Beth and Chris had met at Marist College eight years ago (much was made about how looooong it took them to get to marriage), so getting married at the Marist Chapel and celebrating at Locust Grove right down the road was the perfect choice.  On one of the hottest days of the year, guests kept cool inside and still managed to tear up the dance floor.

A very game bridal party executed various routines during their entrance, such as leap frogs and the Shopping Cart, as they were introduced to “Let’s Get It Started” by the Black Eyed Peas.  Then the newlyweds made their entrance to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys.  (“No Boston lyrics,” they warned.  “The New York fans will riot.”)  The bridal party jumped right in to surround them.

I loved this bridal party.  Maybe they’ll come on the road with us?

Beth and Chris picked a beautiful first dance song off the Garden State soundtrack, “Blue Eyes” by Cary Brothers.  They were adorable on the dance floor!

The Details

The bridesmaids wore pale green winter mint dresses and carried dark purple and white bouquets.  The wedding cake was butter cream decorated with white hydrangeas.  Each table had matching purple and white floral arrangements and non-sequential table numbers named after a significant numbers or digits: table 16 named for the number of days Beth is older than Chris, table Y5 named for the Chris’ Marist dorm room where he first said, “I love you.”

During the heart-felt toasts, I loved learning that Beth is a girl who “still jumps in puddles,” and about Chris’ history of video gaming and scheming up outrageous ways to make money. Even better was watching the newlyweds kiss on command at their sweetheart table!

Crazy Dancing

I thought these guys would never let us go home!  From song one, they wouldn’t leave the floor.  There was stomping and clapping to “Wild Rover” and frenetic dancing to “Shout,” not only in the main dancing area but in a fringe dance circle where Beth’s grandmother could join in.  And there was Lori O., in the middle of the throbbing dance floor, snapping images and ducking out of the way.

The Food

Holbert’s did an amazing job with the catering.  My chicken roulade was fabulous and the presentation was just as good as the food.  These imports from Orange County are welcome to visit our Poughkeepsie weddings any time!

This wedding was so much for us.  Thanks for the invitation, guys!

Locust Grove

Catering by Holbert’s Catering

Photos by Lori O’Toole Images Photos provided by Lori O’Toole Images

Video by Bob Gellar

Flowers by Osborne’s Florist

How cool is that, a lawyer who throws a party for his clients?!?!

This isn’t just any old party, either.  Guests are treated to shrimp cocktails, roasted garlic over polenta, beef filet, and an extremely well-stocked bar featuring gorgeously backlit bottles of Absolut.

The group is warm and fun, and in the cool ambiance of Locust Grove, it’s no surprise that the size of the party grows every year.

It’s good to be back at Locust Grove again and thinking about this season’s awesome weddings coming soon with the spring weather.  Can’t wait!

Locust Grove

Catering by Gino’s Pizza

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

First, let me just say that Joe knows how to treat his guests to gourmet fare with style. Catering was done by Gino’s Restaurant: jumbo shrimp cocktail, succulent prime rib, sautéed portabella mushrooms…Yum!

The tables were decorated with mardi gras beads and masks. Guests danced, enjoyed cocktails and mingled…while Jeff gazed longingly at the bottles of Grey Goose martini tantalizingly backlight in electric blue on the bar.

This party was even more special because one of our 2009 newlywed couples, Donnamarie and Ed, were there post-honeymoon, to waltz to their First Dance song and bust out a little swing dancing. And another set of our bride’s parents were in attendance. Big hugs, smiles and laughs made this feel like a family reunion.

That’s the way to celebrate Mardi Gras, folks!

Locust Grove

Gino’s Restaurant

The cocktail hour was held in the Reese Gallery, the centerpiece an autumnal bounty of gourmet cheese and crudites.  Jeff’s acoustic guitar performance resonated throughout as guests explored the rooms.

THE DETAILS: The West Gallery was transformed into a fall paradise: brown linens on the tables, orange, peach and yellow tulips in the floral arrangements and small jars of honey as favors, “Robin and Matthew, Meant To Bee.”  So cute!

CAKES!  As a pastry chef, Robin has a passion for cakes.  She and Matt had not one, not two, but three cakes: almond, apple and chestnut decorated with icing leaves; a white bananas foster cake adorned with roses; a Black Forest grooms cake covered with tiny bees and flowers.

Photo by Steph

Robin danced with her father, Doo Wop Dave, to a beautiful song that was new to us, “You’re Daddy’s Little Girl” by Roger and the Travelers.  It’s perfect if you have a doo wop loving father like Robin’s.

But most impressive of all were Robin and Matt.  Robin was the perfect bride, dancing and laughing all night, so sweet and lovely…even as she sang the words to “Big Pimpin’” by Jay-Z, her favorite artist!  And Matt was so handsome in his Marine uniform.  He kissed her gently throughout the night, their happiness filling the room.

At the end of the night Matt asked if we might sneak in some Linkin Park; he and his friends head-banged along to “Bleed It Out.”

In weddings, the only rule is that there is no rule…unless you make it.

Robin and Matt, you outdid yourselves!

Locust Grove

Catering by Main Course

Photos by Cheryl Bolton Reuter *Photos in this post by Cheryl–except for the lame one by me!

COOL DETAILS:  The flowers were pink and fuschia roses and zinnias, and the bride’s bouquet and ceremony flowers incorporated the whimsical touch of white feathers.  In addition to the strawberries in the champagne glasses, a pink or green butterfly graced the rim at alternating settings.  Instead of a guest book, Sarah and Erik asked their guests to sign bright yellow, pink, green or blue slips of paper with their words of wisdom, roll them up and place them in a honeycomb display.

