Photo by Steph

humor!

The Details

Julie was lovely in her gown and bolero jacket, with a smile that lit up the room.  The bridesmaids wore purple gowns and carried bouquets of white roses and calla lilies with purple centers.  Each table had an arrangement of lavender roses.

Julie and Vinny shared a dance to “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, and we invited everyone to join.  It was the first time I’ve seen a group hug during the first dance.  So sweet!

Bouquet Competition

Instead of throwing her bouquet to the single ladies, Julie decided to have some fun with the tradition.  She called out her two competitive single cousins and had me explain their history of diving for Easter eggs and fighting under the Christmas tree, and said that she was going to spare the Dutchess Manor their destruction by skipping the bouquet toss and holding a trivia contest

Photo by Steph

instead.  (I saw the way her cousins competed to win the quiz, and I don’t think she was exaggerating!)

One of my favorite moments was watching Julie and Vinny slow dance to “Feels Like Home” by Chantal K in the corner of the room when no one was watching.  They are absolutely adorable.

This group was warm, fun, and full of an amazing sense of humor.  Thanks so much for inviting us!

Dutchess Manor

Photos by Majestic Studios

The Ceremony

Photo by Steph

Kate and Adam were married on the patio overlooking the Hudson River on a perfect, warm autumn day.  The bridesmaids wore bright blue gowns and carried wildflower bouquets that brought out a hint of orange.  (Kate had told me their colors were blue and orange, “Not like the Mets!” and it was gorgeous.)

Kate looked amazing, wearing a birdcage veil over a flower brooch in her hair, and a shawl draped over her shoulders.  Adam smiled at her all the way down the aisle, and didn’t take his eyes off her for a moment.

Each chose a reading to encapsulate the feelings.  Kate chose, “Why Marriage” by Mari Nicols.  Here’s my favorite line:

Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold…

Adam chose the Commitment Reading of the Pueblo Indians:

Photo by Steph

Before we met, you and I were halves unjoined except in the wide rivers of our minds. We were each other’s distant shore, the opposite wings of a bird, the other half of a seashell. We did not know the other then, did not know our determination to keep alive the cry of one riverbank to the other. We were apart, yet connected in our ignorance of each other, like two apples sharing a common tree. Remember?

I knew you existed long before you understood my desire to join my freedom to yours. Our paths collided long enough for our indecision to be swallowed up by the greater need of love. When you came to me, the sun surged towards the earth and moon escaped from darkness to bless the union of two spirits, so alike that the creator had designed them for life’s endless circle.  Beloved partner, keeper of my heart’s odd secrets, clothed in summer blossoms so the icy hand of winter never touches us. I thank your patience. Our joining is like a tree to earth, a cloud to sky and even more. We are the reason the world can laugh on its battlefields and rise from the ashes of its selfishness to hear me say, in this time, this place, this way – I loved you best of all.

And their vows included the moving statement of choosing their marriage: “Of all the people on this earth, I choose YOU.

Star Wars Tribute!

I’m all in favor of expressing your hobbies, interests and personalities at the wedding.  Kate and Adam really did that, from start to finish.  Of course, for this couple, that meant they would HAVE to include Star Wars.

Photo by Steph

The newlyweds were introduced to The Throne Room entrance from Star Wars: A New Hope.  Each table was named after a planet from the Star Wars Universe: Endor, Tatooine, the Deathstar.  And they had the cutest wooden cake topper of Princess Leia and Hon Solo.

The Music

Can I say…outstanding!?!!  Since Adam is a musician, we had a talented group of guests, some of whom gave special performances.  It reminded me how much I love live music, listening to those singer-songwriters on acoustic guitar, singing their hearts out.

Of course, Adam stole the show with a song he wrote for Kate, “Time Machine.”  Paraphrasing the lyrics, “We’ve got three kids, some pets…Would you do it all over again?  I’ve got this groovy time machine…”

I loved the spontaneous dance off to the Avett Brother’s “Kick Drum Heart,” and break dancing to “Dynamite.”  It was all about having a great time without holding back, and I had a blast watching it!

