Vow Spring Summer 2014

SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Your Wedding.

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

ON THE MONEY The etiquette of giving cash

FINDING THE RIGHT OFFICIANT

Plus ■■ 2014

wedding trends ■■ Social media at your wedding AND MORE!

Up Close & Personal

THREE CAPITAL REGION WEDDINGS

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Personalizing your wedding

your vision. mazzone quality. no compromises

mazzone cate r in g w w w . Maz zone C a t e ring .com

Established in 2007,Coccadotts has quickly become the premiere cake designers in NY & Myrtle Beach. Our pastry chefs will take design clues from your event’s invitation, color scheme and overall theme to create a one of a kind masterpiece that will be one of the focal points at your celebration.

Although we can create any traditional wedding cake, specialty cakes are about designing a modern, unique and elegant cake with colors that pop and compliment any decor.

Please give us a call to set up your cake tasting consultation. We also offer custom grooms cakes and dessert bars. We can’t wait to create a spectacular, yet delicious masterpiece just for you!

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Albany, NY

Clifton Park, NY

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VOW

Your Wedding.

Your Way.

PUBLISHER George Hearst III

EDITORIAL Janet Reynolds, Executive Editor Brianna Snyder, Associate Editor Genevieve Scarano, Editorial Intern DESIGN Tony Pallone, Design Director Colleen Ingerto, Emily Jahn, Designers CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristi Barlette, Traci Neal, Lee Nelson, Wendy Page, Cari Scribner

French

is the language of LOVE

...let us create the most romantic wedding to celebrate your LOVE On-Site Reception of Up to 125 Off-Site Receptions

INTIMATE WEDDINGS • ENGAGEMENT PARTIES BRIDAL SHOWERS • BACHELOR/ETTE PARTIES REHEARSAL DINNERS • CUSTOM EVENTS

THE EPICUREAN Latham Farms • 518.786.8272 • epicurean-ny.com "Best French Restaurant - Capital Region" - METROLAND ACF Gold Award Winning French Chef 2013 Wine Spectator Award

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bailly Photography, Blackburn Photography, Hitch Photography, Jenn Moak Photography, Photo Phrame Photography, Scott Kretschmann, Susan Knott Photography, Tom Wall Photography SALES Kurt Vantosky, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing Kathleen Hallion, Vice President, Advertising Tom Eason, Manager, Display Advertising Michael-Anne Piccolo, Retail Sales Manager Jeff Kiley, Magazine Sales Manager CIRCULATION Todd Peterson, Vice President, Circulation Dan Denault, Home Delivery Manager BUSINESS Ray Koupal, Chief Financial Officer TIMESUNION.COM Paul Block, Executive Producer 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 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 2013

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 2014

Contents

timesunion.com/VOW

REAL WEDDINGS: Read about three Capital Region weddings beginning on page 14. Pictured are Kristin and Mike Rana; photo by Bailly Photography. Cover photo

by Bailly Photography.

in every issue

9 EDITOR’S NOTE 11 DOWN THE AISLE 12

features

Cell sense

24 NUMBERS GAME

38 IN STYLE

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

THE RIGHT 26 FINDING OFFICIANT

CASE FOR 41 THE CELLPHONES

REAL WEDDINGS Behind the scenes at the Capital Region weddings of Kristin and Mike, Christie and Matt, and Alyssa and Andrew

I KNEW THEN 58 IFWHAT I KNOW NOW Newlyweds on what not to sweat

When picking a date is extra special

The options are many for today’s modern bride

Gatsby is in! Here are some other 2014 wedding trends

How social media can enhance your wedding

30 PICKY PICKY

44 KODAK MOMENTS

34 ON THE MONEY

49 RESOURCE GUIDE

Choosing your bridal party without stress and strife The etiquette of giving cash

How to be sure you capture the best shots of your special day A comprehensive list of services to help you plan your big day

36 IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

Make your wedding special by making it personal timesunion.com/VOW 5

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With the right and mix first-class of convenient location, space service, the Albany With the right mix of convenient location, deluxe Marriott accommodations, versatile function is the ideal hotel for all occasions. Our deluxe accommodations, versatile function space and first-class service, the Albany professional staff will plan everything for you, MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME, space and first-class service, the Albany Marriott is the ideal hotel for all occasions. Our down to the last detail, and deliver impressive BEGIN AT THE MARRIOTT Marriott is the ideal hotel for all occasions. Our professional staff will plan everything for you, results. We offer With the right mix of superb catering capabilities convenient location, professional staff will plan everything for you, to complement our hallmark Marriott service down to the last detail, and deliver impressive deluxe accommodations, versatile function down to the last detail, and deliver impressive for your next special event. results. We offer superb catering capabilities space and first-class service, the Albany results. We offer superb catering capabilities Going above and beyond. to complement our hallmark Marriott service Marriott is the ideal hotel for all occasions. Our to complement our hallmark Marriott service IT’S THE MARRIOTT WAY. for your next special event. professional staff will plan everything for you, for your next special event. Call for a site down to the last detail, and deliver impressive Going above and beyond.

