An Elegant Wedding at Birch Hill Catering | Schodack NY Wedding Photographer

Simone and David’s Birch Hill Catering wedding in Schodack, NY was the perfect way to kick off my wedding season. From their beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking the pond and fountain to the emotional parent dances later that evening, their day was filled with so many heartfelt moments.

I’m so thankful every day that I get to capture moments like weddings. This job isn’t for everyone — that’s for sure! The stress leading up to a wedding day can be intense, but once I arrive and start documenting those beautiful moments, I’m reminded exactly why I do what I do. It gives me such a sense of purpose, and I love every single second.

This was my first wedding of the year, and I’ll admit — my nerves were working overtime! I had those classic photographer nightmares: forgetting my flash, discovering all my batteries were dead, or not remembering where the ceremony was being held. Thankfully, none of that came true — and instead, it turned out to be a perfect day.

Simone and David’s wedding at Birch Hill Catering was absolutely stunning. Because the rain held out just long enough, they were able to have their ceremony outside overlooking the pond and fountain — just as they had hoped. The arbor was beautifully dressed in florals, and Simone’s brother officiated one of the most heartfelt ceremonies I’ve ever heard. It had the perfect mix of humor, wisdom, and sentimental stories that left everyone smiling and tearing up.

During the ceremony, something magical happened — a dragonfly appeared and flew gently up the aisle, hovering above guests before landing on a bouquet at the end of the aisle. I managed to get a quick photo before he flew off again. I’ve always thought of dragonflies as symbols of peace and happiness, and it couldn’t have been more fitting for such a joyful day.

After the ceremony, we jumped right into family and bridal party photos. Simone and David wanted to make sure they had time to enjoy their cocktail hour with guests — so I worked my photography magic to make sure we captured everything they wanted and got them back in time to celebrate. Their energy, laughter, and connection made it easy — every photo radiated love.

As the evening unfolded, the emotions of the day came to life all over again. The parent dances especially got me teary-eyed. Simone and her dad shared such a sweet, gentle moment together, and her brother couldn’t hold back tears watching them. Then came David’s dance with his mom — a beautiful, emotional moment that brought the entire room to silence. It’s these heartfelt moments that remind me how special it is to capture weddings.

Congratulations, Simone and David — and thank you for trusting me to document your day. Your wedding was full of elegance, emotion, laughter, and love. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.