VOW: Your Wedding. Your Way. Spring/Summer 2013 by Times Union Magazines

›› INSIDE: Favorable favors, wedding websites ... and more! spring/summer 2013

Your Wedding. Your Way. A Times Union Publication www.timesunion.com/VOW

The B-List

✽ handling those tricky guest lists

Second Life

✽ clever ways to deal with your dress

Real Weddings

plus ..r.

outdoo wedding tips

3 Capital Region couples share their wedding day

WOW

The

Customized Menus E Epic i Views Vi Stellar St ll Service S i

factor is here!

Call 518.694.3322 for your Penthouse Catering Event. 45 Beaver St., Albany www.tastealbany.com

PHOTO: JOANN HOOSE

VOW

Your Wedding. Your Way.

Publisher George Hearst III

Editorial Janet Reynolds, Executive Editor Brianna Snyder, Associate Editor Design Tony Pallone, Design Director Colleen Ingerto, Emily Jahn, Designers Contributing Writers Kristi Barlette, Melissa Fiorenza, Lee Nelson, Wendy Page, Cari Scribner

French

is the language of LOVE

Contributing Photographers Dexter Davis Photography, Emily Jahn, Elario Photography, Paige Falk, Keith Hitlin Photography, Tony Tremblay Sales Kathleen Hallion, Vice President, Advertising Tom Eason, Manager, Display Advertising Craig Eustace, Retail Sales Manager Jeff Kiley, Magazine Sales Manager Circulation Dan Denault, Home Delivery Manager BUSINESS Ray Koupal, Chief Financial Officer TimesUnion.com Paul Block, Executive Producer

On-Site Reception of Up to 125 June, July & August 2013 Still Available INTIMATE WEDDINGS • ENGAGEMENT PARTIES BRIDAL SHOWERS • BACHELOR/ETTE PARTIES REHEARSAL DINNERS • CUSTOM EVENTS

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“Best French Restaurant - Capital Region” -METROLAND

ACF Gold Award Winning French Chef 2011 Wine Spectator Award

VOW: Your Wedding. Your Way is published twice a year. If you are interested in receiving home delivery of VOW: Your Wedding. Your Way magazine, please call: 518.454.5361 or 518.454.5395, or go online to www.timesunion.com/VOW For advertising information, please call: 518.454.5569 VOW: Your Wedding. Your Way is published by Capital Newspapers and Times Union, 645 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12212, 518.454.5694 The entire contents of this magazine are copyright 2012 by Capital Newspapers. No portion may be reproduced in any means without written permission of the publisher. Capital Newspapers is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hearst Corporation.

SPRING/ SUMMER 2013

Contents

features:

in every issue:

8 10

EDITOR’S NOTE Your Wedding. Your Way.

DOWN THE AISLE The latest trends and ideas to help you say “I do” with style

NOT MY TYPE How do you decide which dress works best for your body type?

REAL WEDDINGS Behind the scenes at the Capital Region weddings of Janelle and Dennis, Katrina and Austin, and Stephanie and Johnny

SECOND LIFE Clever ideas for your gown, post-wedding

IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW Newlyweds on what not to sweat

www.timesunion.com/VOW

33 37

IN WITH THE NEW 9 wedding traditions you might nix and why THE B-LIST How to handle your guest invitations

41 FAVORABLE FAVORS Wedding takeaways to satisfy any guest

45 OUTDOOR WEDDINGS No problem — if you plan ahead

48 WORLDWIDE WEDDING A wedding website can help you and your guests

53 RESOURCE GUIDE

A comprehensive list of services to help you plan your big day

REAL WEDDINGS: Read about three Capital Region weddings, beginning on page 12. Pictured here are Stephanie and Johnny Giroux; photo by Dexter Davis Photography. Cover photo by Dexter Davis Photography. timesunion.com/VOW 5

online |

check out the VOW channel

@ timesunion.com/VOW plus!

VOWYourWeddingYourWaymagazine

» online only natural Beauty Options Read about all your chemical-free and chemical-lite cosmetic options, from facials to spray-tans.

MARRIED, OR GETTING MARRIED?

Want to see more wedding photos of our local brides and grooms? Flip through our galleries at timesunion.com/VOW. Photo by Dexter Davis Photography

Strapless gowns are really popular, but do they look good on everyone? Not necessarily. Read about what to look for in a sleeveless dress at timesunion. com/VOW.

6 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

If you’ve recently gotten hitched and would like to be featured in our Real Weddings, just send us an email at magazines@timesunion.com and tell us how you and your spouse met. Add a photo from your wedding, along with the name of your photographer and your name and phone number. You could be the next bride on our cover! Or, if you just want to share your favorite wedding photo from our online gallery, we’d love that, too! Visit timesunion.com/VOW and check it out.

GET WITH THE PLAN Want to create your own wedding planner? Download our helpful planning worksheets.

Photo by Elario Photography

Photo: Hair color courtesay Goldwell. Additional photos by iStockphoto.com; strapless, © monkeybusinessimages; shoes, © zoomstudio; planner, © williv.

Want to be part of a community of brides-to-be sharing their wedding plans and best tips? Check out Audrey Mangini’s blog at timesunion.com/VOW.

MORE MORE MORE!

SLEEVELESS AND LOVING IT

VOW blog SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE

» online only

facebook.com/

Elegant

Tim Timeless el ess Unique Allow us to make your wedding the Event of the Century 997 New Loudon Rd. | Latham, NY 12110 | (518) 785-0931 | TheCenturyHouse.com

editor’s note |

Plan B W

e were optimistic enough — some might say foolhardy? — to opt for a backyard wedding celebration for our daughter. What we didn’t picture in between the fantasies of beautiful gardens and white chairs against the pristine lawn was that this was scheduled for the Summer It Never Stopped Raining. Yes, 2009 was one for the rain record books. And yet we blithely went ahead, ordering tents that would really work only if it drizzled and not everyone needed to

be under them. So on the afternoon of the rehearsal dinner, we borrowed “tents” from anyone who had ever camped and cobbled them together in the most ramshackle of ways. It was decidedly not pretty — or usable — in torrential rain, which is what arrived on the night of the rehearsal. I am happy to report, however, that the next day it rained until 10 minutes before the ceremony — and then was clear. We were lucky. Next time, if there is one, we will have a mega-tent for sure. 

Janet Reynolds Executive Editor jreynolds@timesunion.com

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" I ddefinitely efinitely ma madede tthe he riright ght cchoices!" hoices!" You can make the right choices too! Call our Wedding Specialist at (800) 348-6222, (607) 544-2574 or email YourSpecialDay@Otesaga.com Over 100 Years of Gracious Hospitality ®

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8 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Down the Aisle Trends and ideas to help say “I do” with style Compiled by Brianna Snyder



 

1. All That Glitters This is a custom-made crystalrhinestone sash (or belt) in the spirit of vintage style. It’s elegant and stylish, tying with a ribbon in the back. When is being sparkly a bad thing? $190, IngenueB at Etsy.com.



2. Stay Above Ground What’s that joke everyone makes about aerating the lawn whenever a lady in heels makes her way across the grass? Spare yourself (and everyone) on your wedding day and in your wedding shoes with the SoleMates High Heeler. Cap them onto your pointy heels and go get your picture taken under that tree. $9.95, thesolemates.com





3. For Your Ladies They helped you get that knot tied. Remind them constantly of that with these sterling silver “love knot” earrings. They’re both lovely and charming, and the bridal party will get plenty of use out of them after the big day, too. We’re sure of it. $177.10, artinas-jewellery.com. 4. Cage aux Cards We like this birdcage as a cardcollector at the gift table. It’s sweet and cute (but not too cute) and you can get it custom-made to match your wedding’s theme. $60 at Sonia Rosario Sharrie Bauer at Etsy.com.

10 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

 5. Put a Bird on It Birds are in season this spring, and we’re fans of this, too: birds can be a dressed-up or dressed-down theme. Birds invite poetry and whimsy and theatrical love. But they can also be sort of twee and adorable. These cute cake toppers are funny and sweet, and we like that we can get them made to look like us. $105$145, redlightstudio.typepad.com. 6. Accessorize Sleeves are in (especially delicate lacy ones), but if you want a sleeveless compromise, a wrap or a shawl might be the way to go. This sheer cover-up adds elegance to the dress, the shoulders and the neckline, and the floral flourish isn’t overwhelming. Get this Erin Cole wrap at Ferri Formals in Schenectady. 7. First-Time Flower Girls We know the guests get pretty excited about the flower girl, and we figure the flower girl’s excited to be the flower girl, but just to make extra sure she knows what this tradition is about, let her flip through this illustrated primer on flowergirling. You can get it for $12.95 at the Clifton Park-based allysonjames.net. 

PHOENIX WEDDINGS Our wedding wedding pprofessionals rofessionals hhave avve be been een w working orking w with ith eengaged ngaged ccouples ouples aand nd ttheir heir families for over 34 years and we understand this special time in your lives. We have two gorgeous ballrooms catering to weddings of all sizes. Our wedding specialists are the top in their profession and will help guide you through your journey to marriage. Our award winning Executive Chef will personally oversee the preparation of your meals. Make sure you ask about our overnight room accommodations for your out of town guests. Please call for our wedding packages.

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real weddings |

Janelle Dennis By Cari Scribner Photos by Elario Photography

Bride Janelle Pitaniello, 30 Court Analyst for the Office of Court Administration GROOM Dennis Pitaniello, 32 Manager of Internal Audit for SUNY Research Foundation the Wedding day August 4, 2012 at Key Hall at Proctors The Honeymoon Planning a trip to a warm place this winter One Detail In January 2008, a friend invited Janelle to a restaurant in Albany, where the Giants were playing the Cowboys and everyone there seemed to be a Giants fan. Janelle and Dennis were at the bar ordering drinks, and she said, “I hate the Giants.” His response? “Me too, can I get a hug?” They talked and exchanged numbers, went on a date the following weekend and have been together ever since.

12 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

THE PARTICULARS

anelle Pitaniello’s favorite color is Tiffany blue. Even if you don’t know her, you’d know this fact if you looked at her wedding reception photos. The high tables near the bar, guest tables, cocktail hour tables, and dessert stations all featured iconic bright blue/green linens. The signature cocktail at the reception was bright blue, thanks to Blue Curacao. The wedding invitations featured the color, and if Janelle had her way, every guest would have worn Tiffany blue accessories. Finding flowers to complement the color was a cinch. “When I was planning my wedding, I knew right away that I had to have Tiffany blue, but since the color isn’t found in nature, I went with all white flowers,” Janelle says. The result was a deeply dramatic effect enhanced by the glamorous background in Key Hall at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady. The story of how Dennis and Janelle met begins with a hayride. Almost 10

years ago, friends introduced the two on a seasonal hay-wagon ride. But circumstances kept the relationship from budding: Janelle was in a relationship and moving to Florida. They met six years later in Saratoga, but things didn’t progress past small talk. Finally, a few months later, they met at a sports bar, where their shared love of the Dallas Cowboys brought them together. “It only took a few months for me to realize that he was the one,” Janelle says. “It’s funny how things work out in the end,” Dennis says. In October 2011, Janelle arrived at the home they shared to the aroma of her favorite dinner: steak and potatoes. After a quiet dinner, Dennis got down on one knee for an oldfashioned marriage proposal. Laughter, shrieking and dancing ensued, followed by a trip to Janelle’s parents’ to show off the engagement ring. continued on page 15

Ceremony and reception Key Hall at Proctors 436 State Street, Schenectady (518) 881-4501 onereputation.com/keyhall Photographer JP Elario - Elario Photography Inc. 1084 Madison Avenue, Albany (518) 438-0989 joeelariophotography.com Wedding Attire DeAnna’s 3991 NY Rt. 43, West Sand Lake (518) 283-6252 deannasgiftsandclothing.com Macys Tommy Hilfiger Macys.com JCrew jcrew.com/wedding JEWELER Hannoush Jewelers 112 Wolf Road, Albany (518) 472-0368 hannoush.com Hair & Make-UP Make Me Fabulous (Alana) 32 Front Street, Ballston Spa (518) 885-2929 makemefabulous.com Bliss Salon & Boutique (Emily & Meagan) 601 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham (518) 608-4891 blisssalonandboutique.com Make Me Fabulous (Sue) 32 Front Street, Ballston Spa (518) 885-2929 makemefabulous.com Florist Fleurtacious Designs 470 N Greenbush Rd # 3, Rensselaer (518) 283-7262 fleurtaciousdesigns.com Rehearsal dinner Aperitivo Bistro 426 State Street Schenectady, NY (518) 579-3371 aperitivobistro.com

timesunion.com/VOW 13

A perfect place to start your life together. Our Ball Room is surrounded by windows overlooking the golf course, with Deck and Garden Gazebo.

