Hudson Valley Wedding at The Garrison - Tori + Drew

Wedding
Written By Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels

A wedding at The Garrison in early June has a kind of magic that’s hard to describe until you see it for yourself - rolling Hudson Valley hills stretching out beyond the outdoor ceremony space, soft clouds hanging over the river valley, and that unmistakable sense that something meaningful and magical is about to unfold. Tori and Drew’s wedding day at The Garrison in Garrison, New York was heartfelt, joyful, and filled with personality - the kind of celebration where laughter and tears shared equal space.

Early June gave them exactly the weather they hoped for - cool temperatures in the 60s and 70s and a perfectly moody, overcast sky. The greens of the Hudson Valley foothills looked especially vibrant against the soft gray light.

The scenery alone made for breathtaking photographs, and even guest photos captured just how beautiful the day felt.

From emotional vows to a dog named Johnny Cash stealing hearts, this wedding was every bit as fun, gorgeous, and meaningful as the couple themselves.

I cannot emphasize enough that Tori and Drew are the kind of people that remind me why I love photographing weddings so much. Their personalities are magnetic - joyful, funny, deeply kind, and completely themselves. Being around them feels easy in the best way. They have this playful energy and warmth that fills a room, and their love for music, laughter, and each other creates such a beautiful atmosphere wherever they go. Spending the day with them truly felt like celebrating two magical humans who were simply meant to find each other.

A Love Story That Started at Work

Tori and Drew’s story began where many modern love stories do - at work. Tori was a nurse on the oncology unit, and Drew was an oncology pharmacist. What started as quiet conversations and finding excuses to sit next to each other throughout the day quickly turned into something deeper.

They describe it as feeling like a middle school crush. Following each other on social media. Looking for reasons to talk. Eventually Drew worked up the courage to admit he had a crush, and they planned their first date.

It turned out to be the kind of first date that changes everything. From that moment on, they both knew there was something special between them.

For a few months they kept their relationship a secret from coworkers, but as Tori put it, the swooning eventually gave it away.

A Proposal That Brought Their Story Full Circle

Their engagement story is one of those perfect full-circle moments.

Originally, their first date was supposed to be at The Met Cloisters in Washington Heights, but the weather had other plans. Instead, they spent the evening sitting on Tori’s couch talking for hours.

Even though they lived only a few blocks away, they never actually made it to The Cloisters while dating.

So when Drew decided to propose, he kept the location a secret and brought Tori there at last. In the gardens of The Cloisters, surrounded by historic stone arches and quiet beauty, he got down on one knee.

It was romantic, meaningful, and made for some incredible photos. Drew even bought a Met sweatshirt that he still wears constantly - an adorably sentimental reminder of the day.

Personal Style That Felt Effortless

Tori approached dress shopping with equal parts excitement and indecision - something many couples can relate to. She tried on her dress four separate times across multiple appointments before committing to the timeless, simple gown she ultimately wore.

Her sleek ballerina bun paired perfectly with the dress, and she kept her makeup soft and natural with the help of a childhood friend.

Her shoes were chosen even before the dress - the perfect “something blue.”

Drew initially envisioned a velvet green jacket but ultimately opted for a forest green suit that felt classic while still reflecting his favorite color.

True to form, the finishing touches like shoes and tie were chosen just a week before the wedding.

What was the color palette and why was it chosen?

“We went with a variety of greens and patterned greens. One because it’s Drew’s favorite color and has taken over our lives, and two it’s such a classic and brought out more of the scenery/earthy colors of the venue. Our wedding party had free rein on what they could wear since we didn’t really put so much emphasis on matching. The groomsmen just wore black suits with any green color tie. And the bridesmaids any patterned green dress!”

A Wedding Day Filled with Humor and Heart

Tori and Drew knew from the beginning that their wedding day would be emotional. They both proudly admit they’re big criers.

So they intentionally sprinkled humor throughout the day to keep things balanced.

Drew’s vows had everyone crying their eyes out during their ceremony. Unintentionally causing Tori to have to share her vows to him while she had already had tears running down her face. It was so special. They are such a well balanced couple, who in the most simply put terms - they match each others freak. They share passion, compassion, humor, and larger-than-life approaches to enjoying life. Truly some of my favorite human beings I’ve EVER met.

Why They Chose The Garrison

When it came time to plan their wedding, there was one thing they both agreed on: it had to be in New York.

Although they were in the process of moving from New York City to Denver, they wanted the wedding to feel connected to home and accessible for both their upstate New York and NYC friends and family.

The Hudson Valley felt like the perfect middle ground.

When Tori walked into The Garrison during the venue search, it immediately felt right. The sweeping views of the Hudson Highlands, the beautiful event space, and the welcoming staff made the decision easy.

“Drew left for Denver for work before the venue hunt (pretty much right after we got engaged) so I went on the hunt alone. Walking into the Garrison and meeting the staff it was very clear this was going to be the place. The Garrison is so beautiful, the staff is extremely accommodating and they really set up your dream wedding for you. Fun fact, Drew got to see the venue in person for the first time a day before the wedding!” - Tori

A wedding at The Garrison offers something uniquely Hudson Valley - dramatic scenery paired with an atmosphere that feels both elegant and relaxed.