UNBELIEVABLE CAKES!  The cakes were show stoppers.  The main cake was a beautiful, multi-layered white cake with fondant daisies cascading down the front.  The cake topper was a bride and groom with photograph heads of Sarah and Erik, along with toppers of their two dogs.  As if that weren’t impressive enough, the groom’s cake was a police car (in honor of Erik’s NYPD status) complete with flashing lights.

Sarah, a former radio DJ with WRRV, gave us an extensive request list filled with alternative rock hits and multiple dedications.  We played Coldplay, Spacehog and even “Song 2″ by Blur for Sarah’s mother.  I put together a “Sarah” mix (at the request of Sarah’s mother) including excerpts of songs by Bob Dylan, Death Cab For Cutie, Thin Lizzy, Hall & Oates and Jellyfish, all songs mentioning the name Sarah.

Despite the uncooperative weather, it was an unforgettable wedding.  Sarah and Erik, you truly outdid yourselves!

Locust Grove

Catering by Lola’s Catering (The best!  The food not only tastes delicious, it looks gorgeous, too.)

Photos by Catherine Leonard

Flute and Harp Duo

Instead of an arch, Kristina and Paul had dogwood branches in an urn as a centerpiece in remembrance of their grandparents.  Paul’s father, the Reverend, officiated the ceremony while the groom’s nephews, in tiny suits and bow ties, did summersaults on the grass.

COOL WAY TO INVOLVE GUESTS: The couple did a “Ring Warming” during the ceremony, passing their rings through the hands of their guests so that they might imbue them with good wishes and happiness.

Kristina’s dress was simple and elegant, accented with a blue-green beaded necklace matching the wedding colors and adding a touch of whimsy to her look.  When I complimented her choice, the bride confessed she’d picked it up for $5 in New York City the week before!

The speeches were emotional and full of love.  Kristina’s father pulled out a wooded box stamped with a teddy bear on top.  Inside was a gift to him from the five year old Kristina, a letter that read, “Dear Daddy, if you give this coupon to me I will do something nice for you.”

Her father had held onto that letter for all these years, and explained that now he could invoke that “coupon” for both Kristina and Paul!

Paul is the youngest of six children, and his three brothers gave toasts filled with humor and admiration.

MOTHER’S DAY: Kristina and Paul asked all the mothers to stand, then invited the guests to dance with all the moms in honor of Mother’s Day.

It was such fun including the couple’s favorite songs including artists as diverse as Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Cure and David Bowie.

Elegant, original and absolutely heart-felt from beginning to end, Kristina and Paul did a fabulous job bringing together their personalities and familes in one amazing wedding day.

Check out this preview photo from Kenny Pang’s blog.  You can just feel the love Kristina and Paul have for each other.  Unbelievable!

Locust Grove

Catering by Lola’s

Photos by Kenny Pang

Flowers by Rood’s Florist

This was the first ceremony I officially coordinated. What a rush to be right in the middle of all the nervousness and excitement as Mya and her father readied for their walk across the lawn to join their waiting guests! I even got to carry her train across the gravel and arrange it for her procession.

Mya was lovely with a pink rose tucked into her hair. The Reverend Charles Stickley, a robust gentleman with a deep, compelling voice, officiated the ceremony. He presented the couple with a gift of Woodstock chimes at the end of the ceremony as a reminder that they listen to God’s music in every situation.

Pink, yellow, and peach roses adorned the tables inside, and the flower girl wore a crown of roses.

Oh, the flower girl! Caroline was a RIOT. Just the cutest little blonde-haired angel. We played “Sweet Caroline” for her at the end of dinner. Not one to be shy, Caroline skipped onto the dance floor and twirled like a ballerina as the entire room sang to her. And after the cake, she insisted on singing for Mya and James. She lifted that microphone without hesitation and belted out, “Twinkle, twinkle, Mya and James. How I wonder what you are.”

Another lovely Locust Grove experience. If we’re not careful, this could become a habit…

Locust Grove

Catering by Lola’s Catering

Christine and Al were married on the steps of the Mansion house overlooking the gardens. Three groomsmen in gray suits and three bridesmaids in sage gowns lined the stairs while Christine and Al stood at the top.

Jeff had a perfect view of the smiles and winks the couple exchanged during their ceremony as he played guitar behind them.

The simple elegance continued during the reception inside. The chocolate cake was gorgeous, accented with cream and sage to match the wedding colors. Al and Christine invited their guests to toast with mead, a honey wine, that they made themselves.

Instead of having her friends and family sign a guest book, she asked each guest to write their words of wisdom for the couple inside their place cards. After the wedding, Christine will put them along with the disposable camer pictures taken by guests inside a wedding scrapbook.

Christine wasn’t kidding when she said her family loves to dance. There was so much energy on that dance floor that the guys’ shirts were soaked with sweat. (Sorry for the image–that’s just the reality of crazy dancing!) Swing ruled the night, along with some great 80′s rock and disco classics.

We had the pleasure of working with our friend Eddie from Lola’s Catering. He catered our wedding WAY back when. If you’re looking for a caterer, you’ve got to call Eddie. It’s impressive presentation and gourmet delicacies delivered with impeccable service. (Gotta love the perks of wedding entertainment with all the goodies we get to sample. Yum!)

Christine and Al are off to the Rivera Maya, Mexico. Have a wonderful trip, guys!

Locust Grove at Samuel Morse Estate

Lola’s Catering