So if anyone knows me, knows that I am on time if not early so I like to get myself presentable and head on out to the venue as soon as possible. Little did I know, that I needed to run an ERRAND this particular day! I get a phone call asking for a favor, apparently… the couple was already at the venue, but the groom forgot his dress shirt in the apartment in Albany. Good thing I was ready to go! So I decided to drop by Downtown Albany and pick up the dress shirt, no fuss, no muss, Thank goodness for good roommates and landlords!

Haley and Henry have known each other for a very long time, grew up in the same neighborhood and separated by collegiate endeavors but even distances apart couldn’t separate these two for long before they decided to be with each other again. When I think about these two, I think about two people who have been married for YEARS. The subtle inside jokes, the quirky smirks and side eyes, the reminiscing of when they were kids, the ideas of the future together, these are just a few of the things that make up Long Term Love.

A hot summer Wedding was exactly what we needed on this day as the sun beamed on everyone’s excited faces. John in his usual goofy self was so excited to be marrying Sarah today but you could see the little bit of nervousness peek through when he wasn’t focusing on not being nervous. to ease up the getting ready tensions, his side of the party got to play some lawn games and hang out on the property while Sarah also prepared for the day. Did you know she is a jewelry maker? What better way to commemorate the day than by making your own jewelry on your own day. She was BEAMING with beauty, and she was definitely a little nervous about the details of the day and hoping that it just goes well. More importantly, she was excited to see John.

What a day this day was for Kate and Erik’s Wedding! There was an upcoming rain storm that was going to hit at sometime close to ceremony and there was so much left to do and things to plan for! When I arrived at the prep area for Lord Howe Valley, the ladies were almost done finishing up and the boys were quickly on their way, so we took this opportunity to take a couple of photos of the dress in one of the empty prep areas before they came. Everyone was in great spirits, ready to party and ready to celebrate and Kate looked absolutely GORGEOUS with her hair and make up done. First Look was going to be an amazing time!

This was definitely a day of new experiences, new adventures, lots of anticipation, and lots of family (chosen and related)! Kristin and Tj are two sides of the same coin - they both love a good ski adventure up a mountain and they love to party with their friends. The only thing that would make it better would be to have their wedding on top of a mountain, OF WHICH THEY DID. Kristin was a little anxious and ready to see TJ in his full attire and TJ was nervous as all heck - lets just add that they’ll go up to the top to do their first look and some photos and the wait time in between everything. THE ANTICIPATION WAS KILLING ME.

The day starts with A TON of laughing, perfect - that means we’re in for a PARTY. I get to Katie’s room and one of the bridesmaids is DEFINITELY keeping the party vibes on high (You the true MVP). There was no shortage of laughing, champagne, beautiful details and loving family in this room. Before her mom gets to put on her dress we take a couple of photos of Katie and her Bridesmaids on the balcony and a small champagne toast. When Katie is all buttoned up in her dress, we did a quick first look with Dad and then I moved into Ryan’s room to capture some details as he gets ready. His sister helps him put on his jacket and a family friend/florist help pin the flower and we quickly whisk ourselves away to get ready for the First Look before it starts to have the IDEA of rain.

On this day, in the zenith (SAT Word right there) of the Autumnal season where there are plenty of beautiful colors to be had, Asia and Tammy get MARRIED. Like every couple, they’ve been waiting to have this day together for a while now, and its quite obvious (you will see in a minute) that when someone says “If you cry, I will cry” that its true for this silly, laugh it off type couple. When Tammy cried at the ceremony, Asia cried, and then I CRIED (even if you won’t have proof)

This day was always going to be beautiful and things couldn’t have gone any better on this wedding day! The weather was perfectly blue with a couple smattering of clouds just to keep everyone a little cooler on a hot August day. They both wanted to do a first look (My favorite!) and they were going to do it as a back to back but the one challenge, They both wanted to get ready in the upstairs room with the family that was more important to them.

On THIS day in July, It was a hot day - Ironically enough we were all worried there would be rain so we were first coming up with a rain plan - then as the days got closer, it was definitely NOT going to rain. Instead, Mother Nature said “Let there be sun” and TONS of it. It was a hot and humid day, thank goodness for AC at the Marriott Troy and Takk House because we took advantage of all the cool interiors as much as possible.

Sam and Jeremy are such Sweet people, low key, chill and always thinking about their loved ones - Even on their own wedding day! They honestly just wanted to celebrate their day in the least resistance and more relaxed way possible, and FOR SURE it was a success. They would do anything for each other and have been with each other through some good times and some hard times and whatever waves may come crashing on their shores, they are ready to weather it together (CUE The cheesy alert). But Seriously though, Portland Maine where they live, at a BREWERY with Family, LOWKEY drinks and dancing all night, and an after party at a pub. If this doesn’t say Sam and Jeremy, I don’t know what does!

This Winter Wedding was supposed to be the type of wedding that people would talk about - AND BOY was this a freaking crazy story! The night before, I come into town to stay the night at the hotel so that things would be smooth sailing on the day of - Fast forward to me driving down the interstate hours before a major snow storm trying to safely make it to the venue. Thankfully, I made it with close to half an hour before i start to see flurries out the windows….