Going above and beyond. tour and receive dinner for two in our results. We offer superb catering capabilities IT’S THE MARRIOTT WAY. IT’S THE MARRIOTT WAY. Market restaurant. to complement our hallmark Marriott service SM

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for your next special event.

Going above and beyond.

IT’S THE MARRIOTT WAY.

SM

© 2006 Marriott International, Inc.

© 2006 Marriott International, Inc.

Albany Marriott 189Albany Wolf Marriott Road Albany, New York 12205 189 Wolf Road Albany, New York 12205 For more information or to Albany Marriott book reservation, please Foramore information or to Marriott 189Albany Wolf Road call (518) 458-8444 or visit book a reservation, please 189 Wolf Albany, NewRoad York 12205 call (518) or visit www.albanymarriott.com.

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For more information or to Albany Marriott For more information book a reservation, please or to 189 Wolf Road a reservation, callbook (518) 437-6333 or please visit Albany, New York 12205 call (518) 437-6333 or visit www.albanymarriott.com.

|

online |

check out the VOW channel

@ timesunion.com/VOW » online only WEDDING TRENDS We put together a Pinterest board with all this year’s wedding trends.

Check it out at pinterest.com/ timesunionmags.

plus!

facebook.com/

VOWYourWeddingYourWaymagazine

VOW blog SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE Have a wedding question you want answered? We’ll be checking in with area wedding specialists to get their take on what to do and when. It’s all at timesunion.com/VOW.

» online only PHOTO ALBUMS

Photos: shoes, © iStockphoto.com/zoomstudio; planner, © iStockphoto.com/williv.

Check out additional photos from our local Real Wedding features!

» online only OUT-OFTHE-BOX GUESTBOOKS Say goodbye to the boring old guestbooks of yesteryear. You won’t believe what you can use instead!

NEWLYWED? MARRYING SOON? If you’ve recently gotten hitched and would like to be featured in our Real Weddings, just go to our Facebook or email us at magazines@ timesunion.com and tell us how you and your spouse met. Add a few photos from your wedding, along with the name of your photographer and your contact information.

You could be the next bride on our cover!

GET WITH THE PLAN Want to create your own wedding planner? Download our helpful pages at timesunion.com/VOW.

timesunion.com/VOW 7

Ferri Formals

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reat Pricing with Wedding Package Special

1608 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12309 (518) 374-3464 WWW.FERRIFORMALS.COM

A perfect place to start your life together.

Our Ball Room is surrounded by windows overlooking the golf course, with Deck and Garden Gazebo.

Eagle Crest Golf Club 877-7082 ext. 221 Rt. 146A, Clifton Park

www.eaglecrestgolf.com

|

editor’s note |

Cell Sense M

y husband and I attended a lovely wedding this past summer at Altamont Manor.

It was a beautiful August day and the setting was idyllic.

As the bride began to walk down the garden stairs, I turned and watched my good friend — her mother — see her daughter for the first time. It was a breathtaking moment so I whipped out my smartphone and took a photo of my friend, the one photo I took of the entire wedding. I posted it on Facebook the next day, aware that I was letting

people know the wedding had occurred but not giving away anything until the bride and groom were ready to post in their own good time. It was, after all, their day.

Navigating cell phone etiquette is something we’re all just figuring out.

While phones can certainly connect us with those who can’t join in special moments, they can also be distracting, both to the photographer and to those around him. As with many things, smart usage will likely ultimately fall somewhere in the middle. 

Janet Reynolds Executive Editor jreynolds@timesunion.com

Elegant. Timeless. Unique.

Full Service Hotel and Restaurant On-site Wedding Planner Indoor & Outdoor Ceremony & Reception Settings

Enjoy One, Share One For every entrée served in our dining room and for every night spent in any one of our hotel rooms, The Century House will provide one meal in each guests honor through the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

997 New Loudon Rd. (Route 9) • Latham, NY 12110 • (518) 785-0931 • TheCenturyHouse.com

}

A messge from Cap Capello: MY PROMISE TO YOU

I hold myself to the highest of personal and business ethics and standards, and by continually challenging normal perceptions of excellence and creativity, I will meet, then exceed, your needs, desires and expectations of a musical host, disc jockey and video jockey.

In continuous partnership with you throughout all phases leading up to your event, by bringing 29 years of experience to your planning table for expert guidance, and in providing spectacular entertainment and musical services, your event will culminate into a one-of-a-kind happening with a life-long memory.

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I had so many people telling me that it was one of the best weddings they’ve been to. I know it’s what you do, but I feel you went above and beyond what any other DJ would do. I’ve always heard you are the best in the business, and they’re right!

”

- Natalie Bachetti

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ELEGANCE & CHARM

The EDISON CLUB - Make it Extraordinary

WEDDING PACKAGES FROM $4795 Seat up to 230 with large dance floor.

