A September wedding at Garner Arts Center

Justin and Justin got married at Garner Arts Center  in West Haverstraw. Their day really began months earlier, in Paris, when Justin D. proposed to Justin R.

He had been quietly planning for months. The proposal happened outside, in a park, on the one day that wasn’t snowing or raining. It was still bitterly cold, with crowds of people everywhere. Still, the moment felt right.

Small, meaningful traditions had become part of their relationship early on. They found a lucky penny together on their first date and saved it. Every month since, they have given each other a lucky penny. By the time they were planning their wedding, the penny wasn’t just a theme they had built their day around. It was already a reflection of who they were to each other.

Photo by Matthew Rigby Photography

Meeting Justin and Justin

I first met Justin and Justin in Manhattan for their engagement session on a sunny morning in May. We started early in the Meatpacking District, while the streets were still quiet. From there we explored the High Line, then meandered through the streets to finish their photos amongst the flowers on Little Island. They changed outfits midway through, shifting from casual to slightly more formal while keeping their playful energy. The images ended up a mix of environmental, editorial, and quietly emotional. By the end we had covered a lot of ground together, on the streets of Manhattan and personally. That session mattered on their wedding day, because they already knew what to expect and already trusted the process.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

Wedding day prep photos and first look

The morning of their wedding was calm but full of nerves. They got ready in separate rooms at the Westchester Marriott in the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow area, each with his own wedding party. They also spent some quiet moments with close family members who helped them with their suits.

Their first look took place in the hotel courtyard, with high skylights that flooded the space with soft, even light, almost like a greenhouse. They wanted to incorporate a first touch into their first look too, standing back to back before turning to see each other. Once they saw each other, their nerves settled, and their sense of relief allowed excitement and joy to take over. They exchanged personal gifts, so thoughtful toward each other that I was reminded of the couple in O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

Family photos in the courtyard

Justin and Justin had been intentional about front-loading group portraits before the ceremony. They wanted to finish anything formal early, so the rest of the day could be spent with their guests. The wedding party brought a lot of energy to that process, and so did their dogs. Funny enough, each Justin had their dog before meeting each other. They joked that they had each adopted a dog that matched the other Justin’s personality.

The brick backdrop of Garner Arts Center gave us a clean slate for family and wedding party photos. After those, the two grooms and I explored the former industrial mill complex and made creative portraits. They brought us back to their engagement session, highlighting their personalities and the emotion of the day while incorporating the backdrop that mattered to them when they booked the venue. We found artwork that spoke to them, vintage seating with a chic vibe, and brick alleyways that gave us gorgeous light and an industrial feel. I worked with off-camera lighting in several of those spaces, which gave me room to be creative while staying close to the personal, documentary feeling they were looking for.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

An outdoor ceremony

The ceremony was set up in the back parking lot, behind a smaller brick outbuilding. Cherry Brandy Designs, their florist, and their caterer set up long benches facing the brick wall, with an arch adorned in flowers matching their two-toned copper and evergreen theme. Their aunts officiated and shared memorable stories, and the Justins exchanged poetic, personal vows.

The wedding party, along with family and friends who had been with them for decades, were visibly emotional, as were the guests seated in the early fall sunlight. When the ceremony ended, their guests erupted into cheers and blew bubbles. Justin and Justin shared their first kiss, then walked out excitedly, followed by their dogs, torn between chasing bubbles and wanting to walk with their dads.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

Cocktail hour in the alley

The cocktail hour space was one of the main draws to the venue for the Justins. It’s situated in a cobblestone alley running between two of the old brick buildings, with string lights overhead. It gives guests the perfect space to transition from the open ceremony area out back to the reception room upstairs. Alchemy Celebrations provided mobile bar service and passed hors d’oeuvres throughout.

Justin and Justin greeted all their guests and spoke with each one, then stepped out for a few quick sunset photos. We wrapped up back in front of the alley just as the sun dipped behind the buildings, laughter and cheers for the new husbands rising from between the buildings.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

A reception full of personality

In our first call, Justin and Justin had told me how important it was that their guests feel comfortable being who they are, and that they wanted everyone to party and have a great time. From the energetic entrances to the emotional first dances to the dance sets mixed by APB Entertainment, their vision came to life. The reception was held on the second floor of the venue’s converted mill building, warm with their own lights and handmade decorations. Later in the evening, the toasts kept the room moving between laughter and tears.

They spent more time and budget on things that mattered, while thoughtfully and intentionally saving elsewhere. For example, they skipped a traditional cake cutting, making it its own event instead, with several cakes each carrying its own flavor and decoration. Lulu Cake Boutique artistically brought their vision to life. They also redefined wedding traditions like the garter and a money dance, interpreting them in their own way.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

The details that became their story

The lucky penny ran through the day in specific ways. Justin designed custom cufflinks using vintage pennies and gave them to Justin as a surprise gift during the first look. At the reception, guests wrote notes on large commemorative pennies and left polaroid photos at a dedicated station. A custom cooler kept guests refreshed during the outdoor ceremony. The couple designed and built much of the decor and centerpieces themselves, and both Justins helped set everything up.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

The payoff to intentional planning and setting priorities

From the very beginning, Justin and Justin approached their wedding with clear priorities and thoughtful questions. They were less focused on packages and more focused on whether I would understand what they were building. Both leaned on my planning checklist and my preferred vendor list for their DJ and makeup by Oh So Lovely. They trusted that the people I recommended would approach the day with the same care they did. Justin and Justin’s wedding was one of the most personal weddings I have documented.

If you’re planning a wedding that incorporates your personal stories and details, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re getting married at Garner Arts Center yourself, my Garner Arts Center venue guide covers the practical details worth knowing before you book.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

If you’re considering The Garner Arts Center

If you’re planning a wedding that incorporates your personal stories and details, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re getting married at Garner Arts Center yourself, my Garner Arts Center venue guide covers the practical details worth knowing before you book.