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pearl grant richmans Wedding Invitations 

Dauphine | Smock Bella Figura Vera Wang | William Arthur Crane & Co.

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THE PARTICULARS cont. Invitations JennyCDesign (518) 331-6517 jennycdesign.com Hotel accommodations Hampton Inn Schenectady 450 State Street, Schenectady (518) 377-4500 hamptoninn3.hilton.com Videotographer CASL Productions 518-966-CASL (2275) caslproductions.com Music at reception DJ Playground Robert Yang 22 Pinewood Ave, Albany (518) 301-5579 djplayground.com

continued from 13

First step was booking a wedding venue, and although they originally wanted it held in Saratoga Springs, early August proved to be an impossible time in the busy city’s racing season. Janelle found the Key Hall website and fell in love with the formal atmosphere. It was a picture-perfect Cinderella wedding. The couple wanted their event to be fun rather than overwhelmingly sentimental. Small touches created a unique atmosphere. Janelle bought Swarovski crystals and had a pedicure done that included bedazzling her toes, displayed by her open-toe blue wedding shoes. For the men, blue striped socks stood out spectacularly

with their black suits and dress shoes. A sign near the bar at the reception read, “Drink vodka and dance on the table.” At the candy buffet — overflowing with white and Tiffany blue candies — was a sign, “Take a little, take a lot. Enjoy yourselves, we tied the knot!” Next to their wedding cake, a sign read “You are the icing on my cake.” They put out two bins of flip-flops with a sign that said “A little treat for your dancing feet.” Janelle had dozens of cupcakes made with green frosting and golf tees, and chocolate balls wrapped in white foil to look like golf balls, paying homage to Dennis’ favorite sport. Guests also enjoyed a Sno-cone machine and a s’mores bar where they could make their own quintessential summertime treat. “I’m such a dessert person,” Janelle admits. “We had wedding cake, a cupcake station, the s’mores station, candy table and a coffee and cordial station. I also wanted a fried-dough station, but people stopped me, and it was a good thing because we had way too much food.” The only glitch

Cake Villa Italia Pasticceria 226 Broadway, Schenectady (518) 355-1144 villaitaliabakery.com

happened after the wedding when the newlyweds went to their hotel room to change and go out for an after-party. When they tried to open the door to their suite on the top floor, the key didn’t work. Dennis made three trips down to the front desk before a security guard informed them that the door was broken. “We ended up having to sit in the hallway for 30 minutes before someone could let us into the room,” Janelle says. “One of our friends happened to be walking out of their room when we were sitting in the hallway and they took a picture of us. The look on my face is priceless.” Dennis, who wasn’t strapped into a heavy wedding dress, was unperturbed. “I looked at the whole situation as being funny,” Dennis says. “I think I was actually laughing as we sat there in the hall.” If they had their wedding day to do again, Dennis and Janelle say they’d try to squeeze in time to taste some of the food from their reception, a menu they chose so carefully. “I think I had one bite of chicken,” Janelle says. “I did have s’mores,” Dennis says. “And luckily, we did get to take some of the candy home.”  timesunion.com/VOW 15

real weddings |

Katrina Austin By Cari Scribner Photos by Keith Hitlin Photography

Bride Katrina Sullivan, 33 Interior Designer GROOM Austin Sullivan, 31 Deputy Town Supervisor the Wedding day September 9, 2011 at the couple’s home The Honeymoon The are planning a week in Mexico. One Detail A rainstorm two days before their wedding left mud all around their backyard wedding tent. During the reception, the train on Katrina’s wedding dress was coated with mud, and then a guest unfortunately stepped on it, causing it to rip slightly. Katrina had her friends cut off the train. No one wanted to do it, but she insisted. Now, she plans to make a christening gown using material from her dress when they welcome a newborn in March 2013.

16 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

From the groom’s high-top black Converse sneakers embroidered with the words “Just Say Yes” in neon green thread, to the pyramid of apple cider donuts in lieu of a wedding cake, to the light green tutu worn by the flower girl, everything about Katrina and Austin Sullivan’s wedding was unique. Katrina and Austin hail from Germantown, N.Y., and attended the same high school. Since the school is small, they vaguely knew each other, but didn’t date or even share the same circle of friends. After graduation, they each left for college, and Austin then went to California to join the National Guard. Busy working on their careers, neither of them was particularly interested in a serious relationship, until they reconnected through family and friends back home. “Everything just fell into place,” Katrina says. “I was working in Albany but moved

back to town and he hasn’t been able to get rid of me since.” Austin proposed at an afterNew Year’s party attended by almost 100 of their close friends and family. In keeping with their eclectic personalities, Austin chose an unusual method of offering Katrina the engagement ring. “I had the ring in a full glass of champagne and told her to sip it,” Austin admits. “I didn’t even think ahead of time about the fact that she could have swallowed it. Fortunately she didn’t.” After growing up on large acres of property in the farmland community, Katrina and Austin wanted the same setting for their life together. They bought a Cape Cod-style house set in rolling fields, which became the center of their lives together. The engagement, the wedding and reception all took place there. continued on page 19

THE PARTICULARS Ceremony and Reception Couple’s home in Germantown Tent Rental Columbia Tent Rentals 304 Water Street, Hudson (518) 851-9460 columbiatent.com Photographer Keith Hitlin Photography East Greenbush (518) 336-5370 khitlinphoto.com Music at reception Michael Reilly @ CT Productions Mobile DJ Service 212 Vly Road, Niskayuna (518) 209-3078 CTPDJ.com Wedding attire Jolia’s Bridal County Route 31, Livingston Express Hudson Valley Mall 1300 Ulster Avenue, Kingston Hair The Cutting Room 4833 Route 9G, Germantown (518) 537-5400 JewElry Zales 1300 Ulster Avenue, Kingston (845) 336-0832 zales.com 14K 303 Fairview Avenue, Hudson (518) 828-3534 14kinc.com Caterer The Old Daley Inn 2 Northern Drive, Troy (518) 235-2656 olddaleyinn.com Golden Harvest Farms 3074 US Route 9, Valatie (518) 758-7683

timesunion.com/VOW 17

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continued from 17

“We knew right away we wanted a backyard wedding, and we’re creative people, so we did everything just the way we wanted,” Katrina says. Katrina’s bridesmaids wore charcoal-colored dresses in varying styles they chose themselves. Austin and his groomsmen wore gray vests and pants — no jackets — and neon green ties to match their Converse sneakers (see wedding detail below). “From the start, we wanted a casual, relaxed wedding and reception, and that’s what we got,” Katrina says. Their wedding photos feature pictures of the bridesmaids holding Austin off the ground (and nearly dropping him); in another, Katrina, in her wedding gown, is being held sideways by the groomsmen. The groom and his ushers donned dark sunglasses and lit cigars, posing for photos a la the Blues Brothers. “Our photographer stood on the roof to take group photos,” Austin says. “It’s so great, because we know every face in the crowd.” Their creative vision led to choices such as supplying each of the 150 guests with a mason jar that served as their beer (or soda) mug throughout the reception. Katrina gave her bridesmaids mason jars resembling stemware

with candlestick bases. “They’re (called) redneck wine glasses,” Katrina explains. “I also gave them bracelets, but it’s the mason jars they’ll remember.” The reception also featured another fun detail: On a tree in the back of the yard, on a sign in a white birch frame were the words “make-out area.” Behind the tree, an inviting hammock beckoned. “No one had ever seen anything like it,” Austin says. Their outdoor reception menu included turkey and mashed potatoes, which Katrina calls “comfort food.” The weather proved to be the only glitch, but the couple took it all in stride. Hurricane Irene brought torrential rain that forced them to move their rehearsal

dinner into the garage. When mud collected around their white wedding tent, they borrowed oversize farm fans from friends to dry the ground as best they could. “When you have an outdoor wedding, you take what you get,” Katrina says. “We didn’t stress out about anything.” Even their wedding date is interesting: September 10, 2011, which numerically is 9/10/11. A year after the event, the newlyweds say they’d love to experience their wedding all over again. “It was just so much fun,” Katrina says. “We couldn’t have asked for anything better.” 

THE PARTICULARS cont. Flowers The Greenhouse at Rhinebeck 41 Pitcher Road, Rhinebeck (845) 876-3974 thegreenhouseatrhinebeck.com Invitations Vista Print vistaprint.com Transportation Donald R. Kline Inc. Local bus service (the bus the bride rode for the first day of Kindergarten) Hotel accommodations The Central House 220 Main Street, Germantown (518) 537-7722 centralhousehotelinn.com

timesunion.com/VOW 19

real weddings |

Stephanie Johnny By Cari Scribner Photos by Dexter Davis Photography

Bride Stephanie Giroux, 28 Marketing Director for Wobi (powered by HSM) in Manhattan GROOM Johnny Giroux, 30 Company Commander, New York National Guard Joint Counterterrorism Task Force based in NYC the Wedding day June 2, 2012 at Church of the Blessed Sacrament

The Honeymoon Mini-getaway to Long Island following wedding day; 12 nights in Jamaica in October. One Detail Stephanie’s sister, Andy, was matron-ofhonor and made a sentimental toast to the newlyweds. Andy’s daughters, Lexi, age 4, and Sabrina, 2, stood at the front of the room during the toast holding a large pink sign. When Andy got to the emotional part of her speech, the girls held up one side of the sign that said, “Laugh or I’ll cry.” When Andy finished, the girls flipped the sign to show the message, “Clap for Mommy.” Stephanie had no idea her sister had this planned. 20 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

THE PARTICULARS

tephanie and Johnny were both born in Albany, and had family members who knew one another, but they didn’t meet until their mid-20s, living 150 miles from home in New York City. “I think we were destined to meet, it was just a matter of when and where,” Stephanie Giroux says. “We had so many family and friends in common that it had to happen at some point.” Stephanie moved to Manhattan for a job after earning a degree in communications from the University of Hartford. Johnny received a bachelor’s degree from Loyola College of Maryland, and then was commissioned in the

