“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – J.R.R Tolkien
Today I want to tell you the story of Meghan and Charlie’s beautiful garden wedding at a private estate in Old Westbury, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island. One of the best things that has happened as we photograph more weddings is being asked to come back and photograph another wedding of a family member or friend of a previous couple, and that’s just what happened here. A couple of years ago, I met Meghan and Charlie at Lauren and Alex’s summer wedding in Brookfield, Connecticut. Meghan and Lauren are twin sisters, and I was thrilled when Meghan contacted me to photograph her wedding to Charlie. But I digress. Meghan and Charlie chose to have their wedding in a place that was very special, since this is where Charlie spent his childhood, spending long summer days exploring these gorgeous gardens and racing around in golf carts. Charlie’s dad has lovingly tended these gardens for 35 years, and they are magnificent. To perfectly complement the splendor of gardens tended by George, all the floral arrangements were designed and made by Charlie’s mom Irene, making this wedding truly a labor of love.
A word or two about the hypnotically beautiful ceremony music from Meghan: “I am currently a doctoral music student studying oboe performance and have been specializing in 18th century repertoire for my doctoral degree. For the past year I have enjoyed learning how to play the baroque oboe, an instrument with just 2-3 keys that was popular during the 18th century. While attending an Early Music festival this past winter, I met two lovely people, Ezgi and Marie (a baroque cellist, and oboist), and asked if they would consider putting together a baroque trio (playing on period instruments) for my wedding. They introduced me to Michael, a baroque violinist, and we had a trio! I enjoyed researching 18th century music to put on the ceremony program, and with their help we settled on a less well known piece by a composer named Graun for the prelude and more well-known music for the processional and recessional. These more commonly known pieces are often played at weddings but rarely heard on historical instruments: J.S. Bach, “Sheep May Safely Graze,” and Handel, “La Rejouissance,” from The Royal Fireworks. The Phipps Estate made a beautiful setting for this baroque era repertoire and I was very delighted to hear the music that I have come to love so much on my wedding day.”
And so it was in this very special place, with these incredibly meaningful elements, that Meghan and Charlie stood before their closest family and friends and spoke vows to each other on a beautiful spring afternoon. 
Meghan and Charles’ Creative Team
Tent – AAA Tent Rentals
Catering – Vincent’s Clam Bar
Planner – Emily Events: Emily
Event staff and bartending – Classic Concierge
DJ – Beat Train: Elissa
Flowers – True Blooms: Irene Woodard (Charles’ Mother!)
Ceremony Music – Ezgi’s Baroque Trio
Cake and Cupcakes – Franscisco’s Bakery
Makeup and Hair – Beautiful Brides by Vesta
Dress – The White Gown
