Hiland Park Country Club Wedding // Lauren + Mickey

Lauren and Mickey's late June wedding at Hiland Park Country Club in Queensbury, New York was one of those days that had everything - gorgeous light, a stunning venue, an incredibly joyful crowd, and two people who are just genuinely, quietly, beautifully in love. I'm so glad I got to be there for it.

The Couple

I have to start by saying that being referred to Lauren by her sister (who is a wedding photographer herself!) meant the absolute world to me. When another photographer trusts you with someone they love? That's not something I take lightly. It felt like one of the biggest compliments I've ever received, and I walked into this wedding already feeling so warmly welcomed by this family.

Lauren and Mickey make sense together. They love going to music shows, spending time exploring Brooklyn, and generally doing life side by side in the most easy, natural way. That energy translated so beautifully on their wedding day. Mickey, with his pale pink bow tie and sharp navy suit, looked so handsome - and every time he smiled, his whole face just lit up. Lauren was radiant, funny, and buzzing with energy throughout the whole day. She’s someone who can make anyone feel like they’ve known her their whole lives in her presence.

Lauren and Mickey’s private vows on the golf course were one of my favorite moments of the entire day. Just the two of them, tucked away from everything, saying the words that really mattered. It was unhurried and personal, and you could feel how much they meant every single word.

The Venue

Hiland Park Country Club is such a beautiful setting for a wedding. It sits on a golf course in Queensbury, NY with this lovely, open expansiveness - green fairways, gorgeous architecture, and so much room to breathe and move and celebrate. The late June weather was bright and warm and sunny all day, which made for the most beautiful, bright portraits. And then, in the afternoon, the sky turned dramatic - big, moody clouds rolled in and gave everything a rich, cinematic quality. It was so fun to photograph Lauren and Mickey in every type of setting, all happening in one wonderful day.

The Details

Lauren's dress was stunning, and there was one detail I absolutely fell in love with: a bow at the end of her train that, when bustled, came up and became this beautiful focal point on her back. It was unexpected, elegant, and yet, still playful.

Her bridesmaids were mostly her sisters, wearing the prettiest pink floral patterned dresses - feminine and fun without being overdone. The groomsmen echoed the palette perfectly in their navy suits and pale pink bow ties, tying the whole wedding party together in the most cohesive, beautiful way. And Lauren's mom - I just have to mention her. She was so warm and calm and kind throughout the entire day, the kind of presence that just settles everyone around her. You could feel how loved Lauren is.

Towards the end of the night, after all the beautiful chaos, we snuck into a bathroom (yes, a bathroom!) for some editorial direct flash portraits. I love doing this; there’s something about the end of the day, when everyone is glowing and a little bit tired and completely happy, that makes for the most real, alive images. Lauren and Mickey were total pros, and those photos are some of my absolute favorites from the whole wedding.

The Reception

The reception at Hiland Park Country Club was pure joy from start to finish. I've photographed a lot of weddings, and there are some rooms that just have a certain energy - and this one had it in abundance. The guests were so happy. Genuinely, consistently, infectiously happy. Smiling faces everywhere you looked, all night long. It was the kind of celebration where you could tell that the people in that room really loved Lauren and Mickey, and really loved being there together.

Lauren and Mickey, thank you so much for welcoming me into your day so warmly. Getting to witness and photograph the love that surrounds you two - from your family, your friends, and most of all each other - was such a privilege. I hope every time you look through these images, you feel exactly how good that day was. I know I do. 💛

From the Couple

"We had the best experience having Erica photograph our wedding. As soon as we spoke with Erica, I immediately knew she was the perfect person to have such an important part of our day. She was personable, kind, and knowledgeable.

From start to finish, Erica was extremely helpful and easy to communicate with. Her portal for all things logistics is easy to navigate and keeps everything super organized and in one spot. (My Type A personality appreciates this!) She really took the time to get to know us as separate people and as a couple. This made all the difference.

On our wedding day, Erica & her talented second photographer worked to ensure the day ran smoothly, every step of the way. She was there to support us as a couple, especially me, as a stressed out, nervous bride. It made all the difference having her there with her expertise and professionalism, I felt entirely supported.

I would say my fiancé and I are not the most ~natural~ in front of the camera — you would never know this from our photos. Erica gave us easy to follow guidance that made for the best and most natural looking shots. She has an eye for lighting & locations — we utilized so many different spots at our venue both inside and out — it’s amazing how many different shots we were able to get. Additionally, we went over all of the family shots we wanted on our call before the wedding & this made it run so efficiently (we all know how it can be managing all our family members for photos!).

We were blown away when we got our previews (within 48 hours!) and even more so when we got our full album. Every part of the day was BEAUTIFULLY documented through Erica’s artistic lens. Our family & friends have raved about how stunning the photos are. We cannot wait to hang them in our home.

Truthfully, I had very high standards for my photographer as my sister, a wedding photographer, made sure to give me the advice: “Your photos are forever, make that your investment.” I am SO glad we chose Erica to be part of our journey & we cannot thank her enough. She is an incredibly talented photographer & a wonderful human being, someone you definitely want in your circle. 🤍

If you’re currently in the process of looking for a wedding photographer, look no further — you’ve hit the jackpot.”

Hiland Park Country Club Wedding Vendors

Photography: Sweet Alice Photography // Venue: Hiland Park Country Club, Queensbury, NY// Gown: Justin Alexanderfrom Ever After Bridal // Hair & Makeup: Serene Beauty // Videography: Toast Weddings // DJ: Sound Formula Entertainment

Wedding Date: June 28, 2024

Looking for a Hiland Park Counytry Club wedding photographer? Contact me so we can chat more about your big day!