So, my insane post-apocalyptic engagement session couple had their rustic barn wedding at the Mount Gulian Historic Site. Things got more civil but not all the time…
Apocalypse Not Now
Allow me to reintroduce Dani and Brett. They made quite a buzz last year when I gave them a sick post-apocalyptic engagement session at a junkyard in Pennsylvania. The guys didn’t cut corners and prepared properly; I scored full cooperation with the host. Such one-of-a-kind experience resulted in one of my best engagement shoots in 16 years of looking for the offbeat couples. Check out that engagement shoot behind-the-scenes:
Go Wild While You Can
A wedding is a wedding. You can’t get muddy, swing swords, throw smoke bombs, or chain your partner. Some couples still profess their unique characters, like at this steampunk wedding or this royal wedding, but most keep things more civil.
That’s why I invite the adventurous couples to vent creatively with my daring (if can handle) engagement sessions before their wedding day, while we still can and care more about it than the adult bills and children. No, I have shot romance sessions for married couples like this cutest Christmas adventure in NYC but it’s more of an exemplary exception…
Mount Gulian Historic Site
After such a dope engagement shoot, our cool couple deserved a break. They opted for a rustic barn wedding at the Mount Gulian Historic Site. The reconstructed 18th-century Dutch manor house is in the Hudson Valley near Beacon, New York, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the 21st century.
Setting Up
Lara joined me for videography and we already have the highlights video for your enjoyment at the end of the blog! We arrived at Mount Gulian before the bride and covered the details and candids as the boys were preparing. The decor and wedding planning was masterly handled by Devon of All Sett Up. Don’t be surprised to see books on the wedding party table—Dani is one bookworm! They also played a role in the engagement shoot. Oh, and this blog’s codename… 🙂 Couldn’t resist hinting at the bookstore.
Kindly refrain from re-uploading images to social media during the first week of the exclusive feature. Share instead and give credit to @ZorzStudios. Thank you for your help!
She’s Here!
Then the girls arrived, sporting converse sneakers as THE choice of wedding day footwear. How could I not make them kick and jump?? Dani and her mom also have a matching cute tattoo. The bride was chill and easy. What else would you expect?
Come On Out, Boys!
Then we moved down to the dungeon where the groomsmen were kept. Once freed, they went to the ceremony site in the garden.
The Ceremony
The ceremony started and everyone said “Aww” to the flower dude. Brett’s brother officiated at the wedding.
Give’em Portraits
The formal family portraits followed. I usually skip them in my blogs but a couple of them made the cut. Next was the bridal party, and I went editorial on them, giving that magazine-cover feel mixed with the photo booth moments. Always helps to add a fun action. Lastly, I took them back to the garden where I spotted a useful race track.
Bride and Groom Portraits
Time was running out, but I needed to get a few bride-and-groom portraits. Took them to the back of the garden for the romantic photos. They are safe. I can’t go without them. Of course, I left wanting something cooler and on fire.
Reception at the 1730 Barn
We rushed back to the rustic barn wedding at the Mount Gulian Historic Site. This barn has a great story. It’s one of a few surviving pre-revolutionary Dutch barns, built around 1730, around the same time as the main house. However, it was built miles away! In the 1970s, they saved it from the demolition when the Mount Gulian Historic Site purchased it. The barn was disassembled, the pieces were numbered, and the entire structure was trucked from its original Hopewell Junction location. Now, let’s get a piece of history!
These ladies got my pure interest throughout the reception. I kept sneaking on them.
Not-So-Soft Portraits
As the darkness fell, I pulled my couple out of the barn to make up for those missing cool wedding portraits. As a tribute to their sexy engagement session, I asked Brett to show some skin.
Merry End
The barn wedding at the Mount Gulian Historic Site was nearing its end. There was no cake, but the donuts were so good that some had to fight for them. Our couple isn’t Jewish (at least I didn’t catch any sign) but they borrowed a lively Hora dance with the adrenalizing chair lifting. Anything for the fun memories, right?
Highlights Video
Surprise! We already have the wedding highlights video for you. Enjoy! 🎥🍿
Let the rest of your lives be as fun, supportive, and achieving, guys! Thank you for making me part of such an unforgettable chapter!
Thanks and Credits
Venue: Mount Gulian Historic Site
Planning, flowers, decor: Devon Settembrini, All Sett Up
Flowers, decor: Danielle Chance
Makeup: Artistry By Jessica
Hair: Deni Atherton
Wedding dress: The Persnickety Bride
DJ: Tony Cordeiro of CNT Entertainment
Catering: Palmers
Donuts: Grounds Donut House
Transportation: A.N.N. Transportation
