Intimate Wedding at Windrift Hall in West Coxsackie, New York | Meg & John
A HUDSON VALLEY INTIMATE WEDDING AT WINDRIFT HALL
Meg and John’s intimate wedding at Windrift Hall in West Coxsackie, New York will go down in history as one of our all-time favorites! When they reached out late last year to inquire with us, I immediately knew the day they were planning was going to be an absolutely beautiful one. Arturo and I had photographed another wedding at Windrift Hall about four years ago, and my oh my it was good to be back! This unique historical wedding and event venue was built in the late 1700s and is nestled in the heart of the Hudson Valley. It lends itself well to smaller wedding celebrations, and has no shortage of portrait locations around the property!
It was a hot, mid-July summer day, but regardless of the weather, John and Meg were all smiles that afternoon. After sharing their first look, we walked around the grounds of Windrift Hall, stopping here and there where the light was just right to snap photos of the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Since they planned an intimate wedding that included only their immediate families, Meg and John made sure that their adorable French bulldog, Hazel, was picture ready as well!
That evening, the two were married in a sweet ceremony officiated by Meg’s older brother, which was another wonderful personal touch to their day. Arturo and I have always had a soft spot in our hearts for smaller weddings and elopements, but John and Meg’s intimate soirée made us truly remember why we love celebrations of this size! A shorter guest list leads to a more relaxed day (and photo timeline!), which in turn allows Arturo and me to have more flexibility in capturing things in ways we may not be able to on other wedding days.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Meg, John, and their families enjoyed a personalized cocktail hour in the back courtyard of Windrift Hall. Later on they headed up to the pavilion where the bride, groom, and their seven guests would enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by a private chef. We finished off our evening with John and Meg by capturing a few last newlywed portraits in the back garden of Windrift Hall during the most spectacular golden hour!
THE LOVE STORY
John and Meg met while they both attended Bentley University during his sophomore year and her junior year. A snow day had just been announced, which was quickly followed by a party invite! Meg and John were sitting across the room from one another and asked their respective friends about each other. Soon enough, the two began to talk, with a conversation lasting throughout the night. John and Meg exchanged phone numbers and quickly began texting each other. Meg played a little hard to get, but John was persistent in suggesting that they hang out again. His hard work paid off, and they’ve been together ever since!
That summer, their relationship turned long-distance when Meg took an internship in Hartford, Connecticut. She and John kept their relationship strong by making it a priority to travel between Connecticut and Massachusetts every few weeks to spend time together. When Meg graduated the following year, she moved to Boston, but the two created their Tuesday Date Night in Harvard Square, making sure to never miss one. They even switched weekends back and forth between staying in Boston or at Bentley!
About a year after John graduated, he and Meg officially moved in together. They absolutely love spending time with each other, whether it’s through travel, hiking with Hazel, or simply sitting on the couch and enjoying their favorite TV shows!
Congratulations Meg and John! We loved being a part of your day and celebrating the two of you!
This little lady was not going to miss a second of the action on her parents’ wedding day!
These two are such a sweet couple!
They’re MARRIED!
I hope you enjoyed this summer elopement at Windrift Hall! Do you know Meg and John? Show the newlyweds some love by commenting below!
CREATIVE TEAM
Wedding Venue: Windrift Hall | Photography: Shaina Lee Photography | Officiant: Michael E. Foster | Bride's Wedding Gown Designer: Essense of Australia | Bridal Dress Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein | Catering: Personal Plates LLC | Cake: Meg Foster | Invitations & Paper Goods: Adore Paper Co. | Engagement & Wedding Bands: David Yurman
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.
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