Vibrant Engagement Party in NYC with Film Photography

Eleri and Jamie threw an engagement party in NYC. Their closest friends and family joined to celebrate with a decadent meal. These engagement party photos are a great example of why it’s worth preserving every milestone on the road to your wedding.

The couple kisses at their engagement party at American Brass

The couple sits together, beaming with happiness, at their engagement party at American Brass in Long Island City, NY

An Energetic Engagement Party in NYC

Eleri and Jamie held their NYC engagement party at American Brass. This Queens restaurant specializes in New American cuisine. The restaurant’s interior is cozy, modern, and has a distinct character. It was open enough for people to mingle – ideal for an engagement party. The restaurant also has an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline. It set the stage for a very New York evening.

Guests laugh and converse, enjoying a lively engagement party at American Brass

Various gourmet dishes are beautifully displayed on tables, showcasing the culinary delights enjoyed by attendees at the engagement celebration at American Brass.

This engagement party in NYC reflected Eleri and Jamie’s vision for their wedding day, too. They’re planning on a small black tie garden wedding. The focus will be on quality time with their close friends and family accompanied by good food and drinks – just like their engagement party.

For a couple to whom family and friends are so important, this engagement party gave Eleri and Jamie the chance to include them at an exciting moment in their relationship. That’s par for the course for this couple. When Jamie proposed, he even surprised Eleri by bringing her parents for a visit to celebrate.

A group of guests, dressed elegantly, mingle and laugh in the chic interior of American Brass, Long Island City, NY, during an engagement party.

3 Tips for Your Engagement Party

1. Be intentional with your venue.

A restaurant venue is a great option for an engagement party in NYC. That way you get food, drinks, and ambiance taken care of. There are two ways you can approach picking a restaurant venue: Find a small restaurant where you can do a full buyout or a restaurant with dedicated private dining areas. The latter is your best bet for securing the date you want without spending as much money as you would on a full buyout.

A diverse spread of delectable appetizers and entrees adorn the tables, showcasing the culinary delights of American Brass, Long Island City, NY, at an engagement party.

2. Be discerning with your guest list.

Make your guest list as small or big as you want. Just keep your wedding guest list in mind. If you’re having an intimate micro wedding, it might be appropriate to keep your engagement party smaller as well. Remember, too, that the people you invite ultimately determine the energy and atmosphere for your celebration. Invite people who mean a lot to you and will give you the experience you want.

3. Find the right photographer to document it.

Picking a photographer can be daunting, but it’s so important for ensuring that you can remember your celebration the way you experienced it. Consider photographers’ technical skills in different lighting situations. If your engagement party is in low light (like Eleri and Jamie’s), does that photographer have a portfolio showing success in similar environments?

Most of all, you want to pick an engagement photographer who can capture the energy of your party. Eleri told me, “I love how candidly you capture moments, emotions, and energy. Not only that but your aesthetic allows for all of those things to really come alive through your photography.” That really resonates with the way I see my work. I’m so glad it came through for Eleri and Jamie.

Your Engagement Party Photos

Are you planning an engagement party in NYC? I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer, and I’m ready to travel. I’d love to document your celebration with film and digital photos. Get in touch with me.