Natasha and Abi got married at Astoria Park in Queens on May 19, 2023. It was a bright spring afternoon, the kind where the East River actually looks blue.
A ceremony by the water
They said their vows on the lawn above the river, with the Manhattan skyline behind them and their officiant reading from a small red book. Both wore ivory, with sheer veils that caught every bit of wind off the water. We kept our ceremony coverage quiet and close, so the photos hold onto the small things: hands held a little tighter, a laugh halfway through the vows.
Two bridges in one park
Astoria Park is one of the best wedding portrait spots in the city, and most people outside Queens have never been. After the ceremony we walked to the railing for portraits with the RFK Bridge stretching across the frame, then into the shade of the trees along the path.
Then we headed to the Hell Gate Bridge. The stone arches under its approach are huge, warm in color and usually quiet. We gave Natasha and Abi room to move, let the veils fly and kept shooting while they laughed.
Family by the river
We finished with family photos along the water, from the full group down to just the parents. A river and a bridge behind everyone beats a parking lot every time.
Thinking about Astoria Park for your wedding?
It works for small ceremonies and portraits alike: open lawns, two bridges, river views and arches that give you shade on a sunny day. Plan for late afternoon, when the light is softest. If you’re getting married in Queens or anywhere in NYC, we’d love to hear about it.
