Emma & Alex — A Farm-to-Table Wedding at Blooming Hill Farm
Emma and Alex got married at Blooming Hill Farm in Monroe, New York — a 100-acre working organic farm where the food comes from the ground you’re standing on. I’ve photographed a lot of weddings here over the years, and this one reminded me exactly why I keep coming back. The light was cooperative, the couple was relaxed, and nobody tried to orchestrate anything that didn’t need orchestrating.
What stood out about Emma and Alex’s day was how they let the venue do what the venue does best. They didn’t fight the farm aesthetic or try to transform it into something it’s not. They leaned into it — Heart & Soil Flowers built arrangements that looked like they grew out of the property, and the whole evening had this grounded, unhurried quality that translated into real expressions and real moments.
Getting Ready
Rachael Beach from RB Artistry (find her on Instagram at @rb_artistry) handled hair and makeup, and did a great job keeping things natural and unfussy — which is exactly the right call for a farm wedding where you’re going to be outside in warm light all afternoon.
First Look & Portraits
We did the first look near the garden area behind the farm buildings — one of my favorite spots on the property because it’s quiet, has beautiful natural light filtering through the trees, and gives the couple a few minutes of privacy before the rest of the day takes over. I don’t direct these moments. I just make sure the light is right and let whatever happens happen.
The Ceremony
The ceremony happened in the back field under Blooming Hill’s big hickory tree — wildflowers lining the aisle, the mountain ridgeline in the distance, late afternoon light coming in soft and low. This is one of my favorite ceremony sites in the entire Hudson Valley, and the conditions here were about as good as it gets. Even light on faces, no harsh shadows, and a backdrop that adds depth to every wide shot without competing with the couple.
Golden Hour
After the ceremony, we stole about fifteen minutes for golden hour portraits in the open field between the barn and the reception tent. This is the window I plan every Blooming Hill timeline around — when the sun drops low and the whole farm turns golden. The sailcloth tent was already glowing behind them, guests were filtering into cocktail hour, and Emma and Alex got a few quiet minutes to just be together before the party kicked off.
Cocktail Hour & Reception
Cocktail hour moved into Blooming Hill’s green barn, where guests gathered between the gardens and the bar while Heart & Soil Flowers had done their thing across every surface. Candid photography thrives in moments like this — when people are moving between interesting spaces, drink in hand, catching up with friends they haven’t seen in months. These are the in-between moments that make a wedding gallery feel alive.
The Sperry tent reception at Blooming Hill is one of those spaces that just photographs well. The sailcloth lets light through in a way hard-sided tents don’t — during golden hour, the whole interior glows. After dark, the bistro lighting takes over and creates warm pools of light that make dance floor moments and speeches feel intimate even when there are 150 people in the room. I could shoot from outside the tent looking in and get these layered compositions with the farm landscape behind it all.
The Party
The Vendor Team
Every wedding is a team effort, and Emma and Alex put together a great one. Here’s who made this day happen:
Venue & Coordination: Blooming Hill Farm — @bloominghillfarm
Florals: Heart & Soil Flowers — @heartandsoilflowers
Hair & Makeup: RB Artistry / Rachael Beach — @rb_artistry
Photography: Joshua Brown Photography
Planning a Blooming Hill Farm Wedding?
I’ve photographed multiple weddings at Blooming Hill Farm and know this property inside and out — the best spots for portraits, the ideal timeline for the light, and how to work the flow between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. If you’re planning a wedding here (or anywhere in the Hudson Valley), I’d love to hear from you. Check out my Hudson Valley wedding venues guide for more venue tips, or get in touch to talk about your wedding.