[Wedding] Judy & Ryan – Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, NY

“Happy New Year!” the groom exclaims in perfect Chinese, as he raises his glass into the air. The guests all cheer and laugh in amusement; partially because the lunar new year was at least 3 months away, and also because his Chinese pronunciation was impeccable, even by a native-speaker’s standards. In the time that Judy & Ryan had been together, it’s clear that their respective families have taken in these two lovebirds as one of their own. After many years of sharing their life together, and learning Chinese (apparently), Judy & Ryan celebrated their long-awaited wedding at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach.

Russo's on the Bay wedding in Howard Beach, captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Venue & Catering: Russo’s on the Bay // Officiant: Brendan Monaghan // Hair: Rubin // Make-up: Samantha Sheehan // Dress: Pronovias // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Groom’s attire: Vera Wang // Floral/Décor: Flowers by Emil // Entertainment: Caleps Entertainment // Cinematography: J’Adore Love

Thank you

There are probably more exciting ways to spend an evening than reading a few thousand words about a wedding venue.

But since you're here anyway, and now know more about this venue than some of the people getting married there next weekend, I figure we should probably say hello.

If you're looking for a photographer, I'd love to hear what you're planning.

— Ben

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Northern NJ, NYC documentary Wedding Photographer, Educator & All-Around Nice Guy

#benlauphoto #momentsovermountains #loveislove

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I photograph weddings for a living, so you’d think I’d have something profound to say about marriage after 18 years.

I don’t.

You just keep showing up. You figure shit out together. You try not to murder each other. And hopefully, after 20 years, you still genuinely enjoy hanging out with that person.

I do.

Happy anniversary, @heykaris .

You’re still braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Although after 20 years of choosing me, I do have some questions about that last one. 😂

JK, of course. Here’s to a million more!

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It’s wedding weekend for these two.

I’m excited to kick off the official fall season at one of my favorite venues, @maritimeparc, with Bella & Kyro. I have a feeling it’s going to be a fun one.

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I was serious about the “tying myself to a tree” part.

Anything for the shot but safety first!

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From purple-haired newlyweds to purple-haired parents - Brittany and Mike have always made beautiful music together, and now they’ve got a new tiny band member. This miracle baby is the sweetest encore. I’m so honored to capture this next movement in their lives.

Let’s just say the applause is endless. 🎻💜👶🏼

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Katie and Adam came down from Buffalo to NJ to do some wedding stuff, which apparently also meant following me into the woods at Lake Minnewaska.

They love hiking. They’d never been here before. And they were game for pretty much anything.

Which was great, because at one point their photographer was busy relearning how to tie himself to a tree.

Fun fact: I am absolutely petrified of heights.

After one slightly-too-close-for-comfort experience, I bought actual climbing gear and learned how to tie proper knots specifically for sessions like this.

Did I look ridiculous? Probably.

Did the knot hold? Well, I’m still alive to write this post.

Also, Katie is an aquatic veterinarian, which means watching movies involving aquatic animals with her must be exhausting.

But if someone ever yells “IS THERE A DOCTOR ON THE PLANE?” I’m grabbing Katie.

She knows how organs work in all kinds of animals.

Human? Piece of cake.

Anyway, two people from Buffalo showed up somewhere they’d never been, trusted me when I said “come this way,” climbed around some rocks, watched me attach myself to a tree, and made some pretty beautiful stuff with me.

Thanks for trusting me, Katie and Adam.

And my knot.

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Joe originally planned to propose in Italy, but ended up proposing on Long Beach Island instead, which made it even more meaningul because this place was already part of their story as a couple. ⁠
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When choosing "the perfect spot" for your engagement session, it can truly be as simple as picking from the heart. ⁠
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@_bcicc @joewesolowski⁠
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#njweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #newjerseyweddingphotographer #newyorkweddingphotographer #nycweddingphotographer

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“Where should we do the session?”

“Somewhere pretty. Quiet. Maybe something with a fence.”

“To keep the bears out?”

“No. To keep your toddler in!”

And that’s how Cross Estate Gardens ended up being pretty much the perfect place for Casey and Paul’s engagement/family session 😂

Here’s the thing y’all should know: Casey’s been telling me for the better part of a decade that when it was finally her turn to get married, I’d be getting her call.

I usually laugh it off, because most people never follow through. But sure enough, Casey kept true to her word.

So what might have been an engagement session turned into a little impromptu family session with their now one-year-old, who specializes in growling, mean-mugging the camera, and generally looking like he has some serious grievances with management.

And contrary to the prevailing narrative, he is, in fact, a ridiculously happy kid.

Next stop: the wedding.

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Alexandra and Scott were married over the weekend! I’ve shared a little preview (see my last post), but thought their engagement session deserved a spot on the grid too.

Time flies when you’re in love.

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Scott and Alexandra both went to Penn State, but that’s not where their love story began.

You would never know it from the wedding though, because I’m pretty sure half of Penn State showed up to Hudson House.

Naturally, Stewart had to make an appearance too. Not only did he join us for a few photos, his face somehow made its way onto the drinks. As one does.

We had one of those nearly perfect wedding days. Beautiful weather, great light, and just enough wind to occasionally remind everyone who was actually in charge.

And the party? Violinist. Saxophonist. Drummer. And the legendary Jason Jani keeping the whole thing moving. That dance floor never really stood a chance.

Also, I’m not saying there’s going to be a special edition Knicks championship watch in Scott’s future…but I’m also not not saying it, lol.

Congrats, Scott + Alexandra!

Venue: @hudsonhousenj
Planner: @detailedeventsbylo
Entertainment: @sceeventgroup / @jasonjani
Florals: @floriographydesignsnj
Video: @heatzfilms
Signage: @sociallyscripted
Beauty: @thebeautysuiteny

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For many years, I wrote a remembrance post every 9/11.⁠
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I wrote about where I was that morning. What I was doing when I heard the news. The family members in New York I couldn’t reach. How unbelievably lucky we were. How watching the Twin Towers fall felt like watching a little piece of home disappear with them.⁠
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And I wrote about how that day changed me.⁠
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It’s been 25 years.⁠
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And in some ways, I’ve moved on. I’m no longer mourning the way I did when I was a 20-something kid trying to make sense of what had just happened.⁠
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But I haven’t forgotten.⁠
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These days, remembering looks a little different for me.⁠
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When I’m at the Oculus, I try to remember where I’m standing.⁠
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When I’m photographing at the 9/11 Memorial at Liberty State Park, I try to be respectful of the space. Those walls aren’t just another cool backdrop for a photograph. There are names inscribed on them. They mean something.⁠
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And maybe more importantly, I try to be more observant.⁠
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I try to listen more. To understand more. To remember that there’s an entire world beyond the one in my own backyard, filled with people whose lives, experiences and perspectives may look nothing like mine.⁠
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Twenty-five years later, that’s how I pay my respects.⁠
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That’s how I remember.⁠
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That’s how I never forget.

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