NYC Rooftop Elopement | Brooklyn, NYC || Rachel and Jerell

Rachel and Jerell’s NYC rooftop elopement was something out of a Hallmark movie, followed by delicious golden hour portraits on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Their sacred union was unlike any other, shared between two of the kindest humans with the most precious connection I’ve ever witnessed. Best of all, we did it during the most festive time of year—the week of Christmas! From Upper West Side to midtown to Brooklyn, we spent a full day celebrating their love story and marveling at God’s beautiful gift of marriage.

Rachel and Jerell chose their elopement date because of its sentiment – it was sandwiched between Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Rachel’s birthday, and their one-year anniversary (!!)

This was perfect for Rachel and Jerell, whose story is anything but traditional. Married one year exactly from their first conversation, Rachel and Jerell met on a Christian dating app after matching on Rachel’s birthday (12/29) and sharing their first FaceTime on New Year’s Eve. They fell in love quickly and fiercely, even though they lived states apart (Jerell in Portland, OR, and Rachel in Phoenix, AZ). But the Lord wove their paths together when Rachel decided to move to Seattle, WA. Jerell still jokes how “God FedExed Rachel straight to him and that it was the quickest answer to prayer he’s ever had.”

From the very beginning, God’s been the center and foundation of their relationship— one of the things I so admire about them. Rachel, Jerell, and I actually first bonded over our shared faith since Rachel and Jerell are also Christians and desired a Christian wedding photographer. However, it was after discovering our mutual love of adventure that we saw an even deeper kindredship. Jerell grew up in a military family, loving the gift of travel from a young age, so it was only fitting that they did an equally spontaneous elopement in NYC! And so it began. Rachel, Jerell, and I begin making plans for their a NYC rooftop elopement!

They knew they wanted to do a private vow exchange, so I began researching rooftops with unique NYC views. With the help from my friends at Space for the Arts, we landed a jaw-dropping west side rooftop that had unobstructed views of the Empire State Building and The New Yorker. This skyline view was literally one-in-a-million, and it was the perfect location for them to tie the knot. Rachel and Jerell shared an emotional first look, an intimate vow exchange, and a full-blown wedding attire session atop this midtown rooftop, and we were blown away at the gorgeous panoramic views of NYC.

After a quick lunch and rest stop (because WHEW, who knew that 8 consecutive hours on your feet trudging around Manhattan could be so brutal?!) we left the rooftop and made our way toward Brooklyn Bridge, being sure to make a grab a quick photo op at Grand Central Terminal. The whir of travelers, the gorgeous architecture, and the hum of Christmas cheer sprang up all around us.

When we finally made it to Brooklyn Bridge, we were met by the dreamiest sunset and drank in the most breathtaking view of Manhattan’s lower skyline.

We swam through the mobs of people, captured the most gorgeous golden hour bridal portraits, and finally made it to our near-last stop in Brooklyn: DUMBO. DUMBO, short for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is located in the northeast borough of Brooklyn. It boasts cozy shops, historic homes, cobblestone streets, and jaw-dropping lower Manhattan views. This charming street is rich with character, has plenty of history, and is considered one of NYC’s greatest glow-ups.

We only were there a short time, racing against sunset, but the sights we saw were out of a postcard. It felt like quintessential NYC – the bridge, community, and surrounding, idyllic architecture all gorgeous, but when paired with the Christmastime magic, it was truly something extraordinary.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden was our final stop (whew!!) and this destination was more of a natural wonder. A 52-acre park in Prospect Heights, this popular Brooklyn attraction celebrates the beauty of nature in winter. Their after-dark Lightscape features an illuminated trail that is animated by dazzling light, color, and sound installations. It also boasts a canopy of lights with millions of twinkling lights, and its urban garden is designed to foster delight and curiosity in the world of plants. We took our time soaking in the sights and were truly mesmerized with this enchanting park!

After a full day of gallivanting, laughing, memory sharing, and truly making art, Rachel, Jerell, and I stretched out our arms for bear hugs and warm goodbyes before we parted ways to our hotels.

Though it was a long day of exploring, carrying heavy photo gear (bruh!!), and bundling up under the chilly December wind, we truly felt alive after their full-day elopement. Our feet were tired, but our hearts were full. Rachel and Jerell’s NYC rooftop elopement and Brooklyn Bridge portraits were truly something special, I am so thankful they trusted me to tell their love story. 😊