Cassie VALENTE Photography
I’ve revamped some of my workflow processes when it comes to blogging weddings, and I’m hoping all the new tips I’ve picked up along the way from friends and mentors will keep me on track with showcasing my recent work! It’s been an incredible year of growth for me as a wedding photographer and I owe it to my clients to share a glimpse of how special their celebrations have been. As the first wedding post on this new site (!!), I’m so excited to share Tiana + Howard’s INCREDIBLE day!
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- I first met Howard in high school, back in a former life when playing piano made up most of my after-school activities. I was SO ecstatic when Howard invited me up to photograph his wedding in New York!
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- Can you recognize the Empire State Building in the background? Both Tiana and Howard got ready at the most charming Old World-inspired hotel in Manhattan. The balcony views were incredible.
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- Another wedding photographer once taught me this trick – traveling with styling boards isn’t always the easiest thing, so when clean, flat surfaces aren’t in abundance, ask to borrow a bridesmaid’s dress for some prop styling! It’s such a perfect way to incorporate the couple’s wedding colors into the detail photographs!
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- Both Tiana and Howard’s families woke up early that morning to decorate the hotel room for their kids! You can see the “Double Happiness” character all over the getting ready area. This character is a huge symbol of marriage in China. Chinese culture believes that happiness typically comes in twos, which is how the symbol has always looked to me – like two happy people wearing identical hats! 🙂
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- In our planning calls leading up to the wedding, Tiana let me know that capturing tender, unposed moments with her family were of utmost importance to her. With just minimal direction, we were able to find a lot of these instances throughout the emotional day.
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- I love letting couples have their own time immediately after the first look. There’s usually very minimal posing necessary, as they naturally fall into the excitement and feeling of the day.
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- Little details like Howard’s flipped jacket here make me smile. This tiny “imperfection” is actually a pretty accurate representation of what it was like shooting outdoors that day. After a unseasonably mild week, the day of the wedding was SO COLD. Howard and Tiana were amazing troopers and laughed their way through all of their chilly, blustery outdoor portraits!
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- I loved the custom wine labels on the couples’ guest gifts!
Traveling to photograph Tiana and Howard’s wedding day ranks up there as one of my most memorable experiences yet. They have some of the sweetest friends and family members and the entire day was such a testament to their love and community. I’m so thankful for couples like them that allow me to pursue the work I love in new locales, surrounded by fresh sights. Congratulations on your marriage, I’m so honored to have been a part of your big day!
Floral Design: Little Green Kingdom // Hotel: The Roger Hotel // Ceremony + Reception Venue: Brooklyn Winery // DJ: DJ Dan Chavez of Scratch Weddings // Tailoring: Lai’s Royal Tailoring // Sound/Lighting: Universal Light and Sound // Cake: Tai Pan Bakery
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"And when you appear all the rivers sound in my body, bells shake the sky, and a hymn fills the world."
PABLO NERUDA
So many things to love about this wedding! The Brooklyn Winery is such a gorgeous venue. Especially love those long tables and the hanging wall plants.
Cassie, seriously you’re my inspiration as wedding photography. Besides the fact that you got to travel to NYC for this wedding (what?!) your wedding photography is so perfect. It’s everything. You can make any venue look amazing, and showcase the unique love that every couple has.
Wow, you are so talented! I love this Brooklyn Winery Wedding!
Your wedding photography from Brooklyn winery is absolutely stunning! The fall colors, stunning details and cool city vibe are perfect inspiration for fall brides. And that tip about using the bridesmaids dresses is awesome! Thanks for that!
Cassie, the Brooklyn Winery looks amazing in this blog. I love the rich, vibrant colors in your prep photos and adore the way you lit the reception to give it a real rustic, fall vibe. Awesome work. 🙂
This is a beautiful wedding you captured and I love that it took place in the Brooklyn Winery. Their reception photos are so fun. I love their cute exit photo.
Truly stunning photography!! The Brooklyn Winery is so romantic for a fall wedding. Beautiful work!
I love all the fun and laughter you captured. I always know when I really enjoy a wedding blog post when I catch myself smiling at my computer screen! Really love the ceremony lighting too.
Oh, come on! Cassie Xie Photography weddings are always stunning. This Brooklyn Winery wedding belongs in a bridal magazine! Gorgeous work as always.