Contact Your Wedding Coordinator Scott Snell at 518.399.2393 Ext. 302 891 Riverview Road, Rexford, NY 12148 www.edisonclub.com

THE

Edison Club

Down the Aisle Trends and ideas to help say “I do” with style

 



Compiled by Brianna Snyder

1. CHEESE IT The Epicurean is one of the best places in the region for gourmet and exotic cheeses. Perfect for an engagement party, bridal shower, or pre-reception appetizers.

The Epicurean, based in Latham, has cheeses from France, Spain and Italy, as well as domestic cheeses from New York and Vermont (and California). The Epicurean, 579 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, 518-786-8272, epicurean-ny.com.



2. CAKE BOSS The cakes at Make Me A Cake Next Door are like something you might see on TV, they’re that perfect. The shop owners, who operate under the name “The Two Bettys,” for their grandmothers, began A Perfect Blend Espresso Bar and Cafe in Delmar. They expanded their baking into a shop entry devoted to the craft, and the quality of the results are impossible to argue with. 378 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, 518-439-4040, cakesnextdoor.com.

3. WILL YOU BE MINE? When asking your best friends to be in your wedding, do it with these custom bottles of wine. Each label includes personalization with your bridesmaid’s name, your wedding date and anything else you like. Then crack it open and get tipsy. Etsy shop LilShopofLabels.



4. TYING THE KNOT Claddagh rings aren’t just for ladies!

The Celtic love knot is a symbol of commitment, loyalty and friendship, making it a meaningful alternative to the traditional wedding band.

Counties of Ireland, 77 3rd St., Troy, 518-687-0054, thecountiesofireland.com.



5. SPECIAL INVITATION Kate Spade’s contemporary designs are chic and classic. These invitations, which you can get at Pearl Grant Richmans, are rustic and typographically interesting, with a simple format and basic color scheme. Pearl Grant Richmans, 1475 Western Ave., Albany, 518-438-8409, pearlgrant.com.

6. FLOWER GIRL Go minimalist with this bestseller at The Floral Garden in Delmar. A single cymbidium orchid embedded in lily grass and salal “makes a highfashion statement,” they say on their website. Simple and elegant. The Floral Garden, 340 Delaware Ave., Delmar, 518-478-7232, thefloralgarden.net.  timesunion.com/VOW 11

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real weddings |

&

Kristin Mike

By Cari Scribner | Photos by Bailly Photography

“C

hic rustic” describes the wedding of Kristin and Mike Rana, from the sunset reception to the location (a barn at a local orchard) to the sparkler send-off from their guests.

Their meeting was also unique and unforgettable, and will be a great story to tell for years to come: “We were at a wedding and seated next to each other, when all of a sudden my menu caught on fire from the tea lights on the table,” Kristin says. “I was so embarrassed in front of Mike.

12 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

I thought I’d blown any chance of getting to know him. But he helped clean up the ashes.”

Because they lived two hours apart, their relationship began on Facebook before growing to visits to each other’s homes. The two enjoy the great outdoors, which played a big role in their engagement in November 2012.

“Mike asked me to go hiking; it was cold and I wanted to go home but he insisted,” Kristin says. “When we got to the end of the trail, he pulled

Bride

Kristin (Schock) Rana, 27, teacher

Groom

Mike Rana, 27, software consultant

Wedding Date July 20, 2013

Honeymoon

Six nights in St. Lucia

Ceremony and Reception Indian Ladder Farms

our photo album out of his backpack with pictures of all our good times together, and on the last page, it said, ‘Will you marry me.’ Then he took the ring out of his backpack.”

With just nine months to plan the wedding, the couple began planning right away. But with Mike living locally and Kristin in Port Jervis, N.Y., the work had to be done on weekends. Many wedding and reception venues were booked, so Mike widened the search.

“I’d been to Indian Ladder Farms as a kid on school trips, and when we looked at the website, we were happy to see they did weddings,” Mike says. “We wanted something simple, rustic, nontraditional, not in a banquet hall.”

A barn at the farm provided lots of space and a lovely setting on a crest at the orchard. Another challenge: the owners didn’t provide any setup services, so the families did all the work themselves.

“We were in the barn the day before setting up tables and chairs in 90-degree weather,” Kristin says. continued on 14 timesunion.com/VOW 13

One Detail On a working farm with

chickens, pigs and goats, there were plenty of photo opportunities, but one of the most unusual pictures was of Kristin petting a huge Scottish Highland Cow with enormous horns. Fortunately, the horned cow was safely behind a fence.

continued from 13

“But we did it together and that made it fun.�

The original plan was to have the wedding itself in the orchard, but after thunderstorms were predicted, they moved it into the doorway of the barn, which provided a beautiful, picturesque background for photos.

After the ceremony, family members folded up the chairs to make room for a dance floor for the 110 guests.

Meanwhile, Kristin and Mike moved out into the orchard for one-of-a-kind photos including walking through a lush field of green grass in their formal wedding attire.

They posed in front of a miniature windmill, and by trees on which apples were just starting to grow.

The thunderstorms that had been predicted never materialized, except for a brief shower that was barely noticed among the festivities.

