Hollow Brook Wedding // Elizabeth + Collin

Elizabeth and Collin got married on a warm, bright August day at Hollow Brook Golf Club in Cortlandt Manor, New York, and it was the kind of wedding that stays with you. From the engagement session months before, all the way through the wedding reception, this was a day full of real emotion, genuine joy, and a group of people who were completely present for all of it.

The Couple

I have to start by saying that I owe this one to Matty from MD Music, one of my favorite DJs to work alongside, who also happens to be Elizabeth's brother. Because of this, there was such a sense of trust and kindness from Elizabeth’s whole family that truly meant so much to me.

Elizabeth works in television production, and Collin works in corporate events, and acts. They met online toward the end of the pandemic, which I love, because that era was such a strange, tender, uncertain time, and finding someone real in the middle of it takes a kind of courage. They live in NYC now, and when they are not working, they are traveling, cooking, playing games, and going on runs and long walks together.

When I asked them to describe each other, Collin said Elizabeth is resourceful and solution-oriented. Elizabeth said Collin is simply a good person with a good heart. Both of those things showed up throughout their entire wedding day. Collin was smiling and cracking jokes from the moment we arrived, warm with every single person in the room. Elizabeth carried herself with a quiet confidence and clarity that made everything feel handled. They clearly make each other better, and it comes through in the way they look at each other (their first look was one of the sweetest I’ve ever had the honor to witness!).

Before the wedding, we did their engagement session in Beacon, New York, which very nearly got washed out. We worked around the rain, found our moments between the weather, and then the sky gave us a rainbow. It was one of those situations where the difficult conditions end up producing something more memorable than a perfectly easy session would have, and Elizabeth and Collin were completely game for all of it. That told me a lot about them going into the wedding day. People who can laugh through a rained-out engagement shoot and still walk away with beautiful photos tend to bring that same energy to everything else, and they absolutely did.

The Venue

Hollow Brook Golf Club sits in a quiet neighborhood in Cortlandt Manor, and the property has this wonderful combination of open green space and rustic interiors. On this bright August day, the light was generous and warm. We had beautiful opportunities outside during portraits, and the grounds gave us gorgeous, lush options for backdrops.

The venue works especially well for a wedding that wants to feel celebratory but not over-produced. There is a natural warmth to Hollow Brook that I think suited Elizabeth and Collin perfectly. Nothing about their day felt forced or stiff, and the space supported that energy really well.

The Details

Elizabeth wore a white lace gown with a cathedral veil, which was just stunning in the August light. Collin was in a sharp blue suit, and the wedding party, made up mostly of family, wore navy. The florals were bright, colorful, and full of life, which set a tone for the whole day. There was nothing subdued about the flowers, and I mean that as a compliment. They added a real sense of celebration and made the color palette of the day feel cohesive and vibrant from ceremony to reception.

The ceremony was one of the most emotional I have ever photographed - even I teared up during their vows, alongside what felt like every single guest doing the same. Elizabeth's parents were so visibly full of love for her, just delighting in watching their daughter get married. It was all just wonderful and precious.

The Reception

The reception moved beautifully from that emotional ceremony into something warm, fun, and genuinely celebratory. Matty’s team at MD Music kept the energy exactly right all night, which is always such a gift.

The speeches were heartfelt, the dancing was real, and the whole night had this quality of people who actually wanted to be there together. Elizabeth and Collin have the kind of social circle and family that makes a reception feel like a genuine party rather than an obligation, and that energy is impossible to manufacture.

Sweet Elizabeth and Collin, thank you for welcoming me into one of the most meaningful days of your lives. I loved every single second. 💛

From the Couple

"What can I possibly say about Erica that hasn't already been said? If you're reading this review, stop now, and hire her immediately. Not only are her pictures absolutely the most stunning I've ever seen, she is a gem of a human that is hard to match.

She is super accessible and will answer every question you have. (What do I wear for the engagement shoot? Should I wear my hair up or down? What do I do with my hands? Do we look weird when we're kissing?)

I was super sick and actually had pneumonia the week of our wedding. After I told Erica, she texted me almost daily to see how I was feeling, and to figure out any changes we might need to make to help me get through the day (i.e. some breaks and lots of water). She and her co-photographer were amazing with me, my husband, and our whole family. Erica captured the joy and fun of our wedding in a way that you can actually feel the laughter and smiles jumping out of the images. We are getting rave reviews on how gorgeous the pictures are, and even heard that both Erica and her second photographer were teary-eyed during our ceremony.

Seriously, Erica is THE BEST. I'm endlessly grateful to have found her & recommend her most highly."

Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding Vendors

Photography: Sweet Alice Photography // Venue: Hollow Brook Golf Club, Cortlandt Manor, NY// Gown Boutique: Amelia’s Bridal // Hair & Makeup: Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge // Florals: Bree in Bloom // DJ: MD Music & Entertainment

Wedding Date: August 11, 2024

Looking for a Hollow Brook Golf Club wedding photographer? Contact me so we can chat more about your big day!