BROOKLYN BOTANICAL GARDEN CHERRY BLOSSOM WEDDING: MEKINA

There is something completely magical about spring time in New York City. The sun shining brightly after a long winter, the smell of warm rain showers, and of course, the cherry blossoms. For a long time, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens has been THE place to go to enjoy these lovely pink buds. Every day after work, New Yorkers flock to the pretty blanket of petals that collects under the trees, taking in the stunning scene around them as they laugh with friends, read a good book, or just spend a few moments escaping from the busy city streets.

Even though Mekina lives in Manhattan, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is one of her favorite places in the world. She recalls, “This time of year always reminds me of the first time I fell in love. I was in high school and completely elated that my senior crush had asked me to the prom. As I put on my gorgeous dress, I looked out my window to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens takes me back to that spring so many years ago. Every ounce of it is filled with beauty, making my heart overflow with the best feeling of all…love.”

When I told Mekina my dream of photographing her as a bride in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, she happily agreed to be my lovely model!  As Mekina is a planner, she got to work bringing Christina D’Asaro Designs and Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal on board, who altered one of her custom designs especially for the shoot! Cherry Blossom Lane at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens was truly the perfect location for this whimsical bridal session. As the soft pink petals fell gently around Mekina, magic happened. The collection of photographs that resulted makes me feel joy, hope, and most importantly, love.

It has been a dream of mine to photograph a Brooklyn Botanical Garden cherry blossom wedding for almost a year now!  I feel like God’s beauty is so present in this incredible garden and it was a true joy to capture it.

On the day of our photo shoot it was actually raining continually!  Moments before we entered the park, the rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds.  The rain had knocked so many of the cherry blossoms on the ground that it created a beautiful aisle of pink petals through Cherry Blossom Lane.  The site was simply stunning!

 

Mekina wore a custom design by Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal!  Sarah is an amazing designer and a wonderful person!  In the past she has worked for Vera Wang and Amsale.

Mekina is my best friend, second shooter, and one of the most gorgeous women I know.  And guys…lucky for you she is still on the market!  (Sorry Mekina…I LOVE YOU!)

A big thanks to Christina D’Asaro Designs for the lovely invitations.  And the “I do” flags…they might just be my favorite thing ever.

LOVE.

Besides Cherry Blossom Lane, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens has many other beautiful locations!

Brides, this is why you should splurge for a long veil on your wedding day.  🙂  Veil by Sarah Jassir.

These purple flowers were so pretty and the weaving paths in between them reminded me of a secret garden.

Seriously Mekina?!  You are SO GORGEOUS!!!

A big thanks to everyone who made this shoot possible:

Planner/Model- Mekina Saylor
Venue- Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Dress- Sarah Jassir of Angelique Bridal
Invitations- Christina D’Asaro Design
Jewelry, Hair Piece, and Veil- Angelique Bridal

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  1. Mekina Saylor says:

    Such a fun day! I’ve never been so thankful to see the clouds part and the sun come out. Beautiful work Amy! Thank you for including me and allowing us to create memories that we’ll always remember. 🙂

  2. Sarah Jassir says:

    Love, Love it. Amazing work. Amy you are very talented photographer and is such pleasure to work with you and Mekina Saylor as always. She looks stunning in Sarah Jassir gown.

  3. Karen Schramm Saylor says:

    Beautiful!

  4. Randy Beavers says:

    Amy,
    Beautiful pictures of Mekina. My favorite is the photo where your background of cherry blossoms look like sparkling lights. I also like the photos of Mekina under the trees. Very creative and interesing use of the greenery framing the bride. Beautiful!

  5. Susan Anderson Rizzuto says:

    beautiful pictures Amy! Maybe the rain was the blessing in disguise with all the petals on the ground and still full flowering trees. Mekina looks amazing.. and YES..love the long vail!

  6. Jessica DeAgazio says:

    Mekina you look so beautiful! looks like a dream land 🙂 why can’t those blooms stay all year round?

  7. Leandra says:

    This shoot is so gorgeous!!

  8. KL says:

    The pictures are gorgeous! When were these photos taken to have teh blossoms on the ground?

  9. Amy Rizzuro says:

    Thank you so much Kathleen! We took the photos the second week in May the day after a big rain. That is one of the reason there were so many pretty petals on the ground. 🙂