lets pack our bags cause we are headed to the big apple baby!
New York, We're Back.
We'll never get tired of packing our cameras, boarding a plane, and heading somewhere completely new. If there's one thing we hope to do more of every year, it's travel alongside our couples and tell their stories wherever they choose to celebrate.
Nick and Nicole's wedding at Blue Water Manor gave us exactly that opportunity.
Perched along the shores of Lake George, Blue Water Manor perfectly captures everything people fall in love with about upstate New York. The lake stretches out in every direction, the Adirondack Mountains frame the horizon, and colorful gardens spill across the property as if they've always belonged there. It's peaceful, welcoming, and effortlessly beautiful.
quick detour in the city
Before making our way north to Lake George, we spent a day exploring New York City, a place that holds a special piece of my heart. I (Emily) was born on Long Island, and although my immediate family made their way southwest, New York has always felt a part of my story as it is where all my family is from. My grandmother, who passed away a few years ago, grew up in Brooklyn, and while we were there, we decided to search for the brownstone she had called home. Standing on the street she grew up on felt like stepping into a chapter of her life that I'd only ever heard about through stories. Seeing the neighborhood she talked about, imagining the places she walked and the life she planned, became one of the most meaningful moments of our entire trip. It was healing in a way I never anticipated, and a reminder that travel has a beautiful way of connecting us, not only to new places, but to the people we love.
A few days later, we traded skyscrapers for mountains and made the drive north toward Lake George.
The moment we arrived, we understood why so many people escape to this corner of New York. Towering pines, lush greenery, crystal blue water, and winding roads welcomed us into what felt like an entirely different world from the city we'd just left behind.
Then we pulled into Blue Water Manor.
Nestled right along the shoreline, surrounded by colorful gardens and uninterrupted lake views, it immediately felt like the kind of place where people gather to slow down, celebrate, and soak in every moment. Before we'd even unpacked our cameras, we knew this wedding was going to be something special (though really can't that be said about every wedding we document)
getting ready
One thing we always pay attention to at a venue is the getting ready spaces, because they're where the wedding story truly begins. We always love friends hanging out together, those excited nerves building up.
If we're being honest, Blue Water Manor's getting ready rooms aren't the most photogenic spaces we've worked in. They lean a little more practical than picturesque, but honestly? That never stopped us from creating beautiful images.
The best part is that the moment you step outside, everything changes. The property is overflowing with colorful flowers, lush greenery, and endless views of Lake George, giving us countless opportunities to create portraits that feel intentional, timeless, and true to the setting. Sometimes all it takes is walking a few steps outdoors, and suddenly you have a backdrop that couldn't be more quintessentially upstate New York.
a quiet moment on the dock
If you ask us, there aren't many places better for a first look than the end of a dock overlooking Lake George, like are you kidding me on this view??
With the water gently lapping against the shoreline and the Adirondack Mountains standing quietly in the distance, Nick waited patiently as Nicole made her way toward him. It was peaceful, emotional, and one of those moments where the rest of the wedding day seemed to disappear for just a little while.
One thing that's really important to us during every first look is giving our couples the space to actually experience it. Before we ever pick up our cameras, we always tell them the same thing:
"We're going to step back. Take your time. Hug each other, cry, laugh, talk, whatever truly feels right to you both. This moment is yours. We'll quietly document it from a distance, and when it starts to feel like you've had your moment, just let us know and we'll move on."
We never want a first look to feel like another item on the timeline. It's one of the few moments on your wedding day where it's just the two of you, and we believe it deserves to be experienced, not directed.
Watching Nick and Nicole soak it all in together on that dock was a beautiful reminder of why we photograph first looks the way we do. The emotion wasn't rushed, it wasn't interrupted, and because of that, every photograph feels exactly as the moment did, honest, quiet, and completely theirs.
The Ceremony
If you've ever dreamed of saying your vows with the water stretching out behind you, Blue Water Manor absolutely delivers and is the location for you.