Other rustic touches included heart-shaped birdseed packets for favors, flowers in mason jars 14  VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

The Particulars CEREMONY & RECEPTION Indian Ladder Farms 342 Altamont Voorheesville Rd. Altamont, NY 518.765.2956 indianladderfarms.com PHOTOGRAPHER Bailly Photography (Leah Bailly) 518.221.3332 baillyphoto.com MUSIC Cadence Musicians Binghamton, NY 607.341.5143 facebook.com/cadence.musicians

and menus printed on chalkboards (no risk of fire here!). Cider donuts were served along with the wedding cake. Another smart touch: Kristin made fans out of their wedding program by taping tongue depressors on the bottoms so people could keep cool during the ceremony.

Children were a central part of the evening. Kristin visited a dollar store and bought lots of props for kids to use for photos, including leis, oversized sunglasses and glow necklaces. “There were 15 kids there, and we really wanted to include them and let them have some fun,” Kristin says.

The reception menu also included mac and cheese

and a cookie bar.

At 9:30 in the evening, guests lit sparklers and the couple walked through the glowing line of sparkles.

“Our guests liked it so much we walked through about five times,” Kristin says.

“They didn’t want the night to end, and neither did we,” Mike says.

The couple set up a wishing tree — a live Japanese Maple tree they’ll now plant outside their home, with cards nearby for guests to write good wishes for Mike and Kristin.

Some are silly, such as “Please have a girl so my son can marry her.” Others are romantic, “Kiss goodnight every night,” and “Wishing you many days filled with laughter.” 

WEDDING ATTIRE Wedding Dress Angela’s Bridal (Tara Keely) 126 State Street Albany, NY 518.869.1848 angelasbridal.net Maid of Honor Dress Danel Bridal Salon (Bill Levkoff) 16 Washington Ave Endicott, NY 607.754.0023 danelbridalny.com Groom and Best Man Macy’s JEWELER Engagement Ring Hummingbird Jewelers 23 E Market St Rhinebeck, NY 845.876.4585 hummingbirdjewelers.com Bride’s Wedding Ring (Purchased online) pearlmansjewelers.com Grooms Wedding Ring Kay Jewelers, kay.com HAIR & MAKEUP Kyle Anne Garcia (518) 522-9446 Schenectady, NY kyleannegarcia.carbonmade.com

FLOWERS Flowers for Mason jars Fifity-Fifty Flowers fiftyflowers.com Bouquets Laurel Grove Greenhouse 16 High St Port Jervis, NY (845) 856-2713 laurelgroveflorist.com CATERER Cardona’s Market 340 Delaware Ave Albany, NY 518.434.4838 cardonasmarket.com CAKE Baby Cakes (Jeanne Marie Shields – family friend) Port Jervis, NY facebook.com/pages/BabyCakesNYC/41273320361 OFFICIATE Rev. Neal Relyea Weddings by Neal reverendneal.com EVENT COORDINATOR Sarah Schock – bride’s cousin facebook.com/pages/SeamlessEvents-Weddings RENTALS Whalen Tents Inc. 5 North St Troy, NY 518.274.4412 whalentent.com INVITATIONS zazzle.com HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Holiday Inn Express Albany Western Ave. 1442 Western Ave Albany, NY 1.800.315.2621

timesunion.com/VOW 15

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real weddings |

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Christie Matt

By Cari Scribner | Photos by Tom Wall Photography

C

alling the courtship of Christie and Matt Polley a cross-country adventure would be putting it mildly. Between 2009 and their 2013 wedding, the couple lived in or visited Wyoming, New York, California, Maryland, Italy, and Colorado, many times. In his job as a civilian engineer in the Army Corps, Matt regularly travels to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Bahrain.

The couple met in Jackson Hole, Wyo., where they were self-described “ski bums” after graduating college. Originally from Averill Park, N.Y., Christie says she wanted to experience life out west, which fit right in with her love of skiing and hiking, passions Matt shares.

16 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

“Ski towns all have little taverns, and we met in one where I went to play pool,” Christie says. “There was a bluegrass band playing. I saw Matt with a girl I thought was his girlfriend, but turned out to be a friend.”

By mid-February 2009, they were steadily dating, a point at which Christie says she knew it was meant to be. But in April, Matt left Wyoming to head back to his hometown in Maryland to run a lawn business he’d started as a teenager. He was gone all summer, but sent Christie plane tickets to visit. Matt went back to the ski town where they met for the winter, and in March 2010, they took to the road for an extended trip through California, making stops at

Bride Christie (Abbott) Polley, 27, Behavior Interventionist for Autism and Cognitive Behavior

Groom Matt Polley, 28, Fire Protection Engineer Army Corps

Wedding Date June 15, 2013

Honeymoon After traversing the globe during their courtship, the couple spent their honeymoon at home on Lake Holiday in Cross Junction, Va.

Ceremony St. Henry’s Catholic Church

Reception Columbia County Fairgrounds at the Fairhouse

One Detail Christie and Matt said

“Yahoo, I do” with a country/western theme right down to the footwear for the bridesmaids. Each wore a pair of cowboy boots. Christie says all but a couple of her friends and family in her eightmember bridal party already had well-worn boots to wear with their bridesmaid dresses. On her feet, Christie wore vintage light gray lacey shoes she found at a consignment shop that were clearly meant for her: They have a cowboy boot heel.