Kate and Adam, thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your day!

Grandview

Photos by Majestic Studios

How did I know it would be good?  Well, we did the music for Tara’s sister’s wedding way back in 2005.  So we knew from experience that this family rocks!

Gangster Entrance

The bridal party made their entrance to a pumpin’ version of “Sing, Sing, Sing” by The Spitfire Band…the guys in black suits wearing sunglasses and white fedoras, the girls in black gowns with white sashes, autumn colored hairpieces and bouquets with vibrant fall colors, feathers and masquerade masks.

The Maid of Honor and Best Man, Tara’s sister and brother, requested a special song, “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, cued up at just the right point to give them a slick, stylin’ entrance.

Of course, Tara and Adam were the stars.  Their entrance song?  The theme from the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers!  “They’ve got a force that you’ve never seen before…”

Tara looked absolutely amazing!  Her strapless gown had a black sash matched the bridal party and her elaborate diamond hairpiece was glamorous and elegant.  But it was Tara’s beauty and adorable sense of humor that really stole the show.

After the first dance, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” from the Jersey Boys Soundtrack, the bridesmaids lifted their skirts (not that high!) to reveal another Halloween touch…black and orange striped stockings!  Tara even wore black, orange and yellow candy corn shoes.

The Details

Each table was named after a candy bar…Twix, M&M’s, Snickers, etc…and had two goblets full of their signature candy on them.  Tara and her family hand made the autumn centerpieces.

A Jack-o-lantern ice sculpture was the highlight of the candy buffet table stuffed with jars of candy.  And the wedding cake!  It was decorated with gorgeous branches and autumn leaves, topped with a jeweled tree and a bride and groom cake topper, the groom with a ball and chain locked on his leg, the bride holding the key.

Photo by Steph

We played “Monster Mash” to give out wax lips, fangs and mustaches to the guests, who then rocked out to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson.

How to pick some highlights from this party?  Well, the Mayor of Poughkeepsie, John C. Tkazyik led us in a blessing over the meal and then presented Adam and Tara with a certificate proclaiming October 30th Poughkeepsie’s Adam and Tara Day!

Cheeky Garter Toss

The newlyweds picked, “Too Many Dicks On the Dance Floor,” by Flight of the Conchords to be played when Adam tossed the garter to the guys.  I couldn’t stop laughing!

Tara and her sister Tiffany were adorable, dancing all night long and hamming up the floor with each other.  At one point they sang, “Come What May” at the top of their lungs, finishing to thunderous applause.

Adam and Tara, this was an amazing night.  Thank you so much for letting us join in your kooky Halloween fun!

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel

Photo & Video by Majestic Studios *Photos in this blog post courtesy of Majestic Studios

Kristen’s viola teacher and family friend performed for the ceremony and Michael’s percussion instructor played in a jazz duo of vibraphone and bass for the cocktail hour. What a sentimental way to add meaning and cool music to the wedding!

The newlyweds were the unassuming, sweet mannered stars of the day. Kristen was beautiful in her traditional gown and Michael was stylin’ is his classic cutaway suit and gray and black striped ascot. Traditional, gorgeous and classic all the way!

THE DETAILS: The bridesmaids wore bright blue dresses, each in a different cut that flattered them, and carried bouquets of pink roses. Matching blue napkins and bold colored wildflower arrangements were at each table. Instead of numbers, the tables were named after Beatles songs: Dear Prudence, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Love Me Do. It set up a fun musical theme for the day.

Another amazing personal touch was having Michael’s uncle sing “What a Wonderful World” for the groom’s dance with his mother. I was so impressed by the musicianship amongst their family and friends.

But I’ve also got to comment on the energy! Not everyone is willing to participate in crazy dancing in bright day light, but it was absolutely no problem for these guests.