United States Army. After serving two tours in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division, Johnny now serves as Bravo Company Commander of the New York Anti-terrorism Task Force, based out of Ft. Hamilton, Brooklyn. The outgoing couple would like to say they met at a special, romantic location, but in truth they were both out with friends for $1 beer night at a bar called Turtle Bay in midtown Manhattan in May 2009. After exchanging glances throughout the evening, the two sat down and talked after their friends left the bar. After that, Stephanie says, “we were inseparable.” About a year and a half later, after many trips upstate to spend time with their families, Johnny was ready to surprise Stephanie with an engagement ring. He met Stephanie at work in NYC, and they walked to a French restaurant, very close to Turtle Bay, where they met. After a sumptuous dinner, Johnny got down on one knee in front of all the other diners and proposed. Stephanie admits she thought he was kidding. “But when I realized it was for real, I didn’t say ‘yes,’ I said ‘absolutely,’” Stephanie says. continued on page 23

Ceremony Church of the Blessed Sacrament 607 Central Avenue, Albany (518) 482-3375 blessedsacramentchurchalbany.org Reception Polish American Citizens Club 110 Commerce Avenue, Albany paccalbany.org Photographer Dexter Davis Photography 48 Sherman Street, Albany (518) 391-2338 dexphotos.com Music Piano Man DJ Productions (Jeff Richards) 638 New Loudon Road, Latham 518-489-4000 pianomandj.com Wedding ATTIRE Angela’s Bridal 1811 Western Avenue, Albany (518) 869-1848 angelasbridal.net Best Bridal Prices (Designer: Alfred Angelo) bestbridalprices.com Waldorf Tuxedo Company 204 Lancaster Street, Albany (518) 449-5011 waldorftuxedo.com JEWELER Raineri Jewelers 82 Bowery, New York, NY 10013 (888) 718-7686 rainerijewelers.com Forever Metals forevermetals.com Cake Gio Culinary Studio 22 S Main St, Voorheesville (518) 391-2323 gioculinarystudio.com Makeup Helen Barboza Bellas Caras, Loudonville (518) 852-6220 bellascaras.com timesunion.com/VOW 21

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The two then walked a couple of blocks to the bar where they had their first date for the second stage of Johnny’s surprise: a group of their friends were gathered to toast the couple with champagne and share a congratulatory cake. Stephanie put her marketing skills to work when planning their wedding. She created a “brand,” which was their initials, using the logo on everything from their invitations to the fondant on their wedding cake. “I had a blast doing it all,” Stephanie says. Light pink, Stephanie’s favorite color, and navy blue, the color of Johnny’s dress uniform, were chosen for the wedding and reception. They had a formal, traditional church wedding with pink and white roses everywhere, followed by a reception for about 200 guests in Albany at the Polish American Citizen’s Club. “My dad knows everyone there, so he had a lot to do with the menu and the way everything was set up, which was great because we wanted family to be involved,” Stephanie says. “It was beautiful and perfect.” The weather didn’t exactly cooperate on their wedding day, with gray skies and drizzle that made outdoor photos before the wedding ceremony impossible. But as they exited the church and walked under the Sabre Arch Salute of Johnny’s fellow servicemen, the skies cleared

magnificently. They were able to have a photo shoot at The Crossings in Loudonville, and it stayed clear until they arrived at their reception site. Then, as soon as they went inside, the rain returned. At the reception, the formal atmosphere of their wedding evaporated. “We’re traditional, but we like to party,” Johnny says. “We had a party bus for everyone in the wedding and there was a lot of celebrating. It was basically non-stop celebrating.” The entrance of the bridesmaids and groomsmen into the reception is usually staid, but not in this case. Some of the ushers carried the bridesmaids in on piggy-back, some danced, some sashayed. As for Johnny, his groomsmen swept him off his feet. “They picked me up 12 feet in the air,” Johnny says, laughing. “Good thing I trust them not to drop me.” Stephanie’s grandmother requested the song, “We are Family,” and the dance floor was mobbed. The music continued for six hours, which they extended for an additional 30 minutes. Then, there

was a post-reception after party at the Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel. “We have a lot of friends who are musicians, so we had everyone bring their instruments,” Johnny says. A guitar player himself, Johnny received a special wedding gift from friends: a guitar with a custom-made leather strap. “They had some of my favorite sayings carved into the leather,” Johnny says. “One of them is ‘May your home always be too small to hold all your loved ones.’” 

THE PARTICULARS cont. Flowers Boutros Florist 488 Albany Shaker Road, Albany (518) 514-1717 boutrosflorist.com Rehearsal dinner The Century House 997 New Loudon Road, Latham (518) 785-0931 thecenturyhouse.com Invitations A.V. Costa 450 Fulton Street Troy (518) 274-7075 avcosta.com Transportation Today’s Limousine 2622 7th Avenue, Building 51 East, Watervliet (518) 452-4242 todayslimo.com Hotel accommodations Ramada Plaza Albany 3 Watervliet Ave. Ext., Albany 518-438-8431 ramada.com

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Not My Type How do you decide which dress works best for your body type? By Brianna Snyder | Photos by Emily Jahn

hen I was little, my mom used to say when I got married she wanted me to wear the same wedding dress Scarlett O’Hara wore in Gone With The Wind. Now that woman wore a lot of gorgeous gowns, but her wedding dress is not one of them. Covered from head to toe in ruffles, poor Scarlett — beautiful as she was — is nearly suffocating in all that bunched-up fabric. Please. Give me that green dress Mammy made out of curtains. We all want to look fit for the cover of a magazine on our wedding day. But with so many styles, cuts, sleeves, lengths and fabrics to choose from, finding the perfect one can seem daunting and overwhelming. Are you a pear shape? Apple? Short? Big-busted? Can wider-hipped girls wear a Kate Middleton-style dress? That depends. Marylu Aragosa, owner of Ferri Formals and Bridals in Schenectady, says that, actually, the Kate Middleton dress — an A-line style with long, lace sleeves and a conservative neckline — works on many body types. And even if it didn’t, she says, “We try not to limit (brides’) choices right off the bat. … Each person has a different view of what ‘beautiful’ is, and the main thing is that she feels beautiful.” In other words, knowing your body type is a good start to the process, but be careful not to let yourself be too constrained by it. “What (a bride-tobe) may think will not work for her

may actually be the trick that makes everything fantastic,” says Yvonne Spinelli, owner of Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, in Latham. Try on every dress you like, she says, and trust the consultant you’re working with. (Or, if you don’t trust your consultant, find a new one you do trust.) Spinelli says the dress models you see in magazines and catalogs are all “sizes 2, 4 and 6, and they’re generally almost 6 feet tall, so using them as a basis for what would look good on you doesn’t make sense.” Instead, she recommends looking for inspiration on sites such as Pinterest and bridal-shop websites with testimonials from real brides. In her over 20 years of experience in this business, Spinelli says she’s learned that women of all shapes, sizes and heights want to try all different types of dresses. Size-6 girls wear dresses that size-18 girls want to wear, too, and Spinelli likes to accommodate them. “We don’t want to sacrifice on style,” she says. But of course there are some simple truths to the body-type flattery guidelines. Mind them, but ignore them sometimes too. And expect to make alterations no matter what you pick out. “I can probably count on one hand how many brides didn’t need alterations,” Spinelli says. “You’ve got to fit into the contours of the dress and make sure it’s made for you.” continued on 26 timesunion.com/VOW 25

continued from 25

If you’re curvy or hourglass-shaped …

If you HAVE NARROW HIPS OR A LONG TORSO …

Spinelli says that while trumpet-style dresses were once limited to the sizes 4s and 6s, they’ve been reclaimed by the 14s, 16s and 18s. “Anyone confident in their curves, anyone who sees the beauty in their curves, looks beautiful in these trumpet dresses,” she says.

Drop waists do wonders to enhance the shape of your hips. And Aragosa says dresses with natural waistlines and sashes do a good job of minimizing height (if your torso is long). Spinelli also cautions against empire-waist styles for straighter body types. They can make the torso and body look longer.

Strapless dresses don’t always work for everyone. Find out why at timesunion.com/vow.

26 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

All dresses pictured can be found at Ferri Formals, Scenectady.

If you’re APPLE-SHAPED OR THICK IN THE MIDDLE … “If you have full hips, an A-line skirt keeps you looking lean and long,” says Aragosa. That cut also gives you “a lovely bustline and smaller waist.” The bustline can be further enhanced with some strategic beading, as the A-line covers your hips. (On the other hand, it should be noted that Spinelli says many women looking to create an illusion of a fuller bottom have been using padding around their derrieres. Thanks to J-Lo and Kim Kardashian, “does this make my butt look big?” is a whole new — happier! — question.)

If you’re busty … You probably don’t want to show too much cleavage showing on your wedding day, so Yvonne Spinelli, of Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, recommends “a straight-across neckline or a slightly dipped neckline,” which keeps that cleavage under control. Additional bonus? For women wearing a strapless gown (see our sidebar), the straightacross neckline helps hide some of the underarm paunch that torments so many strapless-gown wearers.

timesunion.com/VOW 27

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Second Life

Clever ideas for your gown, post-wedding

By Kristi Barlette

Photo: iStockphoto.com/ Goran Bogicevic

rides spend weeks, even months, looking for “that dress.” The one that will make them feel stunning. The one that will have their spouse stunned as they walk down the aisle. The dress both of them will remember forever. For some women it’s a dress they’ve imagined for years. Others come across their gown in a bridal magazine — or boutique window — after they’re engaged and, of course, some women wear a family or vintage frock. No matter where your dress originates, a woman’s wedding gown is one of the most significant pieces of clothing she’ll wear. And, for many, taking it off after the cake has been cut, the deejay’s packed up and the guests have gone home can be the start of the post-wedding blues.