Lake Tahoe and the “Lost Coast,” where they camped on the beach with no signs of civilization.

“We kept waking up to check when it was high tide so we didn’t lose our things,” Christie says. “It was an amazing place.”

They decided to settle down as soon as one of them got a job, and when Matt was hired by the Army Corps, Virginia was the central location. So they found a home on Lake Holiday, where they continue to hike, swim, walk their dog and go boating.

Matt went to Kuwait for six months shortly after they settled in Virginia, and Christie went back to school to become a behavioral

therapist. While in Kuwait, Matt drew a picture of the engagement ring he wanted to give Christie, picked out the stones, and enlisted the help of a jeweler and his buddies.

“Christie didn’t want a normal diamond engagement ring, and it was tough to find sapphire rings with a lot of choices,” Matt says. “Being in Kuwait there are tons of jewelers, and a fellow worker referred me to one and I started working with him on the design. I would stop by every few weeks to check on the progress and tweak the design. It gave me something to do while overseas.”

In August 2011, the couple got engaged. With more than a year to plan their wedding for 200 guests, Christie’s mother and close friend swung into action to create a unique, homespun, classy wedding reception.

Although the wedding took place in a traditional church, Christie knew right away she didn’t want a ballroom setting for the reception.

Instead, they chose the Fair House,

timesunion.com/VOW 17

an open, airy barn building at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham. The rustic barn with open beams made a stunning backdrop for wedding photos and also the many personal touches at the reception.

“My mother planted hydrangeas the summer before, dried them all winter and made centerpieces with them,” Christie says. “She went to yard sales and bought all the old lace she could find and made 34 lace tablecloths for the reception. Planning ahead is a wonderful thing. I can’t thank her enough.”

Since he was overseas for months before the wedding, Matt also appreciated all the help from the families. “I went one weekend and looked at venues: after that I deployed to Afghanistan and was over there for nearly six months,” Matt says. “I

18 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

trusted everyone that was involved, and knew they would take care of it and make it more perfect than Christie and I could ever imagine.”

Music also had special meaning at the Polley wedding. Christie sang with the bluegrass band, and her uncle played fiddle to a song a friend wrote titled, “Never Settle for Anything Less Than True Happiness.”

The entire wedding and reception went off flawlessly, and Christie credits all the help they had ahead of time with the resounding success.

“Matt and I are so incredibly blessed with people in our lives, parents, neighbors, cousins, so many people had their hand in the honey pot,” Christie says. “We could have never pulled any of it off alone. We’re still in awe of what they did!” 

The Particulars CEREMONY St. Henry’s Catholic Church 39 Old Route 66 Averill Park, NY 518.674.3818 sthenrysaverillpark.org RECEPTION Columbia County Fairgrounds The Fairhouse 32 Church St. Chatham, NY 518.392.2121 columbiafair.com PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Wall Photography 42 Patroon Place Loudonville. NY 518.463.0445 tomwallphotography.com VIDEOGRAPHER Rick Califano MUSIC Cocktail Hour The Nellies thenellies.com Reception T.S. Ensemble 518.456.0099 tsensemble.com WEDDING ATTIRE Wedding Dress Angela’s Bridal 126 State St. Albany, NY 518.869.1848 angelasbridal.net Bridal Party Dresses Anthropologie anthropologie.com Tuxedos Men’s Wearhouse menswearhouse.com JEWELER Engagement Ring When Matt was overseas in Kuwait, he picked out the stones and then drew up a design of what he wanted it to look like. He then found a jeweler to make it for him over there.

Wedding Rings Kay Jewelers kay.com HAIR Ania Hair Studio & Spa (Angela D’Alleva) 1704 Western Ave Albany, NY 518.456.8822. aniahairstudio.com MAKE-UP Eileen Welch (sister-in-law of bride) CATERER Old Daley Inn 2 Northern Dr. Troy, NY 518.235.2656 olddaleyinn.com CAKE Old Daley Inn (caterer) FLOWERS Floral Cascade (Beth Cretaro) 27 Holloway Ln. Averill Park, NY 518.674.0416 TRANSPORTATION Premiere Transportation Group 456 North Pearl St. Albany, NY 518.459.6123 premierelimo.com INVITATIONS Minted minted.com 1.888.828.6468 HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Holiday Inn Express 8 Empire Dr. Rensselaer, NY 518.286.1011 hiexpress.com REHEARSAL DINNER Paolo Lombardi’s 104 West Sand Lake Rd. Rt. 150 Wynantskill, NY 518.283.0202 paololombardis.com

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT (518) 886-0020 excelsiorspringssaratoga.com

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real weddings |

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Alyssa Andrew

By Cari Scribner | Photos by Jenn Moak Photography

F

rom being homecoming king and queen to getting engaged after college, Alyssa and Andrew Casullo are the consummate example of high school sweethearts.

