Guastavino’s New York Wedding – Rachel and Peter

What an unforgettable time we had with Rachel and Peter at their spectacular Guastavino’s New York wedding! The bride, groom and their entire wedding party were such a pleasure to photograph. From the excitement we witnessed during their getting-ready photos to the “love in the city” vibe we captured on the streets of New York City and at the venue – the photos below are a testament to the power of love!

If you’re planning a wedding in NYC, here are some details from Rachel and Peter’s Big Day to inspire you!

The bride looked radiant in a stunning v-neck, mermaid silhouette lace gown. She let her hair flow in loose waves – an effortlessly chic and modern style for this city wedding.

The groom looked as sharp as could be in his black tux with bow tie. During the couple’s First Look moment, you could see the absolute adoration he had for his wife-to-be!

As we’ve mentioned in the past, Guastavino’s is one of our all-time favorite wedding venues in the city. What an incredibly spacious and amazing place for a couple to celebrate their union. Its elaborate granite arches and catalan vaulted tile ceiling not only make for dramatic photos, but they’re just so unique. Guests couldn’t help but become swept away in the romance of the ceremony!

After Rachel and Peter exchanged their vows in front of family and friends, a gorgeous reception followed which included a cocktail hour, a delicious dinner and desert, and dancing. It’s safe to say that everyone in attendance was completely wowed by the magic of the day!

Rachel and Peter, once in a while in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale. Your wedding day was just that! We wish you nothing but the best as you begin your lives together!

Vendors:

Photography: Julian Ribinik Photography
Venue: Guastavino’s

The lace wedding gown hanging in the hotel suite with her shoes waiting on the bench below

Close detail of the plunging lace bodice of the gown on its hanger

Rachel holding a bottle of champagne in the hotel suite during bridal prep

The lace of the gown backlit against the hotel window

Rachel and her bridesmaids with champagne on the bed of the hotel suite

The bride pouring champagne into a row of glasses during bridal prep

Black and white detail of the wedding invitation suite beside the rings

The wedding rings resting against the invitation on the hotel desk

Black and white still life of the invitation and glass vessels in window light

Rachel and her bridesmaids raising champagne together in the hotel suite

Black and white detail of an embroidered handkerchief with the rings resting on it

A bridesmaid fastening Rachel into her lace gown

Black and white frame of the bride with her parents in the hotel suite before the ceremony

The bride's heels and books arranged on the shelf of the hotel suite

Rachel being buttoned into the back of her gown by the window

The bride in her full lace gown reflected in the hotel suite mirror

Black and white wide frame of the bride being dressed in the hotel suite

Rachel standing alone in her gown in the hotel suite before leaving for the ceremony

Hands adjusting the lace hem of the gown as the bride prepares to leave

Close frame of the bride's hands against the lace of her gown at the window

Black and white frame of Rachel with her mother in the hotel suite

The bride from behind in her open-back lace gown as the groom waits down the hall

Rachel and Peter's first look in the hotel corridor

Black and white frame of the couple holding each other after the first look

The couple facing each other in the hotel corridor after the first look

Black and white detail of the couple's hands joined between them

The lace train of the gown trailing across the hotel floor

Rachel and Peter at the foot of a curved staircase in black and white

The couple standing together on a path in Madison Square Park

Rachel and Peter beside a park bench under the trees

The couple in front of the rose beds in Madison Square Park

Rachel and Peter kissing among the flowers in the park

The couple laughing together under the park trees

Rachel and Peter on the park path with the lawn behind them

The couple embracing in the park with a Manhattan clock tower rising behind the trees

Black and white frame of the couple forehead to forehead in the park

Rachel and Peter smiling at the camera in the park

The bride looking back over the groom's shoulder in the park

Black and white portrait of Rachel and Peter close together in the park

Black and white frame of the couple on a Manhattan sidewalk at dusk

Rachel and Peter close together on the street in black and white

The couple in front of the Flatiron Building in black and white

Rachel and Peter on the corner with the Flatiron Building behind them

The couple on a Manhattan avenue with traffic and buildings behind

The groom kissing the bride's cheek on a busy Manhattan street

Rachel and Peter in front of a curved wooden sculpture on the sidewalk

Black and white frame of the couple kissing beside the sculpture

The bride and groom crossing a Manhattan avenue in black and white, her train behind her