You know you’ll never wear that gown again, or will you? “I’ve done some cocktails dresses out of gowns I have made. Or maybe we keep the bodice and we do something different on the skirt,” says Kim Vanyo, clothing designer, dressmaker and owner of Khymanyo in Saratoga Springs. “A lot of brides loved their dress so much and say ‘I don’t want to take it off’ and this is a way they can wear it again.” If wearing the gown again, personally, doesn’t work out — maybe it’s stained or you’ve gained or lost weight since your wedding — that doesn’t mean someone else can’t make something of it. “I have seen (for instance) an older sister gets married and they make it into a shorter gown for the other sister to wear,” says Christine Wheat,

owner of Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm in Saratoga Springs. Repurposing the fabric is also common. A christening gown is most popular, says Vanyo, but thinking of the dress as “fabric” instead of an article of clothing can lead to a whole host of ideas including a ring bearer pillow for a family member’s wedding, a sash on a future bride’s dress or even a handbag. Fine, antique lace can be worked into the trim on a veil or even on a wedding gown. Using some of the fabric from your gown for a veil can be especially meaningful since size isn’t as important and the veil can, in turn, be worn by many women, regardless of height, weight or age. “One bride I had, the veil had been passed down (many) generations,” Wheat says. “And everyone who timesunion.com/VOW 29

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Transformed again, and again: Designer Kim Vanyo took Peg Ruben’s 1970s-era Carolina Herrera dress and gave it a modern look for her daughter Kelly’s wedding some three decades later. A few years after that, the dress was transformed yet again into a 1930-era Hollywood look for the wedding of Kelly’s cousin Maura. Photos courtesy Kim Vanyo/Kyhmanyo Studio.

wore the veil signed the log and the log stays with the veil. It was this nice heirloom piece.” Another way to repurpose a gown is to add one of the important men in your life into the mix. One bride took her mother’s dress and found other material and made her dress out of her mom’s dress and her new material. She then had a bowtie made for her father from the material. Like the passing of the veil, this was a way to meld generations and for

The Party’s Over Other options for your wedding gown:

Donate: Charities such as GoodwillBridalShowcase.org, Brides Against Breast Cancer (makingmemories.org) and DonateMyDress.org accept wedding gowns. They either make the gowns available to brides who cannot afford a dress or sell the dresses with the proceeds benefiting charity. Preserve: Preservation is key

the bride to have both her parents represented with her gown on her wedding day. While many brides don’t decide until after they are married what they want to do with their gown, some brides plan the aftermath before they even begin shopping, says Jennie Ma, fashion editor with The Knot. “Some girls will go online and secure a buyer before they buy their dress and then they can go over budget,” Ma says. “They will

if you plan to use the dress in the future (aside from “trashing” it). Many area dry cleaners offer this service, which typically starts around $100 and goes up from there. Experts stress the importance of having your dress preserved if you want it to last beyond a few years. Without preservation, the gown will turn yellow, get brittle and become useless. Also, Vanyo suggests putting a photo of the dress, and you in the dress, in the box. This will not only offer future brides an opportunity

go online and say ‘I am buying the Amsale dress in size 2.’” They will then arrange with another bride-tobe to pass along the gown (cleaned, of course) after they’re married. This requires that two women have very similar body types, says Ma, and it also requires some serious planning and logistics and assurance from the first bride to the second bride that she — the original dress-wearer — won’t decide she just can’t part with her gown after becoming a missus. 

to see what you looked like, but if you decide to bring the gown to a dressmaker for repurposing, he or she can get a good look at the dress in its original form. Resale: Sites such as preownedweddingdresses.com and recycledbride.com are classifiedtype sites that allow women to sell their gowns. There is a fee for selling, but you can reach a large network and even check and see how other former brides are pricing their dresses to gauge how you should price your own. timesunion.com/VOW 31

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Out With the Old,

In With the New 9 wedding traditions you might nix and why

aybe it’s Hollywood, maybe it’s YouTube. Whatever it is, it’s causing cookie-cutter weddings to be tossed to the wayside and ordering in extra shipments of “something new.” Flip through the pages of any bridal magazine or watch the latest rom-com; you’ll see that, these days, bevies of brides are forgoing long-established traditions and customs for one reason or another — whether it’s to save money, save time or just make their day unique. And here at VOW, we’re all aboard. Read on for a slew of old-school rules you may want to reconsider and why

By Melissa Fiorenza | Illustrations by Emily Jahn

A twist on top of that twist… Don’t want to see your future hubby just yet? Have your attendants get you both on opposite sides of a door and hold hands for a few quick snapshots. No peeking!

THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE EACH OTHER The tradition: When you walk down the aisle. The twist: Forget that! J.P. Elario of Elario Photography Inc. in Albany says that nearly 50 percent, if not more, of his brides don’t care about superstition and prefer to see their groom before the ceremony. It’s what Elario calls the “first look” — and there are a couple reasons to consider it. “First, it maximizes their time with me. I can get in an extra 30 minutes with the bride and groom while they still look fresh,” he says. (And if you’re paying a lot for photos, why not make the most of your photographer?) Second, he explains, “Brides and grooms don’t want to miss their cocktail hour — which is often when we’re only just starting on photos. If they do a ‘first look,’ they can enjoy the party, talk to their guests, and not lose time doing that during the reception.” continued on 34

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continued from 33

THE GOWN’S SASH

ACCESSORIES

The tradition: Subdued and blending in with the gown.

The tradition: Pearls or small diamond earrings, accompanied by a matching necklace or bracelet, and a veil

The twist: Adding a crystal beaded belt or a belt adorned with a cluster of flowers can add a bride’s own flavor and make her dress unique, explains Spinelli. But that’s not even the latest trend, she explains, which is swapping in a colorful second belt just for the reception. “For those brides who love their wedding gown too much to switch it out for a second dress or don’t have the budget for that, this is a great alternative.” The bride can have her traditional white or ivory gown for the ceremony and formal pictures, she says, but then add (or switch out their white or ivory sash for) a colored one to match the bridesmaids or any color she chooses.

The twist: “One modern twist in bridal accessories is bigger and bolder jewelry,”says Erica Sewell, creative director of Escape Artist and a fashion instructor  at The Art Institute of New York City. “Less formal jewelry is being worn, like hoop earrings and even cuff bracelets and lariats.” As for headgear, she says birdcage veils, combs with funky fabric and headbands are trendy right now. Search sample sales and flash sale e-tailers (Rue La La, Gilt) for discounts on accessories — even if they’re not bridal — to see if anything catches your eye.

DESSERT The tradition: Tiered wedding cake The twist: Ask yourself: What does your sweet tooth often crave? Candy? S’mores? How about an assortment? “Some brides ask for a Viennese table, which could include items such as cakes, pies, cookies and miniature Viennese pastries (bite-sized),” says Beckie Raymond of Zachary’s Pastry Shoppe in East Greenbush. Want your cake and something else, too? Raymond suggests adding a groom’s cake that depicts something your fiancé enjoys. 34 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

PROCESSIONAL The tradition: Take Dad down the aisle. The twist: “I really enjoy it when I see the bride escorted down the aisle by both her parents rather than just her dad,” O’Malley says. If you think you’d like to change it up, have a chat with your parents. Your mom may prefer to remain seated and get the perfect view of her daughter’s entrance, but simply asking her to join you would be a thoughtful gesture.

BRIDE & GROOM SIDES

THE BRIDE’S SHOES

THE BRIDAL GOWN

The tradition: Brides’ guests on the left. Grooms’ guests on the right.

The tradition: White, simple, delicate. The twist: Brides are opting for colored shoes. “The most popular color choice is a shade of blue to keep with the tradition of having ‘something blue,’” says Yvonne Spinelli, owner of Bridal Gallery by Yvonne in Latham. Another popular pick is to match the color of their bridesmaids’ dresses, she says. “We’ve seen pinks, fuchsias, red, purples and most recently emerald green.” Another shoe twist: “We have also seen brides buy colored ‘reception shoes’ (a second pair of flat or low-heeled shoes).” Consider this twist if you’re a dancing queen who doesn’t love the idea of heels all night long.

The tradition: White or ivory The twist: Think in colors. From blush to blue to purple, Nora Palmer from Angela’s Bridal in Albany is seeing it all with their brides. “Show your personality with your dress,” she says, pointing out that Lazaro’s sherbet and wisteria tulle ball gowns are both memorable, beautiful and different. If you can’t go full-blown, she suggests considering colorful crinoline beneath, so your guests and photographer see a pop of color when you show off your shoes.

Grooms’ guests

Brides’ guests

The twist: Switch sides! It’s an idea that Katie O’Malley, owner of Katie O Weddings & Events in the Capital Region, often suggests to her clients. “I suggest that we switch the family seating so that the bride’s mother and father can see their daughter’s face while reciting her vows rather than the back of her head.” Makes sense! Consider swapping where your parents would typically sit with your groom’s parents, and letting your guests choose anywhere they please.

CEREMONY READING The tradition: Religious passages or love poems The twist: Think about what you really want to hear at your wedding, or would love to hear when you attend others. O’Malley shares one of her clients’ creative ideas: “One couple asked their friends — a couple married 8 months, a couple married 10 years and a couple married 34 years — to share their thoughts on love and marriage during their ceremony.” It was meaningful, personal, touching, funny and very memorable for the couple and guests, she adds.  timesunion.com/VOW 35

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The B-List How to handle your guest invitations By Kristi Barlette

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/ Jitalia17

anta Claus isn’t the only one to make a list and check it twice. Brides and grooms do the same as they prepare for their wedding — and they’re not checking one list, but two. The average number of guests attending a 2011 wedding was 138, according to TheWeddingReport. com and a single guest adds about $186 to the average overall cost of a wedding. When you are approaching that $200 mark for each added friend or family member, it’s not surprising brides and grooms are judicious with their guest list, especially since the reception is typically the most expensive part of a wedding. Enter the B-list, also known as Tier

II. This is a second round of guests. People you want to invite, but not people you consider “musts.” And, if you think you’ve never been a Tier II guest, think again. “Most couples have an A and B list,” says Anja Winikka, site director with TheKnot.com. “There are space constraints and budget constraints and that is why they have a B-list.” Cora Burns, invitation designer and owner of Paperdolls of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, says 60 percent of brides tell her they’re having a B-list, but she suspects 80 percent actually do it. Megan Beauchemin, who was married in the fall of 2012, had one. That secondary run wasn’t huge, but

it was in place from the beginning for the 28-year-old Pittsfield, Mass., resident and her husband, Chris. “We had so many family members to invite that we hit our limit and needed to move probably 10 people or so over to the B-list,” she says. Like any bride, Beauchemin and her husband had to keep their event within a certain budget, and while they really wanted all guests to attend, they had to go with family first, she says. And Beauchemin was one of the lucky ones. She was able to extend an invitation to her entire second tier. “Since more family declined than we anticipated, we were able to invite them,” she says, adding that timesunion.com/VOW 37

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she and her husband hoped their additional guests would be there to celebrate with them, but if they couldn’t — due to later notice or even a bruised ego — the couple would have understood. Anger or disappointment are the biggest concerns with these lists, according to experts. Ideally, you avoid this practice altogether, says Krystal Royal-Salerno, owner of the event-planning company Kris Royal Weddings in Cohoes. “From an etiquette standpoint, the best thing is to not have one because you run the risk of people realizing they are on the B-list and their feelings getting hurt,” says the wedding planner. Brides can minimize, or eliminate, the B-list by cutting in other areas, such as choosing a less-expensive venue or getting married on an offday. Turning the reception into a big cocktail party instead of a sit-down dinner can also help eliminate this list.

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/mattjeacock

ut, as we already learned, that second round is common, so the question really is how do you handle that next batch of invites and not make anyone feel as if they weren’t your first choice? First off, send your initial invitations out in plenty of time — say eight weeks in advance — and set that first RSVP date up to three weeks before the wedding. Oftentimes, when people know they aren’t coming, they’ll respond right away, says Burns. Keep careful track of the “nos” and get your second batch ready to go to the post office. Remember, though, to group your B-lists together, for example: coworkers, extended family, friends from church or a social activity. “The general rule of thumb is to keep it consistent,” Winikka

says. “If you are inviting first cousins, invite all first cousins.” As silly as this may seem, weddings are political, according to experts, and etiquette rules need to be followed in order to keep peace and harmony. The other issue brides and grooms run into with tier II are RSVP card issues. Printing up two sets of response cards can get expensive, but Burns has a solution: Print up one card, with the early date on the bottom and the later date on top. Then, depending on the round of invites, use a paper cutter to remove the incorrect date. No one will know the difference, and this will save you money — and make planning easier. Also, advise Burns, Winikka and Salerno, always send a formal invitation to everyone on your list, including the B-list guests. A phone call, e-mail or Facebook message is poor form, unless an explanation is in order due to mail being returned. Oh, and if you are tempted to call around the week leading up to the wedding to fill empty seats left by lastminute cancellations to reach your minimum, don’t. Sure, you’ve paid for the plate. But, wasting a few hundred dollars is better than damaging a relationship by treating people like seat-fillers at a Hollywood award show. In the end, it’s

important to remember you are dealing with people — people who want to feel wanted, and that’s possible, as long you follow those few simple steps, which Beauchemin learned. “If I had to do it over again, I would have made a somewhat larger B-list, because a lot of family said they couldn’t come (many didn’t RSVP until close to the due date), and I would have loved to have been able to invite a bunch more of my friends to come party with us.” Beauchemin says. “I wish money had been no object, but it was, and I think that people really should be understanding if they find out they’re B-listed. It’s not because they didn’t want you there, at least not every time, but because they probably had to invite family first.” 

timesunion.com/VOW 39

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Favorable Favors Photos by Dexter Davis Photography & Video, Albany

Wedding take-aways to satisfy any guest

orcelain, heart-shaped boxes were on each guest’s table at Julia and David DiPaolo’s reception at the Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia. They gave these Italian “capo de monte” wedding favors to represent something unique and romantic for their special day. “The guests thought they were very beautiful, and something they have never seen before,” Julia says. “I chose them because they were made in Italy, and I loved the delicacy of them. It was just a little token of our appreciation for attending our special day.” The tradition of giving guests a wedding favor began centuries ago in the late Middle Ages. Sugar — then a very expensive commodity — was a popular favor. These cubes and other confections were usually presented in a bonbonniere, or small box made of crystal, porcelain or precious stones.

