Spring Wedding at Settles Hill Banquets | Altamont, NY | McLayne + Christopher

What an absolutely perfect wedding to kick off my 2024 wedding season!

McLayne and Christopher celebrated their wedding on a beautiful May day at Settles Hill Banquets & Events in Altamont, NY. After watching the forecast call for rain on and off all week, I was preparing myself for a wet wedding day.

Then, somehow, everything changed.

The rain disappeared from the forecast, the sun came out, and we ended up with a gorgeous warm spring day for these two!

A Spring Wedding at Settles Hill Banquets

Spring weather in Upstate New York can be unpredictable, especially in May, so we really couldn’t have asked for a better day.

The sun warmed everything up just in time for the ceremony, and then—as if someone had planned it perfectly—a light layer of clouds rolled in right before portraits.

The softer light gave us that beautiful, glowy look I love for wedding portraits, and McLayne and Chris made my job incredibly easy.

But before we could get to their ceremony and portraits, there were a few emotional moments waiting for us.

During one of our conversations leading up to the wedding, I knew how important family was to McLayne.

She was especially nervous about whether her sister would be able to make it to the wedding. Her sister was VERY pregnant and due within just a few weeks of the wedding date.

Thankfully, that baby decided to stay put!

McLayne’s sister was able to be right there beside her for the wedding day—and she wasn’t the only pregnant member of the bridal party. Another one of McLayne’s bridesmaids was also expecting!

Thankfully, we made it through the entire wedding without needing to add “birth photographer” to my job description.

Before the ceremony, McLayne also planned a first look with her brothers.

It was such a sweet moment.

Her oldest brother was doing everything he could to keep his emotions under control, and seeing their reactions made it so obvious how close this family is.

These are some of my favorite moments to photograph on a wedding day because there’s nothing staged about them. I simply get to stand back and document the expressions, hugs, laughter, and tears as they happen.

Christopher Sees His Bride

Standing at the altar waiting for his bride, you could definitely see the anticipation.

And then he saw McLayne.

His entire expression changed.

That huge smile said everything.

Chris’s pastor traveled several hours to officiate their wedding, which added another personal connection to their ceremony. It was heartfelt and meaningful with just the right amount of humor mixed in.

Surrounded by their family and friends, McLayne and Christopher officially became husband and wife.

Wedding Portraits in the Perfect Spring Light

After the ceremony, it was time to take advantage of that beautiful light.

Settles Hill offers plenty of outdoor space for wedding portraits, and the light cloud cover gave us the soft spring look I had been hoping for.

This is always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day.

The ceremony is over. The nerves have settled. You’re officially married.

For a little while, the newlyweds get to step away from everything happening around them and simply enjoy each other.

An Emotional—and Hilarious—Wedding Reception

The mother-daughter and mother-son dances both got me. Parent dances seem to do that every single time, no matter how many weddings I photograph.

Then the speeches completely changed the mood.

McLayne and Chris’s family shared stories that had their guests laughing throughout the room while also giving everyone a glimpse into who these two are individually and as a couple.

They talked about McLayne’s attention to detail and love of planning—something that was definitely apparent throughout her beautifully planned wedding day—and about what a wonderful match she and Chris are for each other.

Even after spending only a short amount of time with them, I could see exactly what their families were talking about.

McLayne and Chris are kind, genuine, caring, and incredibly comfortable together.

Congratulations, McLayne + Christopher!

From McLayne’s emotional first look with her brothers to Chris’s huge smile when he finally saw his bride, beautiful spring portraits, emotional parent dances, and a room filled with laughter during the toasts, this wedding was the perfect way to begin another wedding season.

McLayne and Christopher, thank you for trusting me to photograph such an important day in your lives.

I wish you both so many years of love, happiness, laughter, and incredible memories together!

Planning an Altamont NY Wedding?

If you’re looking for an Altamont NY wedding photographer or planning a wedding at Settles Hill Banquets & Events, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Whether you’re getting married in Altamont, Albany, Saratoga, or elsewhere throughout the Capital Region and Upstate New York, my goal is to capture the beautiful portraits you’re dreaming about along with all of those emotional, funny, completely unscripted moments that make your wedding uniquely yours.

Venue: Settles Hill Banquet and Events
Videographer: Pierre Geffrard from Pretty Films
Florals: Price Chopper
Cup Cakes and Cake Designer: Perfect Blend

View their engagement session here!