A Rainy Wedding Day at The Rockaway Hotel

What do you do when there are torrential downpours in the forecast the morning of your wedding, especially when you have a beach session planned for your couple's photos? You embrace the chaos and make the most of it. That is exactly what we did for the wedding of Shannon and Kevin at the Rockaway Hotel in Rockaway Beach Queens NY.


We started the day off in the beautiful bridal suite at the Rockaway Hotel, with Shannon. her bridesmaids. and her mother. I quickly realized that there was a positive vibe in the air, and that these girls were not going to let the weather get them down

Group wearing matching light blue robes celebrate together with champagne glasses in a candid party moment.
A dancer in a sparkly dress stretches gracefully on a light wooden floor near white walls and windows.
A sequence of photos showing a white wedding dress hanging in a bright window while someone adjusts and admires it.
A bride in a lace wedding gown and flowing veil poses gracefully by bright windows in a minimalist white room.
A touching moment captured in a bright room as someone helps adjust a white wedding dress near large windows.
A wedding dress is adjusted and styled in a bright room with hardwood floors and large windows.

While the girls were getting ready over. at the hotel, the groom and the groomsmen were getting ready over at Kevin's family's fishing shack in Broad Channel Queens. My second shooter did a spectacular job of capturing the mood of the environment in this unique setting!

Craftsperson in white shirt working meticulously on jewelry making at a traditional workbench with tools.
A person in a white dress shirt and suspenders stands in a dimly lit rustic wooden hallway.
Black and white portrait of person in white shirt adjusting collar while looking up in contemplative pose.
Interior view of a rustic workshop space with exposed beams, natural light, and industrial equipment.
Young boy in formal black suit adjusts his tie while standing in front of red and white sports jerseys.

Ceremony Highlights: Church & Outdoor Exit

The ceremony was a traditional full mass at St Rose of Lima, just a few miles away from the hotel. It was amazing to be able to capture Kevin's reaction as he first sees Shannon as a bride coming down the aisle! Despite the inclement weather, we were able to pull off an amazing exit ceremony outside of the church.



Wedding ceremony inside an ornate church with guests seated in wooden pews and a couple at the altar.
Black and white photo sequence showing a person in a suit wiping tears from their eyes in an emotional moment.
A wedding ceremony taking place in an ornate church with a painted dome ceiling and guests seated in wooden pews.
A couple shares a romantic dip kiss in a church aisle during their wedding ceremony as guests look on.
Wedding party members stand in a brick-lined hallway during an elegant indoor ceremony.
Wedding guests celebrate and wave sparklers outside a venue entrance during a nighttime send-off celebration.

Changing Your Plans

Once the beautiful church ceremony had wrapped up, it was time for family, bridal party, and couples photos. We had originally planned to take these on the beach. Given the close proximity to the beach, it seemed like a no-brainer. With the rain coming down as hard as it was, any outdoor locations for family, bridal party, and couples sessions were out of the question.


Luckily we had the beautiful Rockaway Hotel at our fingertips. We found the previously planned outdoor cocktail hour area, which was covered via a tent, and just made the most of it!


A wedding party wearing black dresses and holding white bouquets poses together for a formal group photo.
A group wearing black formal dresses poses together laughing and having fun at an event.
Wedding party in black and white attire celebrates joyfully together in a white tent reception venue.

Couples Portraits: Using the Rockaway Hotel's Hallways & Bar

After the family and bridal photos were complete, it was time for us to take couples portraits. As I just mentioned, any previously planned locations outside were out of the question! That left us to utilizing The Rockaway Hotel! Having fun at the hotels, hallways, elevators, and bar ended up being a fantastic fallback option. This was where having a beautiful place such as The Rockaway Hotel really came to our advantage.

A couple in wedding attire dances playfully in the rain on a rooftop terrace with string lights and city buildings visible.
Bride in white wedding dress sits playfully in elevator during wedding photo session.
A couple stands in a doorway at their wedding, with the bride wearing a fitted lace gown and the groom in a black tuxedo.
A couple in formal wedding attire shares a playful dance moment in a dimly lit hallway.
A bride and groom share a joyful moment laughing together during their wedding reception in a dimly lit venue.

Details That Shine: Moody Reception at The Rockaway Hotel

Going into this wedding day, I was really excited on how the reception ballroom was going to look. I had seen many pictures of it online, and it did not disappoint in person! Before the party got started, I made sure to capturing the moody ambiance of the room.

Elegant table settings with white plates, glowing candles, and floral centerpieces create an intimate dining atmosphere.
Elegant table setting with floating candles in glass holders, crystal stemware, and white plates for an upscale dinner event.
Elegant white tiered wedding cake with floral decorations displayed on round table at reception venue.
Elegant wedding reception tables set with white linens, glassware, and dark wooden chairs casting dramatic shadows.

A Reception to Remember

Where should I begin, with describing this reception? After shooting 30-40 weddings, I don't think I've seen a reception as wild as this one! After the intimate first dances and heartfelt speeches, the guests at Kevin and Shannon's wedding were ready to turn up HARD! I never thought I'd see the mother and father of the bride and groom crowd surfing!


Wedding guests dance energetically on a dark dance floor during a reception celebration.
A group of people raise their glasses in a toast at an elegant dinner reception with candlelit tables.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a warmly lit dance floor during an evening reception.
A couple shares a romantic dance dip on an elegant ballroom dance floor during their wedding celebration.

I really got to hand it to Shannon, Kevin, and their friends and family! They came to party and were not going to let a rainy day get in the way! I hope to shoot a wedding next year at The Rockaway Hotel. Hopefully next time with a sunset beach session!

Wedding guests dance and celebrate together on a dark dance floor with their hands raised in excitement.