Wedding. new rochelle, New York. the dawn foundation.

Well hi again, everyone!

Let's give it up for one amazing couple, who just so happen to be newlyweds. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Lora! 

I absolutely loved photographing Chris & Bibi's wedding on June 12, 2021.  Their wedding day was amazing! It was held at The New Dawn Foundation, a manor built in the 1800s, tucked off the road, with water views and impeccable grounds. Since the couple had to follow Covid guidelines, they could not have more than 40 guests present. They held the ceremony during the earlier part of the day with 40 family and friends as guest and then an evening reception with 40 different guests. The bride and groom had two cakes and two bride and groom dance!

Although the couple took salsa classes in the same studio, same day but different time slots, they did not meet there. The couple met through an online dating site called Plenty of Fish (POF). Since Bibi's profile name caught Chris' attention, it prompted him to message her asking "how good of a dancer are you?" From that point on,  the couple hit it off.   In April 2021, I took their engagement photos at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, NY  where the couple released their stress and showed me some of their dance moves. We had so much fun. You can read all about their engagement at https://www.milsmendezphotography.com/blog/previous/2

I asked Bibi about her dress and this is what she said of how she found her wedding gown. "My dress story is interesting. A friend of mine convinced me to check out Macy's store that was closing in Long Island where all the dresses were getting sold at incredible prices. I mean they were practically giving them away. I was hesitant because we had just gotten engaged and I I felt is was too soon to go dress shopping. My friend insisted that it would not hurt to look. I'm so glad I listened to her. I tried on a few dresses and finally picked one that fit. I wasn't too crazy about it because I didn't like the back of the dress. My friend told me to get it and have it fixed by a seamstress. The original price was $2,300 and they were selling it for $125.00. I walked around with uncertainty until a customer overheard us told me I will never find a better deal than this. She said she paid $5,000 for her dress, 15 years ago, and $900 in alterations. She said she wished she was getting married again to get this deal!  She said the designer Demetrios was a really good designer. Honestly, I never heard of him but I am not into designer anything. My friend and this customer convinced me -- I bought the dress but with not too much enthusiasm and the idea I didn't like it.  Honestly, I am so grateful my friend Francely took me there because shortly after Covid happened and it would had been a nightmare to get a dress.  Once I took it to the seamstress a year later, I fell in love with it and happy to say if fits even better. The seamstress fixed it the way I wanted ad rest was history.  I purchased a second dress at Windsor and love it, too!"

This amazing day would not have been possible without the help from: 

Cake Maker: Mom's Bakery
Wedding Planner: Made by Glenda (Glendalys Salgado); Wedding Coordinator & Invitation Designer
DJ: DJ Benny Benito & DJ Drop
Where Dress was Purchased: Macy's
Caterer: Mildred Almonte
Make Up Artist IG:  makeupgurutara (Tara)
Hair Stylist IG: beauty_destiny (Jessica)
Photographer & Videographer: Mils Mendez Photography LLC


The couple decided to have a First Look  and it was beautiful!  They were a bit anxious because the festivities were being held outside.  The weather forecast was rain and the venue did not permit tents outside. It rained early in the morning but the rest of day was sunny and wonderful. Their overall experience was more than they could have imagined. Chris always wanted a wedding by the water and they did!

I wish Chris and Bibi many more years of love and happiness!!