Searching for the perfect New Rochelle wedding venue? If you’re looking for a timeless, elegant, beautifully maintained wedding venue with a luxurious mansion situated right on the waterfront, then it would be hard to find a more perfect (or romantic) venue than Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle.
I had the chance to capture Sara and Joseph’s wedding here and there are so many wonderful things I can say about this venue and their celebration. This venue is spectacular, from the staff to the ambiance of the venue itself your wedding day here will feel truly special and unforgettable.
Let’s dive into more details about Surf Club on the Sound and a behind-the-lens look at Sara and Joseph’s wedding here.
New Rochelle Wedding Venue: Surf Club on the Sound
Picture this: exchanging your vows next to a wrought iron gazebo while overlooking the water with sailboats floating by in the background, then taking one-of-a-kind wedding portraits in the grand foyer, and then dancing the night away in one of Surf Club on the Sound’s two stunning ballrooms on a massive dance floor underneath a sparkling crystal chandelier.
Doesn’t that sound absolutely magical? That’s what’s waiting for you if you plan your wedding here.
This venue will make you feel like you’ve stepped into an enchanting fairytale with its beautifully landscaped grounds artfully adorned with fountains, stunning views everywhere you look, an entry with a grand marble staircase, and more.
Features, Services, and Amenities:
With impeccable service offerings, Surf Club on the Sound will go above and beyond to accommodate you and your guests and help to make your celebration a memorable one.
Here are some of the features, services, and amenities of this venue:
- Seven acres of beachfront property
- Several different locations where you can have your ceremony
- Indoor and outdoor spaces
- A cocktail lounge
- Getting ready rooms
- On-site accommodations
- Cakes & Desserts
- Food & Catering
…and even more.
Surf of the Sound’s professional and dedicated team will ensure that all of your wedding details are taken care of and that your wedding day is handled seamlessly, allowing you to be fully present and enjoy your celebration.
Sara and Joseph’s Wedding at Surf Club on the Sound
Both Sara and Joseph are Arab, with Joseph from Jordan and Sara from Palestine. Their June wedding was so lively and fun that they incorporated several special traditions related to their respective heritages into their celebration.
Getting Ready
Both Sara and Joseph started their days off at the Residence Inn Yonkers. Having a getting-ready space where you and your wedding parties can spread out and get ready in style is such a game-changer.
Sometimes, your venue will have a space for you, but if not, or if you are looking for something with more space, booking a room at a local hotel is the perfect option!
By the time I arrived, both Sara and Joseph had their detail items ready to go. If you want to get some bonus points with your photographer, this is the perfect thing to do! I was able to jump right in and get some amazing photos of their jewelry, perfume, and flowers, and some really cool photos of their outfits together.
I especially wanted to capture Sara’s dress, as it was absolutely stunning. It had so many intricate details that made it unique (not to mention almost 30 pounds!).
Once the detail photos were done, I jumped right into some getting-ready photos. Pro tip: if you want to make your wedding day more seamless, take a note from Sara and use your engagement photos as a dry run for your hair and makeup.
This way, you can figure out what you like and don’t like so you know exactly what you want on your big day. For Sara, this meant creating a look that was a bit more bold with her makeup as her dress was a bit more traditional.
Finally, we can’t forget about the shoes. She went for a simple look that gave her a little more height to make sure her dress was able to spread out and be the star of the show.
Joseph and his wedding party kept their morning pretty chill and relaxed. This was perfect for them and allowed us to get fun and creative with their space to grab some amazing photos before we headed out for the first look.
First Look
Not only did Sara do a first look with Joseph, but she also did one with her dad and brothers. I absolutely love when my couples add this in and it not only creates some incredible photos, but it also gives you memories that you are never going to forget.
Sara’s dad and brothers went first and we did their first look inside and it started to sprinkle just a bit outside. Thankful, they didn’t last long, and we were able to go back outside to do the first look with Joseph.
He was so emotional (okay, he may have been balling) and it was such a sweet and intimate moment for them. They shared just a few minutes alone together before they joined their wedding parties on a party bus and set off for the ceremony.
