Intimate COVID-19 Wedding

A PRIVATE ESTATE

Nicole & Luca • germantown, ny

After having to move their wedding at A Private Estate Events LLC from the originally planned date in June to October due to health regulations, Nicole and Luca brought all the little details together to create the wedding they had always wanted. Forever fans of the Hudson Valley region, they fell in love with the space in Germantown, New York and chose A Private Estate as their wedding venue.

They moved out of NYC to Colorado a few years ago, but with most of their family being on the East Coast and their love of visiting the little towns along the Hudson Valley, getting married upstate was a no-brainer. Originally they planned for 140 guests with a full weekend feel, but because of coronavirus they had to postpone and make shifts to still have the day be lovely and memorable.

"We upgraded most of the decor to give the air of an elevated dinner party," the couple said. "Beautiful and formal, yet still fun." It was an elegant juxtaposition with tuxes and corn hole, followed by a candlelit dinner and pigs in a blanket from Hickory BBQ.

Nicole brought in a gorgeous and unique pearl theme for her accessories to pair with her Lela Rose dress, including silk wedding flats with pearl detailing and an acrylic pearl purse by Lele Sadoughi. Her friend even custom made her a white velvet jacket to wear when the sun went down at night, with little pearls along the sleeve.

Other lovely details the couple included for their wedding at A Private Estate? Personal rosé and champagne bottles for a group toast after their first kiss, as well as gin and bourbon from a local distillery. The place cards were made from pressed flowers and wildflower seeds that grow flowers once watered, to bring in a theme of growth and positivity into the event.

Nicole + Luca

vendors 

A Private Estate

Coordination - Every Little Detail
Dress - Lela Rose
Jewelry - Nicola Bathie
Purse - Lele Sadoughi
Suit - Suit Supply
Hair/Makeup - La Tua Bella
Rings - Melanie Casey & Anthony Lent

Florist - Flower Kraut
Venue - A Private Estate
Catering - Hickory BBQ
Rentals - Events Unlimited
Rentals - North Country Vintage
Lawn Games - Upstate Jamboree
Paperie - Paper Culture

"We have not stopped talking about the quality of your work since we got our very first look. The difference between good photography and stellar photography is very obvious to us both now." 

All About Weddings at a Private Estate LLC

All About Weddings at a Private Estate LLC

A one-of-a-kind wedding venue

As a wedding photographer, we have years of experience shooting various locations and venues in the New York Metro Area (literally – we’ve photographed over 300 weddings!). When navigating the wedding planning process, it can be so difficult to figure out venues, vendors, logistics, and budgets. That being said, we thought it would be helpful to give some information based on our experience photographing weddings at A Private Estate. See all the details below!

A Private Estate Events LLC is located in Germantown, NY a serene and picturesque area of the Hudson Valley. It is a 19th century Livingston mansion with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Catskills Mountains. With a maximum capacity of 275 guests, you can host your celebration waterside in a tent or in the restored barn complex. The well-groomed lawns and intimate feel of the space is the perfect backdrop for any wedding, large and small. Your guests will be awed by the views and service at this venue!

how we photograph weddings at a private estate llc

With such a small wedding and everything happening on-site, they only needed one photographer. I worked with their coordinator Danielle of Every Little Detail to build a timeline that allowed us plenty of time for all the photos the couple wanted (including the epic editorial style shot of their entire family on the steps of the estate house!) but to ensure that the day didn’t feel like a photo shoot and they spent as much time as possible with their loved ones.

I arrived extra early on-site for additional time to document the details of the day and the location that was so important to Nicole and Luca. With both of them getting ready at the carriage house together, it was seamless to bounce between the two of them and capture the moments with friends and family — from Luca and his mom seeing one another for the first time to extended family hanging around a fire pit on the chilly autumn morning.

Once the day kicked off, I floated amidst the guests between events - capturing moments of laughter amidst friends and little details like the father of the bride's little dog running around during the cocktail hour or Luca's arm around Nicole's chair during toasts. These in-between moments are often not the photos you'll hang on your wall or post on Instagram, but sweet glimpses of the day that take you right back to what it felt like to be in the room.

Photography Tips for Weddings at a Private Estate LLC

Photography Tips for Weddings at a Private Estate LLC

how to find your dream wedding photographer

A Private Estate in Germantown is one of those rare venues that feels both elegant and totally down-to-earth. With the Hudson River in the background, a gorgeous old mansion, open lawns, a barn, and cozy on-site spaces to get ready, it’s basically a dream when it comes to wedding photos. But to really make the most of it, there are a few photography tips that can help.

The light here is beautiful but can be tricky depending on the time of day. The ceremony lawn faces west, so if you're getting married in the afternoon, you’ll get that warm, golden glow - but the sun does move quickly, especially in the fall. Ask your photographer what time they’d recommend for portraits or a first look so you can catch the softest, most flattering light.

The getting-ready spaces, like the mansion and the carriage house, have a lot of charm but can be a little dark or moody inside. A photographer who knows how to work with natural light (and maybe a flash when needed) will still make those photos feel warm and inviting.

There are so many little spots on the property that are great for portraits - by the ivy-covered walls, under the big trees, near the pond, or even out on the gravel drive with the barn behind you. You don’t need to leave the venue to get variety in your gallery - just someone who knows how to spot the good light and great angles.

If your reception is in the barn or outdoors with string lights and candles, make sure your photographer is comfortable shooting in low light. It makes a big difference when someone knows how to capture those cozy, after-dark vibes without using harsh flash.

Bottom line: this venue has a ton of character, but it really shines when your photographer understands how to move with the day, find the best light, and capture the natural beauty without overdoing it. Look for someone whose style feels relaxed and real - so your photos reflect not just how it looked, but how it felt to be there.
















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