Jillian and Jamie had a sunset ceremony on the lawn.  The bride’s little brothers were the most adorable ring bearers, carrying a

Photo by Steph

moss-covered bird nest pillow.  The bridesmaids wore pewter dresses and carried gorgeous bouquets of peach and orange dahlias and roses, except for the Maid of Honor who wore a beautiful midnight blue.  Mums and lanterns lined the aisle for Jillian’s walk on her father’s arm, and she looked absolutely radiant in her gown and lace bolero.

One of the most moving parts of the ceremony was when they exchanged secret notes they’d written to each other, without sharing them aloud.  Guests tossed lavender on the newlyweds at the conclusion of the ceremony, sending a delicious fragrance across the lawn.

The Details

Just stepping into the West Gallery took my breath away, it was so lovely.  Even our florist friend, Heather, who sees numerous weddings each year, said, “I am so in love with this wedding!”

Photo by Steph

The tables were laid with hunter green linens and topped with bud vases of peach and orange roses and dahlias.  Jillian’s mother made the beautiful manzanita centerpieces, branches strung with small lanterns tucked into moss covered stands.  The father of the bride made a display for the mini-cupcakes.

As a surprise, Jillian presented Jamie with a groom’s cake, a miniature version of the C130 plane that brought him home safely from Iraq.  The detail was so astounding that no one wanted to cut it!

The Letters

Jillian wrote a letter for Jamie to be read just before their first dance together.  In the middle of reading it, she bounced over to have me add, “You look super hot in a uniform” to her list of adjectives describing him.  Her letter ended: “Most of all, with you, I am home.”  Then they shared their first dance together as husband and wife to “Home” by Michael Buble.

The Music

“Wanted: Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi and “Copperhead Road” were dedicated to the groom.  We squeezed in “Crazy Game of Poker” by O.A.R. for the Penn State crowd and a bit of country for the southern guests.  Jillian’s little brother even break danced to Taylor Swift!

Photo by StephSwift!

With outstanding attention to detail, a fabulous sense of style and lively sense of humor, you guys are amazing.  Thanks so much for inviting us to be a part of your day!

Locust Grove

Officiant and Coordinator – Jeanne Stark of Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Photos by Andres Valenzula Photography

Flowers by A Night in Bloom

Mini-Cupcakes & Groom’s Cake by Corsino Cakes

Photo by Jeff

didn’t surprise me; this couple has the energy and enthusiasm of an all-out fun in the sun summertime celebration!

When we arrived to set up for the ceremony on the deck of the Eagle’s Nest, enjoying its unbelievable panoramic view of the mountains, Joe was a ball of energy and excitement.  “Let’s go!” he barked at the groomsmen, clapping his hands together with a smile.

Jeanne Stark of Hudson Valley Ceremonies presided over their short, sentimental ceremony beneath an arbor draped in lilacs and lavendar roses.  The couple held hands and Megan tried not to cry, as Joe gently stroked her hand and brushed the hair from her face.

As they were pronounced husband and wife, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz began to play; Joe dipped Megan into a deep and passionate kiss.  “They practiced very hard for that at the rehearsal dinner last night,” Jeanne quipped.

THE DETAILS: The bridesmaids wore lilac dresses.  Lavender roses, lilies and lilac graced the tables.  The wedding cake was decorated in cascading sugar violets.

That energetic start did not wane throughout the night, despite the allure of a beautiful evening and a tempting Viennese dessert buffet.  At one point, Joe and Megan were lifted onto the shoulders of their guests as everyone sang, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”  And I will never forget watching Joe serenade his new bride accompanied by the backup singing of his Righteous Brothers.

One of the most sentimental moments of the night was when the groomsman, Jamie, played guitar and sang, “When You Say Nothing At All,” as a gift for the newlyweds.

You don’t have that kind of fun, loving celebration by accident.  Megan and Joe, thank you for welcoming us to your wedding day and into your hearts.  You rock!

The Eagle’s Nest

Officiant Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Photos by Nodo Photography

Flowers by Flowers On the Porch

The thought and detail Jaclyn and Justin put into their wedding day from beginning to end was simply astounding. Romantic, heart felt and totally them.

Jaclyn and Justin sent us “tickets” to their ceremony at the theater and we arrived at Cunneen Hackett with tickets in hand. A movie poster of the couple advertised their wedding out front as “One Show Only.”

We walked into the intimate theater, taking in the mauve walls, stained glass windows and cast iron seats, and were handed the Playbill for “Right Next To You,” named for Jaclyn and Justin’s wedding song. Elaborate cast listings and bios were inside, along with ads for each of the couple’s wedding vendors at the back: Lola’s Catering, Locust Grove, Steven Gorgos Photography, Hudson Valley Ceremonies and of course, The DJ Solution. (I was floored by this detail!)

But it was the ceremony itself that really took my breath away. A string quartet and keyboardist performed exquisite covers of contemporary and show tunes, transitioning into “Moon River” with the entrance of the bridesmaids dressed in Valentine’s Day red.

A hush fell over the room as Jaclyn appeared. The quartet began to play, “This Year’s Love” by David Gray. Jaclyn entered on the arms of both her parents to join the rest of the bridal party on the stage, with a beauty and grace recalling Audrey Hepburn.

We broke after the ceremony and met up at Locust Grove for the reception.

