On a summer day bursting with youth, beauty, and the kind of energy that comes from being surrounded by hundreds of family and friends, a young Harvard/Princeton-educated couple celebrated their love in the most stylish way imaginable. This was a luxurious wedding at Crest Hollow Country Club that had it all: a massive bridal party of 18, food stations that could make even the most disciplined guest forget their diet, and entertainment that kept the atmosphere buzzing from start to finish.
Table of Contents
Returning to Familiar Faces
Some weddings feel like a reunion, and this one absolutely did. Years ago, I photographed a Georgian Jewish wedding for relatives of this family, so when the bride’s mother called, it was like hearing from an old friend. She didn’t waste time with small talk; she painted a vivid picture of her daughter and soon-to-be-son-in-law: young, gorgeous, romantic, and the kind of easygoing couple that makes a photographer’s job a joy. And she was right. Meeting them in person sealed the deal: they had that glow, that unteachable comfort in front of the camera.
The family dynamic was endearing, if a little familiar to anyone who knows Russian-Jewish weddings: the parents were steering the ship, and they were steering it toward perfection. The couple? Happy to let them, as long as the day reflected their style and their love story.
The Stage: Crest Hollow Country Club
Crest Hollow Country Club is a Long Island gem, the kind of venue that can play chameleon. Want a tropical vibe? The palm-lined pool has you covered. Prefer manicured gardens? They’ve got that too. And then there’s the pond, where a gentle fountain whispers in the background—the perfect setting for intimate portraits. It’s the sort of place that feels both grand and personal, making it a dream to photograph.
I’ve worked there several times, and even blogged about another chic Jewish-Moroccan wedding, also for a young and good-looking couple!
When the rain promised its entrance, there was no panic. The covered terrace transformed into a romantic stage for the ceremony, the soft light diffusing across polished floors, reflections glinting here and there. Guests murmured about how beautiful it looked.
Portraits in the Heat
We kicked things off with the first look by the pond, a private moment that somehow still felt cinematic. The water provided a moving backdrop, and their reactions were pure magic—a mix of relief, joy, and just a dash of disbelief that this day was finally here. July in New York is not shy about reminding you who’s boss, and the heat and humidity had us moving fast. But you’d never know it from the photos.
The bridal party—all eighteen of them—joined in, a kaleidoscope of coordinated style. Out in the open air, we worked quickly, the laughter and teasing keeping spirits high despite the temperature. These weren’t just stiff, formal groupings; they were snapshots of camaraderie, moments that showed how much love surrounded this couple.
Family portraits are the quiet backbone of any wedding album. This family came prepared with a meticulous list, which meant we could fly through without missing anyone. Still, the real emotional weight came with the traditions.
Cocktail Hour
During cocktail hour, guests floated between the strains of a live string quartet and the gravitational pull of the food stations, which, calling them “appetizers,” feels like false advertising (I hope you’re not hungry reading this).
Between bites, laughter and conversation filled the air as old friends reconnected and new ones met over shared plates, already wondering how they’d have room for dinner.
Tradition and Intention
The ketubah signing was rich with symbolism and intimacy, a gathering of loved ones leaning in close as blessings were spoken and signatures inked. And then, in a twist I’ve never seen before, the mothers each took a small hammer and smashed a glass. The reaction was instant: cheers, laughter, and more than a few misty eyes.
Later, under the chuppah, the groom draped a tallit—a traditional Jewish prayer shawl—over both of them. It’s a custom that symbolizes unity, togetherness, and the shared protection of their new life.
The bride held her finger up like she was about to make a royal proclamation, and as the ring slid on, the moment hovered just long enough for everyone to chuckle before melting into applause.
The Heart of Luxurious Wedding: Reception Splendor
If the portraits were a quiet sonnet, the reception was a full-blown symphony. The ballroom had been transformed by Adrian B Event Design into something out of a glossy magazine spread: towering floral arrangements, gleaming tablescapes, and a lighting scheme that made every angle photograph like a crafty piece of art.
And then… the food again. Oh, the food. Crest Hollow didn’t just put out a buffet — they staged a culinary Olympics. We’re talking towering platters of meats, cheeses, salads, and sushi that looked like they’d been sculpted by Michelangelo’s hungrier cousin. You couldn’t walk more than five feet without bumping into another station, each one daring you to “just try a little” before ambushing you with another mountain of delicacies. By the time guests sat down, the tables themselves were groaning under enough gourmet fare to feed a small village, and yes, people still went back for seconds.
Douglas James Entertainment pulled the strings on the evening’s soundtrack, starting with a string quartet that lulled everyone into cocktail-hour bliss. Then the tempo shifted: live band, drummer, saxophonist, powerhouse vocalists—the works. Douglas himself jumped in with Italian classics that had the whole room singing and some ladies—tearing. Hey, he touched my heart, and I keep saying this to him at every wedding we work together. The dance floor was a living, breathing thing, pulsing with joy and movement until the very last note.
Douglas is a phenomenon among Russian-speaking party-throwers. I witnessed his team everywhere a style and impact are expected, from a classy wedding of ballroom dancers to a Great Gatsby yacht birthday party, and from a Persian-infused wedding to a hilarious Cancun wedding with a half-naked craze.
A Lasting Impression
By midnight, the cake had been cut, the last glasses refilled, and the crowd was somehow still going strong. This day wasn’t just a wedding; it was a statement. That luxury isn’t about ostentation—it’s about crafting an experience where every choice feels right, where the setting amplifies the story, and where the people in the room are part of something unforgettable.
At Crest Hollow Country Club, with its lush grounds and grand spaces, this luxurious wedding became exactly that. And I was lucky enough to be there to capture it all.
Credits
- Venue & Kosher Catering: Crest Hollow Country Club (@cresthollowcountryclub)
- Florals & Design: Adrian B Event Design (@adrianbeventdesign)
- Music & Entertainment: Douglas James Entertainment (@douglasjamesentertainment)
- Makeup: Gabriella Golan (@gabriella_golan)
- Hair: Miguel Luis (@miguelluishair)
- Photo and Video: Zorz Studios (@zorzstudios)
