Amy Rizzuto Photography » The Official Blog

There is something completely magical about spring time in New York City. The sun shining brightly after a long winter, the smell of warm rain showers, and of course, the cherry blossoms. For a long time, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens has been THE place to go to enjoy these lovely pink buds. Every day after work, New Yorkers flock to the pretty blanket of petals that collects under the trees, taking in the stunning scene around them as they laugh with friends, read a good book, or just spend a few moments escaping from the busy city streets.

Even though Mekina lives in Manhattan, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is one of her favorite places in the world. She recalls, “This time of year always reminds me of the first time I fell in love. I was in high school and completely elated that my senior crush had asked me to the prom. As I put on my gorgeous dress, I looked out my window to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens takes me back to that spring so many years ago. Every ounce of it is filled with beauty, making my heart overflow with the best feeling of all…love.”

When I told Mekina my dream of photographing her as a bride in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, she happily agreed to be my lovely model!  As Mekina is a planner, she got to work bringing Christina D’Asaro Designs and Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal on board, who altered one of her custom designs especially for the shoot! Cherry Blossom Lane at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens was truly the perfect location for this whimsical bridal session. As the soft pink petals fell gently around Mekina, magic happened. The collection of photographs that resulted makes me feel joy, hope, and most importantly, love.

It has been a dream of mine to photograph a Brooklyn Botanical Garden cherry blossom wedding for almost a year now!  I feel like God’s beauty is so present in this incredible garden and it was a true joy to capture it.

On the day of our photo shoot it was actually raining continually!  Moments before we entered the park, the rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds.  The rain had knocked so many of the cherry blossoms on the ground that it created a beautiful aisle of pink petals through Cherry Blossom Lane.  The site was simply stunning!

 

Mekina wore a custom design by Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal!  Sarah is an amazing designer and a wonderful person!  In the past she has worked for Vera Wang and Amsale.

Mekina is my best friend, second shooter, and one of the most gorgeous women I know.  And guys…lucky for you she is still on the market!  (Sorry Mekina…I LOVE YOU!)

A big thanks to Christina D’Asaro Designs for the lovely invitations.  And the “I do” flags…they might just be my favorite thing ever.

LOVE.

Besides Cherry Blossom Lane, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens has many other beautiful locations!

Brides, this is why you should splurge for a long veil on your wedding day.  :)  Veil by Sarah Jassir.

These purple flowers were so pretty and the weaving paths in between them reminded me of a secret garden.

Seriously Mekina?!  You are SO GORGEOUS!!!

A big thanks to everyone who made this shoot possible:

Planner/Model- Mekina Saylor
Venue- Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Dress- Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal
Invitations- Christina D’Asaro Design
Jewelry, Hair Piece, and Veil- Angelique Bridal

 

It was Easter Sunday, and Amanda eagerly awaited for Kevin to arrive at her parents home.  She knew he would bring her something sweet, and in all honesty, she just couldn’t wait to see him.  Kevin quickly wiped his hand on his pants as he rang the doorbell, removing any evidence of the nervous excitement he felt.  He had taken precautions in making sure Amanda was completely surprised, and he didn’t want to give anything away now.  Opening the door, Amanda found Kevin holding an Easter basket filled with chocolates and an adorable stuffed bunny.  In the bunny’s hand lay a plastic egg.  ”Open it”, Kevin encouraged her.  Amanda’s sweet smile turned to a look of pure shock as she popped open the tiny egg, revealing a sparkly diamond ring!  As she watched her high school sweetheart get down on one knee and propose, a huge smile spread across her face.  She hugged him, saying the one word Kevin was waiting to here.  Yes!

On May 3rd, Amanda and Kevin tied the knot in a beautiful Brooklake Country Club wedding.  Their day was absolutely gorgeous and there was not a cloud in the sky! After their outdoor ceremony, Amanda and Kevin took a sunset stroll together before dancing the night away with their family and friends.  I couldn’t be happier for this incredible couple and I am looking forward to sharing their beautiful wedding with you.  Check out a few of my favorites from their day below!

Amanda wore a stunning Enzoani gown from I Do I Do in Morristown, NJ.

Peonies…does a prettier flower exist?

I am loving all the soft colors Amanda incorporated into her wedding.  How pretty are these pink Badgley Mischka shoes?!

Amanda’s sister made sure she looked absolutely perfect before she walked down the aisle.

As I was photographing the girls, Jess of Love and Light Photographs was capturing the guys getting ready.  Thanks for doing such an amazing job!

Amanda and Kevin’s “first look” might have been my favorite part of the entire day.  Their reactions were filled with pure joy!

Lovely bridesmaids, inside and out.

Looking cool guys!

LOVE.

The ceremony took place on the back patio of the Brooklake Country Club.  The view was spectacular!

A ball of emotion all week, everyone watched closely to see if Amanda’s father would cry as he walked his daughter down the aisle.

HAPPILY MARRIED!

After the ceremony, we took Amanda and Kevin out again for some pretty sunset photos.

As I was capturing this angle…

…Jess was getting this!  Love this intimate moment.

Amanda and Kevin’s reception was decorated with soft pink and cream flowers nestled among vintage lanterns.

Delicious cake by Sorrento Bakery.

Amanda and Kevin shared their first dance to Adele’s “You Make Me Feel My Love“.

