Candlelit Manhattan Summer Wedding at One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Stepping into The Hotel Chelsea on a sweltering 95-degree Saturday in June, I was greeted by one of the sweetest brides I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Emily's getting ready suite overlooked Lower Manhattan through stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, where she prepared alongside her mom and sister while the city buzzed below. Across the historic hotel, Vince added the final touches to his wedding attire, preparing for one of Manhattan's most intimate and romantic wedding venues.
When Emily and Vince reached out to me just one month before their wedding in May, they described their vision simply as "a restaurant in Manhattan with a very romantic and cozy atmosphere." What they didn't know was that they'd chosen one of my absolute favorite venues in New York City: One if by Land, Two if by Sea. The historic West Village restaurant, housed in a converted 18th-century carriage house, had captured my heart the year before when I assisted a photographer friend at an event there. The moody, gothic-inspired interiors with exposed brick walls, candlelit ambiance, and intimate atmosphere had been living rent-free in my mind ever since. Getting to return as the lead photographer for Emily and Vince felt like the universe aligning perfectly.
After Emily finished getting ready at The Hotel Chelsea, we captured their private first look in one of the hotel's grand meeting rooms on the ground floor. The anticipation, the tears, the quiet moment before their wedding ceremony—these intimate moments are what make wedding photography so special. Once they were ready to venture out, we faced the decision every summer wedding photographer knows well: brave the heat or find a creative solution. We opted to drive to the venue, which gave us the perfect opportunity to capture Emily and Vince making their entrance at One if by Land, Two if by Sea. Vince's stunning cerulean blue sports car provided a striking contrast against the historic West Village streetscape as they stepped out in front of the restaurant.
Before retreating into the air-conditioned sanctuary of the venue, we seized the opportunity for couples portraits in a shaded alcove tucked behind the building. Protected from the summer haze but bathed in beautiful natural light, we captured some of my favorite images from their entire wedding day. These quiet moments between just the two of them, away from the ceremony and reception bustle, are often where the most genuine emotions surface.
As guests arrived at One if by Land, Two if by Sea, the restaurant transformed into an intimate candlelit ceremony space. The venue's signature romantic atmosphere—complete with flickering candles, rich wood tones, and that unmistakable Old New York charm—created the perfect backdrop for Emily and Vince to exchange their vows. And yes, I absolutely got teary-eyed during their ceremony. After photographing countless weddings in Manhattan and beyond, I'm still completely powerless against the emotion of two people committing their lives to each other.
Following the ceremony, Emily and Vince's intimate wedding reception showcased exactly why One if by Land, Two if by Sea remains one of Manhattan's most sought-after small wedding venues. You might not expect a cozy restaurant wedding to include much dancing, but Emily and Vince proved that wrong. They opened up the floor for their first dance, with Emily's wedding dress creating beautiful sweeping movements as they turned together. Heartfelt toasts from family and friends filled the space with laughter and happy tears, celebrating the couple's journey together.
As the evening continued, the dance floor energy picked up, and I was able to capture those signature slow-shutter flash dancing shots that have become one of my favorite creative wedding photography techniques. The movement, the light trails, the pure joy frozen in motion—these images capture the celebration's energy in a way that traditional posed shots simply can't. Make sure to scroll through their entire gallery to see these dynamic reception moments that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of Emily and Vince's wedding celebration.
Emily and Vince's last-minute June wedding at One if by Land, Two if by Sea reminded me why I love photographing intimate Manhattan weddings. From the historic charm of The Hotel Chelsea to the romantic candlelit ceremony and energetic reception at one of the West Village's most iconic venues, every moment felt authentic, emotional, and beautifully theirs.
