emily + jono | a manhattan city hall elopement

Sep 27

the moment emily and jono touched down in new york city, the air buzzed with a kind of magic only found here. traveling all the way from australia, this was their first visit to the city, and they had a highly secret mission—to tie the knot at city hall, just the two of them.

i still remember the first phone call we had. by the end of it, my stomach hurt from laughing so hard and I knew we were going to get along perfectly.

the day began in their hotel room at the roxy hotel. the anticipation was palpable as they prepped for their big day. we captured a sweet first look in the hallway—jono's eyes lighting up at the sight of emily, who looked breathtaking.

stepping outside, emily bundled up in a coat that was bought just the day before due to the bitter cold. a symbol of their spontaneity. we walked to city hall, twirling through the pigeons in the park. the brisk air couldn’t dampen their spirits; they were on cloud nine.

inside city hall, the energy was electric. emily bounced with excitement during their brief, yet beautiful ceremony. when they finally had their first kiss, they jumped for joy, as if they were kids (which wasn’t too far off since they have known each other since they were little).

our walk back to the roxy felt like a true new york experience. strangers stopped to offer congratulations, sharing their own love stories as if they were all part of the same tapestry.

the vintage photobooth was a highlight. they were celebrities. they deserved their moment in the spotlight, and i can’t help but think they should be gracing the pages of vogue, - but that’s just my opinion. soon after, we headed to the bar for a game of pool — an echo of their first date.

of course, no new york experience is complete without a slice of pizza. hailing a taxi (like pros), they gave the driver their destination: joe’s pizza. they ordered their pepperoni slices, the joe’s employee holding up the pie for our photo op, people snapping pictures as if they were famous. emily even did a little happy dance, sharing their stories of australian pizza (or lack there of).

It was bittersweet as the day drew to a close. saying goodbye was harder than expected.

i cried while editing these images, i cried while editing their camcorder video, i cried while delivering them digitally to their forever home, and I cried while packing up a box of photo prints to be shipped out to australia

the joy held in these images is sandwiched in between their love in front of the camera and my love from behind the camera.

videography: the vault pictures / jasiel louison
hmu: palla beauty
dress: reformation
blazer: peppermayo
coat: zara
bride's shoes: be mine from asos
suit: suitsupply
groom's shoes: asos
photography/video editing: mfrank photography

11. 29. 23