By Lee Nelson

As sugar decreased in price, the idea of giving favors moved out into the general populace, and bonbonnieres were replaced with sugar-coated almonds, called confetti. In modern times, the most popular almond to use was the Jordan almond. The various colors of these candy-coated almonds are meant to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness in the new couple’s life together. While almonds are still used, wedding favors have come a long way in recent years. Gifts can range from useful items such as wine bottle stoppers, coasters or paperweights to bottles of wine. They can be as simple and inexpensive as a small bag of M&Ms — with colors matching the wedding, of course — in clever wrapping. continued on 42 timesunion.com/VOW 41

Megan Barkevich says at least 75 percent of the brides she works with give gifts to the guests. “The trend is to do things that are more interactive such as a popcorn, potato chip or candy buffet bar at the end of the evening. The guests will get some kind of container such as a pretty sack or box to fill with these goodies,” says Barkevich, director of special events at Total Events Management in Niskayuna. Brides and grooms work hard to pick the perfect favor to complement their own hobbies, the wedding’s theme, their families’ ethnic backgrounds or just something fun and unique. “They want to have some kind of item that shows their appreciation for coming,” says Krystal Royal-Salerno, wedding planner and owner of Kris Royal

42 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Weddings in Cohoes. “There is a tradition to it. It almost seems now that there is an expectation of guests that they will be getting something.” Many of her brides also put together welcome bags or baskets for out-of-town guests at area hotels. It’s a wedding favor before the wedding, and it helps family and friends feel welcome. “It’s different for every couple, but many put in items that are local, plus information about things to do in the area, maps and snacks,” RoyalSalerno says.

he options are limitless for the variety and cost of wedding favors these days. Food trucks have become a popular option for the end of the wedding reception, says Alissa Buhrmaster,

corporate and social event planner for Mazzone Hospitality in Clifton Park. Couples using Mazzone can pick almost any type of food truck they wish to come feed everyone during or after the party. “We have created the façade of food trucks inside the facility. People have chosen Mexican, Chinese, and all sorts of things to feed their guests after the party,” she says. Brides also are requesting the Barista Bar. “It’s like having a Starbucks at your wedding reception. They can make coffee, lattes and cappuccinos. It keeps people up at night and keeps them going,” Buhrmaster says. She also has seen guests leave with a dinner-in-a-box such as pasta, a loaf of bread and canned sauce in a pretty basket. Another couple asked the valets to put a breakfastto-go that included a menu of bagels, cream cheese, a drink and a newspaper in every guest’s vehicle. Royal-Salerno says edible favors have taken over personalized items such as monogrammed koozies. Pizzas and sliders at the end of the night have appeared at some of the weddings she has planned. One bride gave out mini apple pies each in its own box with a ribbon around it during her fall wedding. Another gave the ingredients for cupcakes in a jar for the guests to bake later. “Homemade gifts can still be a great keepsake, and people seem to really appreciate them,” she says. Gifts that are reflective of the area where the wedding is being held are popular as well. Fresh fudge from the Village Sweet Shoppe in Ballston Spa has become a big seller for wedding favors. Owner Joie Smith and her sister, Kate Mayer, the chocolatier, have only been in business a little over a year, but they have seen a great demand for their products for wedding guests. One couple wanted three different types of fudge. “We wrapped the 1-inch squares of fudge individually and put three

Photos: Hawaii Wedding, iStockphoto.com/ Eneri LLC ; chocolate lolipops from the Village Sweet Shoppe, Ballston Spa; Thank You favor by Dexter Davis Photography & Video.

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pieces in each of the pink organza bags,” Smith says. “People busted out the fudge at the end of the wedding, and they were happy.” She also has supplied a candy buffet for several weddings with a variety of popular candies from her store. It costs about $3.50 per guest when they use the bulk candy. If they want specialty candies, the price goes up. Miniature glass jars filled with candy and blue candles were set on the table before the reception of Carmen and Juan Hernandez of Ravena. “The candles represented romance, and the candy was something sweet. Sweet and romantic was the theme we were going for,” Carmen says. “My friends loved the fact that they were small enough gifts to put in their bags, and the kids enjoyed the candy. So both parties were happy.” The distinctive cobalt blue bottles of Saratoga Spring Water Co. appear quite often at wedding receptions, says Buhrmaster. The 12- ounce bottles can be filled with flavored sparkling water in a variety of flavors, such as wildberry and orange-tangerine. People put a bow with a thank-you tag from the bride and groom, and each guest takes one home. “I’ve seen the Peppermint Pig in a bag given out as gifts, too. People break the hard candy for good luck,” she says. Saratoga Sweets in Clifton Park makes the trademarked edible pig. Many families have their own favorite family recipes and give items such as bags of their granola or jars of their honey or syrup. “Some couples do the simple things, and others are thinking way outside the box,” Burhmaster says. “Things have changed a lot since I got married seven years ago. People are getting a lot of their ideas on social media, especially Pinterest. Brides share their great ideas.” 

Some Ideas to Get You Started Here are some favor suggestions from our wedding experts

Regional gifts Peppermint Pig from Saratoga Sweets 1618 Rt. 9, Halfmoon 518-373-0073 Wine from the Saratoga Winery 462 Route 29, Saratoga Springs 518-584-WINE Homemade chocolates from Village Sweet Shoppe 24 Low St., Ballston Spa (518) 885-4165 Sparkling or spring water from Saratoga Spring Water Co. 11 Geyser Road, Saratoga Springs 518-584-6363

Practical/Home gifts: Magnets, bottle stoppers, chip holders, candles, soaps, photo frames, coasters, wine glasses Food/beverage items Candy in a bag or box, hot chocolate mix in jar, mini-pies, cookies in a wrapper, barista bar, small bottles of liquor, wine or champagne, Personalized tea, lemonade or coffee packets

Other ideas: CD of couple’s reception music A small plant or flowers/ vegetable seeds Photos from old-fashioned photobooth timesunion.com/VOW 43

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Outdoor Wedding? No problem — if you plan ahead

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/Cindy Singleton.

n theory — and many brides’ imaginations — an outdoor wedding is the perfect way to celebrate a summer union. And indeed, the Capital Region has a plethora of paradises to make any outdoor wedding special — as long as you have a Plan B. Because while Mother Nature can be a wonderful guest on her most magnificent days, she is also just a tad fickle. And no one wants her wedding all washed up. If your wedding will be held outside, your contingency plan is as important as your wedding dress. A contingency plan systematically plots out everything that can go wrong, and sets up a back-up plan for the worst-case scenario. “The way we do it,” says Harvey

By Wendy Page

Vlahos, owner with his wife Donna Abbott Vlahos of The Altamont Manor, “is we emphasize pretty dramatically that you have to go through your whole day, Plan A and Plan B, from arrival to departure and everything in between.” In a way, you’re planning for two weddings. “Every bride, when she envisions her wedding, she only sees sunshine,” says Susan Baker, vice president of sales and marketing at Mazzone Hospitality. “We have a conversation about, Let’s price out a Plan A and Plan B, so it’s not a lastminute scramble and it won’t cause a big issue with your budget.” Start by making a checklist of everything that’s involved, and when speaking with each vendor, determine an alternate plan for all

items on that checklist. All your vendors must have a Plan B in place. Susan Knott, of Susan Knott Photography, offers suggestions to her clients. “If the location they’ve chosen is open air, then what’s Plan B? There are places you can go that are covered but still outside,” she says. “I visit every venue before I shoot, and I try to attend the dress rehearsal. Then I’m prepared before anything happens.” When asking about contingency plans, be sure to include questions about deposits and cancellation policies. Ask what they supply, what you will need to provide (for example, a power source for the band/DJ), and when to make the call to change from A to B. continued on 46 timesunion.com/VOW 45

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ordered months in advance, and are set up at least a few days before the event (which also serves to keep the ground dry before your big day). “We try to put everything under one unit, if they have the space,” Whalen says, “so they’re not walking from tent to tent. We have marquees, but that drives the price up.” Keep in mind that a tent has a finite amount of square footage, and this is one place not to skimp on size. The caterer will always be in his own tent, away from the guests, and will need a covered path from the preparation tent to the guests. Strong winds can wreak havoc on tents (“Tents are not buildings,” Whalen says). While everyone hopes for a sunny day, it’s good to keep in mind that excessive heat can be just as dangerous as strong winds and heavy rain. Have fans ready, and sunscreen. If your wedding is later in the summer, consider renting outdoor heaters if there’s the possibility of a cooler day and for when the sun sets. Plan as well on some method of staving off pesky insects, but don’t use a zapper

(the bzzz can kill the mood). You may want to have the area professionally sprayed ahead of time.

he final point of a good contingency plan is to figure out how you will switch from Plan A to Plan B, and how much time it will take. “I tell my couples to talk with all of their hired professionals about Plans A, B and C, and be sure that everyone is familiar with all three options so there are no surprises,” says Emily Simmons, special events planner at Event Producers/Classe Catering.

Local Unique Spots for Outdoor Weddings Not sure where to hold your outdoor wedding? Here are a few suggestions from area experts. The Fasig Tipton in Saratoga. “It’s a quintessential Saratoga location,” says Susan Baker of Mazzone Hospitality, which owns the site where horse sales take place. “It has a very big walking ring that, should the weather not cooperate, you have a place to move into. It has a Plan B right there and doesn’t cost extra.” Fort Ticonderoga: “It’s a really neat space,” says Baker. “It has The King’s Garden, a reconstructed 17th-century garden. There’s lots of history there, and there’s the fort overlooking the lake.” Catskill Point, Livingston Manor, Saratoga State Park, and Liberty Ridge Farms are just a few of special events planner Emily Simmons’ suggestions. “There are also venues like Pat’s Barn, Pruyn House and Shaker Heritage Society (again, just a few of many) that have nice outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour options and potential indoor reception areas so couples may be able to have the best of both worlds.”

46 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Photos: © iStockphoto.com, Ceremony, Paige Falk.; Tent, Tony Tremblay.

