The Garrison Wedding | Tziona + Lee

Wedding
Written By Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels

A wedding at The Garrison overlooking the Hudson River set the stage for Tziona and Lee’s celebration - a day that felt joyful, deeply family-oriented, and beautifully grounded in everything that matters most. Their wedding took place in October when the fall foliage was in all its full glory.

From the moment I arrived, there was a sense of ease to the day. The kind that comes when a couple plans their wedding not around expectations, but around who they truly are. From their joy filled laughter getting ready with their closest family and friends, to the giggling of their nieces and nephews running around. I was absolutely obsessed with their wedding day looks - Lee’s amazing earth toned plaid suit by Alan David, and Tziona’s absolutely STUNNING long sleeve, low back, lace “Marta” dress by Ines Di Santo. The fall foliage in the Hudson Valley was in peak color and there happened to be swarms of Asian Lady Beetles that week (they were obsessed with landing on Tziona’s dress). Their wedding day at The Garrison was a true celebration of their family near and far, their friendships, their love for nature, and most importantly - their beautifully grounded and FUN relationship.

A Beginning That Felt Meant to Be

“We met on Coffee Meets Bagel (a dating app). If you ask Lee he says a dating app and then makes fun of Tziona when she says online! Our first date Lee convinced Tziona to leave the law library and come get coffee (hot chocolate for Tziona; coffee for Lee) with him by bringing the dog he was dog sitting (Lou) …he tried to sit on Tziona’s lap (at 100lbs he was not a lap dog!)

Tziona was supposed to go back and finish a paper so the date was supposed to last half an hour. The date lasted six hours (or at least that is how Lee remembers it) …. Tziona did not finish her paper that day.”

A Proposal in the Hudson Valley

Their proposal felt like a natural extension of everything they love - adventure, nature, and time spent together.

Under the guise of an anniversary trip, Lee planned a weekend getaway to Woodstock, NY. What Tziona didn’t fully know (though she may have had a feeling) was what awaited them at the top of an icy winter hike.

With their dog Talia by their side, they made their way up - carefully, intentionally.

And at the top, surrounded by quiet and snow, Lee asked Tziona to marry him.

Favorite Memory of the Day - Wandering in the Woods

“THIS IS TOUGH! But both Lee and I keep saying our favorite memory of the day was the time we spent with Caitlinn and Laurel wandering around in the woods all dressed up in the gown and suit. It was picture perfect in every possible way. It gave us time to be our goofy selves in beautiful nature/foliage on our special day before standing in front of all of those we love dearly to say “I do”. Other fan favorites were Lee missing the glass under the Chuppah the first time and Tziona falling over the chair being lifted during the hora (only a favorite because she was ok!). We loved the moments that did not go perfectly, as it was just simply US!”

Choosing The Garrison

“We saw The Garrison on the first day we were looking at venues. Honestly, it just felt right to both of us. From the drive into the venue to seeing the ceremony location and the reception windows, we were blown away! Our love story involves sooooo much time in the Hudson Valley so it felt so perfect to get married overlooking the river and the valley (and Tziona always envisioned a more nature focused wedding). 

The Garrison truly feels like a venue that brings the outside into the center of the whole wedding, which we thought we could only dream of if we were not having a fully outdoor wedding.”

A Day Rooted in Family and Intention

From the very beginning, Tziona and Lee approached their wedding with intention.

“…we were so unsure where our numbers were going to fall (so many family and friends traveling overseas). We knew we did not want it to be huge, but wanted to have all of our family and dearest friends. We wanted to feel that we actually got to see and spend time with every person that was there.”

And that feeling carried through every detail.

“We truly wanted everything to feel like us, and not to do it simply because we “had too”. Our relationship and love is so founded in family time and community and nature/traveling/adventuring so we wanted to incorporate that as much as possible. It was such an easy decision to have Lee’s cousin Coral design our invites and for his sister Serra to paint our welcome sign. 

I have to just mention the cocktail napkins–TALIA our dog. This was one of the first decisions we made. We knew she could not be there in person, as she is afraid of kids and most things so we wanted to find another way for her to be front and present!”

Nothing felt forced.
Everything felt like them.

A Ceremony Overlooking the Hudson

Their ceremony at The Garrison unfolded with the Hudson River stretching out behind them. Surrounded by their community, Tziona and Lee stood together and made their promises. Their Jewish ceremony included their parents standing underneath the chuppah with them, sharing wine, and seven blessings read by Lee’s family who had traveled from Israel to be present for their marriage ceremony.

It was full of intention and grounded in tradition, and in true Tziona + Lee fashion, it was balanced with humor when not everything went perfectly.

Lee missed the glass on the first try during the ceremony - a moment that brought laughter, lightness, and a reminder of something important:

That perfection isn’t the goal. Presence is.

A Celebration Full of Joy

Their reception was filled with movement, laughter, and so many moments that felt unscripted and real.

The hora (the longest hora I have EVER documented, the physical stamina of Tziona, Lee, and all their guests was IMPRESSIVE), brought one of the most memorable moments of the night - with Tziona taking a tumble from the chair (and thankfully laughing through it).

It was one of those moments that could have felt chaotic - but instead became a favorite.

A Wedding That Felt Like Them

What stood out most throughout their entire wedding day at The Garrison was how grounded it felt.

Not in a quiet or subdued way - but in a way that felt deeply rooted in who Tziona and Lee are.

Their love for family.
Their connection to nature.
Their ability to find joy in the imperfect moments.

It all came together in a way that felt effortless and true.

Lee is a filmmaker and I am always so honored by other creatives admiring my work and trusting me to document their wedding. Tziona and Lee love film, so to get extra creative for their wedding day - alongside digital - I photographed their wedding day on expired 35mm film. We were so excited to see the results, they are below.

Planning Your Own The Garrison Wedding

If you’re dreaming of a wedding at The Garrison, a place that offers something truly special - a setting where nature and celebration exist side by side.

A space where your day can feel expansive, yet intimate.
Structured, yet relaxed.
Beautiful, but never overdone.

And if there’s one piece of advice Tziona and Lee would share, it’s this:

Trust your gut.
Choose vendors who love what they do.
And create a day that feels like you.

Let’s Tell Your Story

If you’re planning a Hudson Valley wedding and looking for a photographer who will capture not just how your day looks, but how it feels - I would love to connect.

From quiet moments in the woods to celebrations filled with energy and joy, my goal is always the same:

To create photographs you can return to - again and again.

✨ Inquire through my contact page to learn more about working together.

Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels
Next

How to Plan an Intimate Hudson Valley Wedding or Elopement