Attending a small high school in Little Falls, N.Y., with a graduating class of about 100, made it easy to run into each other. But after dating briefly in eighth grade, they were mostly friends until their senior year in high school, when Alyssa was valedictorian. Then the couple broke up just before heading off to college, something they both joke about now.

20 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

“I dumped him,” Alyssa admits. “I was going away to Albany College of Pharmacy, and he was going to school in Utica, and I didn’t know if we could make it work. But we kept finding each other over college breaks, so I guess the feelings were still there.”

After graduating in 2010, Andrew and Alyssa became inseparable again. A year later, the couple who’d known each other since middle school became engaged.

“I’d been dropping not-so-subtle hints for a few weeks before it

Bride

Alyssa (Davis) Casullo, 27, Pharmacist

Groom

Andrew Casullo, 27, Teaching Assistant, Special Education

Wedding Date May 18, 2013

Honeymoon

one week in Cancun

Ceremony

Holy Family Parish, Little Falls, NY

Reception

Glen Sanders Mansion

One Detail Alyssa’s father passed away from cancer in 2010, so her oldest brother walked her down the aisle in his place. But she was able to include a memory of her father on her wedding day by having a heart-shaped piece from one of his blue ties sewed into the inner lining of her wedding dress, right over her heart. The tie swatch was also her “something blue.”

happened,” Alyssa says.

“I had her best friend getting inside info on what Alyssa wanted, and my best friend and I snuck to the jeweler’s week by week,” Andrew says.

Andrew proposed a few days before a family trip to Italy. With a year to plan, Alyssa immediately swung into action, making detailed checklists on a calendar and consulting with Andrew about just the “big stuff.”

“He was comfortable with me making decisions, but I wanted him to tour the venues and take care of tuxedos,” Alyssa says.

The couple chose Andrew’s family

church, Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, planning a Catholic ceremony that ran about 35 minutes. They invited 230 guests and ended up with 199 in attendance. Although snow fell in mid-May the week before their wedding, their day was a balmy 75 degrees and sunny.

Following the ceremony, the bridal party, which included 12 bridesmaids and 12 ushers, and parents of the bride and groom boarded a chartered coach bus for the ride from Little Falls to Scotia, where the reception was held at Glen Sanders Mansion. As soon as they arrived, the celebration began with the bridesmaids and

timesunion.com/VOW 21

groomsmen dancing their way into the reception hall.

“We told them to get wild, and they did,” Alyssa says.

One of the more unusual touches at the reception was the couple’s wedding cake topper: a hand-carved wooden elephant and a turtle.

“I had a friend from Haiti who made them for us, and they’ve always been meaningful,” Andrew says. “The turtle stands for fertility and the elephant brings luck.” Their seamstress added a veil to the turtle and top hat to the elephant.

Andrew’s large Italian family has a tradition of taking a shot of Sambuca following Andrew’s father’s toast.

That meant coming up with shot glasses, which weren’t available at the reception venue.

“I collect shot glasses from everywhere I travel, so we brought them in and used those,” Alyssa says.

The result was a meaningful, eclectic group of glasses from places including Texas and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Alyssa added to her collection during their honeymoon, which they took right after their wedding, to Cancun.

The couple says their wedding and reception went off flawlessly and they’re loving married life. “I asked people about married life before our wedding,” Andrew says. “They said it’s good, but for us, we’re happier than we’ve ever been.”  22 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Image © Tricia McCormack Photography

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Numbers Game When picking a date is about more than just finding an available weekend

L

yalya Shvachuk was married on 8/8/08 at 8 a.m. and had eight people in attendance.

The Albany resident and her husband, Victor, are far from the only couple who had a little fun with numbers on their wedding day.

Forty percent of brides considered planning their wedding on a special date, according to the David’s Bridal What’s on Brides’ Mind 2013 survey.

Those dates include identical and sequential numbers (such as 11-1213) as well as significant dates such as the anniversary of the day the couple met.

“Marriage is a big step, a huge life decision,” says Elizabeth Graves, editor-in-chief with Martha Stewart Weddings. “Naturally couples want to have luck on their side and they kind of look to numbers as one of the many superstitions surrounding weddings.”

Ann Fisher, an Albany-based psychic and hypnotist agrees, saying people will think because the date is unusual — or at least uncommon — the numbers could be lucky.

And, in some cases, they’re correct — especially when it comes to number “vibrations,” she says.

Essentially that means the numbers correlate to something bigger.

“Three numbers together that are the same would have a strong 24 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

vibration and would be lucky,” Fisher says.

Choosing these special dates and believing in significance to or impact on a relationship is really no different than the couple not seeing one another before the ceremony, the groom carrying the bride over the threshold or the belief that rain on your wedding day means you’ll have a prosperous marriage, says Graves.

The Shvachuks, who were looking to have a low-key civil ceremony, went to Albany City Hall to register for the day and to obtain their marriage license. They were told only one ceremony was conducted a day, so they were sure they’d never get their preferred date.

