Some weddings just get it. Ben and Adele’s December St. James Church wedding was one of those days where every detail felt intentional, elegant, and joyful all at once.

The day started at Adele’s parents’ home on the Upper East Side—one of those genuinely special getting-ready experiences where everything feels real and sentimental. There’s something about preparing for your wedding day in the home you grew up in that adds a layer of meaning you just can’t replicate.

Adele wore a classic off-the-shoulder ball gown with a full skirt and cathedral veil—timeless bridal elegance without trying too hard. The kind of dress that photographs beautifully now and will still look perfect in thirty years.

St. James Church on 71st and Madison provided the kind of architectural drama that makes NYC weddings unforgettable. Those soaring Gothic arches, the ornate altar adorned with lush greenery, and subtle red ribbon details on the pews set the tone for what was coming at the reception.

And then Doubles Club at the Sherry Netherland brought the festive energy. The ceiling over the dance floor was completely covered in garland and Christmas ornaments—think red and green creating this incredible canopy effect that felt both grand and intimate. The space leaned fully into the season with deep red tones throughout, blush pink linens, and white florals that kept everything sophisticated.

Here’s what made this wedding particularly meaningful for me: I photographed Ben’s proposal to Adele several months before their wedding day. Getting to document both the beginning of their engagement and their actual wedding created a fuller story that I don’t often get to tell.

Ben and Adele understood that classic doesn’t mean boring. Their St James Church wedding proved you can honor tradition—the church ceremony, the black-tie dress code, the formal reception—while still creating something that feels warm, personal, and undeniably fun.

Lastly, check here if you’d like to learn more about my approach as a NYC wedding photographer!