Jeff and Hitomi were loyal to their neighborhood when planning their wedding. They said their vows just blocks from their apartment at The Standard East Village, and booked all their vendors from their East Village neighborhood too. That is, except for me. But I have to say, I’m glad they broke their all-East-Village vendor rule and invited me out to tell their story. I was more than happy to represent my NYC ‘hood of Brooklyn, the East Village’s little brother. What a treat!
When I spoke with Jeff and Hitomi they told me about their idea for their wedding-day portraits, which might just be one of the most unique and rewarding portrait sessions I’ve done to date. Here’s the story — since Jeff and Hitomi had enlisted the collaboration of East Villagers to help create their wedding day, they asked if I could go around their neighborhood and take portraits with some of their local favorites, some who had helped with the wedding and others who are just a part of their everyday lives. This included their favorite bar tender, their Super, favorite bodega guy, wedding dress designer, florist, and even their dry cleaner!
With NYC being a place that so many people live for just a few years before heading elsewhere, I thought Jeff and Hitomi’s idea of capturing their lives within their East Village surroundings with the people who bring it to life was as lovely as it was honorable. They of course had made plans with everyone beforehand, but I of course couldn’t help but sneak in some simple, extra portraits of these very true blue New Yorkers.
Venue – Standard Hotel East Village
Flowers – Sunny’s Florist in the East Village
Hair and Makeup – Salon Musa / Seiko Iizuka
Catering – Narcissa at The Standard East Village – John Fraser, chef