But they did. The two said “I do” at 8 in the morning with a total of eight people in attendance – the bride, the groom, two witnesses, two friends and the parents of the groom.

“I even joked after we signed the paperwork that I hope it does not mean that we will only be together for 8 years,” she says.

For this couple, the eights stopped there. Their first child, a son, was born in January.

T

hese dates with notable numerics often book further in advance than more standard dates, says Emily Miller, social sales coordinator with Key Hall at Proctors.

Couples secured November 12, 2013 early on and December 13, 2014 (1213-14) is already booked at several of the Mazzone properties (Key Hall is part of Mazzone Hospitality), despite being more than one year away.

“People are drawn to things that are unique or that they’ll remember,” says Miller. “They think that’s cool and joke that they won’t forget their anniversary.”

Allana McAuliff Sendzicki is another bride who picked her wedding date based on, well, the date. The Niskayuna resident, who was married on 10-10-10, picked the date for a couple of reasons.

“The main reason was that I like round even numbers. They look clean when printed,” she says. “October is also my favorite month so when I saw that 10-10-10 was doable I knew it was what I needed to have.”

While Sendzicki didn’t invest too heavily in working the tens into her ceremony and reception, it’s not an uncommon practice for couples getting married on memorable dates to carry the number throughout, says Graves.

Say they got married on October 10, 2010, they may have had 10 bridesmaids, a 10-tiered cake (oh yes) or a dessert table with 10 options. A 10 a.m. ceremony was not unheard of that year. They also

Photo: kutay tanir/GettyImages.

By Kristi Barlette

might have bypassed the traditional “the tenth of October two thousand ten at ten in the morning” script on their invitation for 10-10-10 at 10 a.m. Other things, such as working the 10 into favors (10 pieces of candy) or even their honeymoon (10 days) would also not be uncommon.

“Couples are taking this big leap and they want to feel luck is on their side,” Graves says. “So they flow these things and start to get a little superstitious.” 

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www.TheFloralGarden.net Our Readers’ Stories Many people, it seems, chose a wedding date based on a significant event or moment in their lives.

In fact, when we asked readers on Facebook and on the Times Union’s On the Edge blog to tell us how they picked the date to say “I do” we received more than 100 responses.

Here are just a few of the answers we received.

We chose the anniversary of our first date. We figured why add another date to remember when we already celebrated that one. Plus it’s midSeptember and we both wanted a fall wedding.

— Christine Gabriele

I always wanted a June wedding! But we found out my husband’s cousin’s Bar Mitzvah was in June. We changed it to May; it was Mother’s Day weekend.

My mom had passed away

two years before so it was bittersweet: 5-12-1984.

— Michelle Kambourelis Fluster

My parents were married on September 13th and when meeting with the reception venue staff, we were thrilled to find out September 13th was available. Since my parents had 31 years longevity and good luck with that date I figured we couldn’t go wrong! We are at 15 years and counting!

— Greenbush Gal

12-31-98. My husband proposed on 12-31-97, so it seemed fitting to follow it a year later with the wedding.

Plus, who forgets New Year’s Eve? — Jen Smith

We wanted to do April Fools Day in 1986, but it fell during the week. Instead we picked March 15, the Ides of March!

— Helene Englander Meckler

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Finding the

The options are many for today’s modern bride

Right Officiant

BRIGID BECKMAN SCHMIDT officiating at Caroline Corrigan and Harrison Watkins’ wedding.

— Photo courtesy of the couple

By Lee Nelson

C

aroline Corrigan and her husband, Harrison Watkins, of Albany, were raised Catholic. “But we currently do not belong to a parish or participate.

So, it didn’t really feel right for us to get married in a church,” she says.

26 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

“Rather than be married by a priest who doesn’t know us at all, we felt more comfortable asking a close family friend who knows us well to perform the ceremony.”

Like more and more couples today, they chose an officiant who had been ordained online. In 2012, 33 percent of couples chose a friend or

family member to officiate, up from 31 percent in 2011 and 2010, and 29 percent in 2009, according to a survey

by XO Group, creator of TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com.

The survey also revealed that only 35 percent of brides opted to hold their wedding in a house of worship in 2012 — down from 41 percent in

2009. This comprehensive report surveyed more than 17,500 US brides married in 2012.

Corrigan and Watkins chose Brigid Beckman Schmidt of Albany, the mother of one of the couple’s friends, as their officiant. She had gotten her online ministry certificate through the Universal Life Church in Modesto, Calif., in October 2011.

“Now, I’ve turned it into a business called Bountiful Blessing Events,” Schmidt says, noting she performed two weddings within a week of getting her certificate. “It feels like couples these days don’t necessarily want a church wedding. They also don’t want to go the justice of the peace,” she says. “We are drawn to ceremony and ritual because it draws people tighter. That’s what I love to do — I’m always drawing people together.”

The options for who can officiate at your ceremony are many. Beyond online-ordained ministers and more traditional religious figures such as ministers or rabbis, the list includes city clerks, a village or city mayor, or a county justice.

To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law listed on the Department of Health for New York website. (See sidebar.)