The Ceremony
We made it to their ceremony at Immaculate Conception of St. Mary’s in Yonkers just in time. They had their ceremony in Arabic and it was such a great way to tie in their culture to their wedding.
From their vows to the ring exchange, prayers, and the lighting of a Unity candle, this was such a special and intentional wedding ceremony for them. Finally, it was time for their first kiss and after they sealed the deal, they walked out of the church and were welcomed by a Zaffe group.
Talk about the perfect way to kick off a wedding party! They went full out and had drums, dancing, and singing, and this was before the wedding reception even started! We were able to sneak back into the church for a few portraits before they hopped back on the party bus with their wedding parties and headed out to the ceremony.
This really was such a unique wedding, and you could feel how intentional each and every detail was throughout the entire ceremony. It wasn’t just about going through the motions for them, instead, this wedding was about creating memories and experiences that nobody is going to forget anytime soon!
Portraits
This night was going to be an absolute party, so we wanted to take some time at the beginning to capture portraits before the festivities really kicked off. They had asked that most of their portraits be taken in the foyer and there is no questioning why they wanted them there.
With the marble staircase and the piano, this really was a stunning place to capture some of these photos.
We jumped right in with some family portraits so they could go mingle and relax while we focused more on the couple and their wedding party. After getting a couple more shots with everyone, it was time for their individual portraits.
Their portraits turned out stunning. They were the perfect mix of dramatic and just a bit moody. Sara’s dress cascading down the staircase just made everything feel more grand and magical.
While we didn’t take up too much of their time taking portraits as they wanted to enjoy their cocktail hour, I am so glad we carved out some time for this. The results are breathtaking and really stand out in the gallery.
The Reception
All of the hype and energy of their ceremony exit definitely carried over into their wedding reception. From their entrances to the drummers coming back from Dabka, the energy at this reception was electric.
In true Arab fashion, Sara and Joseph didn’t even make it to their seats before they were brought up on chairs. From the very start, you could tell that this reception was going to be a party.
Before everything got into full swing, we were able to sneak outside to grab a few more portraits at sunset in front of a stunning gazebo overlooking the water. Then, it was right back inside for their first dances.
The two shared an emotional first dance to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri before they both had their first dance with their parents. While this is something you would expect at a reception, they were able to add a bit of flare from their cultures to the dances to make them special.
If you thought the surprises were over, you’d be wrong. Once everyone finished eating, Sara re-entered the reception with all of the women at the wedding doing a candle dance called a Teglay.
This is something that can be as intimate or grand as you want it to be and Sara definitely went for grand. She invited all of the women at the reception to join her (which had to be at least 50 women) and it was incredible.
This was something so ambient, yet it created such an electric feeling. Shortly after Joe entered with his friends and family carrying canes in a Tahtib. Eventually, everyone joined together and their night of dancing began.
Besides taking a quick break to cut their cake, the dance floor stayed electric for the rest of the reception. Sara and Joseph spent the night in the middle of the action literally surrounded by love, family, and friends.
Everyone danced, dabke’d, and had the time of their lives together. You truly could not have asked for a better wedding ceremony or reception. With the unique touches and cultural infusions throughout to the genuine love and joy that you could feel throughout the entire day, I don’t think anyone at that wedding is going to forget it anytime soon.
Before saying goodbye, we had to take just a few more portraits as the night was coming to an end out in front of the venue. It was the perfect ending to the most magical wedding anyone could have asked for!
Ready to Plan Your Wedding at Surf Club on the Sound?
While there are several New Rochelle wedding venues to choose from for your celebration, finding an exquisite venue like Surf Club on the Sound that will take your breath away from the moment you enter the grounds isn’t an everyday experience.
And…if you love this post and want the perfect wedding photographer to capture your celebration at Surf Club on the Sound (or to travel to wherever you are) and help bring your vision to life, reach out here. I’m all about capturing breathtaking images unique to you and your story. You can learn more about the Fatima Izzat Photography elopement experiences here!
