A warm summer breeze, the shimmer of saltwater, and the joy of shared beginnings, this Estate at East Wind wedding with coastal portraits captured the essence of elegance and ease. For Kelsey and Jeff, every decision reflected intentionality. From a heartfelt backyard ceremony to timeless beach portraits taken days before the wedding, their celebration felt deeply personal and beautifully designed.

Getting Ready at Home

The morning didn’t start at the venue. Instead, it began at Kelsey’s childhood home, a space full of memory and meaning. Family members moved through familiar rooms, quietly preparing for the day ahead. Kelsey stepped into her gown while her mother adjusted delicate details in the soft golden light of June.

Meanwhile, Jeff spent time with his closest friends. Their morning was grounded in laughter, loyalty, and calm anticipation. These early moments created a peaceful rhythm that carried throughout the day.

Ceremony at Kelsey’s Family Home

The ceremony took place on the Long Island coastline, in the backyard of Kelsey’s parents’ home. Arriving by boat, Kelsey crossed the water with her father. As she stepped onto the dock, wind catching the hem of her gown, the moment felt cinematic.

With the bay behind them and their families surrounding them, Kelsey and Jeff exchanged vows. The scent of summer and sound of waves deepened the emotional presence of the moment. Their backyard ceremony offered something a ballroom could never replicate: intimacy, memory, and connection.

Wedding Portraits on the Grounds

Kelsey and Jeff made an inspired decision to take portraits one week before the wedding. This thoughtful choice allowed them to remain fully present on their wedding day while still creating heirloom-quality imagery.

We met at Robert Moses State Park in the late-day light. Beach grass moved gently in the breeze, while waves provided a soothing rhythm in the background. These portraits felt unrushed and grounded in stillness. By creating space ahead of time, they elevated their entire wedding experience and preserved a piece of their story in a peaceful setting.

Reception with Intention

Later that evening, The Estate at East Wind welcomed guests with hospitality and charm. The venue’s classic architecture and manicured grounds created a graceful setting for their summer celebration. Inside, laughter echoed through the ballroom, glasses clinked, and loved ones filled the dance floor with joyful movement.

Rather than staging a spectacle, Kelsey and Jeff focused on meaningful connection. Every part of their reception felt intentional. As a result, the evening reflected who they are: gracious, joyful, and present with the people they love most.

Planning Your Own Estate at East Wind Wedding with Coastal Portraits

If you’re dreaming of a day that blends elegance with emotional authenticity, an Estate at East Wind wedding with coastal portraits offers the perfect balance.

Plan early for portraits. Consider taking portraits before your wedding, whether at Robert Moses State Park or another personal location. 

Consider a nontraditional ceremony location. Backyard weddings invite intimacy and can carry layers of family legacy. When you host your ceremony in a space with personal history, the meaning is amplified.

Build in intentional pauses. Your wedding day will move quickly. By designing your timeline with room to breathe, you’ll have more opportunities to be present for the parts that matter most.

Thinking About Your Own Celebration?

Whether you’re planning a wedding at The Estate at East Wind or envisioning something entirely different, I’d love to help you create photographs that feel lasting and emotionally true. If connection, legacy, and storytelling matter to you, let’s begin the conversation.

Learn More about Heritage House.

About the Photographer

Stephen Mayo is the founder and lead photographer of Heritage House, a boutique wedding photography studio based in New York. Known for timeless, emotional imagery and legacy-driven storytelling, Stephen’s work has been featured in Sophisticated Weddings, Fearless Photographers, and trusted by couples and planners across the Tri-State area.