Hana and David built their wedding in black and white. Black invitations lettered in white, black escort cards, bridesmaids in black, and white flowers everywhere else, calla lilies most of all. They married on Sunday, October 11th, 2026 at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, with 270 guests and Long Island Sound outside nearly every window.

It was a day with a lot of family in it, and a lot of the best moments came before the ceremony even started. Here’s how it went.

Getting Ready

The morning started in the bridal suite, with Hana’s Rita Vinieris gown hanging in front of a silver mirror and the details laid out to match the palette: the black and white invitation suite, the rings set into calla lilies, and David’s kippah, bow tie and watch.

Black and white invitation suite with calla lilies for a Glen Island Harbour Club wedding
Wedding rings resting in white calla lilies
David's black kippah, bow tie, cufflinks and watch before the wedding
Rita Vinieris wedding gown hanging in the bridal suite at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana getting into her gown in the bridal suite at Glen Island Harbour Club

Two First Looks

Before she saw David, Hana saw her dad. He came through the door of the suite, and that was the end of anyone’s composure for a minute. Then it was David’s turn, waiting at the glass with his back to her until she tapped him on the shoulder.

Hana waiting as her father comes through the door for their first look
Hana and her father embracing at their first look
David waiting at the window over Long Island Sound before the first look
Hana tapping David on the shoulder for their first look at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana and David holding hands at their first look

Portraits Around Glen Island

Doing the first look early gave us the whole early afternoon for portraits while the October light lasted. Glen Island gives you a lot to work with indoors: the curved grand staircase, the spiral stair seen from above, and tall windows that turn the Sound into a soft white backdrop. Hana’s train got its own moment on the stairs.

Hana and David laughing together in a portrait at Glen Island Harbour Club
Black and white portrait of Hana and David
Wide portrait of Hana and David at the glass doors of Glen Island Harbour Club
Black and white bridal portrait of Hana with calla lilies in an arched alcove
Hana and David at the windows overlooking Long Island Sound
Hana and David kissing against the water light at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana on the curved grand staircase at Glen Island Harbour Club
Black and white view down the spiral staircase at Glen Island Harbour Club with Hana and her train
Hana seated on the staircase with her train spread around her

The Ketubah and the Bedeken

At four o’clock they signed the ketubah and the marriage license upstairs. Guests arrived for cocktails while Hana took her seat downstairs, and the room gathered around her. Then David came in for the bedeken, and the whole room went loud.

Hana and David at the ketubah signing at Glen Island Harbour Club
David arriving for the bedeken as Hana laughs, surrounded by guests
Family embracing beside Hana at the bedeken

A White Chuppah on the Sound

The ceremony began at six. Monica Chimes built the chuppah in white blooms and greenery against the windows, so the water stayed behind them the whole time. Hana’s parents walked her down the aisle, and when it was over there were hugs under the chuppah before anyone made it back up the aisle.

White floral chuppah in front of the windows at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana walking down the aisle with her parents at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana and David under the white floral chuppah at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana and David kissing under the chuppah after the ceremony
Black and white of family hugs under the chuppah
Black and white of Hana and David kissing on the aisle at Glen Island Harbour Club

The Reception

They came into the ballroom and went straight into their first dance, then straight into the hora, and up went the chairs. Star Talent kept the floor full all night. Both fathers spoke during dinner, then Hana’s sister and David’s brother. There was a mezinka for David’s parents, the dance that honors parents who have just married off their last child, then cake, a thank you from the two of them, and an after party that ran to half past eleven.

Hana and David dancing their first dance in the ballroom at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana's gown spinning out during the first dance
Guests dancing the hora around Hana at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana and David lifted on chairs during the hora
A toast during dinner in the ballroom at Glen Island Harbour Club
Hana and David cutting their white wedding cake
Black escort cards with white calligraphy at the reception

Planning Tips From Your Photographer

In the fall, a first look buys you the daylight. In mid-October the sun sets around 6:30, and a 6:00 ceremony leaves no time for portraits afterward. Hana and David did their first look at 12:30, which gave us three and a half hours of daylight for portraits and family photos and meant they were free for their own cocktail hour.

Use the windows, even on a grey day. Glen Island’s rooms face the water on almost every side. When it’s overcast, the Sound turns into a huge soft light source, which is why so many of these portraits were made right at the glass.

Let the palette carry the photos. A black and white palette sounds simple, but it makes every frame cleaner: nothing competes with the people. If you love the look, carry it through the paper goods and the bridal party, the way Hana and David did.

The Vendors

A day like this one is a team sport. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.

Planning a Wedding at Glen Island?

We’ve photographed Glen Island Harbour Club in every season: where the light lands at the windows, which staircase works for which train, and how to build a timeline around a fall sunset. Start with our Glen Island Harbour Club venue guide, see Emma & Adam’s spring wedding at the same venue, or inquire about your date.