Stephen: Our proposal took place on a beach in New Suffolk on the North Fork of Long Island. The “little beach”, a name given to this small private beach, holds a special place in Jen’s heart as she had spent many summer days there growing up with family and friends. The morning of the day I proposed, I think I shocked Jen when I offered to go Christmas Shopping with her. I told her I needed to stop by the “little beach” and take a photo for a picture frame I was going to give my brother for Christmas. When we arrived I asked Jen to come down to the beach with me, it was cold and windy but she reluctantly agreed. I’m not sure what was said because she started flipping out once I got down on one knee.
Jennifer: I got up and got dressed to run last minute errands for Christmas. I told Stephen my plan and he sprung up and said he was going to come with me. I thought it was weird he wanted to go Christmas shopping with me on a Saturday but obviously I welcomed the company. He waited in the car while I ran into the store, I ran into some family friends and we started chatting, they were asking what I thought Steve got me for Christmas and I said something like “I think a microwave because we need a new one” and the mother said “maybe its a ring”, I laughed. We drove down to the beach, I was wearing leather boots and said something like “Okay you go take a picture I’ll wait here” Steve, being the most patient guy in the world didn’t get mad but insisted I come. So I did, thankfully. I’m not sure what was said but then we snapped a couple of pics then went to where our families and friends were waiting for us at a dinner!
Growing up, I always assumed I'd get married in NYC but once I started to think about it I knew it had to be by the water. We go to Montauk frequently and felt like that was a destination that everyone would enjoy!
Jennifer
Jennifer: Steve is easily the most patient man I know. Me, being a hot headed, impatient girl (Italian) he levels me in a way I didn’t even know I needed. He’s taught me the value of being patient and helps me to put things in perspective. Whether I’m stressed about work, having a bad day etc, he just reminds me how lucky we are and to not to sweat the small stuff.
Stephen: Patience.
Jennifer: At first I was just thinking “Wow all of these people are staring at me, they literally came all the way to Montauk to watch me do this, don’t cry you’ll hate the pictures if you do” then I started to think “Holy sh*t I am getting married to my best friend, this is cool” “Is this the song we chose?” “Is Steve crying?” “Hows my dad? Is he crying?” (F.Y.I neither of them cried)
Stephen: How lucky am I, I am about to marry the most beautiful bride and my best friend
At first I was just thinking "Wow all of these people are staring at me, they literally came all the way to Montauk to watch me do this."
Jennifer
Jennifer: The first decision we made was our venue, we wanted to get married somewhere where it wasn’t just a one day affair. Our second (and easiest) decision was our photography and videography (not just saying that because of this journal). I knew exactly what we were looking for in terms of the caliber or quality of companies we wanted, but for me it was about WHO I would want to spend the whole day with. Ira and The Day were exactly what we were looking for. When he arrived for our engagement shoot and Ira gladly grabbed a glass of rosé and had some shrimp cocktail Steve shot me a look like “you totally hit the nail on the head with this one”. We were even more excited about the wedding knowing Ira was going to be behind the camera and helping to facilitate everything! (I should also mention that he was the ONLY one able and willing to button the 100 buttons on my dress and train that day!)
Standing at the alter when the priest pronounces us husband and wife. This was the biggest moment of my life and it was totally surreal.
Stephen
Jennifer: Was pure magic
Stephen: Love, Unforgettable, Fast
Stephen: Take your time, enjoy the day. It goes by quick.
Jennifer: My dad told us to find other things to talk about during our engagement other than our wedding so we don’t make the wedding our whole life (easier said than done lol)
The vibe we were trying to bring to the wedding was NYC glamour meets laid back Montauk vibe.
Jennifer
Jennifer: We love having fun and spending time with the people we love so it was important to us to have a place that was unreal, meant something to us and that people could spend a few days enjoying. We wanted to be able to spend quality time with each of our guests without sacrificing our time at the wedding. Growing up, I always assumed I’d get married in NYC but once I started to think about it I knew it had to be by the water. We go to Montauk frequently and felt like that was a destination that everyone would enjoy! Gurneys was the obvious choice for so many reasons, it had everything we wanted and more. Guests were able to stay at the resort or ones nearby. They were able to accommodate a 3 day affair with ease, and the food, atmosphere and staff were unbelievable.
Jennifer: The venue in particular reflected us most, it was glamorous but also super laid back and fun. I think that was the vibe we were trying to bring to the wedding in general, that NYC glamour meets laid back Montauk vibe. The decor was next level (thank you mom and PatGlenn productions) and the party was so crazy. Thats exactly what we were trying to go for.
We were also very particular about the songs we chose for the ceremony and the reception. We didn’t use traditional wedding church music because we wanted to ceremony to be a reflection of us as well as a sacrament. We chose Frank Sinatra for our first dance. First, to honor our grandparents who loved him and second, because it was a fun upbeat love song and from the moment we met our relationship has been fun and upbeat!
Stephen: The dance floor, the epicenter of the party, that is where we thrive!
Jennifer: Aside from being pronounced husband and wife it was probably my dad singing. He sings at EVERY family event (the same song) but this time was even more special because it was in front of everyone we love and I KNOW that he had been thinking about it for years. EVERYONE was on the dance floor just so excited to be there. I remember thinking, omg I cannot believe all of these people came here to celebrate Steve and I and they’re all on the dance floor losing their minds over my dad singing the same song I’ve heard 500 times before. This is amazing.
Stephen: Standing at the alter when the priest pronounces us husband and wife. This was the biggest moment of my life and it was totally surreal.
My dad sings at EVERY family event (the same song) but this time was even more special because it was in front of everyone we love. EVERYONE was on the dance floor just so excited to be there.
Jennifer
Jennifer: not. a. thing.
Stephen: Nothing. I wish we could do it again, the same way.
As the founder and creative force behind The Day, Ira Lippke brings 20-plus years of experience creating compelling images to every wedding he documents. “One of the best compliments I’ve ever received,” he says, “was from a planner who said I was the only photographer she knew who had so much experience but whose heart and soul was still so strongly in their work.”
