where they spent the rest of the night surrounded by their closest friends and family.

From the beginning, Christina and Ted wanted their wedding to feel intimate, easy, and centered around spending time with the people they love. Their day reflected exactly that. Rather than building the day around photos, they gave themselves the space to be present and enjoy it as it unfolded. In turn, I was able to document the atmosphere, the people, and all of the in-between moments that made the day feel like theirs.

Vendor Team:

As a New York City wedding photographer, I’ve spent years photographing couples throughout Brooklyn and navigating everything that comes with getting married in the middle of New York City. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement, a small ceremony, or a full wedding celebration, Brooklyn offers a little bit of everything, from iconic architecture and sprawling greenery to quiet corners that can make you forget you’re in the middle of New York City. If you’re planning a Brooklyn wedding and are looking for a photographer who will document the day honestly on both film and digital, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.

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