Brett met the rabbi beneath the wooden chuppah topped with turquoise and green cloth that he had made, enjoying the view of the Hudson River in the distance, eagerly awaiting his bride. Boughs of white dogwood graced either side.

Jen finally arrived on her brother’s arm, gorgeous in her strapless mermaid gown, a flower and veil in her hair and an excited smile.

CEREMONY MUSIC: Guests absolutely raved about the ceremony music the couple selected: pop tunes from The Cure, Fall Out Boy and Taking Back Sunday covered by the Vitamin Strings.

THE DETAILS : The Grandview ballroom, while always beautiful, looked amazing at Jen and Brett’s black and white wedding.  White chair covers tied with black sashes to match the elegant bridesmaid dresses, low arrangements of cream and pale green orchids and tulips on each table.  Rhinestones decorated each tier of the wedding cake topped with an adorable pair of birds in a nest.

The Maid of Honor revealed the moment she knew Jen and Brett were meant for each other: when they surprised their college friends by attending a Halloween party dressed as Spartan cheerleaders from SNL…complete with a routine they performed for everyone.  Now that’s love!

Despite the alluring view and unseasonably warm weather, the guests were all over the dance floor.  I loved slipping in the couple’s favorite Michael Buble tunes, along with Kings of Leon and Modest Mouse.

Spring love, black and white elegance and a hint of emo punk flare; a wedding personalized is a wedding to be loved.  Thanks for having us, guys!

Grandview

Photos by Lori O’Toole

It was a pleasure to celebrate with such a tight knit group of co-workers, spouses and friends.  When we learned that Meatloaf’s “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” was their signature song, we knew these guys liked to PARTY.

But it wasn’t all just about the amazing door prizes being raffled off or shaking it on the dance floor.  Incoming President Greg Burns expressed his gratitude at climbing aboard the “Kirchhoff Express” and reminded us all to be grateful for what we have, especially in these times when so many people are suffering.

They danced to Lady Gaga and Mustang Sally, Journey and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  They enjoyed the Grandview’s decadent Italian Dessert Table.  There was no stopping them.

The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on what’s important.  And then, of course, it’s time to celebrate!  That’s where Jeff and me and entertainers all over the world come in.

I’m taking an example from the Kirchhoff Consigli team: work hard, play hard and give thanks.

Happy Holidays!

Grandview

Written by Stephanie Padovani

Photo by Steph

wedding. Rose petals lined the aisle, flanked by chairs decorated with yellow and orange gerber daisies, leading up to the centerpiece: a gorgeous arch softened with cranberry fabric and lush autumn flowers.

Tiffany walked down the aisle on her father’s arm, radiant with her hair in an elegant up-do, to “Over the Rainbow” performed by Israel Kamakawo’ole.

DETAILS: A splash of autumn color with orange and yellow gerber daisies and red roses in low vases at each table. The girls wore deep red bridesmaid dresses.

Photo by Steph

The flower girl, Amber, worked the dance floor all night long. This girl had spunk! Margaret told me that when she walked into the ballroom for the rehearsal in her matching fur vest and boots, her tiny heels clicked as she stepped onto the impressive dance floor.  “Is that it?” she asked.

Guests were treated to the Grandview’s French dessert table, heaps of pastries, cookies, cake and a gourmet coffee bar. Yum!

Photo by Jeff

My favorite moment was watching Bobby and Tiffany steal a dance to “Baby’s Got Sauce” by G Love, locked in their embrace with eyes for no one but each other. These two are destined for a life of love and laughter.

Thanks for having us, guys!

Grandview

Photos by Blue Sky Photography

Flowers by David Anthony

Written by Stephanie Padovani

Photo by Steph

family.  In fact, her brother and sister both have adorable babies who were in attendance!

Of course, the Grandview always rocks.  But Erin, Jimmy and their crew took it to a whole new level.

Erin and Jimmy started their night with a high-energy introduction to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, in homage to the Yankees and because, “He’s he closer and she is his…”

Then the blues loving couple danced to “That’s How Strong My Love Is” performed by Taj Mahal.

THE DETAILS:  The girls wore taupe dresses and carried bouquets of red and fuschia roses.

Leave it to this family to weave in their sense of humor throughout the night.  Since Erin’s new mother-in-law had given her an “ugly fish” vase as a gag gift earlier, she regifted it back…as the surprise “ugly fish” centerpiece on their table.