At the venue, ask about potential indoor space in case of inclement weather. If you’re hosting the wedding in a yard or other public outdoor space, you’ll need to rent a hall (or something similar) for that day, and chances are high you’ll need to rent a tent. Both add expense and peace of mind. Moving a wedding to a hall is a difficult process, which is why more people opt for the tent. For either, book early in advance, and find out the cancellation policy. “Every place is different,” says Erika Frodey, event coordinator at Clifton Park Rental Center. “Ask about their deposit plan, and if it’s refundable or non-refundable.” With a tent, some companies charge full price whether you use it or not, while others take a 35 to 50 percent deposit and won’t take full payment unless the tent is used. Remember that putting up a tent takes time and work that into your contingency plan. There is no such thing as just throwing up a tent. Cornelius Whalen, owner of rental center C.W. Whalen & Sons, says waiting until the last minute to decide if you need a tent is a dangerous game to play. Most are

“Determine early on who will be making the contingency plan call, and when.” Know how much leeway your vendors need to change to Plan B. Tell your inner circle about your plans so that everyone knows his/her job making the transition if the weather doesn’t comply. Most of all, be realistic and open with your spouse-to-be about your comfort level on making decisions about this. If you’re someone for whom the uncertainty of the weather might get the best of you

emotionally, an outdoor wedding may not be the way to go. “People who make outdoor weddings are usually willing to take the risk,” Whalen says. If you can remain calm when chaos (i.e., wind and rain) erupts, then go for it. “Planning ahead of time really reduces the stress that day,” Vlahos says. “The more homework you can do up front, the less animated discussions you’ll have at the last minute among family dynamics. It’s a romantic day, but you also have to be practical. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, you’ll be married.” 

Your Outdoor Wedding Checklist Follow this mantra: Prior preparation prevents poor performance. When planning an outdoor wedding, you need to do your homework because last-minute will just not work. And you must include on your wedding invitation information about your rainy-day plans.

• Plan how guests will get from their cars to the ceremony, the ceremony to the cocktail hour, then to the reception – in all types of weather. Marquee tents are fantastic. • Power sources are not the same outside as inside. Find out where and what the power sources are and ensure they will not be in the guests’ or caterers’ paths. Will a generator be necessary to accommodate the caterers, musicians/DJ, and lighting? • Call the tent rental company as early as possible to book your tent and accoutrements. Warm weather is not only popular for weddings but also for graduations, barbecues, etc. Many rental companies cannot pull it together in just a few days. • Don’t skimp on the size of the tent – bigger really is better. You want your guests to have room to walk around. You need a tent that

can withstand rain and wind. • Flooring is an issue for dancing, especially if there’s been rain for a few days before the event and the ground is soggy and wet. • Lighting (torches, string lights, lamps) is hugely important, and not just for mood. Plan A should include lighting options for when it gets dark, and Plan B needs to also incorporate options for lighting in bad weather. • Citronella torches work well for lighting and as bug repellent, and can become part of your décor. • Chairs need to be kept dry, and if the chairs are dark, consider how to keep them from getting too hot in the sun. Chair covers work well. • The band/DJ needs to have worked outside before. Are they prepared to be heard over rain or wind? If the DJ is responsible for sound during the ceremony, how can he or she ensure the vows will be heard over any possible outside noise? • Where are the bathrooms, and how will guests get to them? No one wants to sit by the Portapotty, but you also don’t want to have to walk through a labyrinth of tents to get to the facilities. • If you’re putting together your

own outdoor event, find out if any restrictions exist for local noise levels and hours, alcohol consumption and/or the maximum number of guests. Make sure you have the proper permits, and keep them on hand. • For cool weather, have sweaters and jackets for the guests. For scorchers, have cool water and towels as well as fans, if possible. Umbrellas can protect against rain or the hot sun. You can buy parasols in bulk, or rent beach umbrellas to keep the sun from glaring down. • Consider a wedding insurance cancellation policy, which is designed to protect against financial loss from unavoidable cancellation or postponement. It covers certain costs in the case of severe weather, so be clear what “severe” means (not just a light rain). • Be educated, trust your vendors, and keep tabs on the costs. timesunion.com/VOW 47

Worldwide Wedding A wedding website can help you and your guests By Lee Nelson | Photos by The Knot Wedding Websites

ant to keep your guests up-todate on the latest news about your wedding? Today’s savvy brides-to-be know the place to do that is online. The wedding website has become as common as the first dance for most brides. Guests can use the wedding website for all kinds of information, from sending in their RSVPs to picking the entrée they want at the reception to linking to the bridal registry and finding that perfect gift. A survey of 20,000 couples in 2011 by TheKnot.com showed that 69 percent of couples had created a wedding website, compared to only 60 percent in 2009. More than 740,000 wedding websites were created in 2011 and 2012 on TheKnot.com and its sister website, WeddingChannel.com. “I think I’ve only had one bride who didn’t do a website and that’s because she didn’t have time to get to it,” says Colleen Kestel-Raidmae, owner of Bellissimo Weddings & Events in Guilderland. “When these first hit the wedding scene, companies were charging for these websites. Now, the majority are free, and they offer some good choices in designs and options.” When Kestel-Raidmae got married four years ago, she put together a website even though she wasn’t very computer savvy. “It was so easy, and now they are even easier with so many cool templates,” she says. “I had relocated from Las Vegas, and my husband was from New York. All of my family was from California, and my friends were in Nevada. I put hotel information on the site, the story of us and how we met, and all the places the guests could go once they got here. It came in handy.” 48 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Many of the online companies offering wedding websites allow couples to pick a template that suits their style, theme, wedding color and more. They offer nontraditional and traditional themes, background music, unlimited video and photo galleries, and lots of customer service in case any issues pop up. Out-of-town guests can use the website for information about accommodations and attractions. The site can provide links to information for airlines, hotels, taxi cabs and nearby restaurants. Some sites offer a guestbook and contact features. This allows invited friends and relatives to wish the couple well or send private notes if they have a question or need other information. You can also put a music playlist on the website to tell people some of the songs that will be playing at the reception. Uploading photo galleries give guests a sense of who you are as a couple, and they can see events such as the engagement party and bridal shower that they might have missed.

ome companies charge for their websites or at least for an upgrade to their more advanced and specialized templates. They also offer some Flash templates that are more interactive. Some also offer the option of choosing a personal domain name for a minimal fee such as $19 for a year. This makes it easier for guests to remember it such as PennyJoandMaxwell.com. However, many brides just opt to use the wedding websiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domain name, which makes it a longer URL, such as: PennyJoandMaxwell. ourwedding.com.

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Certain websites give couples the option to buy matching invitations and save-the-date cards that echo the website’s theme to keep the look consistent throughout all wedding correspondence. Some couples use the site as a way to get invited guests involved in the wedding and reception. “Some couples embed a poll on their website asking such things as, ‘What should be the last dance of the evening?’” says Anja Winikka, site director of TheKnot.com. “Some premium wedding websites that you pay for will offer a little more flexibility on styles. But the free websites still give so many options.” Even if you don’t have a lot of computer knowledge, the templates make it so easy to just type in information, upload unlimited photos and videos, and change things whenever you need to, says Winikka. “I haven’t started one yet,” says Winikka, who is getting married next year. “But as soon as I get a venue, I’ll be putting one out there. I can only see the number of wedding websites increasing in the future. It’s an online universe now.” At least 75 percent of Shannon Whitney’s couples are using wedding websites. “In today’s world, the vast majority of the guest list is online. Even Grandma has a Facebook page,” says Whitney, owner of Wedding Planning Plus in Delmar. “Supplying information to guests via the Internet is an easy and convenient way to pass a lot of details on all at once.” A wedding website can also give your guests a sense of the style of your wedding in terms of it being formal or casual and what colors you are incorporating, she adds. “It’s a site guests can check back to for

weeks to see if there is any updated content or surprises posted along the way,” she says. “I advise couples to include their wedding website on their save-the-date cards so guests get access to the information about the wedding day months in advance. This is a very interactive and fun way to get your guests excited about your big day.” “I’ve even seen people, especially those who are having a more casual event, put what they were serving to eat on their website,” KestelRaidmae says. “I had one couple who was having a poolside wedding and reception, and it listed the menu

plus told the guests that they can wear beach attire to the event. These websites are definitely providing a service. It keeps everyone informed, and most people are digital now anyway, including the grandparents.” She also has seen brides skip the store registry and have their guests put money toward the honeymoon by linking their own website to such free honeymoon registries as honeyfund.com, ourwishingwell.com and honeymoonwishes.com. “Some brides really get into their website,” said Winikka. “They put a guest spotlight of the month. It just gets everyone involved and excited.” 

Some suggestions from local brides Crista Leigh Collins and Donny Wunsch of Colonie got married in the spring with 150 guests. Crista did most of the updating with new photos, names of vendors, their engagement story and all the directions to the events. She included the couple’s registry, an RSVP button, their honeymoon information, a photo album of about 10 photos, the proposal, guest information about the hotels and directions to the venues. “Everyone enjoyed reading the little biographies about us that we included,” she says. But Crista also created a Facebook group. “I think the Facebook group that I created helped guests a little better. I created it a few months before the wedding so that everyone could communicate with each other. I think that helped,” she says. Nichole Barbaro of Guilderland got married in September to Brian Rogers. She used a free wedding website from TheKnot.com to offer her family and friends information and directions to the ceremony and reception. “We included the names and pictures of our bridal party, too, and that was a fun touch. I think the website was especially helpful at my shower for the guests to recognize my bridesmaids,” she says. “The website was fun to create, and it helped us stay organized.” But this bride went a step farther with her digital information and created a slideshow wedding invitation at MyInvitationlink.com. “We set the invitation to Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love.’ It allowed us to insert quotes as well as pictures,” she says. “I got quite a few responses saying that it made people tear up. It was original, special and eco-friendly.”

timesunion.com/VOW 51

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timesunion.com/VOWâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 53

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54 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

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CARMELA’S BANQUET HOUSE 301 Washington Avenue Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-463-4302 carmelasbanquet house.com

HILTON GARDEN INN AT ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER 62 New Scotland Ave. Albany, NY 12208 518-396-3500 albanymedicalcenter. stayhgi.com HILTON GARDEN INN CLIFTON PARK 30 Clifton Country Rd. Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-371-7777 angelosprimebar andgrill.com HOLIDAY INN – SARATOGA SPRINGS 232 Broadway Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-584-4550 saratogahi.com HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES IN LATHAM 400 Old Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-783-6161 hielatham.com THE HOLIDAY INN ON WOLF ROAD 205 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-7264 ext. 421 hialbanywolf.com

HUNTER MOUNTAIN 7740 Main Street Hunter, NY 12442 518-263-5580 huntermtn.com THE INN AT ERLOWEST 3178 Lake Shore Drive Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-5928 theinnaterlowest.com THE INN AT SARATOGA 231 Broadway Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-583-1890 theinnatsaratoga.com JIMINY PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT 37 Corey Road Hancock, MA 01237 413-738-5500 ext 3930 jiminypeak.com KEY HALL AT PROCTORS 436 State Street Schenectady, NY 12305 518-881-4501 onereputation. com/keyhall THE LAZY SWAN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE 1754 Old Kings Highway Saugerties, NY 12477 845.247.0075 thelazyswan.com LONGFELLOWS INN AND RESTAURANT 500 Union Avenue Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-587-0108 longfellows.com MALLOZZI’S BANQUET AND BALLROOMS 1930 Curry Road Schenectady, NY 12303 518-355-0340 mallozzis.com