Jin is a quiet but fierce and loving individual, complimenting Dennis’ Quiet, Caring and humble demeanor. You could tell that all they wanted to do was be with each other and laugh with each other. No First look with a ceremony at the church, there was no other way that they would’ve wanted this day to go. With the amazing details and arrangements in the spaces, it was the perfect day for these two. Their party was equally fun and ready to get down to the fun! Always a good time with Nick Maddalone entertaining the dance floor!

Okay first off, this is QUITE the story and I pretty much tell this story all the time now and Secondly, if I havn’t already said this, my couples are THE BEST and are worth adventuring for EVERY time. This day was a wedding day of course and what they say is, Rain brings good luck - do you know why? SIDEBAR

Rain brings good luck because a wet knot is harder to untie, when you pull on a wet knot it only gets tighter. For you scientists and physicists, because a wet knot has a more condensed volume allowing the fibers to be closer and tighter etc. etc.

So its an on and off rain type of day and these two were supposed to have their wedding on top of the Hudson 360, but because of how saturated the grounds were, it just wasn’t going to happen, dreams crushed right? Aaaaaabbbbbbbsolutely not! Alexis was determined to get up that hill because it was one of her dreams. Luckily, I packed some trash bags in my bag and some plastic bags because being prepared is my name. She also had socks and boots. THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

We get to Stable gate for first look, and yes its romantic, one of my fav moments, you’ve heard it all before BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

Brian, being the steller guy he is, is ALL IN FOR THIS PLAN. Helps Brooke with putting Socks and Boots on Alexis, pokes holes in a trashbag and has her hop into it to protect her dress from dragging, puts on double bags on each foot to protect his shoes from getting wet, and OFF we trot with Sarah Connor, Coordinator Extraordinaire leading the way to avoid horse “landmines” and UP THE HILL WE GO. The entire time - Alexis is excited, frustrated with the rain yes, but just exstatic that we got to get up on the hill. I mean, talk about magic. Lesson learned from this day?

1. Marry someone who will have these adventures with you

2. Mother nature best beware of Alexis

3. If there is a will, there is a way.

Now, Meg and Bill are one of the chillest couple’s i know, and what’s important to chill couples? Chill friends and a bumping party, which of course, Caroline of Upbeat Occasions ALWAYS brings when she’s Dj-ing. They were definitely a little nervous, but more so excited to see each other for first look, they just wanted to be together and party together and having this moment with just the two of them was perfect. We were able to enjoy time documenting these two causing shenanigans with each other and making each other laugh, but most importantly, avoiding messing up that beautiful hair done up by Ashley. Only way this day was going to get better, was if reception was a load of fun, and boy was it ever.

Colleen and Bill (And Bear!) are a super fun and FUN LOVING couple who are up for adventures. The city of Albany hold a very special place in their hearts, so we explored the city where they met, and where they lived and worked within. This day was NOT SHORT of TONS of laughing, tons of really silly and RIDICULOUS things happening, and definitely creations of some more moodier photos with some quiet moments.

Ryan and Matt were friends first, and over time they became more than friends. A long story of being together and having fun to being apart and hating every minute, to returning to each other and well, as they say - the rest is history. They were both nervous, in their own little ways, Ryan the soft, quiet and methodical was excited, only slightly nervous and doing everything that he was doing as planned for the day. Matt, the whirlwind, ready to have some fun and just couldn’t stop laughing and giggling until the very moment we had to take him to the first look. The moment of the first look was indescriable.

Sure, I’m a little bias because I’m also in a relationship that slightly mirrors this, but in that moment when they saw each other for the first time that day, it was as if all the ice had melted, the world had faded away, and warm comfort emitted from their beings. THEN THE REAL FUN BEGAN when the party came into play, and BOY were they ready to PARTY.

If you’ve been to a wedding show you KNOW that you can easily be overwhelmed with information from every vendor trying to gain your favor. If you haven’t been to one, GET READY to be overwhelmed by the free swag, friendly faces, and hard choices from all the amazing vendors.

From a photographer’s perspective, I’m going to give you some key questions to think about or ask when you’re going around a Wedding show choosing a photographer.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this blog will be advice from the context of a Wedding Show specifically hosted in a Venue that people typically book, so most vendors will be properly branded to the type of couples who would want to book this venue

Their wedding though was full of warm heart felt moments that just couldn’t be expressed with words. I can tell you this though, there were lots of laughs, smiles and dancing that were had. Hearing Rachel laugh and Sean softly smirk at her because of it, MADE MY DAY.

Denise and Lane’s speed is out in the woods, quiet mornings and adventures abound with great friends and surrounded by love - This day was just the right speed in a beautiful location. The Roxbury Barn and Estates is THE place for them, surrounded by tall pines in the grove, Unique Carriage Barn space for Drinks and dance and a pretty sunny day. There was even a Bonfire at the end - even among heavy rain in the evening, there was Plenty of those enjoying the huge Bonfire that kept people warm. It was QUITE the adventurous day for these two quiet and soft spoken and kind people.