Vow Renewal At The Skylark // Manhattan · Wedding Photographer Jenny Fu

Ron and Mark’s 20th Anniversary

June is Pride Month, and at Jenny Fu Studio, we thought there was no better way to celebrate than to feature same-sex weddings we’ve shot in the past! To kick things off, we have to start with Ron and Mark. The two have been together for over 20 years, so the couple had a lot to celebrate.

Wedding invitation for same sex wedding on table with bow ties boutonnieres and cuff links

White and blue suit jackets hung up in a row before wedding

“As a gay couple, we were not able to legally marry until 2011. The day it became legal in New York City (shortly after we moved here,) we were at the courthouse, making it happen. Because of that, we didn’t have time to plan and invite family and friends to be with us.”

Life in New York and excelling at their careers was busy for Ron and Mark, and they did not get the chance to celebrate with a wedding reception. As Ron’s 50th birthday approached in 2019, the duo realized it would also be their 20th anniversary of being together. (2019 also marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. If you aren’t familiar, we highly recommend taking a look at what happened here in NYC in ’69!)

Man fixing partners shirt collar before same sex wedding

Same sex male couple in white suits on wedding day with Empire State Building in background

Man smiling wearing white suit with black bow tie and wedding band on his finger

Same sex male couple looking into each others eyes wearing white suits for their wedding

A Night to Remember

Ron and Mark invited their families to New York for Ron’s 50th/the wedding reception they never had. They then decided to surprise their guests with a secret vow renewal! The couple was able to include family, old and new friends, and even some who traveled long distances. Ron’s friend from high school visited from the Philippines. Others even came from Sweden. This was the first opportunity in many years they were able to have both of their families under the same roof. This of course, made the event much more special.

Once the couple realized they wanted to keep their guest count under 100, they started to look for the perfect space. The two wanted to find a venue that would feel like a quintessential “New York experience” for their out of towners. When Ron and Mark saw the Skylark – intimate and modern but full of energy with an incredible view – they knew it was perfect.

Close up view of mans hands with white suit jacket sleeves and wedding band

Same sex male couple sitting together smiling wearing white suits with black bow ties for their wedding

Same sex male couple smiling at each other wearing suits on wedding day

View of the Empire State Building across the city from the Skylark rooftop bar

The celebration started on Friday evening with a big dinner in Chinatown for 40 guests. As Saturday came along, Mark and Ron had a private “posed” photoshoot in several different rooms; including the pool room and patio at the Skylark.

Close up of 5 tier white wedding cake with white flowers

View of dining room with tall white floral centerpieces at Skylark New York Wedding

Guests smile as they watch same sex wedding ceremony at the Skylark

Guests clapping as groom is walked down the aisle by woman on wedding day at the Skylark

Same sex male couple kiss after saying I do in white suits at rooftop wedding

“It dawned on us that this was truly ‘our night.’ The night we had been planning and waiting to share with our families and friends. Jenny caught a picture with just Mark and me, and it brought us back to 20 years ago when we started dating. The love that bonded us all together in that room was palpable. It’s still evident from all of the photos. We have never seen anything like that. It was truly a testament of our loving and supportive families, and a celebration of love, joy, and happiness.”