Mackenzie & Jake // Schoharie, New York

Congratulations Mackenzie & Jake! Set in the idyllic location of the Catskills Mountains, I was overjoyed to be photographing a wedding at the Sablewood at Highview Springs again. It’s hard to imagine a more scenic setting than this exquisite 1880s venue, and Mackenzie and Jake’s wedding photos were an absolute joy to capture. The two of them wanted wedding photos that captured their day and that they loved enough to show their kids one day! Needless to say, my heart swelled three sizes. Mackenzie and Jake’s wedding day was sensational from beginning to end, and I loved capturing the laid-back energy they both exude. Nestled in the heart of the mountains, there was absolutely nothing missing from this incredible day.

The Sablewood Wedding

From the moment I arrived, I was in awe of Mackenzie and Jake’s ethereal color palette of fog (a gorgeous purple gray shade), gold, and pops of dusty blue, often encompassed by an abundance of white florals. Mackenzie looked absolutely flawless in her Mira Zwillinger gown, and her wedding party was such a joy to be around. There was so much laughter!

As a wedding photographer, I can’t help but fall in love with the getting ready spaces at the Sablewood. For Mackenzie, there was a wall of windows for natural light and opulent furniture for the photos. For Jake, the suite featured white-washed walls and masculine leather accents. Like Mackenzie’s, Jake’s wedding party was equally excited to start the celebration!

From DC to NYC, a Love Story

Jake and Mackenzie met online right before she started her senior year of college. Jake had only been in DC for two weeks - so I have to imagine it was fate that brought them together for their first coffee date (where they discovered their apartments were literally across the street).

From a 3-hour coffee date where they talked about everything and anything, Jake proposed in the fall of 2020 at his parent’s lake house. It was during finals week, and Jake convinced her to join him on a hike at Devil’s Lake with his sister Jessica. After several miles of soaking up views, Jake got down on his knee to propose (while his sister started snapping photos!). When they got back to the house, Mackenzie was surprised with rose petals and a homemade dinner (courtesy of his mom - how sweet!). There was a lot of screaming, hugging, crying, and ogling at the ring (naturally). From there, they spent the night drinking champagne, jamming to a playlist he made, and eating Anna Shea’s chocolates. Sound like a dream way to start this next chapter to me!

Today, the two of them live in NYC and still love going on long walks together. When they lived uptown, they would walk through the Ramble in Central Park almost every morning before work. Now that they live in Chelse, they walk along the piers. The two are also big foodies so they love trying new restaurants and coffee shops. There is no shortage of those in NYC so it’s a good thing they have a lifetime together now!

Exchanging Vows on the Sablewood Hill

I’m convinced that the hilltop at Sablewood is one of the most picturesque settings in all of New York. Mackenzie and Jake chose an organic floral arrangement in lieu of a ceremony arch which added to the whimsical feel of the day. Throughout the wedding planning process, Mackenzie mentioned that one of her favorite parts was visiting venues. She couldn’t have made a better choice! The Sablewood is unequivocally stunning, which made their heartfelt ceremony all the more special.

An Evening Wedding Reception in the Sablewood Barn

After the hilltop wedding ceremony, we headed to the impeccable barn wedding venue for their reception. I love the organic beauty of this lovingly restored 1870’s barn, and it made for the perfect environment for Mackenzie and Jake to dance the evening away with their loved ones. Near sunset, we made our way back up the hill for some epic sunset portraits, and as we were surrounded by eighty acres of serene mountain vistas and organic fields, it felt like they were the last two people in the entire world. What an extraordinary backdrop!

A Ribbon Exit & A Getaway Car

And then they were married! At the end of the reception, guests gathered with ribbons to celebrate the newlyweds before they hopped in their getaway car! Overall, Mackenzie and Jake wanted a fun wedding where everyone could come and have a great time. They absolutely achieved this is so many different ways, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings them.