Norah and Nick had to change their plans a MILLION times, and this was not unusual for couples in 2020 during the entire year. They were struggling to figure out what to do, from Glen Sanders to Renaissance Hotel to now to On-site Vendors on a Property that they finally were able to purchase and call their own. The day started with both of them in separate locations, Norah at her Mom’s home in Averill Park, and Nick on the property of where their wedding ceremony and reception would be held. Norah was BEAUTIFULLY beaming, she was excited, but also a little nervous. She was hoping the day would go smoothly, and that everything would work out. Let me tell you that when she told me her plan and everything was thought about, I had NO DOUBTS that things would be fine, I didn’t even give any suggestions because her plan was fool proof. I obviously didn’t say that last part outloud because I didn’t want to be the one to jinx it, but really though, it was unjinxable.

Asheville North Carolina is such a beautiful place, and Hidden River is one of those beautiful venues in this beautiful place. Tanya and Kyle’s morning started low key, and I was able to stay the night before to get myself acquainted with the land and I just couldn’t help but adore the landscape as the sun rose. Since Kyle’s Family comes from the west coast, they got to do a fun family road trip across the country just for the best wedding ever! Even though I got to see Tanya super early in the morning, I was starting with Kyle in the morning with him getting Ready before going to Tanya for her Shenanigans. Kyle and his family were so cute, were super organized for family photos and they just loved being together. Weddings are the best for Family Reunions!

Karissa is this super chill, down to party, excellent planner and visionary who is extraordinarily smart and compassionate - did I mention she was a teacher? I love all my teachers! They are always the most organized and prepared ;-) John is this kind, soft spoken, means what he says, dutiful and super considerate man who would do ANYTHING for Karissa. He’s such a nice guy, he’s the type of guy who wants the best for everyone, especially for Karissa on her day. Part of his considerateness is that he got White Claws and had it delivered to her room in an ice bucket to keep cool, like... come on how much nicer than to be thinking of making sure you’re soon to be spouse to properly hydrated AM I RIGHT?!

This week’s blog has been about couples who save each other, and when we talk about couples who save each other, I think of these two love birds who long ago decided to save each other. These two quirky, smart, compassionate and AMAZING people are gaming nerds that are always going to be saving each other in and out of the digital space. There’s a calmness to Alex and an excited Bubblyness’ to Alyssa that when you put these two together in a room, they radiate like magnetic waves in the upper atmosphere. You can tell they are always constantly thinking about the other’s well being, happiness and quirks while also giving each other the space and agency to grow and make their own decisions.

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!

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.

This day has been a long time coming! These two came to be excitedly to me after two other couples had enthusiastically referred me. Both those couples? Amazing, So it was a no brainier - I was meant to have the honor of Documenting their amazing day. Briana is an intelligent, resourceful and brilliant woman who has a plan and a back up plan, and can come up with a new plan if needed. Tom is strong willed and methodical who loves deeply and intentionally. These two throughout the day just wanted to see each other, be with each other, and party with each other. There were so many different details that captured who these people are.

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.

Peter and Jason both work in the medical world, helping others and working towards a healthier better world. In a world where two hyper compassionate people meet, it becomes a world full of love from everywhere, friends, family and each other. At this point i’ve said that the day was a perfect day for all my weddings, SO WHY SHOULD THIS ONE BE DIFFERENT?! It was a bright sunny day, easily filled with loving guests who were READY TO PARTY. It just can’t be helpped, people had already started partying before I even got there! We made some beautiful photos, and fun and happiness was had by all!

Katie and Pierre have been waiting for this day for ever - These two were so excited this day they were juuuust a little bit nervous. They just wanted the day to go perfectly and being focused on the moments they get to share with their family and their friends was exactly the things they were looking forward to. The day started a little slow, but as soon as they got to see each other, things just ramped up so quickly! BTW Shenanigans Galore.

Ali and Josh are the type of people who love a good adventure, and isn’t afraid of change and going with the flow when they need to. Set up for the best possible outcome but have alternate plans for the worst outcomes. There was a chance that their ceremony was going to have rain as the forecast was predicting, but as we started to check the hour to hour time, we were relieved to have just a small chance where the rain would stop by the time First Look was happening at Thomas Memorial Bull Park, a gorgeous little place out in Montgomery NY.

The day started and it had already rained in the early morning, but it was mostly drizzling by the time I had to be at Ali’s Parent’s home for some details and getting ready photos. Everyone was definitely ready to party and have some fun and in good spirits, especially Ali and her Mom. We put the finishing touches on Ali’s Makeup and Hair, and adjustments to her dress – and when we say we I mean her mom and her bridesmaids – then we were ready to go meet Josh at the park.

We got to the park and I met up with Josh who was extra excited – classic Josh. Bright eyed and bushy tailed and with the biggest smile and ready to do the first look with his love. It had JUST slowed down from drizzle to barley anything – so we set Josh up in place, and gave Ali an Umbrella, and then… well History!