THE DETAILS: Candles and cream rose petals on chocolate linen covered tables named for spots at Binghamton University where the couple met. Cupcakes and roses on a tiered display. Valentine’s day heart for guests to sign and hang on the wrought iron tree decorated with red ornaments.

Lola’s Catering was exceptional, as usual, featuring unique hors d’ouevres such as milkshake shots and mini angus burgers.

Jaclyn and Justin, both huge music lovers, integrated some of their favorite artists into the soundtrack of their day: David Gray, Dave Matthews, Damien Rice. Jaclyn even called up the members of her college a capella group for a medley of 80’s songs they used to sing.

It was a day full of romance, reliving old memories and making new ones. It was the best Valentine’s Day ever. Thanks for sharing it with us, guys!

Locust Grove

Cunneen Hackett Theater

Officiant – Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Photography – Steven Gorgos *Photos in this blog courtesy of Steven Gorgos.

Catering – Lola’s Catering

Ceremony Music – Art Strings Ensembles

Flowers – Flowers On the Porch

It was rainy, foggy and muddy on the day of Erika and Nick’s wedding…yet Cat Rock was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Osborn Castle sits on Cat Rock with a spectacular view all the way across the Hudson River to West Point on a clear day.  The stone castle is so lovely!  Jeff absolutely fell in love with the dark paneled library inlaid with railroad ties.

Osborn Castle was built and maintained by seven generations of environmentalists, and it was easy to see the thoughtful, environmentally friendly practices they’d put into preparing it for weddings and events.  The tent floor was strewn with sea shells to preserve the soil beneath.  Osborn Castle is the perfect spot for a green Hudson Valley wedding.

This was the elegant setting for Nick and Erika’s wedding.  Their ceremony was held inside the living room under a lovely chuppah draped in lace.  Lush bouquets of pink roses seemed to be everywhere.  Jeff performed, “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” on guitar as the bride walked down the aisle.

Erika and Nick wrote vows for each other.  Nick began, “Erika, my love–” and she interrupted him with a casual nod, “Hey.”  Everyone giggled.

(I love moments like that, when the nervousness dissolves into love and laughter.)

It was a pleasure to enjoy such beautiful surroundings.  Even the rain didn’t dampen the newlyweds’ spirits; I caught the two of them posing for the photographer under lime green umbrellas.

Erika’s father made the monogrammed cupcake display and decor at each place setting.

He also picked out a song for his dance with Erika, “Daddy’s Angel” by T Carter.  This one was new to me, and a great choice for a father daughter dance song.

We made a new friend in Brooklyn photographer Agaton Strom, a calm, creative presence who quietly captured the memories for Nick and Erika throughout the night, and were reacquainted with Eddie from Aroma Osteria who did the catering.  Man, can that guy cook!

Osborn Castle at Cat Rock

Catering by Aroma Osteria

Photos by Agaton Strom

Wedding Coordination by Jeanne Stark of Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Cole Hill Farm Estate.  All I can say is…WOW.

Just outside of Kingston, down a winding road cutting through numerous farms and stone houses, there it is.  A lovely historic farmhouse on a grassy hill overlooking a pond fed by a creek.  This place was just right for Rachel and Julius.

The ceremony was held under the shade of the trees beside the pond, an arch decorated in blue and purple hydrangeas.  Birds and bull frogs joined Rachel’s young cousin on keyboards to serenade the guests as we waited for the bride to come down the hill on the arms of her parents.  Tufts of cotton floated down like snow, nestling in our hair and clothes.

Rachel and Julius’ ceremony was magic.  They invited each of their parents to share their words of wisdom and advice.  Gazing into the eyes of their children, each parent spoke heart-felt words of love.  Then Julius and Rachel read the words they had written for each other.

Julius told of his formerly cynical attitude regarding love: he had believed love was a “long and arduous task,” and that when he met his predetermined “mate” he would passively fall in love because he was destined to do so by biology and psychology.  Then, he met Rachel, and everything changed.  He came to understand that he chooses who he loves, and no one gave that to him, and no one can take it away.

Rachel spoke of their shared love of cooking as a metaphor for their relationship.  She prefers the measured, planned regime of baking, while Julius improvises and experiments on dishes that are never the same twice.  Rachel thanked him for teaching her to value that creativity, recalling adventures like bringing a Christmas tree on a city bus and attempting to make aged balsamic vinegar in barrels.

The bridal party matched the natural surroundings, the girls in moss green dresses and the guys in tan suits.  Don’t tell, but…it was all Jeff could do to resist the Wisconsin micro-brews the couple had transported for the occasion, in honor of their Wisconsin college days.

I can’t wait until I have photos to share this wedding with you!  Fortunately, our friend Hillary Harvey has volunteered to donate a few of her images for the blog.  Cole Hill Farm is soon to be a hot Hudson Valley wedding location, if the success of this wedding is any indication.  The couple had the place to themselves for the entire weekend!

Rachel and Julius shared their first dance to an instrumental tune written and performed by Julius’ former violin teacher, Liz Carroll.

The entire wedding was full of love, personality and just a joy to be a part of…especially given the cast of wedding support staff we know and love.  Kudos!

Cole Hill Farm Estate

Catering by Bridge Creek Catering

Coordination by Jeanne Stark of Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Photos by Hillary Harvey

Ceremony performed by the Reverend Puja Thompson

Flowers by Sara Gast