June 10, 2026
Wedding 
A Classic Long Island Wedding at The Mansion at Oyster Bay
Tonimarie and Cody’s wedding at the Mansion at Oyster Bay on May 8, 2026 was the kind of day that felt deeply personal from beginning to end. Set at one of the most beautiful Long Island wedding venues, their celebration brought together a historic setting, meaningful family traditions, and a classic vintage vision that fit them perfectly.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear why they chose The Mansion at Oyster Bay. The property has such a strong sense of character, and that old-world elegance gave the entire day a beautiful foundation. If you are looking through unique wedding venues in New York, The Mansion at Oyster Bay really stands out for how much variety it gives you for photos while still feeling intimate and timeless.
How their story began
Tonimarie and Cody’s story started long before they actually dated. They grew up around the block from each other in Ronkonkoma, and even went to the same high school, just not at the same time. Tonimarie first noticed Cody years earlier at a party in his brother Will’s yard, where he was unofficially “chaperoning,” and she remembers thinking he was cute right away.
Years later, in 2020, they matched on Bumble after Cody had served six years in the U.S. Navy. Tonimarie sent the first message, deleted the app, and then life stepped in again when Cody found her on Instagram. From there, they started talking every day, bonded over family, their Italian backgrounds, and even their shared love of chicken cutlets. Tonimariere recalls: “We had a date planned for a Saturday night, but we couldn’t wait to see each other, so I invited him over my mom’s apartment on the Thursday before, and he brought me my favorite Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. We talked all night long and I made him watch my favorite reality TV dating show!” Since then, they’ve been inseparable.
A venue that matched their vision
Tonimarie said she knew right away that The Mansion at Oyster Bay was the place. She loved that it was once someone’s home and felt connected to its history. Together, they were drawn to the traditional look of the mansion and the beauty of the space, which felt like a natural fit for who they are as a couple. Their wedding style leaned into an old school vintage look with mirrors, gold details, and white flowers. They also had a vintage Rolls-Royce for portraits, which tied everything together so well. Every choice felt very intentional.
The morning at The Mansion at Oyster Bay
My team and I arrived around 11:45 and started with exterior photos and detail shots. Tonimarie was nearly ready, spending the morning with her bridesmaids. She is such a kind and easy person, and she had a big, joyful bridal party around her, with 10 bridesmaids and 1 bridesman. The pale yellow robes and Tonimarie’s short pale yellow satin dress and long white robe paired beautifully with the mansion’s soft, elegant interiors and colors. Later, the bride changed into a stunning mermaid-style gown with sleeves from dress designer Martina Liana, which felt perfect for the overall look of the day.
At the same time, my second shooter photographed Cody and his groomsmen in a separate room with dark wood walls, which gave those images a moodier editorial feel. One of the things I love most about the Mansion at Oyster Bay wedding photos is how much range you can get without ever leaving the property. Between the front of the mansion, the gardens, the hall with green velvet sofas, and the cocktail hour space with its bar and rich tones, there are so many beautiful backdrops in one venue.
Emotional first look
At 2 PM, Tonimarie and Cody had their first look in front of the mansion. Rain had been in the forecast, but it paused just long enough for us to make it happen outside. It was one of the most emotional parts of the day. They were both crying, both smiling, and both fully in the moment. As a Mansion at Oyster Bay wedding photographer, I always hope couples get a little space to really feel that part of the day, and they did. Nothing felt rushed. They just stood there quietly, taking each other in and letting the day finally become real.
After that, we moved into couple portraits with the Rolls-Royce, bridal party photos inside and outside, and family photos.
A ceremony with so much heart
The ceremony was originally planned for the garden, but the weather had other plans. The venue team moved everything indoors for safety, and while I know it was disappointing to shift away from the outdoor setup, it ended up creating a very intimate and moody atmosphere.
Guests arrived at 5 PM, and the ceremony began at 5:30. Tonimarie and Cody read personal vows that had the whole room emotional. Their parents, grandparents, and bridal party were all wiping away tears. Honestly, I was too. Hearing their story in their own words made it so clear how much care, commitment, and warmth they bring into this relationship.
Reception moments at the Mansion at Oyster Bay
Cocktail hour followed from 6 to 7 PM, with a room reveal for the couple at 6:45 before reception officially began at 7. Introductions led into their first dance, followed by dinner and speeches from Tonimarie’s matrons of honor Kimberly and Nicole, maid of honor Gianna, and best man William, who is Cody’s brother.
The evening kept moving with special dances, open dancing, and a private cake cutting around 10 PM in a separate room. Later, we stepped into the speakeasy space for a few quiet moments and some flash portraits that gave the night a more editorial finish. Those images ended up being such a fun contrast to the softer, classic feel from earlier in the day.
Why this Long Island Wedding venue photographs so well
As a Long Island wedding photographer, I can say that the Mansion at Oyster Bay gives couples so much to work with visually. It has the grandeur people often want from Long Island wedding venues, but it also has texture, depth, and intimate corners that make the gallery feel varied and personal. That is a big part of what made this wedding so memorable to photograph. The space supported their vintage vision beautifully, but it never overshadowed them. It simply gave their story a setting that felt true to who they are.
If you want to see more of Tonimarie and Cody’s story, I also photographed their engagement session at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
For couples searching for the Mansion at Oyster Bay wedding photos, or looking for a wedding photographer New York couples can trust to document the day in a natural and thoughtful way, with a good mix of candid and editorial wedding photos, this celebration is such a good example of how meaningful a wedding can feel when every choice reflects the couple honestly.
Vendor team:
- Photographer: Alina Delfino Photography
- Venue: The Mansion at Oyster Bay
- Wedding Planner: Wanderlust Events LI
- Makeup Artist: Makeup by Marisa
- Hair Stylist: Updos by Lisa
- Dress Designer: Martina Liana
- Dress Boutique: North Fork Bridal
- Suit Designer: Macy’s
- Stationery: Julia Murphy Design Co
- Officiant: The Officiants at Church of Ancient Ways
- Florist: Flowers by Brian
- Cake Maker: Batter Up Bakery
- DJ and Live Music: Absolute Entertainment
If you’re planning a wedding at The Mansion at Oyster Bay and want photos that feel elegant, natural, and true to your day, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning. Reach out today to start planning your perfect wedding!
2 Comments
Awesome post
Love it!