Metropolitan Club Wedding | New York City

A bold and dramatic Orthodox Jewish wedding at The Metropolitan Club in New York City, blending modern touches with Hasidic traditions, and photographed from a documentary point of view.

The past few weeks have been packed with wedding work, and our daughter Lily just returned home from the UK after finishing her studies. I’m a bit late sharing this, but just two weeks ago, I photographed Estee and Joel’s wedding at The Metropolitan Club on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

This post is a bit longer than usual, but I think each photo has its own story to tell. I took all the pictures as an observer, letting the day unfold naturally.

The day began with Joel getting ready at The Ritz-Carlton and Estee at the Park Hyatt. Outside, the city was already buzzing. It was a beautiful spring day in New York, one of those warm afternoons when it seemed like half of Manhattan was heading to Central Park. People were out walking dogs, carrying coffee, sitting on benches, and soaking up the first real warmth of the season.

Just a few blocks away, inside The Metropolitan Club, the wedding was moving at its own pace.

The building itself is remarkable. Founded in 1891, the club has that classic New York feel—marble floors, high ceilings, heavy doors, attentive service, and a sense of history everywhere you look.

Estee and Joel’s wedding blended modern touches with tradition, elegance, and family, all within Orthodox Hasidic Jewish customs. Hasidic weddings are meaningful events that closely follow Jewish law and community traditions, and I have a lot of respect for that. But with all that seriousness, there’s also a deep joy. It’s more than just happiness—it’s family, music, prayer, blessings, movement, and the whole community coming together around the couple.

Estee and Joel were a joy to photograph—warm, kind, and clearly cherished by everyone around them. The day was full of activity, including a zip into Central Park for a few pics. Some of the best moments were often the small ones: people leaning in, children watching from the sidelines, relatives greeting each other, hands reaching out, and quick expressions that flashed by.

Watching the dancing was incredible. The energy, the movement, the circles of people, and the faces that appeared and disappeared gave it a life of its own. I’m always drawn to that kind of lively chaos, where the scene fills up fast, and you have to trust your instincts. There’s no time to overthink—you just watch, anticipate, and try to be ready when the perfect moment happens.

The Metropolitan Club was a beautiful backdrop for the day, but what stands out most to me is the feeling in the room. Tradition was everywhere, but so was warmth. Nothing felt staged—it was family, history, and celebration all coming together.

A big thank you to Christian Margain, who came from San Antonio to be my second shooter. It’s always a pleasure working with Chris Lopez and Sam from Squinted Cinema, and with wedding planner Lacy Karl of The Party, who kept everything running smoothly and calmly.

It was a beautiful spring day in New York City, and I felt truly honored to photograph Estee and Joel’s wedding. The celebration carried on into the night, with a modern, club-like atmosphere as Hank Lane Music kept the energy high.

For anyone curious about the gear, I photographed this wedding using the Leica Q3 43, Leica M11, Leica SL3, and a mix of vintage and modern lenses.

Vendors:

Venue: Metropolitan Club – New York City
Planner: TPNY / Lacy
Getting Ready – Joel – The Ritz Carlton, NYC
Getting Ready – Estee – Park Hyatt, NYC
Photographer: Philip Thomas
Videographer – Squinted Cinema – Chris Lopez
Music: Hank Lane
Traditional Music: Chesky + Kalmey Schwartz
Traditional Photos: Yossi Steinmetz
Cantor: Chazan Helfgot
Catering: Foremost
Guest Chef: Mike Gershkovich
Bar Service: Muddling Memories
Decor: Design House Decor:
Hair Stylists: Hair by Golds / Goldie
Makeup Artists: Elisheva Gres
Kids’ Hairstylist: Glamsquad