Rain started halfway through Bronwyn and Andrew’s wedding day at Our Lady of Hope Church in Glen Cove, and instead of scrambling or stressing, they just grabbed an umbrella and kept going. After 30 years of photographing weddings, I can tell you that’s the difference between couples who end up with generic “perfect weather” photos and couples who end up with images that actually look like their day felt. This Catholic wedding at Our Lady of Hope Church and Metropolitan Caterers had everything- traditional ceremony, unexpected weather, genuine moments- and Bronwyn and Andrew handled all of it like people who trusted their choices.

Getting Ready

Bronwyn’s dress was one of those rare finds that photographs well from every angle because the design is actually good- fitted silhouette, delicate lace cap sleeves, and an illusion back with structure. She kept her bouquet simple: eucalyptus and white roses. No filler, no over-designed elements. Just clean and elegant.

This three-generation ring shot- Bronwyn’s ring, her mother’s, her grandmother’s- resting on the bouquet greenery. I’ve been photographing these kinds of details since 1995, and they never get old because they’re the physical proof of legacy.

Our Lady of Hope Church Ceremony

Our Lady of Hope Church has modern stained glass windows in blue and gold that fill the sanctuary with directional light. During the vows, both Bronwyn and Andrew locked in completely- no looking around, no performing for the room. That’s when you get the real images.

The bubble exit gave us exactly what you hope for- Andrew stopped halfway down the church steps to kiss Bronwyn while guests blew bubbles everywhere. You can’t direct that. You just have to be ready when it happens.

We grabbed family portraits outside before the weather shifted.

When It Started Raining

Here’s what most couples don’t know about rain on their wedding day: it doesn’t ruin anything unless you panic. The skies opened up, and Bronwyn and Andrew just looked at each other, grabbed a clear umbrella, and said let’s go. No backup anxiety. No timeline meltdown.

We found covered areas near the church with white columns, and I used Bronwyn’s cathedral veil to create movement. The wind caught it perfectly, wrapping around both of them. Weather forces you to work with what’s actually happening instead of trying to recreate some Pinterest board. That’s when you get images that look like real people having a real day.

And then moments like this- completely unguarded laughter between two people who just decided to trust the day. This is them.

Metropolitan Caterers Reception

Metropolitan Caterers in Glen Cove handles everything from the logistics side so photographers can focus on moments instead of scrambling around venue restrictions. The two-story ballroom with wraparound balcony gives you angles. The staff knows their timing. After photographing dozens of weddings here, I know what to expect. Which means I can focus entirely on what’s happening between people.

The grand entrance had everyone on their feet.

Andrew went for the dramatic dip at the end of their first dance. Bronwyn trusted it completely. The room erupted.

Between all the scheduled reception moments, there are these in-between seconds when couples forget about performing and just exist as newlyweds. Those are the images that matter ten years from now.

Why This Worked

Bronwyn and Andrew’s Metropolitan Caterers wedding in Glen Cove demonstrates something I’ve observed across thousands of weddings. Couples who stay flexible and trust their decisions always end up with more authentic documentation. They chose Our Lady of Hope Church because it mattered to them. They didn’t let rain derail their timeline. They stayed present with each other and their guests. That approach creates images that look like your day actually felt. Not like someone else’s idea of what a wedding should look like.

If you’re planning a wedding at Our Lady of Hope Church or Metropolitan Caterers in Glen Cove, and want a Long Island wedding photographer who stays calm when weather changes, works with what’s actually happening, and focuses on real moments instead of posed recreations, let’s talk. After 30+ years photographing weddings across the NYC metro area and Long Island, I know the difference between documenting your day and just showing up with a camera.