MICHAEL’S BANQUET HOUSE 1019 New Loudon Road Cohoes, NY 12047 518-785-8524 michaelsbanquet house.com MOHAWK RIVER COUNTRY CLUB 847 Riverview Road Rexford, NY 12148 518-399-1920 mohawkrivercc.com NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DANCE 99 South Broadway Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-584-2225 dancemuseum.org OLD DALEY INN CATERING 2 Northern Drive Troy, NY 12182 518-235-2656 olddaleyinn.com ORCHARD CREEK GOLF CLUB – HELDERVIEW WEDDINGS 6700 Dunnsville Road Altamont, NY 12009 518-861-5000 orchardcreek.com THE OTESAGA RESORT HOTEL 60 Lake Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (800) 348-6222 otesaga.com PARK McCULLOUGH One Park Street P.O. Box 388 N. Bennington, VT 05257 802-442-5441 parkmccullough.org THE RENSSELAER 235 Hoosick Street Troy, NY 12180 518-953-1983 therensselaer.com

RIVER STONE MANOR 1437 Amsterdam Road Glenville, NY 12302 518-382-8322 riverstonemanor.com THE SAGAMORE 110 Sagamore Road Lake George, NY 12814 518-644-9400 thesagamore.com SARATOGA HILTON 534 Broadway Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 693-1004 thesaratogahotel.com SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB 458 Union Avenue Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-583-4653 golfsaratoga.com SARATOGA POLO ASSOCIATION 2 Bloomfield Road Greenfield, NY 12833 518-584-8108 saratogapolo.com SETTLES HILL BANQUETS & EVENTS 1123 Settles Hill Road Altamont, NY 12009 518-355-0460 SettleHillBanquets.com SHAKER RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB 802 Albany Shaker Rd Loudonville, NY 12211 518-456-4251 shakerridgeevents.com THE STATE ROOM 142 State Street Albany, NY 12207 518-432-7773 thestateroomalbany.com THE STOCKADE INN 1 North Church St. Schenectady, NY 12305 518-346-3400 stockadeinn.com taste 30 S. Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207 518-694-3322 tastealbany.com TURNING STONE 5218 Patrick Road Verona, NY 13478 1.888.361.7958 turningstone. com/wedding WOLFERTS ROOST COUNTRY CLUB 120 Van Rensselaer Blvd Albany, NY 12204 518-449-3223 wolfertsroost.com WINDHAM MOUNTAIN 33 Clarence Lane Windham, NY 12496 518-734-4300 x 1382 windhammountain.com

PHOTORAPHERS/ VIDEOGRAPHERS BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN Ballston Spa 518-584-4237 susanblackburn.biz C.A. MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY Albany 518-312-6968 camoorephoto.com CAPTURED MOMENTS BY SHARON MAHAR Stillwater 518-664-5233 cmbsm.vpweb.com CHRISTINA PRIMERO PHOTOGRAPHY 391 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville, NY 12211 518-482-4132 primerophoto.com CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOAN HEFFLER Schenectady 518-346-4485 joanheffler.com DENIS J. NALLY PHOTOGRAPHY 55 Altamont Road Voorheesville, NY 12186 518-765-2299 denisjnally photography.com DEXTER DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO 518-391-2338 dexphotos.com DINO PETROCELLI PHOTOGRAPHY 872 Old Albany Shaker Road Albany, NY 12110 518-785-7656 dinopetrocelli.com EMERSON PHOTOGRAPHY 518-229-4498 emersonphotography.me EMMA DODGE HANSON PHOTOGRAPHY P.O. Box 772 Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-587-4282 emmadodgehanson.com FOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY 518-879-8580 jefffoley.com FRED RICARD PHOTOGRAPHY 518-432-0736 ricardphoto.com JESSICA PAINTER PHOTOGRAPHY Albany, NY 518-542-3346 jessicapainter.com

JOE ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY 1084 Madison Avenue Albany, NY 12208 518-438-0989 joeelariophotography.com KEESE PHOTOBOOTHS AND VIDEO PRODUCTION 518-729-3509 nyphotobooths.com MCGARRY PHOTOGRAPHY 14 Continental Road Schenectady, NY 12306 518-355-7030 mcgarryphotography.com MYSTIC PHOTO/VIDEO 1064 Glenwood Blvd. Schenectady, NY 12308 518-265-4481 mysticphotovideo.com NIKI ROSSI PHOTOGRAPHY Saratoga Springs 518-495-1593 nikirossi.com OVERTIME PHOTOGRAPHY 60 Sisco Street Westport, NY 12993 518-569-7272 overtime photography.com PACHTER PHOTOGRAPHY 207 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-6826 pachterphoto.com PLAY OF LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUZANNE KAWOLA 605 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Suite 208 Latham, NY 12110 518-690-0374 playoflightvisual.com PRECIOUS MEMORIES 692 Stillwater Bridge Road Schaghticoke, NY 12154 518-664-2181 preciousmemoriesvideo.com RAY ZANTA VIDEO 518-877-5936 zantavideo.com

SUSAN KNOTT PHOTOGRAPHY 518-369-6057 SusanKnott Photography.com T.R. LAZ PHOTOGRAPHY 125 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-7008 trlaz.com THE WHITE STUDIO 14 Fuller Road Albany, NY 12205 518-438-7343 whitestudio.com

CAKES & CATERERS 2SHEA CATERING 802 Albany Shaker Road Albany, NY 12211 518-389-2889 2sheacatering.com BELLA NAPOLI BAKERY 672 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 888-800-0103 bellanapolibakery.com BLACK DIAMOND CATERERS 44 Phila Street (Rear) Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-581-7450 blackdiamondcaterers.com CAKES BY KATHY Nassau 518-755-8621 veryspecialcakes.com

MAKE ME A CAKE NEXT DOOR 518-439-4040 cakesnextdoor.com MANSION CATERING 518-688-2125 onereputation.com NICOLE’S CATERING AND RESTAURANT 556 Delaware Avenue Albany, NY 12209 518-436-4952 nicolescatering.com PANZA’S RESTAURANT 510 Route 9P Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-584-6882 panzasrestaurant.com VILLA ITALIA 226 Broadway Schenectady, NY 12305 518-355-1144 villaitaliabakery.com

TRANSPORTATION albany aquaducks Albany, NY 12201 518-462-DUCK (3825) albanyaquaducks.com ALL OCCASIONS LIMO 518-479-5466 allocclimo.com CAPITAL REGION LIMOUSINE 45 Stirrup Drive E. Greenbush, NY 12061 518-479-2020 crlimos.com

CLASSÉ CATERING 2 Petra Lane Albany, NY 12205 518-690-0293 classecatering.com

CELEBRITY LIMOUSINE SERVICE 4280 Rt-43 N. Greenbush, NY 12144 518-283-5466 yourthecelebrity.com

COCCADOTTS CAKE SHOP 1179 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-438-4937 coccadotts.com

CLASSIC LIMOUSINE 137 Lark St Albany, NY 12210 518-355-3009 albanyclassiclimo.com

CREO’ CATERS 141 Maple Rd, Route 85A Voorheesville, NY 12186 518-795-4581 creocaters.com

SHANNON DECELLE PHOTOGRAPHY 518-495-2314 shannondecelle photography.com

ELEGANT TOUCH CATERING COMPANY 6787 Route 158 Guilderland, NY 12009 518-356-5008 theeleganttouch.com

SILHOUETTE ART ON VIDEO Bridal Resource Center Kimberley’s Square 518-464-0364 artonvideo.com

J&S WATKINS HOMEBAKED DESSERTS 1675 Route 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-383-1148 jswatkins.com THE LILY AND THE ROSE Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-1953 lilyandtherose.com

PREMIERE TRANSPORTATION GROUP 456 North Pearl St. Albany, NY 12204 518-459-6123 premierelimo.com TODAY’S LIMOUSINE LLC 2622 7th Avenue Watervliet, NY 12189 518-452-4242 todayslimo.com

RENTAL SERVICES C.W. WHALEN & SONS 5 North Street Troy, NY 12182 518-274-4412 whalentent.com

continued on page 56 timesunion.com/VOW 55

resource guide | continued from 55 CLIFTON PARK RENTAL CENTER 871 Main Street Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-877-7449 cliftonparkrental.com

COMPLEXIONS SPA & SALON 221 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-690-0615 complexions.com

ELIZABETH MERIWETHER HUNTLEY (HARPIST) Greenfield Center, NY 12833 518-893-7495 emhuntley.com

JAY’S TENT RENTALS Delmar 888-373-2449 jaystentrentals.com

GENESIS HAIR SALON 1658 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205-4029 518-869-9696

THE HARMONY BAND 518-374-8329 theharmonyband.com

RAIN OR SHINE TENT COMPANY 184 Lake Avenue Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 800-647-6054 tentrent.com

JEAN PAUL DAY SPA & HAIR SALONS Stuyvesant Plaza Albany, NY 12203 518-482-2121 jeanpaulspa.com

TABLECLOTHS FOR GRANTED, LTD. 510 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12305 518-370-5481 tableclothsforgranted.com

JEFFREY R. RIDHA, M.D., P.C. 83 Railroad Place Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-306-5466 drridha.com

TOTAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT 4021 State Street Niskayuna, NY 12304 518-383-8602 totalevents management.com

KIMBERLEY’S A DAY SPA 982 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-785-5868 kimberleysadayspa.com

TREMONT ABOUT TOWN EVENTS 2897 Route 43 Averill Park, NY 518- 674-8280 tremontrentals.com

SALONS/SPAS ALLURE SALON 1675 Route 9 (Watkins plaza) Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-371-7200 alluresaloncliftonpark.com BABE SALON Crossgates Mall in Albany 518-281-0185 BEAUX VISAGES 1971 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 518-218-7230 beauxvisages guilderland.com CAPITAL CARE FAMILY MEDESTHETICS Slingerlands Family Medicine 1882 New Scotland Rd., Suite 200 Slingerlands, NY 12159 518-429-2909 CapitalCareFamily MedEsthetics.com CLASSICAL CONCEPTS SALON & SPA 323 Broadway Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-587-6039 classicalconcepts aveda.com

56 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

MAKE ME FABULOUS 102 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2929 makemefabulous.com MARIPOSA STUDIO 475 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville, NY 12211 518-729-4215 albanymariposa.com RUMORS 594 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-786-1777 rumorsinc.com RUNI THE IMAGE CENTER 1811 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 518-869-3900 runiltd.com SANCTUARY SPA OF SARATOGA 72 Railroad Place Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 877-587-5219 sanctuarysaratoga.com SPA CASCADA 487 Broadway 2nd Level Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-583-4850 spacascada.com STILETTO SALON 1315 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-437-3471 stilettosalon.com

LIVE MUSIC A TOUCH OF WOODWINDS 518-372-2129 atouchofwoodwinds.com

HARRY G. PELLEGRIN (CLASSICAL GUITARIST) 518-346-5827 pellegrinlowend. com/wedding HIGH DEFINITION BAND 518-584-4174 highdefinitionband.com THE KAREN LAWRENCE BAND 518-664-8310 karenlawrenceband.com KELLY BIRTCH (SOLO GUITARIST) 646-284-3418 kellybirtch.com LEE WADDELL (PIANIST) 518-331-6007 onthewebserver.com/ leewaddell/piano.html MARLOWE & COMPANY ENTERTAINMENT 518-272-0652 marlowemusic.com MICHAEL POPKIN (PIANIST) 800-350-7426 popkinpiano.com NEW YORK PLAYERS 518-482-8252 newyorkplayers.com ROBERT BOOKER & BAND Latham 518-788-2993 THE SAINTS OF SWING 845-647-7291 saintsofswing.com SPA CITY DUO (VIOLIN/CELLO DUO) Spacityduo.com TOP SHELF 518-766-4447 topshelfband.com

