Rosalen & Chris - Douglaston Manor Wedding

I remember the first time we met Rosalen and Chris; we were sitting inside a dimly lit booth next to the barÂ with 80’s music playing quietly in the background. Our tentative meeting over coffee had somehow turned into a semi-double-date over drinks and appetizers, and we spent the afternoon listening to them excitedly describing their wedding plans in great detail. Somewhere in between the melange of Bon Jovi and our second round of drinks, we discovered there be two receptions: one in NY and one in Aruba, with their NY celebration being the smaller, quieter affair for friends and family who wouldn’t be able to make it to their destination wedding extravaganza in Aruba. As they contemplated on whether or not they needed coverage for their small and intimate NY wedding, we pretty much made the decision for them: If it’s going to take place in the middle of January and you only need us for another 1-2 hours? Count us in :).

We received an email from Rosalen one week before their NY wedding, explaining that the celebration had been slightly upgraded to dinner. Not a problem. When we arrived on the morning of their big day, Chris reassured us again that it was going to be a low-key affair, and it was going to be one of the easiest days we’ll ever shoot (which it was). If we hadn’t been shooting weddings for as long as we have, we certainlyÂ would’ve believed them. But because we have (been shooting quite a number of weddings), we should’ve told them that the wedding-gods also have ears :).

Their wedding day started in adjacent rooms at the Bryant Park Hotel.

Bride preps for her wedding day in her Bryant Park Hotel room. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Wedding rings at the Bryant Park Hotel, NY. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Wedding make up at the Bryant Park Hotel, NY. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Bride puts on her wedding dress at the Bryant Park Hotel, NY. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Groom preps on his wedding day in his Bryant Park Hotel room. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Groom adjusts his tie in his Bryant Park hotel room on his wedding day. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Groom preps in his Bryant Park Hotel room in NYC. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Bride poses for portraits at Bryant Park. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

It takes a trooper of a bride to pose like that in the middle of winter at Bryant Park :).

Wedding ceremony at the Notre Dame Church in New Hyde Park, NY. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Bride and groom's wedding ceremony at the Notre Dame Church in New Hyde Park, NY. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Golf course next to the Douglaston Manor wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Winter berries outside of a Douglaston Manor wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Cocktail hour at a Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Guests laugh during a Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Bartender pours a row of drinks during a Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Guests toast during Chris and Rosalen's Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Speeches and toasts during Rosalen and Chris' wedding at the Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Chris also reassured the DJ that it was going to be a quiet evening.

Guests dance during Chris and Rosalen's Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Not. Even. Close.

Guests pose for a picture during Rosalen and Chris' wedding at Douglaston Manor. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Guests dance during Chris and Rosalen's Douglaston Manor Wedding. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Ben Lau and Karis Lau of Ben Lau Photography pose with Chris and Rosalen at they Douglaston Manor wedding.

Thank you Rosalen and Chris for sharing Part 1 of your wedding celebrations with us! Bride and groom portraits at the Douglaston Manor. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau. Part 1 of Chris and Rosalen’s special day was made possible with the help of these awesome folks:

Reception: The Douglaston Manor
Gown: Bridals by Marisa, Bridal Reflections
Shoes: Cole Haan
Rings: Tiffany Yan (tiffany@tiffanyyan.com)
Hair & Make-up: Coco Tsang
Grooms Attire: Zara
Floral: Flowers by Andie
Stationary: Occasional Ink

Stay tuned for Part 2 of their wedding celebration in bee-yoo-tiful ARUBA!!

Happy Monday ya’ll,

Ben & Karis

[Wedding] Rosalen & Chris – Douglaston Manor in Douglaston, NY

We hear the coffee's pretty good here :)