When Kaitlyn and Daniel chose Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for their ceremony followed by Midtown Loft & Terrace for their reception, they got the full New York wedding experience. Historic Upper East Side church, vintage trolley through Manhattan, rooftop terrace with Empire State Building views. This is why couples choose NYC.

Two Getting-Ready Locations

The day split between two spots. Kaitlyn and her bridesmaids at the Hyatt Herald Square in Midtown. Daniel and his groomsmen at his Upper East Side apartment, a two-minute walk from the church.

The matching pink satin robes made for clean photos. Kaitlyn’s three sisters served as her maids of honor, joined by her mom Karen and grandmother Carol. Three generations getting ready together.

The Trolley to the Upper East Side

Instead of traditional limos, they booked a vintage trolley. It picked up the bridal party at 1:45pm and rolled through Manhattan to the church. Details like this are why New York weddings photograph the way they do.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Ceremony

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church sits on East 90th Street between Second and Third. Neo-Gothic architecture, soaring ceilings, ornate altar with religious paintings. The kind of church that stops you when you walk in.

After photographing multiple weddings at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, timing the processional and reactions here becomes second nature.

Ceremony at 3pm. Daniel’s grandparents escorted his mother Rosemary down the aisle first. Then the bridal party. Then Kaitlyn in her lace gown with delicate train, walking toward Daniel.

We always tell grooms to practice that first-look smile during setup, just in case we miss the real one. Daniel’s genuine reaction made the practice shot unnecessary.

After the ceremony, we moved straight into family photos. Three generations on Kaitlyn’s side, close family on Daniel’s. We shot all combinations right there in the church before the trolley left for Midtown.

Midtown Loft & Terrace: Rooftop Views

The trolley arrived at Midtown Loft & Terrace on Fifth Avenue around 5pm. Rooftop terrace with Manhattan skyline views, Empire State Building included. December sunset hits around 4:30pm, so we had blue hour light and city lights starting to come on.

We used the rooftop for bridal party and couple portraits. The venue has floor-to-ceiling windows, so even inside, those skyline views don’t quit.

Inside, white linens, gold chiavari chairs, string lights across the ceiling. Cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace while we finished couple portraits.

The Reception

Grand entrance at 6:10pm, first dance at 6:15pm. Parent dances followed: Kaitlyn danced with her mother Karen and grandmother Carol. Daniel danced with his mom Rosemary.

Toasts came next. Kaitlyn’s three sisters gave a joint toast (hilarious and heartfelt). Then Daniel’s brother James. Then Kaitlyn’s mom. Nobody was dry-eyed, and everyone was laughing.

The Irish Dance Performance

At 8pm, Daniel’s young “niece” took the floor in a blue Irish dance costume and performed traditional step dancing. I’ve photographed 500+ weddings. I’d never seen this. The precision, the energy, everyone gathering around clapping. Personal touches like this matter more than décor.

The dance floor opened after dinner. Bouquet toss, garter toss, pure dancing until the end. The DJ kept it going. Guests stayed on the floor.

Cake cutting at 9pm. Three-tiered white cake with cascading roses. The traditional cake-in-face moment that always gets a laugh.

Why This Combination Works

Historic church, modern rooftop. Traditional ceremony, contemporary reception. December timing meant winter light for photos and holiday decorations still up. The rooftop sunset with Empire State Building views doesn’t need explanation- it’s what brings couples to NYC wedding venues like this.

This venue pairing works best with precise timing- especially in winter- which is why experience matters in Manhattan weddings.

For couples planning an Our Lady of Good Counsel Church wedding or considering Midtown Loft & Terrace, this venue combination gives you both worlds. The trolley between locations turned transportation into part of the experience.

Kaitlyn and Daniel, thanks for having me there. From Hyatt Herald Square to the last dance at Midtown Loft & Terrace, the whole day worked. Congrats on the #GoingGarvey adventure.

FAQ: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church & Midtown Loft & Terrace Weddings

Is flash photography allowed at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church? Yes. The church allows flash photography during ceremonies, which helps in the darker areas of the sanctuary. The natural light through the stained glass windows is beautiful, but having flash capability means we can capture every moment clearly.

What’s the best timeline for Midtown Loft & Terrace photos? Arrive by 5pm for rooftop portraits. December sunset is around 4:30pm, so you get blue hour light and city lights turning on. Plan 45-60 minutes for bridal party and couple photos before cocktail hour ends. The Empire State Building is typically lit by this time.

Is winter a good time for NYC rooftop wedding photos? December rooftop weddings in Manhattan work if you plan for it. Dress warmly for outdoor photos (fur stoles, wraps). Sessions are shorter—15-20 minutes maximum outside. But the winter light and early sunset create dramatic cityscape photos you can’t get in summer.

How long is the travel time between Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and Midtown Loft & Terrace? 30-45 minutes by vehicle, depending on Manhattan traffic. The church is on the Upper East Side (90th Street), and Midtown Loft is on Fifth Avenue near 30th. A trolley or party bus keeps the bridal party together and makes the transition smoother.

Does Midtown Loft & Terrace have indoor and outdoor space? Yes. The rooftop terrace works for cocktail hour and photos. The main reception space is indoors with floor-to-ceiling windows for skyline views. String lights, chandeliers, and uplighting create the atmosphere. Having both options means backup plans for weather.

Planning your Our Lady of Good Counsel Church wedding or Midtown Loft & Terrace reception? I’ve photographed both venues multiple times and know the timing, lighting, and logistics inside out. Let’s talk about your day.

Ceremony: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 230 E 90th St, New York, NY
Reception: Midtown Loft & Terrace, 267 5th Ave, New York, NY
Photographer: Alex Kaplan Photography