Time to share my last wedding of 2017, and what a wedding it was! What a pleasure to photograph Christy & Ryan’s winter wedding at one of my favorite venues, the elegant Carnegie Museum. I’ve written before about why I love shooting here, and this December wedding was one to take advantage of all of those things i love.

Christy & Ryan’s timeline was not one for a novice photographer. With a 6pm ceremony start time on December 9, and a decision not to see each other before the ceremony, this meant that all bridal party photos and photos of Christy & Ryan together would be indoors. Indoor photos almost always require some additional lighting. I do enjoy a challenge, and love coming up with creative lighting, so this was fun for me. But probably not a challenge that all photographers would enjoy :)

An additional challenge of the timeline was that we would have to do all family photos, bridal party photos and bride/groom photos during cocktail hour (with the exception of a few additional bride/groom photos during dinner). While doing a first look before the ceremony makes the post-ceremony time less rushed, I will never try to talk anyone into it if they have their heart set against it. As Christy and Ryan really didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony, I was happy to support them in their decision, with the understanding that we’d have to be very focused with our time after the ceremony. Spoiler alert: it worked. I was so happy to be able to get this happy couple the photos they wanted, but more importantly, ensuring that they got to experience the day they way they wanted to, rather than trying to make their day all about convenience. (Read more about reasons to do/not do a first look here.)

Big thanks to Carnegie Museum Special Events staff Tori and Sue, DJ Eric Schiemer, my second shooter Jorge Santiago, and most importantly Christy, Ryan, their bridal party and families for working so hard and being generously fabulous and making this all come together.

Joy and Mary Beth of Beauty by Joy did such a great job with Christy’s makeup. The women had their hair done at Salon Nanette. Christy’s elegant low updo was perfect, and both hair and makeup still looked flawless during the very last song at the reception.

As for flowers… Gidas did an extraordinary job with the light blue and white color palette, bringing winter into the stunning, majestic Music Hall Foyer. I’ll share more details in a future post.

Enjoy some of my favorites. And I have to begin with this photo of Mary Lou, Christy’s mom, as she got an early sneak peek at the reception room. Loved this moment.

I’ll post more detail photos separately, but here’s one to give you an idea of the reception room. WOW!
I love the drama of receptions at the Music Hall Foyer, with guests watching from above as the bride and groom come in for their first dance.


Cindy’s father, David, gave what I’d describe as the least predictable speech I’d ever heard. Equal parts funny, moving and unexpected. Really glad that Christy and David had a videographer to capture this!






Always a pleasure to work with my friend Eric Schiemer!

I got a few raised eyebrows from catering staff when I sprinted up the stairs to the balcony to get this photo from above of the last song. Worth it!  

Congratulations, Christy and Ryan! Hope you are enjoying sunny Bora Bora.

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The Vendor Team

• Photographer: Christina Montemurro
• Venue: Carnegie Museum
• DJ: Eric Schiemer
• Florist: Gidas
• Makeup: Beauty by Joy
• Hair: Salon Nanette
• Video: Sanders Video
• Christy’s Dress: Justin Alexander from One Enchanted Evening