Rachel and Peter in the back of the car on the way to Guastavino's

The couple in the arched green windows of the Guastavino's entrance on East 59th Street

Rachel and Peter framed by the tall arched window of Guastavino's

The bride alone in her lace gown outside the arched windows of Guastavino's

Black and white frame of the couple with the Queensboro Bridge rising behind them

Rachel and Peter outside Guastavino's beneath the bridge lamps

The lace train fanned out on the pavement as the couple stand together

Black and white portrait of Peter alone outside the venue

Escort cards laid out in rows with white and yellow florals behind them

The escort card table with tall glass vessels and cream florals

The ketubah laid out on the table before the signing

Peter and the rabbi at the ketubah table before the signing begins

The couple seated with family gathered around the ketubah table

Rachel signing the ketubah as family look on beneath the vaulted tile ceiling

The couple signing the ketubah together, witnesses standing behind

Close detail of a hand signing the illustrated ketubah

The rabbi completing the ketubah as Rachel and Peter watch

The greenery and white rose chuppah set beneath the tiled arch at Guastavino's

Black and white detail of the wine and glasses on the chuppah table

The framed ketubah displayed beside the chuppah

Detail of the greenery, ivy and white roses wrapping the chuppah posts

The full chuppah of greenery and white roses under the vaulted tile ceiling

The chuppah table set with wine beneath the arched window

Black and white frame of the bride's veil being placed before the ceremony

Rachel in her veil against the curved white wall before walking in

Peter walking down the aisle with his parents, guests standing on either side

Rachel walking the aisle between both her parents in black and white

Peter waiting under the greenery chuppah as the bride comes down the aisle

The bride reaching the chuppah, seen from behind through the candlelit aisle

Black and white frame of the aisle full of guests turned toward the bride

Rachel walking the candlelit aisle toward the chuppah at Guastavino's

Black and white frame of the bride and her father reaching the chuppah

The couple standing together under the greenery chuppah

Rachel and Peter beneath the chuppah in the vaulted tile room, black and white

The couple at the chuppah with the candlelit aisle stretching behind them

Rachel and Peter under the chuppah as the rabbi begins the ceremony

The couple holding hands during the ceremony beneath the greenery

Detail of the bride's veil and gown as she stands at the chuppah

Peter lifting the wine cup to Rachel during the ceremony

The bride drinking the ceremonial wine at the chuppah

Rachel and Peter facing each other during the vows

The ring going onto Rachel's finger under the chuppah

Black and white frame of the couple and the rabbi during the ceremony

The tallit drawn over Rachel and Peter's heads during the ceremony

The couple sheltered under the tallit as the blessings are read

Wide frame of the ceremony from the back of the room, the chuppah lit at the end of the candlelit aisle

The tallit over the couple seen from behind through the chuppah greenery

Rachel and Peter kissing under the chuppah as the ceremony ends

Black and white wide frame of the couple at the chuppah after the glass is broken

