A wedding is as much about place as it is about people. Of all places, Manhattan is the most thrilling. I am not referring to the churches or synagogues or hotels within the city, but Manhattan itself.

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a wedding in which Manhattan was the backdrop. The couple, a German photojournalist and a Manhattan musician, wanted the city to be the subject of many of the photos and (if I have to say so myself) I was the perfect choice to photograph their day.  Not only because I am a native of Manhattan, but because my prior to photographing celebrations of all sorts, I as a journalist and art photographer. My photographs have been shown in numerous art galleries and my travel photography appeared in dozens of travel magazines. With Manhattan as the backdrop, we would be able to illuminate the candid photographs that today's newly married couples want.

Some of the best moments occur off stage.  En route from the hotel to the street the elevator stopped on almost every floor.  As the doors opened, and people saw the bride they chose to wish her well rather than crowd her. 

Once we arrived downstairs we discovered that the limousine was waiting at the church so the doorman to the Park Central Hotel called in a a car service which could hold all of us as well as my camera equipment.  The truth is that every moment in Manhattan is a photo op. Even if it's leaving a car or waiting outside the church.       

Inside the spectacular  German Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Paul on  Manhattan's 22nd Street the moments of love and ritual continue. 

Afterwards we went toTimes Square.

Then Lincoln Center.

Brooklyn and beyond.