The ceremony lawn sits just steps from Lake George, creating a backdrop that somehow feels both grand and incredibly intimate. As Nick and Nicole stood surrounded by the people they love most, sailboats drifted quietly across the lake while the mountains framed the horizon behind them.
We're always paying attention to how a ceremony space feels, not just how it photographs. This one does both beautifully. The scenery never overpowers the couple; instead, it quietly reminds everyone why they chose to celebrate in a place like this.
If you ask us, this is the victory lap.
The vows are done, the rings are on, and now it's time to celebrate. That walk back down the aisle is filled with happy tears, huge smiles, and the realization that you're officially married. It never fails to make us smile from behind the camera.
a cocktail hour worth wandering
One of our favorite little details about Blue Water Manor was the way they handled cocktail hour.
Instead of simply stepping into the reception space after the ceremony, guests were invited to a separate house on the property while the reception room finishing touches were being done behind the scenes. We absolutely loved this. It gave everyone a chance to slow down, grab a drink, catch up with family they hadn't seen in years, and enjoy the lakeside views without feeling like they needed to rush to find their seat.
There's something really special about creating a little separation between each part of the wedding day. It builds anticipation. Guests get to fully enjoy cocktail hour, and when it's finally time for the reception, walking into the beautifully decorated room feels like a reveal all over again.
From a photographer's perspective, it also creates some of our favorite candid moments. People naturally gather, laugh, tell stories, and celebrate together. Those in-between moments are often some of the most meaningful photographs we bring home.
Chasing the Last Light
If we've learned anything from photographing destination weddings, it's that every place has its own version of golden hour and each one is as beautiful as the previous.
At Blue Water Manor, the light settles gently across the lake, wrapping everything in this soft, almost dreamlike glow. We wandered the docks with Nick and Nicole, stopping whenever the scenery, or the moment, called for it. There was no rushing from one location to the next, no checklist of poses to get through. Just two people taking a quiet breath together before heading back to celebrate with everyone they love.
Those are always our favorite portraits. The ones where you're simply present with each other while we quietly document everything as it unfolds.
Dinner, Dancing & A Work of Art
By the time guests made their way into the reception space, Blue Water Manor had transformed once again. Warm lighting, thoughtful details, and panoramic views of Lake George created a setting that felt both elegant and inviting. It was the kind of room that encouraged everyone to settle in, share a great meal, and prepare for a night full of celebrating.
But one detail completely stole our attention.
Tucked into the reception was a live wedding painter, quietly bringing Nick and Nicole's ceremony to life on canvas as the evening unfolded. Every so often we'd find ourselves sneaking another peek to see how the painting had evolved since the last time we walked by, and every time we did, it somehow became even more impressive.
As photographers, we're obviously a little biased when it comes to preserving wedding memories, but watching another artist interpret the day in real time was incredibly special. While we were documenting fleeting moments with our cameras, she was carefully building a single image that would become a forever keepsake for Nick and Nicole.
It was one of those thoughtful touches that guests couldn't stop admiring, and honestly... neither could we.
the dance floor didn't stand a chance.
The second the dance floor opened, it was full, and it stayed that way. Friends, family, grandparents, it felt like everyone found their way to the dance floor. There was singing at the top of their lungs, questionable dance moves (our personal favorite kind), drinks raised in celebration, and the kind of laughter that spills out into every corner of the room.
It's contagious in the best possible way. Those are the nights we leave with sore feet, full memory cards, and huge smiles on our faces because we know we've captured something that feels just as alive as it did in the moment.
Why We Love Destination Weddings
Every destination wedding reminds us why we chose this career.
It's never just about photographing a beautiful venue. It's about discovering a place through the eyes of the people who love it. It's wandering unfamiliar streets, finding hidden coffee shops, watching the sun set somewhere you've never been before, and then having the privilege of documenting one of the most important days in someone else's life.
Travel has a way of slowing us down and making us notice the little things, and we think that carries into the way we photograph weddings. Every destination has its own rhythm, every couple has their own story, and we feel incredibly lucky that this job allows us to experience both.
If your wedding is taking you somewhere new, we'd love nothing more than to pack our cameras and meet you there.
Where to next?