Mohonk Skytop Tower Wedding: I’ve been photographing weddings at Mohonk Mountain House for 17 years now. I’ve also do engagements, family sessions, proposals, even corporate events there quite often. I’ve been there literally hundreds of times, but this was a first…
The bride Liz contacted me about photographing her small wedding several weeks before the date. She was planning a small ceremony, then just a dinner afterwards. Only 13 guests were coming, but the catch was the ceremony was taking place on Skytop! If you don’t know what that is, it’s a tower on top of the mountain that’s about a mile hike, and sits about 300 feet from sea level. I’ve been up there before, but never for a wedding. Originally the bride wanted us all to walk up to Skytop, but that was scratched and Mohonk’s staff took us all up in their vehicles. There was a snow storm coming that day, but luckily it started just when the ceremony was finished.
It was definitely cold, a bit windy- but overall very cool and totally unique! Liz and her dad came out from the base of the tower, and seats were lined up for the guest by the edge overlooking basically all of Hudson Valley. The ceremony lasted about 20 minutes, and it was just the right about of time to be out in the cold that high up before you really started to freeze. We did a quick first look beforehand so the couple can see each other privately, and Parlor Porch at Mohonk is always a great location for that! We walked around just a little to shoot some portraits, and preparation before took place in my favorite room to get ready in- the lighting in there is all around and just perfect for what I need.
Congrats to Liz and Justin, and thank you for having me capture your day- I’ll certainly remember this one!
