I knew we were in for a non-stop dancing party when one of the groomsmen approached us before the reception.  “I’ve been appointed head silly dance guy,” he told us.  “We’ve named ourselves the Dazzle Squad.”

Dazzle they did.

The bridal party made their entrance to “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas and when the Dazzle Squad hit the dance floor with the ring bearer and flower girl, they gestured wildly to the crowd, urging everyone to dance until the floor was packed.

All this even before the couple’s first dance!

Ken and Mary shared the love letters they had written for each other, highlighting how they met at a Habitat For Humanity work site, their Red Sox vs. Yankees “rivalry,” and how they had each found what they were searching for in each other.

Ken took Mary in his arms and gently led her around the dance floor to “Fields of Gold” by Sting.  The two smiled, touching their heads together as they waltzed, Mary gorgeous with a white flower and red berries in her hair.

THE DETAILS:  The holiday season has arrived!  The Dutchess Manor was decked out with live trees decorated in silver and gold; large arrangements of red roses, greenery and holly berries; poinsettas; silver branches draped in white lights; and the Dutchess Manor’s famous red rose centerpieces on each table surrounded by ornaments and pine cones.  The bridesmaids wore merlot dresses, the groomsmen gray and black striped ties, everyone draped with Dazzle squad sashes.

The wedding cake was covered in beautiful icing snowflakes and pine cones, with cranberry ribbon tied around each tier; a tiny Bruce Lee stood beside it.  Guests were given favors of stockings filled with candy and a lottery ticket.

Guests rocked out to artists as diverse as Abba, Bee Gees, Lady Gaga and The Cult…with a modern line dance and even a tango thrown in for Ken’s parents…amazing dancers!

The night was filled with warmth, fun and enthusiasm from beginning to end.  The newlyweds are off to New York City for a few days before their honeymoon in Spain and Portugal after the holidays.

An amazing couple with an amazing love story.  Thanks for sharing, guys!

Dutchess Manor

Photos by Nick Carter

Photo by Fleur Phillips

After last weekend’s storm, I think it’s official.  Winter is here. Ready or not.

But December can be a great time to have your wedding, Hudson Valley style.

Why?

Let me share a few secrets…

• You’ll save money on decorations.  Catering halls around the Hudson Valley are already decked to the hilt, trees draped in tinsel, ornaments, lights, wreaths, even mistletoe.  You won’t have to do much to add to the holiday feel, and that saves you a bundle.
• You’ll save on booking your wedding vendors.  Here in the Hudson Valley, corporations are cutting back on their holiday events and weddings are few in December.  Less demand means that catering halls, wedding DJs and photographers will be eager for your businesses.  That translates to DISCOUNTS.
• December is typically NOT known for huge snow storms.  (Leave it to last weekend to make a liar out of me.)  Especially if your Hudson Valley wedding is in early December, you’ll avoid the foul weather and take advantage of savings and that holiday charm.
• Your family may already be coming into town.  If that’s the case, combining your wedding festivities with holiday travel to the Hudson Valley is a winning combo.

If you’re planning a winter wonderland wedding in the Hudson Valley, some things to consider:

– Cold Weather.  It’s likely your photographer will want to take you into the wild, freezing outdoors for pictures.     Make sure you can handle the cold.  Or buy an elegant faux fur wrap or cloak to keep you warm.

– Travel.  If your guests are coming from out of town, you might end up with cancellations if you run into bad weather.  We got hit with a snow storm that dropped 18 inches on the Hudson Valley during one January wedding a few years back.  The couple was supposed to have 85 guests attending…only 27 people showed up.

– Environment.  It’s not as pretty in December…unless you’re blessed with snow, in which case you deal with travel issues.  The Hudson Valley is known for its gorgeous fall foliage, but once it falls from the trees it’s mostly naked branches and brown lawns.  Make sure you choose an indoor location that has lots of photographic interest to compensate.

What do you think about winter weddings?  Leave me a comment.