[Wedding] Evelyn & Alex | Hempstead House in Port Washington, NY

Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve always been fascinated with castles. I imagined epic sieges of medieval armies spilling into the surrounding moat, while townsfolks scrambled to save their chickens (hey, I was five!). Many years later, I would find myself wandering around the hallways of various castles, immersing myself in all that historic awesomeness. And best of all, it’s all part of my job! Once upon a time, Hempstead House was the summer residence for some very influential folks in the 19th and 20th century. When Evelyn and Alex first described the space to me, I knew it was going to be something special. While there weren’t any angry townsfolks with pitchforks and shovels congregating near the entrance, nor were there any moats – we had love, which was just as impenetrable and awe-inspiring as the exterior walls of this “house” :).

Wedding dress photo at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groomsmen at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Cufflinks photo at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Super-hero cufflinks…best idea EVER.

Groomsmen pose for a portrait at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride gets ready on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Ring shot at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Ring shot at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom waits by the window on the morning of his wedding at Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Three photographers. Three ring shots. We couldn’t decide, so we decided to post all three :).

Bride checks herself in the mirror on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride checks herself in the mirror on the morning of her wedding at Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride looks out of the window on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom looks out of the window on the morning of his wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride ascends the stairs on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bridal portraits at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Chinese wedding tea pouring ceremony at the Hempstead House in Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Chinese wedding tea ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Chinese wedding tea pouring ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Chinese wedding tea pouring ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride smiles on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride steps into her gown on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride fixes her dress on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride holding her bouquet on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.First look at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride descends the stairs on the morning of her wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.First look at the Hemptstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.First look at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bridal party photos at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bridal party photo at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding decor at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding decor at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding decor at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding decor at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding decor at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding decor at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride gets bustled at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding ceremony at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.First dance during a wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Speeches during a wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Speeches during a wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Cake cutting during a wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bouquet toss during a wedding at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Toasts during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Toasts during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Toasts during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom dances during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom dances during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride dances during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guests dance during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride blows a kiss during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride and groom dance during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guests dance during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Big toast during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom and Best Man pose together for a casual photo during a wedding reception at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve, Long Island. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

And of course, some photo booth fun!

Many thanks to the following folks who made this celebration possible:

Venue: Hempstead House
Catering: Philip Stone Caterers
Hair: Coco Tsang
Make-up: Coco Tsang
Red Dress: Sylvia’s Boutique
White Dress: Alvina Valenta
Shoes: Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik
Officiant: Pastor Harold Lay
Floral: Nature’s Petal
Entertainment: MC-Ray & DJ-Poh of ChineseMC.com
Cake: Philip Stone Caterers
Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas
Cufflinks: Etsy.com
Bride’s Ring: Ultimate Jewelry Designs
Groom’s Ring: uniquesettings.com
Assistant Extraordinaire: Chris Alincastre

And there you have it! Many thanks and congrats to the lovely bride and groom. We wish you two many years of happiness and we’re honored to document this wonderful milestone for you.

Ben & Karis

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