Ana & Jim

Summer Wedding | Altamont Manor | Altamont, NY

A wedding from the perspective of a couple that knows where they’ve been, where they’re going, and what’s truly important to them along the way.

It started with the first phone call, honestly. Ana had contacted me and had her hands full planning this wedding with her daughters. After a long summer filled with adversity and loss, I could tell that all she wanted was to be understood.

A second marriage to her meant being more present, enjoying the day with her family and friends on a more intimate scale, acknowledging where she had already been, and placing emphasis now on what is truly most important to her.

Ana truly knows herself because I don’t think she could’ve picked a better venue than the Altamont Manor for her celebration. Instantly, when my second shooter and I arrived, the venue had a peaceful yet mature atmosphere to it. A perfect setting for today’s celebration.

Everything had intention behind it, from the sunflower theme to the minimalist yet impactful approach to the florals, the statement cake, and the discreet yet elegant reception layout. This all has the makings of someone who understands where they are in life and what they want their celebration to say about them.

When I first arrived, I met Ana’s daughters, who immediately were helping polish the final details of the reception space. Her daughters had been taking some of the pressure of planning off of Ana while she was coping with the challenges of the summer. They are actual event planners, filled with organization and persistence, a trait I’ve been told they’ve inherited from their mother. Her daughters played a huge role on this day.

Once Ana & Jim had arrived with a few family members and friends, we immediately went into taking their portraits. No first look here. Ana was clear on what she did and did not want to do on this day. Honestly, it’s always a little nerve-wracking to go off the normal timeline of a wedding day, but seeing Ana & Jim already so comfortable with each other, like they had already been married for years, made these portraits feel unique in their own way. It felt almost like an anniversary session vs. wedding portraits, which I think is the exact low-pressure energy that Ana had wanted for her photography experience.

After we had taken key photos with her friends and family, her guests arrived on a shuttle bus for the ceremony. There was no one left out when it came to who Ana wanted to be there for this celebration. And for those who couldn’t be there because of life’s obstacles, she made sure to make them present in spirit as much as she could, such as through framed photos on the reception tables.

One of Ana’s daughters was the officiant for this wedding, which has become a recurring trend for ceremonies, having a family member hold this role, which always personalizes the experience more. As Ana walked down the aisle, Jim couldn’t stop himself from grinning as he watched Ana with her bright sunflower bouquet in her hands.

The ceremony was very relaxed, with a couple of comedically timed speeches to each other and a Brazilian traditional exchange of beaded bracelets while their family and friends looked on.

Suddenly, before I realized it, it was time for the kiss. Usually, it’s a quick moment before the couple exits the ceremony space, but after the kiss, Jim gave Ana the biggest hug and let the moment sit for a second. This was special because I could tell this was a brief moment specifically for them and them only.

Following the ceremony, Ana’s daughters organized a quick group photo of Ana and Jim with all the guests cheering toward my camera, surrounded by the ceremony space. Usually, it’s pretty difficult to get the timing of this just right, but the photo came out perfect!

Afterward, I took some quick portrait photos of Ana & Jim. I tried to do these as quickly as I could, as Ana had requested that she wanted to enjoy the majority of cocktail hour with her friends and family, which is completely understandable. During this short period of time, I fully understood the nature of their relationship. Jim brings out a laughter in Ana and a carefree nature. They couldn’t stop themselves from giggling the whole way through the portraits, which created some great candid moments. Again, the familiar feeling of a beautiful anniversary session from a couple that knows each other inside and out.

The laughter continued into their reception entrance and first dance, to which Ana & Jim invited their guests to join them on the dance floor to really begin the night. The toasts were filled with more comedy-filled speeches from their friends and family, which helped add to the laid-back nature of the day. Cake cutting went fast, as I could tell that everyone was eager to get to the party dancing. When the music started blasting from the speakers, everyone got up at once and danced their hearts out, regardless of age or personality type.

I don’t think I’ve seen such an engaged group of guests participate in party dancing as much as this group. Even Jim who had been pretty soft spoken throughout the day decided to let everything out on the dance floor. You can tell that Ana and her family take great pride in being great party hosts.

As the evening came to a close, Ana & Jim, along with their family and friends, thanked my team and I for everything. Going into this wedding day, I was honestly a little worried about the unconventional timeline. But afterward, I was amazed by how much of a story could still be told even without some of the traditional parts of a wedding day. Ana knew the type of celebration she wanted to have, and with the help of her supportive family and friends, they made that vision happen.

Venue | The Altamont Manor

Florist | Ambience Florals & Events

Cake | Villa Italia Bakery

Catering | Elegant Touch Catering

DJ/Entertainment | J. Lee White

Rentals | Upstate Tents & Events

I’m dedicated to making your wedding or portrait session in Albany, Upstate NY, & Hudson Valley a smooth, personalized, and memorable experience. Ready to begin? Explore my wedding or portrait photography services, view the heirloom album experience, or get in touch here!

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Thanks for reading!

-Raf