We don’t often bust out those line dances; however, Kristen asked for them and they were so right for this group. We went through not one, not two, but three group dances in a row! (I swear Jeff just likes to laugh at my two left feet leading the Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide and Cupid Shuffle. Hey, I never claimed to be a professional dancer.)

I loved it when Kristen’s dad kidnapped her to the dance floor for “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy” and then one of the groomsmen hijacked her for a dance to “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

There was music, love and such fun energy that it was an absolute joy. Thanks for having us, guys!

Christo’s Catering

Photos by Majestic Studios

Jeff performed on acoustic guitar as the guests took their seats.  Then, as the bridesmaids readied for their walk down the aisle, he swapped positions with Stephanie’s brother who played and sang “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis.  Dogs Lily and Magee, the ring bearer and flower girl with sunflowers tucked under their collars, were walked down the aisle.

Stephanie blinked back tears and smiled at her brother’s serenade, stunning in her strapless mermaid dress as she met Josh before Stephanie’s uncle, the minister.  Their marriage had been many years in the making (a fact the newlyweds were teased about numerous times in the ceremony and toasts.)

The bride’s uncle related a few character defining highlights from their childhoods…

At eight years old, Stephanie decided to dress all in black for school one day; when her teached asked why, her answer: “Because I am a unique individual!”  At the same tender age, Josh was riding in the front seat with his brother when his father passed out at the wheel of the car.  In a heroic move, Josh controlled the car until his father regained consciousness, saving all their lives.

Though Stephanie and Josh didn’t know each other as young children, they each enjoyed summers playing in the sand of Long Island beaches.

I learned so much about this couple and their love story listening to a ceremony delivered by Stephanie’s uncle, who had actually been present at her birth.

THE DETAILS:  Tables in the dining room were decked out in brown linens accented with mini-pumpkins, gourds and leaves.  Guests took home personalized jars of maple syrup.  Sunflowers!

We snuck 80′s power ballads into the dinner hour music, songs by Heart, Def Leppard and Led Zeppelin…Stephanie’s guilty pleasures.

We also got to see our friends Catherine and Scott, whose wedding we performed at back in spring.  It was great to reconnect…and pay “C’mon Ride the Train” for an enthusiastic Scott.

The day was amazing!  Thanks so much for making us a part of it.

Round Hill House

Photos by Majestic Studios *All photos in this blog courtesy of Majestic Studios

Cat and Scott told me they were “making fun of the whole wedding thing,” but I had NO IDEA what that meant until their wedding day. They did “make fun,” but not in a mocking sense; that fun consisted of zany antics, love, and absolute sweetness.

Scott, the groomsmen, and even Cat’s father wore black and white Keds to the ceremony. As Cat was walked down the aisle by her father, he gave Scott a high five and fist bump as he placed her on the arm of her fiance.

Scott and Cat had a photo booth for their guests to take pictures of themselves wearing an assortment of funny hats, scarves and props. As the bridal party lined up for introductions, each choose a hat to wear. There were feather boas, gangster fedoras—even the Cat’s mother wore a Groucho Marx moustache and glasses.

The newlyweds were introduced to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, Scott wearing a king hat and Cat with a block of cheese on her head. They ran back and forth underneath their bridal party arch several times before settling into their First Dance, a beautiful version of “Make You Feel My Love” performed by Adele.

As Cat danced with her father to Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” her father pulled out a bright red handkerchief and wiped at his eyes in dramatic mock weeping, until the guests were laughing so hard they were close to tears.

Cat and her bridesmaids changed into their Keds after the introductions, and the dancing began. They were dancing and singing along to Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.”

COOL IDEA: Cat and Scott had bobbleheads of themselves as cake toppers, custom-made from photographs, and bought bobbleheads for their entire bridal party.

It’s easy to see how much fun Cat and Scott had from beginning to end in these pictures courtesy of our friend Mark of Majestic Studios. He had so much fun shooting them—Scott even posed hovering over a toilet! (Fully clothed, of course.)

Greentree Country Club

Photos by Majestic Studios