Herrard and Sunyoung celebrated their summer wedding at Liberty House Restaurant and Events in Jersey City, New Jersey, just across the water from New York, with photography by George Street Photo & Video. Their June celebration featured a soft pastel palette, an outdoor ceremony overlooking the New York skyline, and an upscale restaurant reception glowing with warm lighting.

At a Glance

• Location: Liberty House Restaurant and Events, Jersey City, New Jersey

• Best for: Couples who want an outdoor skyline ceremony paired with a refined indoor restaurant reception

• Ceremony: Outdoor space overlooking the New York skyline with minimal decor, an aisle runner, and a floral arch

• Reception: Upscale restaurant setting with long banquet-style tables, pastel florals, and a sweetheart table

• Nearby photo spots: Liberty State Park (5 min), Colgate Clock waterfront (7 min), Newport Green Park (10 min), The Powerhouse Arts District (8 min)

• Photography by: George Street Photo & Video

Why Is Liberty House a Great Wedding Venue Near New York?

Liberty House Restaurant and Events gives couples a rare combination of open-air skyline views and a polished indoor dining space. The waterfront setting puts the full New York skyline directly behind the ceremony, so the backdrop does most of the visual work on its own.

What makes this venue stand out for photography:

• Unobstructed skyline views that frame every ceremony and portrait

• Waterfront light that turns golden as the sun drops behind the city

• A refined restaurant interior for warm, intimate reception photos

• Green space and hardscape that give portraits variety without a long drive

Based on our experience photographing weddings across the New York and New Jersey area, a skyline venue like this one rewards careful timing. Our photographers plan around the sun so the city stays crisp behind the couple rather than washing out in the summer haze.

What Did Herrard and Sunyoung's Wedding Day Look Like?

Getting Ready

The day began in separate suites, where Herrard and Sunyoung prepared alongside their wedding parties. Our photographers captured the early details, including handwritten wedding day love letters, elegant dress portraits, chic wedding shoes, and close-up ring shots.

Sunyoung wore a chic and strapless ballgown with beautiful embroidery and a buttoned-down back, paired with a soft pastel bouquet. Herrard chose a two-piece black suit with a crisp white shirt, shiny black shoes, a black silk bowtie, and a pastel floral boutonniere.

Those quiet morning moments set a calm, joyful tone. George Street documented the anticipation before the couple stepped outside for their first look.

The First Look

Before the ceremony, Herrard and Sunyoung shared a first look with the skyline nearby. The private moment gave them space to react honestly, away from an audience of guests.

Our photographers documented those genuine expressions as they turned to face one another. It grounded the couple and eased any nerves before the ceremony began.

The Ceremony

Herrard and Sunyoung exchanged vows outdoors, with the full New York skyline rising behind them. Minimal decor, an aisle runner, a beautiful floral arch, and clear sunny skies kept the focus on the couple and the view.

The pared-back styling lets the setting speak for itself. Our team documented the ceremony from multiple angles, balancing wide skyline frames with close, candid reactions.

Photography Tip

Photography tip: An outdoor skyline ceremony under bright summer sun is stunning, but harsh midday light and an open sky can blow out the city behind you or leave faces squinting and shadowed. Our photographers recommend timing the ceremony for later afternoon when the sun sits lower and softer, and positioning the couple so the light falls at an angle rather than straight down. If a midday start is unavoidable, our team looks for open shade near the arch and exposes the couple's faces first, then lets light or reflectors balance the bright skyline so the buildings stay detailed instead of washing out.

Urban Wedding Portraits

Before the reception, Herrard and Sunyoung stepped out for urban wedding portraits surrounded by iconic New York architecture and the skyline across the water. The city gave the couple a bold, unmistakable backdrop that no other setting can replicate.

Our photographers used the waterfront and surrounding structures to build variety, mixing wide skyline frames with tighter, architectural compositions. Sunyoung's detachable sleeves and crystal appliques caught the late-day light beautifully against the steel and glass behind them.

The Reception

The celebration moved inside to the upscale restaurant space, where gorgeous lighting and long banquet-style tables set an elegant, welcoming tone. A styled escort card display greeted guests as they arrived, and a sweetheart table anchored the room for the couple. Highlights included:

• Pastel florals running the length of the banquet tables

• A sweetheart table framed by warm, ambient lighting

• Playful dance floor props that kept the energy high

• An all-white cake finished with soft pastel flowers

George Street captured the first dance and the candid energy as guests filled the floor. The evening closed with a stylish send-off, the couple walking out through a warm, cheering crowd as the celebration wound down.

What Are the Best Wedding Photo Spots Near Liberty House?

