Jenny and Eddy

We had such a great time coordinating for Jenny and Eddy! After the wedding Jenny was able to get featured on Style Me Pretty!


Little did I know that after the first planning meeting I would go home and tell my mom a little about the couple.  She surprised me and said "did you know our family used to go to Eddy's family restaurant, Shea's, all the time. They were regulars and were very close with his grandparents."  That was a cool.
 
Before any major coordinating got underway on their wedding day our team stopped by the hotel and made sure the girls were on time with beauty and everything was steamed and ready to go.  Make Me Fabulous was adding their final touches to the bride and maids when we walked in.  They always do such an amzing job!

From there I stationed a coordinator with the bridal party.  I always like to make sure they are walked from the room to their vehicles, through first look and up to the church door. 

The bride choose gorgeous peonies for her bouquet, as well as the bridesmaids all designed by Fleurtacious Designs.

Ceremony coordination was flawless.  The only time of day where I get butterflies...more excited than nervous...is right before I cue ceremony.  The back of the processional aisle is always filled with questions and guests running in and out, bridesmaids wanting to find the bathroom, moms wanting to make sure everything is perfect, happy tears, and vendors asking when are we starting.  I always try and keep a calm face and check things off of my mental checklist. #1 groom needs a mint, #2 confirm all VIP vendors are here, #3 escort bride and dad out of the car, #3 line grandma's up, #4 close ceremony doors, #5 make sure bride is breathing.....and then we begin.

I LOVE this pre-ceremony shot of the groom.  I wonder who is giving him a little advice?

After their ceremony was over they bounced over to the Canfield Casino for Cocktails, Dinner and Dancing.  The vibe was classic old Hollywood-glam.

 

Beaded lamps were placed on the tables with specialty champagne linens.  LOVE THIS LOOK IN THIS VENUE.

Cake cutting time came so quick.  With Eddy being in the catering business I was wondering what was going on in his head as we lined up the details. 

Lip gloss (check), photographer (check)....Band and caterer (check/check).

An item guests always rave about is the candy bar.  It's usually demolished by the time we pack up.  This one was no exception!!

With Jenny's graphic design background, she created custom stationary for the entire event including these tags for the candy bar and the 'bride' & 'groom' signs that hung on the back of their chairs.

They had a great photobooth that was jammin' the entire night. (thanks to Hayden) 

This was such a fun and creative wedding! Jenny and Eddy, thanks for entrusting me with bringing your vision to life!


photo credits: Elario Photography

Kelly and Wayne

There's something classic and romantic about a military wedding.  For this wedding both our Bride and Groom were in the Navy. (on our Bridal Party Schedule we listed military time too).

The couple got in touch with me last spring for wedding day coordination.  (a very popular package)
When the news came in that we were expecting 9-12" of snow that day...emotions were heightened.  When the coordination team arrived at the Otesaga, they went immediately to the bridal boutique were the beauty crew was hard at work and hair and makeup were nearly done!  

The ceremony and reception were both at the Otesega and the original plan was for the ceremony to be outside.  However, the snow started to fall and after confirming with the venue manager, we had to make a quick change indoors.  Wayne and his groomsmen were staying at a nearby Inn and walked over to the Otesaga (I can always depend on my military couples to be very much on time)

My bridal party coordination team member snapped this one as they made there way onto the property.

My principle coordination Jen was heading up this event and made sure Kelly's gown and all the bridesmaids dresses were steamed and that everything was running on time. 


Meanwhile, another coordinator worked fast to make sure everything was being set up inside for the ceremony.  Programs were placed on every seat and bubbles on every other.  Rose petals layered the aisle for our beautiful bride to walk down.  Note to brides: make sure if you are planning an outside ceremony that you have an equally beautiful "rain or snow" plan.

The coordinator snapped this one as she was setting up.

For this ceremony the couple added a special touch and asked Admiral Kiser of the USN to officiate the wedding.  Once the ceremony ended, guests were invited to find their seating cards and enjoy cocktail hour on the Otesga Veranda.  (one of my fav' spots in NY)

While the team finished putting the final details of the reception together and ran through the perfection test, the other coordinator stayed with the bridal party for photos.  The bride had some "must haves" for family and friend pic's. 

It's hard to tell from the photos, but it was snowing like crazy! (snapped by the coordinator)

After the photo shoot, Kelly and Wayne went to mingle with their guest and the coordination team had their final 'pow wow' with the band leader and banquet manager.  One last confirmation that we are all on the same page is never a bad idea.

Guests then made their way into the ballroom, bridal party was lining up and the band leader came out to start intro's.  Kelly and Wayne went into their first dance, toasts and blessings were done and out came the first course. (when you have great professionals producing your day..it runs like clock work)

While everyone enjoyed dinner, the coordinator checked Kelly and Wayne into their room, had their bags moved and then moved on to setting  up the favor and candy station. They had chosen local maple syrup and pumpkin butter as a fall favors....the guests were lovin' it.

