Nadege & Ome; May 25: The Swan Club

Nadege and Ome were lucky enough to have what I assessed to be the most beautiful day of the year last Sunday for their wedding at the Swan Club.

I arrived at the Garden City Hotel in the morning to film Nadege getting ready with her bridesmaids while Lu filmed Ome at the Great Neck Inn.

The couple arrived separately to The Swan Club with Ome heading for a suite for finishing touches while Nadege waited in the limo until all guests were seated. The ceremony was highlighted by the vows and rings of course but a personalized song for the couple by the 7 Ambassadors singing group was a surprise from Ome to Nadege.

After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed cocktail hour while the couple and their wedding party took photos with Joe Mancuso on the lush grounds of the Swan Club. Ome's family traveled from Nigeria and were dressed in traditional Nigerian clothing whose bright colors and unique patterns were fun to look at and film.

The reception highlights filmed by Tim Alan Smith included introductions, first dance, toasts, a special birthday song for Nadege's Goddaughter as well as Ome and Nadege changing from their western wedding clothes to traditional Nigerian garments as a prelude to cutting the cake and ending what turned out to be a great day.

Marc & Lisa; May 17: Castle on the Hudson

Marc & Lisa had a beautiful day on May 17 for the wedding at the amazing Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown, New York.

The couple got ready in different rooms before their first meeting at the bottom of a grand staircase in the lobby. Lisa came down the stairs as Marc waited at the bottom turning to see his bride-to-be as she approached. After an embrace and a few private words, Lisa pinned Marc's corsage and the couple joined the wedding party out back for photos with Gulnara from Gulnara Studio.

Everyone then headed to the library for the Ketubah signing before the beautiful interfaith ceremony in which the cantor and priest alternated throughout. The ceremony ended with Marc breaking the glass and the couple exiting to loud cheers.

Cocktail hour was held downstairs while the ceremony room was transformed for dinner and toasts. The couple and wedding party were introduced into the dining room after cocktails and toasts from many followed. The couple snuck outside for a few moments during dinner for more photos and video in front of the fountain before returning for more toasts.

Everyone then headed downstairs for the party with highlights captured by Tim Alan Smith that included first dance, parent dances, a special song from Marc to Lisa, lots of dancing and the horah. All and all, it was a day they would not soon forget.

Wedding sites you won't find on the blog....

A few weeks ago, I shot a wedding ceremony in Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. My friend, photographer Rich Janniello from Ciro Photography, took the great (I think!) shot above during the service. The reception that followed at Bubby's in Brooklyn was a great affair as well.

This reminded me that not all of our shoots make it to the pages of the blog. Some do of course, but others do not opt for the online recap within a week of the wedding.

Other places we have shot recently or will be shooting include the St. Regis Hotel, Bridgewaters, Tribeca Rooftop, Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, The Jericho Terrace, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Trump National Country Club, The Yale Club and more.

If you don't see a video clip of your wedding site on the blog or on the Tim Alan Smith website, please inquire as we may have something in our archives for you to view!

Tim Alan Studios now called Tim Alan Smith

I am pleased to announce that I have recently changed the name of the company from Tim Alan Studios to Tim Alan Smith.

There are a few reasons for this including the fact that TAS is not really a studio but instead a boutique operation in which I do the lion's share of the work from the initial customer contact through the final edit. I take pride in being able to know all my customers well and to be there with them through every step of the process.

Another reason is the confusion over the name 'Alan'. Many people assumed (for good reason!) that Alan was either my last name or the name of a business partner. It is neither, but instead simply my middle name. By changing the company name, this will eliminate any confusion in the future!

Please take time to check our website and new logo, both of which have been updated recently by Jason from Net Fusion Studios.

Ralph & Priya: April 19; The Rainbow Room

Of all the places to get married in NYC, the Rainbow Room on the top floor of NBC Studios in the Rockefeller Plaza, is surely one of the most spectacular places due to both its views and location. Ralph and Priya made good use of the location with photos by talented Dan Loh of Manhattan (photo above) as they excitedly waited for the start of the ceremony.

The bride- Vera Wang's assistant- was dressed in an incredible gown personally customized by Vera, who was escorted down the aisle just before the wedding party.

The Rainbow Room looked and sounded incredible with the flower petals and candles lining the runner and music from a live trio that included a harpist. Ralph and Priya could not stop smiling and looking into each other's eyes for the duration of the ceremony, which included a mix from both Hindu and Christian customs.

The first kiss as a married couple and ensuing exit resulted in a loud cheer from the large group of guests that had come from near and far.

After enjoying cocktail hour and its stunning views of NYC, the guests re-entered the Rainbow Room which had been transformed into an amazing party space.

The couple was announced and went into their first dance which was followed by non-stop dancing and partying the rest of the night, captured by Tim Alan Smith. Other highlights included the cake-cutting, two toasts, a speech by the couple and Ralph being hoisted in the air by his friends. All and all, a night the couple and their guests won't soon forget.

Chris & Laura; March 29; The Church of the Ascension and the Manhattan Penthouse

Chris and Laura had a beautiful yet brisk day to celebrate their wedding on March 29 with a ceremony at the Church of Ascension of Fifth Avenue and 10th street to start things off.

Laura looked beautiful as she came down the aisle towards her waiting groom. The vows were the highlight of course, and the couple hardly unlocked hands for the rest of the ceremony.

After greeting guests after the ceremony, the couple spent some time walking through the meat packing district with Tim Alan videographer, Dan, as well as the photographer. The wind blew Laura's veil (above) which always makes for good photos!

From there, they headed to Manhattan Penthouse on Fifth Avenue and 14th Street for a night of revelry. Guests enjoyed the spectacular city views from the grand windows that overlooked NYC as they enjoyed cocktails and appetizers before entering the great room for the reception.

Laura and Chris were then introduced and went right into their first dance. Other reception highlights included a few toasts, parent dances, a shot-glass toast by the bar, and spirited dancing that concluded with Sinatra's 'New York, New York' to end the night.

Sarina & Len, March 29; The Water's Edge

Sarina & Len had a beautiful day in NYC last Saturday as they celebrated their wedding with family and friends at the Water's Edge in Long Island City.

Sarina arrived first, getting ready in the bridal suite upstairs where I joined photographers Jared Charney and Coke O'Neal. When Len arrived about 45 minutes later, we arranged for him and Sarina to meet for the first time of the day at the bottom of the stairs.

The happy couple then took photos on the outside deck with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline behind them.

After family and wedding party photos and a quick rehearsal inside, the couple signed the Ketubah and got ready for the ceremoy. Guests arrived on ferries from Manhattan and were ushered to their seats.

After a very intimate ceremony under the Chuppah, the celebration began. Guests were ushered into the adjoining space for cocktail hour before being the entire room opened up for the reception.

Some of the reception highlights included toasts by the sisters and fathers, the Horah and first dance, Len's amazing dancing and a special song by Sarina for Len to end the night.