And Erin’s mother (we love you, Jeanne!) challenged their new in-laws to a polka stand off…The story goes that both Jeanne and Jimmy’s dad played accordion years ago and joked that they would play “dueling accordions” at the wedding.  Since there were no accordions in attendance (thankfully) we broke out the Jimmy Sturr instead.

Erin was so lively, beautiful and happy, greeting guests on and off the dance floor, that it was an absolute delight.  We played a version of “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby” that Erin sings to Jimmy, made famous by this classic episode of Tom and Jerry, and watched her pull him onto the dance floor…

If we could custom order an entire family to celebrate with us each wedding weekend, it would be this one.  And I am so psyched that our friend Jimi Ferrara was there to capture their fun and personality like only he can.

Thanks for having us, Erin and Jimmy!

Grandview

Photos by Jimi Ferrara

Jeff and I had the pleasure of listening in to Father Rich’s ceremony in the ballroom as he blended Christian and Jewish traditions into a moving service.

The newlyweds shared a first dance to “I Do (Cherish You)” by Mark Wills.  Jason gently led his new wife across the dance floor while Andrea kept her eyes fixed on his, completely attentive to his lead.

THE DETAILS:  The tables were strewn with autumn leaves and decorated with giant martini goblets filled with red stones and floating candles.  The girls wore wine colored dresses and carried bouquets of yellow gold and burgundy roses.

The speeches revealed Jason and Andrea’s love story, how they met in elementary school and Jason’s school boy crush developed into full blown love.  They’d been together so long that Andrea’s father said their names went together like, “peanut butter and jelly.”  Their marriage was natural.

The finale of the night came with a photo montage of pictures of Andrea and Jason through the years, as children all the way up to that very wedding day.  Guests sprawled across the dance floor to watch and smile over the  amazing images captured by Jeff and Lisa of Forever Moments Photography.

Andrea and Jason’s wedding day ended with a send-off to “Two Tickets To Paradise,” a fitting farewell as they departed for their Cancun honeymoon.  Congratulations, guys!

Grandview

Photos by Forever Moments Photography

Video by Best Of Times Video

Flowers by Mahopac Florist

The couple was introduced to “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles; then Jeff slowly faded into their first dance song, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol.

The transcendant light cascaded into the ballroom as the couple danced in silhouette, heads close, leaning into each other.  Eric placed a tender kiss on his new wife’s forehead.

THE DETAILS:  The couple chose a subtle chess theme (befitting Eric’s career as a toy designer and Melissa’s background as an illustrator) a chess board and game pieces in a glass decorating the tables beside stargazer lilies.  The bridesmaids wore pomegranate dresses, the Matron of Honor in pale brown mauve.  The girls carried long-stemmed calla lily bouquets and Melissa’s flowers were varigated plum calla lilies matching those on the top of the beautiful wedding cake.

Melissa and Eric were gracious and sweet, with their guests and with each other, throughout their night.  Whether on the dance floor or off, they graced the room with serene elegance.

The Grandview outdid themselves with a decadent, five station buffet experience from which guests sampled Italian, Asian, Southwestern and American cuisines.  Guests were treated to the Grandview’s French Dessert Table, a dessert buffet actually spilling over onto three tables filled with cookies, pastries and gourmet coffees.

We danced through the end of the evening, including a song dedicated to Melissa from her friends, “I’ve Had the Time Of My Life.”

What a pleasure to wish this sweet couple a wonderful marriage…and an amazing Mediterranean honeymoon!

Grandview

Photos by Vivian Photography

The newlyweds chose a beautiful song for their First Dance, “We Are Man and Wife” by Michelle Featherstone.  It’s an absolutely beautiful song with just the perfect amount of sentiment for a first dance as husband and wife.  Take a listen…

If their First Dance wasn’t enough of a tear-jerker, Patricia danced with her father to “Daddy” by Kendall Payne, a sweet, loving tribute to a father.

DETAILS:  The tables were decorated with arrangements of purple and pale green flowers and cream roses.  The bridesmaids wore pale green dresses.  A huge collage of childhood photos of Patricia and Anthony was displayed behind their sweetheart table along with an impressive stack of gifts in cream wrapping, wedding favors for the guests.