   

(behind the scenes snapshot from our phone)

While the band kept the dance floor packed the coordination team made sure the exiting guest shuttle was out front and all heated up.

Kelly and Wayne, thank you so much for letting our team make your day a little easier.  It was such a pleasure!!

All images came from the behind the scenes cell phones...

Vince & Patty

One thought..."over the top".  We were brought in a week before the big day by Fine Affairs to handle rehearsal and wedding coordination for this MAJOR event for Vince & Patty Riggi at the Hall of Springs this past weekend.

We started off our day by swinging by the Hall to see the vendors in full swing.  They have been their overnight to start the "build" for this huge design scheme.  Carpeting went from the valet stand, through the portico and throughout the entire Hall.  My team and I constructed a plan of attack to make sure no detail was overlooked.  Once we had our marching orders we were off to coordinate the "first look", guest and bridal party transportation.

I  had a chance to chat with the groom about our love for dogs.  We are both major dog lovers and I couldn't help myself.  (gracie and rocco are always on my mind)



These shots were taken in their beautiful penthouse overlooking Congress Park.   She was breathtaking and he was absolutely dapper. Both were so sweet to work with the entire day.

Once the bridal party photo shoot was finished we all headed over to the bridal suite, that looked amazing!

This was created as a special surprise for the bride, from the groom, in order for her to have a place to relax, retouch makeup and hair and change into her party dress.

Guests walked down the decked out portico into the ceremony space. 

The Hall was decked out in pipe and drape, concealing the out of this world decor that was yet to come.  We cued up the music, got the bridal party lined up and sent the bridal party down the aisle.  The pictures below is from the "coordinators perspective"

The brought in an amazing backdrop...never been done before and custom made aisle runner.  310 people gazed as she walked down the aisle, but none more excited than Vince.

After the ceremony the guests were whisked away into cocktail hour, where they were met with an extended room of Tuscany.  The designer created a window looking into a LIVE scene of Tuscany.

The ballroom was then transformed into a beautiful Italian palace, band started warming up, candles lit, champagne chilled and then it was time for formalities.

They brought beautiful fountains and placed them over the historic "springs" Saratoga is so well known for.

Dinner service was flawless, thanks to Mazzone Management.  Throughout dinner they had dancers perform and a special strolling italian music group entertaining their guests.

Then it was time to change the bride into her party dress, cut the cake and move the guests outside for a special surprise.

As guests made there way outside, there were met with custom blankets to keep them warm as the snow fell, hot coco, mulled cider and a fun Cup cake truck.  The Fireworks were choreographed to music while guests cuddled during this fun surprise.

As the guests entered back in...the dance floor was packed and every body let loose.

 Specialty lighting went on outside as a few "early birds" left.

The piano lounge with new italian scene was opened.

Special desserts were placed out.  Here is one of my favorites.

My team started cueing up special VIP limo's, guest shuttles and handing out custom made favor baskets. 

The guests took home bottles of wine, itialian delicacies,

and romantic candles in a beautiful handmade basket.

All I can say is "What a Night!".  It was an honor to be a part of such a HUGE day.  All vendors involved produced such a fabulous day for this couple.  I know they will cherish it forever.

Thank you to Imagine Photographer for the images.

Candace and David Ellis

Normally we book weddings at least 8 months prior to the event.  This wedding was a little different.  We booked it...1 week before the event! It was a whirlwind to say the least! One meeting with the couple and we were off and running!  It was an intimate wedding for David and Candace and their closest family and friends at The Inn at Erlowest.


The day was gorgeous.  We arrived bright and early to start on reception and ceremony details.  Candace was in her suite touching up her make-up and on her way into hair.



David and his crew from Renaissance Floral design arrived shortly after and the setup began.  We folded napkins, with special menus from Paperdolls and placed them on each charger.

I patiently waited for the groom to arrive to do first look.

Once we were ready to kick off the ceremony I touched up the bride before walking down the aisle.  This couple surprised guests by starting cocktail hour and then in the middle, we handed the petal baskets to the 2 ring bearers, got the ring box to Davids' son, rang an elegant bell and gathered everyone in a special area on the terrace.  Music began and they walked out into an intimate circle of their guests.  I LOVED IT!

After special vows were said, they toasted with champagne and kissed with this gorgeous backdrop. 

Guests moved eagerly into the ballroom and were met with a fun Polaroid camera and scrap book station the couple had though of for the guest book

Candace, David and their guests came into the reception and were blown away!  As many brides would say...it was "simply elegant".  David had made an incredible bar made that completed their lounge area.  The room looked phenomenal!

(compliments of my cell phone)

The whole experience was so special.  The bride and groom danced the whole night, cut their cake and gave toasts throughout dinner.  David, thank you for bringing me on for this one.  It was a blast!

Photo & Floral credit: Renaissance Floral Design