Taylor and Zac had their ceremony at Church of the Heavenly Rest with reception for their wedding at Bryant Park Grill. This fun-loving couple spent their big day having fun and laughing with each other. With portraits at the New York Public Library and Cooper Hewitt, we hit tons of iconic New York City check boxes for their pictures. As Hudson Valley wedding photographers, it’s always a joy to capture celebrations at this amazing spot.

Getting Ready Photos for Wedding at the Bryant Park Grill

The couple got ready in their respective hotel rooms, with Taylor at the Bryant Park Hotel. This is a great spot to start the day if you’re planning to get ready at this iconic midtown venue. For those who want to tie the knot in Manhattan, choosing nearby accommodations can make a world of difference. These two got married on a Friday afternoon, which meant they had to be mindful of traffic. Prior to their Church of the Heavenly Rest ceremony, these two had their first look at the NYPL steps. Before Taylor approached Zac, there was one other unexpected surprise – Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice!) came to tell her how beautiful she looked.

Take Wedding Photos at the New York Public Library

It’s important to be mindful of the space when taking photos at this beautiful spot. You’re very likely to run into tourists and locals alike, so don’t be surprised if your dream spot is already taken up. You’ll also have a lot of people watching when it comes to this emotional moment. For a Bryant Park Grill wedding, we like to use this spot for photos – but are especially mindful of the area. We highly recommend having a friend or family member come to scope out your spot prior to the first look, or an assistant to your planner or day of coordinator.

Use Cooper Hewitt as a Family Photo Location on the Upper East Side

Zac and Taylor reached out to the team at Cooper Hewitt ahead of time to ensure they could use the property. You’ll want to reach out for any advice on permits before you start planning. This was a serene spot for the couple to share some private vows prior to the ceremony. Since these two had a church wedding, they wanted to exchange emotional words in private first. Their loved ones gathered prior to the wedding at Bryant Park Grill at this iconic Smithsonian property.

Ceremony Photos from Church of the Heavenly Rest in NYC

Taylor and Zac’s sweet ceremony took place at Church of the Heavenly Rest. They had a friend sing a beautiful song which was so meaningful to the couple. They had lots of personal touches to their nuptials, and made it so special to capture. As a Hudson Valley wedding photography and videography team, we love when couples make things personal. The wedding ceremony felt attentive to detail for their special day.

Heading to the Wedding Reception at Bryant Park Grill in Manhattan

We do recommend arranging transportation prior to your big day. This couple had a car ready to take them from the church to the venue. Many couples with a commute like this arrange shuttles to go from the Upper East Side to Midtown. This is an important step to help guests get to your cocktail hour on time, and without a hitch. Since they did a first look prior to the wedding, this allowed them to just enjoy their time post-ceremony.

Gorgeous Cocktail Hour on the Rooftop Terrace

This was our first time capturing cocktail hour on the rooftop terrace. When we’ve previously shot at BPG, the roof was closed due to weather. Thankfully, these photos show how great an open roof is at this venue. We love when couples and their guests can enjoy the beautiful views of Manhattan. The team for this iconic venue made sure the couple was well taken care of throughout their post-ceremony party. The Bryant Park Grill features lovely event spaces for seated dinner and cocktail hour alike. There is a small staircase to get from the main floor to the roof space, which is good to note for your family and loved ones.

Fun-Filled Reception for Wedding at Bryant Park Grill

Taylor and Zac’s special day had no shortage of fun times. From their landmark New York Public Library first look to their reception at BPG, every moment was a ton of fun. The couple’s family and friends gathered in the Bryant Park Grill dining room to hear musically-inspired speeches and witness first dances. They also had vinyl-spinning DJs to get the party absolutely popping. We’d never seen this vintage-style entertainment act before.

Vendors for This Beautiful Bryant Park Grill Celebration

The couple’s florals were done by Yellow Bow Florals, one of our favorite florists. Hair and makeup were provided by Curled & Contoured, an iconic duo for NYC wedding makeup. Taylor’s dress is from Loulette Bride, while Zac’s suit is from Generation Tux. Finally, they had a surprise ice cream bar from The Social Brooklyn. With us as their Beacon-based wedding photographers, we were honored to be in the city for this incredible day.

Book Your Wedding Photography and Videography Combo Team Today

As a married team of wedding photographers and videographers, we love to capture celebrations in New York City. From the rehearsal dinner to your post-wedding brunch, let’s make some magic happen. Reach out to book coverage for your wedding at Bryant Park Grill. Let’s have an awesome celebration and make some core memories. As a candid, documentary wedding photography team, we can even add on film photos to your big day. Shoot us a message to start planning today.