Jersey City and the surrounding waterfront offer far more than the usual New York photo locations when it comes to wedding portraits. Based on 20+ years of photographing weddings nationwide, here are some lesser-known spots our team recommends:

• Liberty State Park (5 min): Wide open lawns and waterfront paths with the skyline framed across the harbor.

• Colgate Clock waterfront (7 min): A historic clock landmark and open esplanade for portraits with the city behind you.

• Newport Green Park (10 min): A landscaped waterfront park with a small beach and unobstructed skyline views.

• Van Vorst Park (11 min): A leafy Victorian-era neighborhood park with a fountain and classic townhouse backdrops.

• The Powerhouse Arts District (8 min): Industrial brick facades and vintage rail structures for a textured, urban feel.

George Street Photo & Video has photographed weddings at venues throughout the New York and New Jersey area. Explore our New York wedding photography portfolio or check price and availability for your date.

What Made This Wedding Special?

Every wedding George Street captures tells its own story. Herrard and Sunyoung's celebration stood out for several reasons:

• Skyline setting: An outdoor ceremony framed by the full New York skyline gave the day an unforgettable backdrop.

• Soft pastel palette: Pastel florals, the bouquet, and the cake tied the styling together with a light, cohesive feel.

• Indoor and outdoor balance: An open-air ceremony flowed into a refined restaurant reception for the best of both settings.

• Urban portraits: Iconic architecture and the waterfront gave the couple bold, distinctly New York-area photos.

Planning a Skyline Wedding in the New York Area?

If Herrard and Sunyoung's celebration has you inspired, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Book your photographer early. Popular New York area dates fill up fast in summer, so we recommend booking 9 to 12 months in advance.

• Time the ceremony around the sun. Late afternoon light softens harsh summer glare and keeps the skyline crisp behind you.

• Plan for waterfront wind. A breeze off the water is refreshing but can move veils and hair, so build in a moment to reset for portraits.

• Lean into a light palette. Soft pastels read beautifully against the steel and glass of the city skyline.

Key Takeaways

• Liberty House Restaurant and Events in Jersey City offers an outdoor skyline ceremony space and an upscale indoor restaurant reception in one waterfront location.

• Summer skyline ceremonies photograph best when timed for later afternoon, when softer light keeps both faces and the city detailed.

• A cohesive pastel palette, like the florals and cake used here, ties styling together across the entire day.

• Jersey City offers distinctive photo spots like Liberty State Park, Newport Green Park, and the Powerhouse Arts District that go beyond the usual New York landmarks.

• George Street Photo & Video offers affordable 8-hour wedding photography packages starting at $1,395, including a wedding coordinator and hand color-corrected images.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does wedding photography cost in the New York area?

Wedding photography in the New York area typically ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 or more depending on coverage hours, photographer experience, and package inclusions. George Street Photo & Video offers packages starting at $1,395, which include 8 hours of coverage, a wedding coordinator, and hand color-corrected images. Prices vary by wedding date, with off-peak dates and weekdays often offering better value.

Is Liberty House a good wedding venue near New York?

Liberty House Restaurant and Events is a popular Jersey City wedding venue known for its outdoor skyline ceremony space and upscale indoor restaurant reception. It works well for couples who want unobstructed New York skyline views paired with a polished dining experience. Many couples appreciate hosting both the ceremony and reception in one waterfront location.

When is the best time for a skyline ceremony in the New York area?

Late afternoon is the best time for an outdoor skyline ceremony in the New York area, especially in summer. Softer, lower-angle light keeps faces evenly lit while preserving detail in the city behind the couple. Our photographers recommend building the timeline so portraits fall closer to golden hour for the warmest results.

How do you photograph a wedding in harsh midday summer light?

Photographing a wedding in harsh midday summer light works best when you control exposure and positioning. Our photographers meter for the couple's faces first, seek open shade when possible, and use fill light or reflectors to balance a bright open sky. This keeps skin tones natural while preventing the skyline or background from washing out.

How many hours of wedding photography do I need?

Most weddings benefit from 8 hours of photography coverage, which spans getting ready through the reception exit. George Street's standard packages include 8 hours, which is more coverage than most competitors who start at 5 to 6 hours. A full day of coverage captures everything from love letters in the morning to the send-off at night.

About George Street Photo & Video

George Street Photo & Video has been capturing weddings since 2004 across 47 cities nationwide. With 3,000+ five-star reviews and recognition including The Knot Hall of Fame and WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards, George Street specializes in affordable, candid wedding photography and videography. Packages start at $1,295 and include 8 hours of coverage, a dedicated wedding coordinator, and hand color-corrected images. Take the Style Test to find your photographer match, or check price and availability for your date.