The Ceremony

Photo by Steph

The ceremony was held on the hillside before a purple chuppah overlooking the pool and house below.  Samara walked around the pool and up the hill on a path lined in purple and peach rose petals.  She was gorgeous with her long wavy hair worn down and pulled away from her face with a diamond hairpin.

Jeff performed acoustic guitar versions of “Hallelujah” (a la Jeff Buckley) for Brian’s ceremony entrance and “A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell for Samara.  Even though I was a distance away directing traffic, I could hear these beautiful songs coming from up on the hill.  I’m definitely going to recommend them for our couples in the future!

The Details

The guys wore tan suits, and the bridesmaids wore purple gowns and carried bouquets of pink, red, yellow and purple zinnias and snapdragons.  Chalk signs announced, “Dinner, Dancing and Merriment” this way, pointing to the tennis court above where the tented reception was held.

Photo by Steph

The tables were arranged family style and decorated with matching wildflower bouquets.  Each was named for places that were special to the couple…with the exception of the Hurricane Irene table, a last minute addition that highlights the couple’s good humor about the damage to their property only one week before the wedding.  Each place had a printed menu describing the family style menu and wine pairings selected by Sami and Brian, tied with a sprig of lavender.

The Music

Sami and Brian were introduced to “Rock Me Like a Hurricane,” (take that, Irene!) and then shared a first dance to “When You Say Nothing At All” by Allison Kraus.

The dance floor was filled with such energy it makes me smile just to think of it.  There were certainly a lot of Lady Gaga and Beyonce fans in the house!

The Food & More

Photo by Steph

Delicious!  Eddie from Lola’s Catering created a family style menu of short ribs, fish and sweet potato gnocchi that was unbelievable.  Instead of cake, the newlyweds treated their guests to an extravagant dessert buffet, with cigars and scotch.

It’s not easy pulling of a wedding at home and making it look easy.  Kudos to you both, Sami and Brian!  Thanks so much for inviting us to be a part of it.

Catering by Lola’s Catering

Photos by Uplift Photography

Jeff performed a beautiful piece by Joe Satriani on guitar for Cami’s walk down the aisle, “Always With You, Always With Me.”  Since Satriani is a favorite of Cami’s father, it was a perfect choice.

They vows they’d written for each other including the best blend of sincerity, love and humor.  Cami told how she came home from her first date and said, “I think I just had dinner with my husband,” and vowed to make John the best guacamole and fish tacos on the East coast.

John began his vows (after Cami’s rather lengthy ones) with, “My vows are not that long…” and concluded with the declaration, “I’m a really, really lucky man.  And also a little hungry.”

The Details

The bridesmaids wore merlot colored dresses and carried bouquets of white and yellow flowers.  Cami outdid herself with the table décor: decorative linens with bird prints in blue and brown, wedding soundtrack CD favors, and a gorgeous white orchid as the centerpiece at each table.

Cami was beautiful with her hair down and a whimsical dress to match her bird-spring-garden theme.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bride so self-possessed and in control of her day, yet she managed it with queenly grace.  Impressive!

There were plenty of moving speeches throughout the night, but John’s “roast” of his new bride had to be my favorite.  The stand up comedian poked fun at Cami’s “control issues” as well as her diverse background, completely comfortable with entertaining his guests.

This group didn’t take any coaxing to hit the dance floor.  From beginning to end they were grooving to hip hop, old school and Motown.  A packed dance floor—another thing I’ve missed in our off season!

Cami and John, thanks so much for giving us a glimpse into your lives and introducing us to such an amazing group of your family and friends.  Congratulations!

Locust Grove

Photos by Denise Edkins of Your Day Photo *Photos in this blog post courtesy of Your Day Photo.

Catering by Lola’s Catering

Admittedly, it was a rainy and somewhat gloomy day. Our new friend, photographer Rose Schaller, informed me that the clouds parted miraculously just as Jenn and the girls needed to leave for the ceremony and at every point when they planned to take photos. I take this as another sign of the good karma this couple has!

John, Jenn and their bridal party were introduced to “Danger Zone” and the groomsmen and bridesmaids wore feather boas, masks and skull caps grabbed from the box of props at the photo booth. That’s what I call an entrance!

The newlyweds danced to “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds. This song gets me every time, but it was even more moving watching Jenn and John dance, foreheads touching, kissing and focusing only on each other.

I’m gonna include the video right here in case you haven’t heard it yet…

Afterward, Jenn’s father gave a toast. “I didn’t know the song they chose for their First Dance,” he said. “But I was going to say that Jenn’s mother and I are the luckiest people in the world. And now, John, you are also the luckiest.”

Fate? Maybe. Weddings develop an emotional theme and this one seemed to be love, family and…being the luckiest.

THE DETAILS:

The bridesmaids wore deep purple gowns and carried yellow, white and purple wildflower and daisy bouquets. Each table had matching purple linens and floral centerpieces.

The cake was a lovely, whimsical beauty decorated with a cascade of violet butterflies and yellow sugar flowers. The couple…both huge animal lovers (Jenn works at the Bronx Zoo and they have a dog, cats, a turtle and ducks!)…made donations in their guests’ names to the ASPCA. In addition, they gave them each a clear box filled with tiny multi-colored candy dog bones.

The food was absolutely delicious! Lola’s Catering prepared a simple, delectable buffet (Jeff is still salivating over the chicken with sun-dried tomatoes) and the staff was a joy to work with. It’s a sigh of relief knowing we’re working with the “family” at Lola’s.

There was no doubt about the love flowing in Locust Grove that night. I don’t think Jenn stopped smiling for even one moment! Thank you and thank you for inviting us to be a part of it.

Locust Grove

Catering by Lola’s Catering

Photos by Rose Schaller

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

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

Jeff and I attended the Bykenhulle’s second annual bridal show last Sunday, on that gorgeous, sunny sixty-degree day.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather in early March for couples to check out the grounds of the Bykenhulle House.

The Bykenhulle is one of the lovely and lesser known historic homes available for a wedding in the Hudson Valley.  Built in the 1800′s, it’s a perfect space for an intimate wedding reception.  You and up to 5 other couples can take over the grounds for an entire wedding weekend.  It’s just a beautiful spot.

Our table was set up in Ivy Hall, a suite available for accommodations.  It has the feel of a renovated barn, with high ceilings, dozens of windows to let in the light, cherry floors, a baby grand piano and spindle windows over the stairs leading up to the four poster bed in the loft.

Okay, I’ve got a confession to make…I have an awful sweet tooth.  That’s why I avoid sweets almost all the time.  Once I start, it’s hard to quit.  Which meant I was in BIG trouble on Sunday…

I succumbed to the raspberry cake from McKinney & Doyle Fine Foods.  It was like velvet!  Nothing like those “raspberry jelly” cakes I’ve had before, this was creamy and delicious.  And the carrot cake from Lola’s Catering…moist and delectable.  Pastry chef Robin sent us home was almost half a carrot cake that sits in the refrigerator right now, tempting me…

With a wedding planned at the Bykenhulle later this year (and hopefully more to come) it was so fun to reacquaint ourselves with the spot.

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