D.J.s CAP CAPELLO 11 Nott Road Rexford, NY 12148 518-399-7451 imadj.com CONWAY ENTERTAINMENT 683 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 800-882-7216 conwayentertainment.com

COOL CAT ENTERTAINMENT & PARTY STORE 19 Glenridge Road Glenville, NY 12302 518-384-2288 coolcatdj.com DANCIN’ TIME DJ & DANCE ENTERTAINMENT 444 Broadway Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-542-4272 dancintime.com ELITE SOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT 518-955-8469 elitesounds entertainment.com ENTERTAINMENT ASSOCIATES 518-452-1517 FRASIER ENTERTAINMENT P.O. Box 3919 Albany, NY 12203 518-355-8855 frasierentertainment.com KING ENTERTAINMENT 518-466-9947 kingdj.com MUSIC MAN ENTERTAINMENT P.O. Box 48 Amsterdam, NY 12010 518-842-4065 musicman entertainment.com PAUL MALO DJ SERVICES Clifton Park 518-383-3978 THE PIANO MAN’S DJ PRODUCTIONS 683 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-489-4000 www.pianomandj.com RICK ANGERAMI Albany 518-869-6675 rickangerami.com

CENTRAL MARKET FLORIST AT PRICE CHOPPER Several Capital District Locations 873 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-782-0136 myfloralplace.com DANKER FLORIST 658 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12206 518-489-5461 dankerflorist.com EMIL J NAGENGAST FLORIST 169 Ontario Street Albany, NY 12206 518-434-1125 nagengast.com EXPERIENCE & CREATIVE DESIGN, LTD. 510 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12305 518-374-6885 experienceand creativedesign.com FELTHOUSEN’S FLORIST & GREENHOUSE 1537 Van Antwerp Road Schenectady, NY 12309 518-374-4414 FelthousensFlorist.com THE FIREFLY FLORIST 1613 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12309 518-377-9277 fireflyflorist.com FLEURTACIOUS DESIGNS 470 North Greenbush Road, Rte 4 Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-283-7262 fleurtaciousdesigns.com THE FLORAL GARDEN 340 Delaware Avenue Delmar, NY 12054 518-478-7232 thefloralgarden.net

RIC MITCHELL Clifton Park, NY 518-383-8580 ricmitchell.com

FRANK GALLO & SON FLORIST 1601 State Street Schenectady, NY 12304 and other locations 518-346-6171 frankgallo.com

SOUND CONTROL DJ’S East Greenbush, NY 12061 518-479-7257 soundcontrol discjockeys.com

THE POSIE PEDDLER 32 Congress Street Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-587-8273 posiepeddler.com

FLORAL DESIGN ARIELLA CHEZAR DESIGN Saratoga Springs 518-584-8798 ariellaflowers.com BridalEsq, LLC 518-364-9478 bridalesq.com

RENAISSANCE FLORAL DESIGN 1561 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 518-464-6002 renaissance floraldesign.com

FERRI FORMALS AND BRIDALS 1608 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12309 518-374-3464 ferriformals.com

VERSTANDIGS FLORIST 454 Delaware Avenue Delmar, NY 12054 518-439-4946 verstandigsfloristinc.com

FUTIA’S Tuxedos – Bridal – Prom Gowns 1289 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-436-7177 futias-formalwear.com

GOWNS AND FORMALWEAR

JOCELYNN’S BRIDAL Clifton Park Center Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-371-1199 jocelynnsbridal.com

DEBORAH DePASQUALE DESIGNS 51 Ash Street Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-944-8951 deborahdepasquale designs.com

JULIET HOUSE OF BRIDES 602 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-785-5262

DETAILS WEDDING PLANNING 518-221-3554 detailswedding planning.com

KYHMANYO STUDIO 32 Clinton St., Suite 12 Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518.429.7649 khymanyo.com

ENCORE EVENTS 518-630-5002 encoreevents.net

ANGELA’S BRIDAL 1811 Western Avenue Westmere Plaza Albany, NY 12203 518-869-1848 angelasbridal.net ANNETTE BRIDALS INC 1526 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-869-0072 THE BRIDAL GALLERY BY YVONNE 895 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-782-9333 bridalgalleryby yvonne.com THE BRIDAL ROSE BOUTIQUE 133 N. Allen Street Albany, NY 12206 518-482-3079 BRIDES AND MORE DISCOUNT BRIDAL 202 S Central Avenue Mechanicville, NY 12118 518-664-1189 DE ANNA’S BRIDAL Rt 43 West Sand Lake, NY 12196 518-283-6252 CHOPPA AND SON FORMAL WEAR 1020 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-453-2202 choppatux.com DANIELLE’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 75 Weibel Avenue Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-584-7067 daniellesbridal ofsaratoga.com DAVID’S BRIDAL 1440 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-437-1223 davidsbridal.com FANCY SCHMANCY 1800 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 518-452-1269 fancyschmancy couture.com

LILY SARATOGA 6 Franklin Square Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-587-5017 lilysaratoga.com MEN’S WEARHOUSE 18 Wolf Road Colonie, NY 12205 518-459-3682 menswearhouse.com SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL 75 Woodlawn Avenue Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-584-0962 somethingbleubridal.com TUXEGO Route 7 Peter Harris Plaza 952 Troy Schenectady Rd. Latham, NY 12110 518-783-0260 tuxego.com TUXEGO OF CLIFTON PARK 1505 Route 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-583-7701 upstatetuxego.com WALDORF TUXEDO 204 Lancaster Street Albany, NY 12210-1941 518-449-5011 waldorftuxedo.com

WEDDING PLANNERS BRIDAL RESOURCE CENTER 471 Albany-Shaker Road Albany, NY 12211 518-464-4111 albanyweddings.com

CHRISTINE A. WHEAT SPECIAL EVENTS Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-928-3968 cweventsfirm.com DEBBIE MCNAIRY WEDDING COORDINATOR Queensbury, NY 12804 518-798-6228 debbiemcnairy.com

INSPIRED OCCASIONS 518-487-8128 inspired-occasions.com KATIE O WEDDINGS AND EVENTS Latham, NY 12110 518-275-6813 katieoevents.com LISA LIGHT LTD 39 Kinderhook Street Chatham, NY 12037 518-392-7766 (Hudson Valley Office) 518-682-2499 (Saratoga Office) destinationbride.com SIMPLY ELEGANT WEDDINGS & EVENTS 518-817-7085 albanyeventplanner.com USA WEDDINGS 125 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-7008 usaweddings.com WEDDING PLANNING PLUS 518-269-1243 weddingplanningplus.net

INVITATIONS/ STATIONERY AV COSTA 450 Fulton Street Troy, NY 12181 518-274-7075 avcosta.com ADDRESSES & MORE 1203 Fernwood Drive Schenectady, NY 12309 518-382-0643 addressesandmore.com

Photo by Dexter Davis Photography

SURROUNDINGS FLORAL 145 Vly Road (Shaker Pine Plaza) Schenectady, NY 12309 518-464-1382 surroundingsfloral.com

PEARL GRANT RICHMANS Stuyvesant Plaza 1475 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 518-438-8409 pearlgrant.com

OTHER SPECIALTIES BEST CLEANERS Various Capital District Locations lookyourbest.com BUMBLE BEADS 620 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-690-7896 bumblebeadsstudio.com CHOCOLATE GECKO 21 Colvin Avenue Albany, NY 12206 518-436-0866 chocolategecko.com COUNTIES OF IRELAND 77 Third Street Troy, NY 12180 518-687-0054 thecountiesofireland.com FENIMORE ASSET MANAGEMENT 384 N. Grand Street Cobleskill, NY 12043 518-234-7400 famfunds.com FOTOMAGIC 629 Plank Road, Suite 159 Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-877-3046 FRANK ADAMS JEWELERS Stuyvesant Plaza Albany, NY 12203 518-482-1864 frankadams.com GERTRUDE HAWK CHOCOLATES Several Capital District Locations Crossgates Mall 1 Crossgates Mall Road Albany, NY 12205 518-464-5630 gertrudehawk chocolates.com

GOLD’S GYM Several Capital District Locations 518-464-1500 goldsgym.com LIBERTY TRAVEL Several Capital District Locations 888-569-2851 libertytravel.com MARY KAY COSMETICS Marianne McCullouch Independent Beauty Consultant 518-321-5213 marykay.com/mccullouch MARY KAY COSMETICS Brenda L. Tholin Independent Beauty Consultant 518-884-8467 marykay.com/btholin MCGEARY’S TRAVEL Ste 3, 1141 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205 518-436-3411 mcgearystravel.com SAMPAGUITA CUSTOM JEWELRY 518-944-0463 sampaguitacustom jewelry.com SARATOGA PHOTOBOOTH CO. 451 Lake Avenue Saratoga Sprgs, NY 12866 518-584-6473 saratogaphotobooth.com STELLA & DOT JEWELRY Tracy Villaume Independent Stylist 518-813-2403 stelladot.com/tracyvilla STICKLEY FURNITURE 151 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-1846 stickleyaudi.com YANKEE TRAILS 569 Third Avenue Ext. Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-286-2400 yankeetrails.com YOUR GOWN AGAIN 1229 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 518-669-7248 yourgownagain.com 

timesunion.com/VOW 57

I do redo |

“ If I knew

“ then what I

We fell in love with our venue and didn’t realize the event room didn’t have AC. It was 100 degrees on our wedding day. I felt so bad for everyone, especially the women in dresses and pantyhose. (As the bride I wore a long silk dress with no hose underneath and comfortable shoes for the reception, ha ha!) I told everyone to go change into shorts and come back to party! -Dina

know now

The only things i would truly spend money on are DJ/ band, photographer and videographer. All the other things can be middle of the line. … Without a good DJ or band you don’t have a good party, without a good photographer you don’t have anything to look back on, and video is always nice to have. So I would forget about lots of other details and just have a good time! -Vanessa

Advice from recent brides and grooms for enjoying your big day

The honeymoon: going to a bed and breakfast for your honeymoon ... not something to be recommended -Tim I wish I wore my glasses as I wear them everyday and I don’t really look like myself in contacts. -Allison

Hire a professional photographer. We asked a friend who cancelled and the back-up missed the ceremony. -Melissa 58 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Last year over 2,000 brides said “yes” to Central Market Florist. Let us create the perfect floral arrangements for your wedding! Price Chopper’s Central Market Florist bridal consultants take the time to sit with you and discuss one of the most important and personal elements... your flowers. We can create everything from bouquets to headpieces to centerpieces and we will work closely with you to make your dreams come true! We offer a FREE first consultation and are committed to making sure your flowers are beautiful and reasonably priced. And don’t forget to ask about our unique custom designed decadent wedding cakes, made fresh with care by our professional bakers. Helping make her day, for less. That’s Value!

Bouquets

Arrangements

Boutonnieres

Wedding Cakes

A free, professional consultation and beautiful wedding flowers for less. That’s helpful!

That ’s

Value!