Congratulations again Amanda and Kevin!  Your Brooklake Country Club wedding was absolutely amazing!  It was obvious how happy you both felt on your wedding day and I hope that happiness only continues to grow in the years to come.

 

My best friend is beautiful.  Joy springing from every ounce of her being, she lights up each life she touches.  Mekina is incredibly kind, funny, warm hearted, considerate, adventurous, filled with laughter, and bursting with a true love for life.  I am so honored to know her, and blessed to call her my friend.  I recently had the pleasure of photographing Mekina in one of my favorite places in the entire world, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  No, Mekina is not getting married, she just happens to be the most perfect person in the world for this shoot, and graciously agreed to pose for me….again. As the tiny petals from the cherry blossoms fell gently around her, the garden sprang to life, making our time at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens completely magical.

I couldn’t wait to share these photos with you and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!  A huge thanks to Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal for providing this incredible custom designed dress.  HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

I heard the ping of a new message and opened up my phone to see that famous pink heart.  I knew the email was coming, but that didn’t change my level of excitement when I received it.  Opening it up, my own heart started to do little flips as I saw Loverly had chosen to feature my photograph on their most recent promotional flyer!  Just in case you haven’t heard, Loverly provides a way to search and save wedding ideas in one place.  Their mission is to make wedding planning simple and more fun.  Check them out to discover ideas, things to buy, and people to hire for your wedding!

Maybe even more exciting than my image from my most recent styled shoot on Hornblower being featured is the fact that Loverly and Hornblower are teaming up to giveaway a $5000 Bachelorette Party!  Imagine hopping on a fabulous yacht and sailing around NYC with 19 of your best friends.  What could be better?!

To all my sweet brides…enter for a chance to win here.   Fingers and toes crossed one of you will win!  HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Little beads of sweat trickled down Katye’s forehead.  She was more than half way through the Morristown St. Patrick’s Day 5K and she was making good time! Passing runner after runner, Kayte did a double take when she saw someone she knew jogging in front of her.  It was Brian, one of the guys that ran in the same circle of friends she did in college!  They admittedly had little interaction before, but Kayte still ran up to say hello.  As Kayte tapped Brian on the shoulder, it was obvious he was excited to see her!  They exchanged a quick greeting before Kayte sped past Brian and on to the finish line!

After the race, Kayte and Brian found themselves at the same St. Patrick’s Day party.  They started talking and discovered they would both be running the Long Branch half marathon in a few month.  Realizing how much they had in common, Kayte and Brian started spending more and more time together. After an amazing date at the Museum of Natural History, Brian made Kayte dinner, got down on one knee, and proposed!  They tied the knot on March 23rd at the Oakeside Mansion and their day was absolutely beautiful.

Kayte and Brian, congratulations on your marriage!  I am so excited for you and completely honored to have been a part of such an incredible day in your lives. Check out a few of my favorites photographs from your wedding below.

Kayte and Brian’s invitation suite might have been one of my favorites.  EVER.

Kayte’s Enzoani dress was absolutely beautiful.  I loved it’s romantic feel.

How adorable are these purple and white chevron clutches Kayte gifted her bridesmaids?!

Pretty shoes by Badgley Mischka.

Custom hangers are a great way to show off your wedding dress!  This one by Betty Anne Productions is amazing!

Kayte…you are such a LOVELY bride!

This bouquet = GORGEOUSNESS!

All of the floral arrangements were created by Kayte’s bridesmaid Stephanie, Stephanie’s twin sister Lauren, and her younger sister Michelle.

A big thanks to Mekina Saylor for capturing Brian getting ready and for being my incredible second shooter!

The ceremony took place at St. Pirus X Church in Montville, NJ.

Kayte and Brian saw each other for the first time when Kayte walked down the aisle.  I love the sweet looks on both of their faces!

Officially husband and wife!

Kayte and Brian’s reception took place at the Oakeside Mansion in Bloomfield, NJ.

Kayte’s bridesmaids wore brillant purple dresses from J Crew.

The groomsmen wore grey Vera Wang tuxes from Men’s Warehouse.

I loved every minute with this bridal party!  They were so much FUN!

My favorite time of the day was Kayte and Brian’s portrait session!  Kayte planned the day so well…we had an entire HOUR to take photographs in this delicious golden light!

Stop it…you guys are too ADORABLE!

LOVE.

This white wrap-around porch felt like it belonged on an old Southern plantation!

Kayte and Brian made these DIY place cards and Brian built the wooden stand where they were displayed.

This might be the cutest birdhouse card box I have ever seen!  Find one for your wedding here.

One of my favorite details?  These Mr. and Mrs. forks for the cake cutting!

Loving the basket of dancing shoes for guests.

Kayte actually sewed each one of these favor bags!  Hand made chocolate dipped Oreos were placed inside for a sweet midnight treat.

A big thank you to Mehdi Doumi for creating this fingerprint guest book tree for the bride and groom!

Kayte and Brian shared their first dance to “Swept Away” by the Avett Brothers.

After a delicious dinner, the party really got started!

Brian’s best man and brother Thomas gave a very funny toast!

After Kayte and Brian cut the cake…

…they spent the rest of the evening dancing in each other’s arms!  Congratulations Kayte and Brian!  I hope you will have many years filled with love and happiness!