“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” —Franklin P. Jones

Life is such a wild, unpredictable adventure. No matter how much we plan, it has this way of surprising us—sometimes with bumps in the road, but often with the most beautiful, unexpected moments. One of those moments? Meeting the person you’re meant to spend your life with. At first, you don’t know it’s them. It just feels like another ordinary day. But before you know it, they become the center of your story.

Some of the most incredible moments in life are your college years and the joy of newlywed bliss. When those two worlds come together, it’s pure magic. That’s exactly what happened for Catherine and David. Catherine, a Belgian bride, and David, her Greek-American groom, first met at Columbia University as grad students. On that first day, there was no sign they’d one day walk down the aisle together. But life had other plans, and here they are—starting their next “first day” as husband and wife.

For their wedding, Catherine and David’s immediate family stayed at the elegant Carlton Hotel, where I began capturing their special day. My first shots focused on their gorgeous details—the accessories they would wear as they got ready to say “I do.”

One of my favorite moments from the morning was when David and his groomsmen gathered for a fun, quirky shot in the hotel’s Broadway Dive suite. It perfectly captured their energy and excitement, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable day.

Catherine and David’s love story is such a beautiful reminder that life’s most incredible surprises come when you least expect them. And when they do, they have a way of turning life’s ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

The styles selected by the bride helped set the stage for the design of the festivities. The bride brought a lovely custom-made wedding dress from Belgium and went even more multi-cultural with her shoes, which were purchased in Paris, France. One of the more unforgettable accessories worn by the groomsmen were their colored socks, which coordinated to match the colors of their wives’ dresses.

With a warm and sunny wedding day greeting all guests in attendance, the weather helped reflect the mood of utter happiness and love, allowing for many smiles to exchange and spread the good cheer. The wedding ceremony itself took place at St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University. This beautiful chapel acts as a venue for hundreds of religious and campus events each year. Performed according to Greek tradition, during the wedding ceremony the couple exchanged Stephana crowns, to important cultural symbols that each had been handed down for generations.

Reception time!

Photography: ArtVesta Studio | Wedding planning & day-of coordination: Allie Levine Events | Getting ready: Carlton hotel | Ceremony: St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University | Reception: Midtown Loft & Terrace | Reverent: Mary-Rose Engle