The night was a lively mix of Italian-American classics and hip hop dance.  We delved deep into Dean Martin and Louis Prima…followed by Sean Paul and Lady Gaga.

But one of my favorite moments of the night was little two year old Matthew serenading the guests.  I help the microphone for him as he sang, “Volare” in perfect, adorable Italian.

Patricia and Anthony are off to their honeymoon…to Italy, of course!  Thanks for an amazing night.

Grandview

Photos by Jimi Ferrara

Amanda and Tim wrote love letters for each other.  Amanda told how she couldn’t recall exactly when she’d fallen in love with Tim…except that on their two week anniversary she felt the urge to sign a computer note with, “I love you.”  Tim revealed the romantic significance of the date 8/22, the date that had brought them together exactly seven years earlier.

Afterward, they shared a dance to the acoustic version of Alanis Morisette’s “Head Over Feet,” a well-practiced fox trot.

Amanda’s sisters, her matrons of honor, proposed a joint toast that had us all in stitches.  They described their younger sister Amanda: her first word was “Mumrah,” the villain on Thundercats; at two years old, little Amanda would straddle a broom and yell, “Go, broom, go!”  A sure sign, they explained, that Amanda shared close ties with their ancestors, the Salem witches.

The newlyweds had warned us early on that there would be multiple requests for Bob Marley’s “Jamming,” an essential for Amanda’s family.  They were right; if we hadn’t played that song, I don’t think we would have made it out alive!  But seriously, the whole family got up and sang along, “We’re jammin, we’re jammin…hope you like jammin, too.”

Amanda and Tim are off on their Mediterranean honeymoon.  Congrats, guys!

Grandview

Photos by Kristen Lindner

Amanda and Tim wrote love letters for each other.  Amanda told how she couldn’t recall exactly when she’d fallen in love with Tim…except that on their two week anniversary she felt the urge to sign a computer note with, “I love you.”  Tim revealed the romantic significance of the date 8/22, the date that had brought them together exactly seven years earlier.

Afterward, they shared a dance to the acoustic version of Alanis Morisette’s “Head Over Feet,” a well-practiced fox trot.

Amanda’s sisters, her matrons of honor, proposed a joint toast that had us all in stitches.  They described their younger sister Amanda: her first word was “Mumrah,” the villain on Thundercats; at two years old, little Amanda would straddle a broom and yell, “Go, broom, go!”  A sure sign, they explained, that Amanda shared close ties with their ancestors, the Salem witches.

The newlyweds had warned us early on that there would be multiple requests for Bob Marley’s “Jamming,” an essential for Amanda’s family.  They were right; if we hadn’t played that song, I don’t think we would have made it out alive!  But seriously, the whole family got up and sang along, “We’re jammin, we’re jammin…hope you like jammin, too.”

Amanda and Tim are off on their Mediterranean honeymoon.  Congrats, guys!

Grandview

Photos by Kristen Lindner

Their entire Grandview wedding was full of that sweetness.  It began with the couple’s Love Letters.  Usually when the couple takes my (strong) suggestion to write letters for each other to be read before their First Dance, I read the couple’s words for them.  But this time Steve requested to read his own.  And he just blew me away.

He pulled a folded paper from his jacket as “Angel” by Jack Johnson played softly in the background, looked at Diane, choked up for a moment, and kissed her on the cheek.  He swallowed and read his words:  “The phone call was made, the stage was set and what came next truly changed my life forever…I love you with what words cannot flaunt.”

Of course, it wasn’t all romance and elegance.  This couple was out to have FUN!  One of the highlights was watching the guests lift little Diane onto a chair as they formed a circle and sang “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”  She and Steve sang all the words…and did the hand gestures to match.

NOTES ON DETAIL:  Diane’s bridesmaids wore fuschia dresses in differing cuts and carried pink and fuschia roses.  The tables were decorated with centerpieces of pink blossoming branches, with years as table numbers and photos of the newlyweds growing up.  The cake’s simple, square tiers were decorated with pink twine and a few blossoms.

I am SO glad our friend Jen from Masterpiece Video was there to capture all the many, many moments of Steve and Diane’s day.  There were so many awesome memories!

Grandview

Photos by Catherine Leonard

Video by Masterpiece Video

Flowers by Rose’s Florist