Chelsea Piers Boat Wedding NYC - Lore & Rotem

When Lore and Rotem met, it was through a casual swipe on a dating app. They connected on Bumble and hit it off immediately, sharing many common interests and a thirst for new experiences. They had been exchanging messages and texts for quite some time before ultimately meeting in person, and upon doing so, they realized they were destined for one another.

As the years went, their bond only strengthened. They took a trip to Colombia one summer because it had always been a dream destination of theirs. Carthagena, a lovely Caribbean port city, was their temporary home. Rotem had planned to propose to his girlfriend while they were on vacation, and he picked one of the most unusual and significant venues imaginable: a restaurant within a women's prison. Inmates were given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and training in the restaurant, which will aid in their eventual reintegration into society.

During the course of their meal together, Rotem proposed to Lore by getting down on one knee and asking her to spend the rest of her life with him. They would always remember this as a precious and moving time in their lives.

Lore and Rotem knew they wanted to do something different for their wedding so that their out-of-town guests could have a taste of local culture. A boat cruise offered the ideal opportunity for a memorable ceremony and sightseeing trip. There were no rehearsals, just a bunch of people from all over the world coming together to celebrate, and the whole thing was set to live music played by their friends and family. The couple was overjoyed to have their loved ones there to join in what was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of them.

As the wedding photographer, I had the honor of capturing the couple's infectious love and happiness during the ceremony. The family photo by the wall is one of my favorites because it was the first time I didn't have to pose anyone for the camera; as a result, the photo captures the spirit of the entire group as we rode the subway back to Lore and Rotem's apartment in New York City, relaxed, loving, and enamored by the city.

There were so many thoughtful touches throughout the day that it was impossible not to be moved by the joyous occasion. The day was full of unforgettable moments that the happy couple and their guests will always remember, from the downpour that greeted us in the cab on the way to Chelsea Piers to the sushi supper in Williamsburg before to the reception at a nearby bar.