Elizabeth and Josh’s Vanderbilt Lakeside Wedding
Some weddings you remember because everything is picture-perfect. Others you remember because they feel alive in a way no camera could ever fully capture. Elizabeth and Josh’s wedding at Vanderbilt Lakeside was absolutely the latter. Everything was planned to perfection by Lovebirds Wedding Co.
It was August 16, and by the time I arrived, the heat was unrelenting — 94 degrees and heavy. Scott Goldberg with North Fork Wedding Films came along a few hours later to document the First Look, and Ceremony. The guests came prepared! Almost everyone carried small hand-held fans, which fluttered constantly through the ceremony and made the whole scene look like something out of a summer festival.
Elizabeth looked stunning in her Justin Alexander gown, her hair styled by Marissa LaRosa and makeup by Madi McFarlin of DermaPlus. She laughed as she slipped on her shoes — Nina, and adjusted her Brilliant Earth jewelry. Josh, in his navy SuitSupply suit and Florsheim shoes, was calm, lighthearted, and completely ready to see her. His groomsmen, in their mismatched suits, teased him with easy affection.
The ceremony took place in the shade of tall trees by the pond. Even in the heat, their vows felt relaxed and full of joy. Elizabeth’s father, Al Abreu, who also created all the floral arrangements, sat beaming as he watched his daughter, surrounded by his own blooms. It was one of those moments I knew I had to capture — the layers of love, family, and artistry all tied together.
Dinner was set out on the deck, long farmhouse tables dressed with Al’s flowers, overlooking the water. As the sun began to sink, the light wrapped everything in this soft, golden glow. Dessert was perfectly them: donuts, fun and unfussy. But there was one whimsical nod to tradition — a cake topper that featured Elizabeth, Josh, and their three cats. It was such a sweet, personal touch, and everyone loved it.
Once Bianca Indelicato started the music, the celebration took off. Guests were on their feet, dancing barefoot or kicking up in heels, and the deck seemed to hum with energy. By the time I packed up my gear, they were still going strong, the air filled with music, laughter, and that buzzing, happy kind of chaos that defines a good party.
I left knowing the celebration would carry on long after I was gone — and that the photos I took would only be one piece of the story. The real magic was in the way Elizabeth and Josh held each other, grinned through the heat, and turned a sweltering summer day into a night their friends and family will never forget.