The newly married couple walking back down the aisle at Guastavino's

Black and white frame of Rachel and Peter coming up the aisle after the ceremony

The candlelit escort table with white anemones in the reception room

The Guastavino's reception room set with round tables under the tiled vaults

A reception table centerpiece of white hydrangea and roses with votives

Detail of the white rose centerpiece beside the couple's monogram

The head table set beneath the arched tile ceiling at Guastavino's

A place setting with the white and green centerpiece behind it

The printed dinner menu at a place setting with silver flatware

Rachel and Peter's first dance on the parquet floor, guests ringing the room

The couple's first dance under the vaulted ceiling at their Guastavino's wedding

Black and white frame of the first dance with the band playing behind

The couple dancing with the tiled arches rising above them

Peter spinning Rachel during the first dance

The groom dipping the bride at the end of the first dance

Guests crowding onto the dance floor after the first dance

The dance floor filling with guests in the vaulted reception room

Guests dancing close together under the arches

A couple dancing among the guests at the reception

Rachel and Peter dancing together in the middle of the crowd

Black and white frame of the bride surrounded by dancing guests

Rachel lifted on a chair above the crowd during the hora

Guests dancing in front of the band under the tiled arches

The dance floor packed with guests, arms in the air

A plated first course carried out by a server

Black and white frame of the groom laughing among the dancing guests

Black and white wide frame of the full dance floor

Rachel dancing with friends in the middle of the reception

Speeches being given from the dance floor as guests listen

Rachel and Peter seated together at their sweetheart table

Black and white frame of the couple alone at their table during dinner

A guest giving a toast with the band behind him

The couple listening to speeches from their table

Black and white frame of Rachel embracing her father

Rachel dancing with her father on the empty floor as guests watch

The father-daughter dance under the vaulted ceiling

Rachel and her father dancing together at the reception

The couple dancing alone on the parquet floor with the room around them

Black and white frame of guests dancing in low light

Black and white frame of guests laughing on the dance floor

Guests dancing together in the vaulted reception room

Black and white frame of two guests laughing at the reception

A guest dancing with the groom among the crowd

Guests dancing together late in the reception

Black and white frame of a guest low on the dance floor

A plated entree presented by a server at the reception

Close detail of a plated course at the Guastavino's reception

Guests standing under the lit arches at the edge of the dance floor

Black and white frame of Rachel and Peter at their table late in the night

A guest dancing across the floor under the warm uplighting

A guest speaking into the microphone during the toasts

Bridesmaids dancing together at the reception

Rachel dancing in a circle of friends on the parquet floor

Guests singing together in a crowd on the dance floor

Black and white frame of the bride dancing surrounded by friends

Guests raising shot glasses together in a toast

Two guests knocking back a drink together at the reception

The candlelit escort table with white florals at the end of the night

Love is sweet favor bags laid out for guests to take home

Guests dancing under purple lighting late in the reception

Rachel and Peter dancing together at the end of the night

The Venue

The Guastavino’s New York proved to be an exceptional choice for Rachel and Peter’s celebration. New York City offers an incredible backdrop for weddings, with its iconic skyline and endless venue options. From intimate rooftop celebrations overlooking the glittering cityscape to grand ballroom affairs in historic landmarks, every corner of the city provides a unique and unforgettable setting for couples to begin their journey together. The energy of the city adds an unmistakable vibrancy to every celebration, while the diverse neighborhoods each bring their own character and charm. Whether nestled in a quiet garden oasis or surrounded by the pulse of Midtown, a New York City wedding is always a truly extraordinary experience that combines urban sophistication with timeless romance.

Getting Ready

The morning began with an air of excitement and anticipation as Rachel and Peter prepared separately for the day ahead. The bridal suite was a scene of beautiful chaos, with the hair and makeup team working their magic while bridesmaids shared stories and laughter. These getting ready moments are always some of our favorites to photograph, as they capture the raw, unfiltered emotions of the day before the ceremony begins. The bride’s transformation was stunning, each element coming together to create a vision of elegance. Meanwhile, the groom and groomsmen shared their own bonding moments, adjusting ties and cufflinks while reminiscing about years of friendship. The first time the bride saw herself fully dressed was an emotional moment that we were honored to capture, a quiet pause before the whirlwind of the day truly began.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was an unforgettable moment that truly captured the essence of Rachel and Peter’s love story. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, every element was thoughtfully chosen to reflect their personal style and shared values. The exchange of vows was deeply moving, with heartfelt words that brought tears to the eyes of many guests. The officiant struck the perfect balance between warmth and reverence, guiding the ceremony with grace. Musical selections added an extra layer of emotion, creating a soundtrack that will forever be associated with this beautiful day. From the processional to the recessional, each moment unfolded naturally, creating memories that everyone present will cherish for years to come. The energy in the room was electric yet tender, a perfect reflection of two people beginning their forever together.

The Reception

When the reception doors opened, guests were welcomed into a stunning space that had been transformed into a celebration wonderland. Every table was a work of art, with centerpieces that added elegance and warmth to the room. The evening unfolded beautifully, beginning with a cocktail hour that allowed guests to mingle and enjoy the anticipation of the celebration to come. Heartfelt speeches from family and friends painted a vivid picture of Rachel and Peter’s journey, drawing both laughter and tears throughout the room. The dance floor came alive as the evening progressed, with the DJ reading the crowd perfectly and keeping the energy high until the very last song. The send-off was a magical conclusion to an extraordinary evening, leaving everyone with memories they will treasure forever.