There is something grounding about keeping a wedding small, especially out on the East End. When Riley and John decided to gather an intimate group out in Montauk, New York, they bypassed the typical banquet hall production for open skies and coastal cliffs. Shadmoor State Park served as the backdrop—a stretch of preserved bluffs where the trails meet dramatic drops into the Atlantic. For an intimate wedding, this setting created space for everyone present to actually experience the day together without feeling rushed through a rigid schedule.
Before their dinner celebration with guests, we carved out time along the cliffs for portraits. Shooting out on the Montauk coast means working directly with the natural elements. The ocean breeze kept Riley’s gown and sheer veil moving constantly, giving the frames an effortless, editorial feel. Rather than running through stiff, traditional poses, I kept the direction fluid, using fast prime lenses and analog 35mm film tones to capture honest movement, quiet glances, and the sheer scale of the bluffs as the late-afternoon sun softened across the water.
Small weddings and elopements on Long Island carry a distinct energy because the focus never drifts away from the couple and the few people who matter most to them. That intentional, documentary pace is what I aim to capture across every Montauk and Hamptons wedding. If you are planning an intimate coastal celebration or elopement on the East End, reach out to connect directly and see full wedding collections.