How they decided to have a ~150 person wedding :

“I think Drew and I swapped preferences through wedding planning. Originally I wanted to elope and have a little dinner following with friends and family. I liked the concept of gorgeous wedding shots from the steps of city hall. Drew wanted a bigger more traditional wedding. The second I started trying on wedding dresses it was clear I wanted a big wedding to show off a gorgeous dress lol. And as we got further into wedding planning Drew was erring more on a smaller wedding cause he felt nervous standing in front of 150 people. At that point I was too far gone and the bigger ceremony was happening. We are so incredibly happy we went this route, because it was truly the best day of our lives.”

Blink-182, Tears, and the Best First Dance Ever

Because they knew emotions would run high, Tori and Drew planned a hilarious fake-out first dance.

The music started with Blink-182’s “Family Reunion”, which is essentially one minute of Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge yelling explicit lyrics. The room erupted in laughter as they danced and goofed around.

Then they transitioned into their real first dance: an acoustic version of “First Date” by Taylor Acorn - a subtle nod to their shared love of Blink-182.

Perfectly captured by Ross Media.

Reverse Dirty Dancing Lift

In the middle of the dance they attempted a reverse Dirty Dancing moment where Tori would lift Drew.

It worked perfectly in rehearsal.

But wedding dresses were not accounted for in practice.

They fell.

And immediately burst into laughter on the dance floor.

It was completely perfect. And truly one of my FAVORITE memories to ever witness at a wedding.

After their cake cutting, Tori honored her mom by giving her the bridal bouquet. It was such a simply and sweet moment.

Why They Chose Me as Their Wedding Photographer

Tori and Drew received a piece of advice early in the planning process that they now share with other couples: don’t choose a photographer based on style alone. Choose someone whose presence makes you feel comfortable.

When we first met on Zoom, we ended up talking long past our scheduled time and had to log back into the call.

They told me later that they felt an instant connection.

Because they were living in Denver during the planning process, we never met in person before the wedding day - but by the time the ceremony arrived it felt like we had known each other for years.

At one point Drew and I were even singing Noah Kahan together at the altar while the wedding party walked in.

That’s the kind of energy I want every couple to feel on their wedding day.

A first look where you instantly feel their truly special and one of a kind connection.

Johnny Cash: The Guest of Honor

One of the most meaningful elements of their wedding day was making sure their dog, Johnny Cash, could be there.

Johnny originally belonged to Tori’s aunt, who passed away suddenly and was deeply important to her. Taking Johnny into her life during that difficult time became a source of healing.

When Drew came into Tori’s life shortly afterward, Johnny loved him immediately - perhaps even more than Tori, she jokes.

Having him present at The Garrison for their wedding felt like a beautiful way to honor Tori’s aunt and the journey that brought them together.

The Moments That Mattered Most

When asked about their favorite memories of the day, Tori and Drew both said the same thing: the quiet moments they shared alone.

Right after the ceremony, before cocktail hour began, they had a few minutes in the bridal suite to simply look at each other and say, “We’re married.”

Their vows were another unforgettable moment. Drew’s words moved the entire room to tears, and because he went first, Tori ended up sobbing through much of her own vows.

Moments like these are why I love photographing weddings.

Why did you choose to work with me?

“Since we got what turned out to be the best advice from the above, we used our venue’s list of vendors to sort through and try to find a good match. When we met Caitlinn over zoom, I swear there was an instant spark. We had so much fun chatting in our initial  inquiry meeting that we went over our zoom time and had to re log back in! I think the hardest part for us was living so far away and not getting a chance to meet Caitlinn in person before the day since we loved her so much! Having similar humor and goofiness she made us feel so comfortable while being such a pro the day of moving us around and capturing the most beautiful pictures. It felt like we knew her forever and this was just our friend spending such a special day with us. Drew and Caitlinn were even singing Noah Kahan together at the altar as the wedding party walked up. We seriously still stare at our album in awe, astonished that it’s even us!! Couldn’t have imagined anyone else to do this with.” Tori + Drew

Singing Noah Kahan quietly with Drew before Tori walked down the aisle is a memory that holds such a special place in my heart. I am truly so honored that they remembered that, given all the anticipation and nerves in that moment.

Any advice for couples planning their weddings?

“I know it seems so crazy to say, “enjoy the planning,” when it can feel so stressful to be thrown into this whirlwind of wedding chaos. Especially feeling like you have no clue what you are doing - which everyone feels and you are so not alone. However, while it feels like you are waiting eternity for the big day, it really does go by so fast. So when picking out things that may can be so silly like linen colors and decor that you probably won’t even see day of, just think about how you are marrying your person and how much fun it’ll be to spend the day using those silly little napkins and ignoring that wedding decor together! The day represents the two of you and that should be celebrated!” - Tori + Drew

Planning Your Own The Garrison Wedding?

If you’re planning a wedding at The Garrison in the Hudson Valley, you’re choosing one of the most beautiful venues in the region. Between the sweeping mountain views and the incredible team that runs the venue, it’s a place that consistently creates unforgettable celebrations.

And if you’re looking for a Hudson Valley wedding photographer who will bring calm energy, a sense of humor, and an artistic eye to your wedding day, I would love to connect.

Reach out here to inquire about availability - I would be honored to help document your story. 🤍

Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels
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Summer Wedding at Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa - Chelsea + Brendan