A Brooklyn church ceremony, then a reception at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, Queens: portraits in the garden, a glass-elevator entrance, and a first dance in the ballroom.
Joann and Mike were married on August 9, 2026, at Sts. Simon and Jude Church in Gravesend, Brooklyn. The reception followed at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, Queens.
Their photographs carry what George brings to every wedding: editorial posing plus real moments, and lighting with intention so the church, the garden, and the ballroom all hold up. You can read more about how a day like this comes together on The Approach.
The morning, and the church
The day opened with the rings: a wedding band, an engagement ring, and an eternity band set against a deep blue. Joann, in her off-the-shoulder gown, was photographed through the car window with her white rose bouquet on the way to the church.
Inside Sts. Simon and Jude, a guest photographed the ceremony from the pews. After they were married, Mike dipped Joann in the aisle as guests looked on, then they walked back down the aisle together, Mike waving, the priest behind them.
Outside the church
They came down the steps through a send-off of bubbles, the church doors marked St. Simon and St. Jude behind them, then stood with their arms raised to the street. In front of the church, her veil lifted beside a white Rolls-Royce.
The garden at Russo’s
At Russo’s, they had time in the garden before the reception: a vine-covered pergola, a portrait of Mike, and a quieter frame of the two of them. At the fountain, Joann’s veil lifted in the late light, then filled the frame around her.
Inside the ballroom
They paused for a portrait on the empty dance floor, under the chandeliers, her veil across the floor. Their entrance was through the glass elevator, sunglasses on, streamers in the air. They ran through the streamers onto the floor, then had their first dance in low clouds.
If you are planning here
A Russo’s On The Bay wedding often starts with a ceremony elsewhere — Joann and Mike were married at Sts. Simon and Jude in Brooklyn — so the drive to Howard Beach has to be on the timeline, not hoped for at the end. The garden is worth protecting for late-day light, and the glass elevator is a frame worth planning for. The Russo’s On The Bay venue guide covers how a day here usually comes together. See also how many hours of coverage you need.
