When your father calls you on a Sunday to say he’s getting married this Friday, you don’t hesitate—you just grab your camera and go. That call came while I was at home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and by midweek, I was flying across the country to the Catskills to witness and document one of the most meaningful weddings I’ve ever attended—my dad’s. A Second-Chance Elopement in the Catskills isn’t just a story about a wedding; it’s about timing, trust, and love that only deepens with age. Shot entirely on film and set at the historic Spillian estate, this intimate day was a blend of nostalgia, nature, and the kind of slow, soulful celebration that only comes after two decades of togetherness.

Venue: A Historic Hideaway in the Catskills
When your dad tells you he’s getting married—this Friday—in the Catskills, you don’t ask questions. You book a flight from Jackson Hole, grab every roll of film you own, and head straight to the mountains. Franz and Sandra tied the knot at Spillian, a storied estate in Fleischmanns that felt less like a venue and more like a lived-in dream. Once a Gilded Age summer retreat, the house was the perfect setting for a celebration built on second chances. Intimate, historic, and charmingly off the grid, Spillian became the heartbeat of a day that honored their past while celebrating a deeply rooted future.

Catering: Farm, Forest, and Family Style
The couple skipped the frills and leaned into flavor, with a dinner that celebrated the land they love. Guests were treated to freshly caught Catskills trout, roasted seasonal vegetables, and a homemade wedding cake crafted by a longtime friend (and professional chef). The food wasn’t just a menu—it was a memory. Each bite echoed the love and legacy Franz and Sandra have built over their 21 years together, shared with the kind of warmth that only happens when the chef knows your story as well as your palate.

Cocktails: A Toast at The Peekamoose
After dinner, guests wandered to the local favorite The Peekamoose, where owners Devn and Mary Beth Mills hosted a cozy late-night celebration with signature cocktails and wood-fired fare. It was the kind of place where everyone knows your name—or at least your father’s—and the vibe was part speakeasy, part summer camp reunion. Laughter spilled into the early hours, the drinks were perfectly chilled, and every toast felt like a blessing spoken in clinks and glances.

Photography: Through My Lens (And His Legacy)
Capturing your dad’s wedding is already a full-circle moment—doing it as a fellow photographer? That’s a whole other level. I documented the day entirely on film (a mix of Portra 160, Portra 800, and Kodak Gold), adding a textured, timeless quality to every frame. My favorite images are the unscripted ones—Sandra’s laugh mid-vow, my father’s proud eyes, and the stillness of the Catskills as the sun dipped behind the trees. There’s even a leopard-print-clad daughter in a few. This wasn’t just a wedding—it was a love letter to family, film, and the gift of being exactly where you’re meant to be.