Most couples, like Corrigan and Watkins, want someone who can help them create something meaningful, personal and memorable.

“Standing in front of everyone in your life and stating your vows is a big deal, and we wanted to feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible,” she says. “We already knew that Brigid could speak beautifully, had plenty of ideas for beautiful poetry and words, and would be a great orator to our friends and family for such an important event. It was perfect for us, and we couldn’t have

— Photo courtesy of the couple

The Legal Fine Print Alexis Gomes-Evans, account clerk at the Albany County Clerk office in Albany, says that couples getting married in New York must get a marriage license that is good for 60 days. Couples must apply in person to any town or city clerk in the state. The ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued.

“Once they get that done, they have to find someone to marry them,” she says.

Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law outlines who can legally perform a marriage ceremony, which includes the mayor of a city or village; a justice or judge of different courts; and a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained.

Andre Hensley, president of Universal Life Church (ULC) in Modesto, Calif., says his church has ordained nearly 20 million people without charge or classes.

“They submit an application. Those

been happier with the result.”

T

he Rev. Joy Burke of Saratoga Springs has been performing weddings since 2009 when she married her husband’s best friend from 2nd grade. She had been trained in a variety of spiritual practices through the two-year seminary One Spirit Interfaith in

requests are looked at by someone here, and then they are ordained by that person. Our church believes in the freedom of religion,” he says. “If they have a calling to serve, we will help them do it without cost.”

Not all states require that you register as an ordained minister. Most churches have their own ordination process, he says.

There have been a few lawsuits that involved ULC marriages and whether they were legitimate. In April 2013, the state of New York ruled a ULC wedding was valid despite a husband claiming he didn’t have to go by a prenuptial agreement to his wife during a divorce because he claimed his marriage wasn’t legal through the church, Hensley says.

Whether a priest, rabbi, online ordained friend or someone else marries you, that person must sign the “minister” part of the wedding license and mail it back within five days of the ceremony. The county clerk’s office keeps a copy, and the original is filed with the New York State Department of Health.

New York City.

“It was the original interfaith seminary with three forward thinking people — a priest, minister and rabbi. They trained people in the interfaith, and trained us to create ceremonies,” she says.

Her home is a converted 1869 Methodist church, where she officiates at elopements and small timesunion.com/VOW 27

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“I spend about 20 hours creating each one of my ceremonies,” she says, depending on what a couple wants.

“If the ceremony is just something to do to get to the party afterwards and just something to get through, then who I am to judge,” she says.

“But if they think the ceremony is the most important part of the day, I can help them with that.”

Burke suggests couples ask questions of potential officiants to see if they fit with their vision. Some of her suggestions include: Is this your fulltime job? “It’s not easy to have this as your fulltime job. But my couples can reach me, and I can call them back within a few hours. Weddings are first and foremost with me,” she says.

What qualities do you bring to my wedding? “Just because your Uncle Joe got ordained, doesn’t mean he has the experience to stand in front of 150 guests and speak personally about you,” she says.

What do you do with a screaming child? “You have to be more than being a great storyteller at a wedding. If the ringbearer or another child in the audience has a meltdown, it is your job to deal with it so it doesn’t interrupt the ceremony,” she says.

REV. JOY BURKE at a ring blessing ceremony.

— Photo by Scott Kretschmann

Amanda Boehmer of Saratoga Springs was married by Burke last fall by the reflecting pools at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs.

“I was looking through the Internet trying to find someone to marry us.

I figured I could find an officiant online. My husband and I found each other online,” Boehmer says.

“We wanted a non-denominational officiant who had a good reputation.

We didn’t want a justice of the peace. We wanted a real meaningful ceremony.”

Boehmer calls Burke the “Cadillac of officiants.” “She was so fluent in so many readings and so well versed in so many types of religion, history, literatures, and more.

She put together something so comprehensive and so personal for us,” she says. “We wanted to incorporate a mix of elements. She did that, and our guests are still talking about it.”

The couple was able to add a lot of song lyrics into the ceremony.

The bridesmaids sang and played the piano to “Lean on Me.” The groomsmen all read passages.

Boehmer wanted to incorporate her

dad into the event, too, even though he had died 10 months before the wedding. A song titled “What Would Love Do,” by Jason Mraz was played in the middle of the ceremony.

“Everyone paused as it played,” she says. “It was exactly what I wanted.”

If a quick, casual and inexpensive ceremony is what you’re looking for, the Albany County Courthouse is a good bet. It costs $40 for the marriage license, and the ceremony in the courts is free.

“I’ve seen them come in blue jeans and T-shirts to the full gown and tuxes,” says Alexis Gomes-Evans, account clerk at the courthouse.

She says that couples can make an appointment to get married by a judge in either the criminal court on Saturday and Sunday mornings, or they can be the one and only couple married early in the morning each weekday in the Albany City Hall.

“Those appointments are booked for months in advance,” GomesEvans says. “They come in at 8:45 a.m., and it is performed at 9 a.m. in the judge’s chamber.”  timesunion.com/VOW 29

Picky

Choosing your bridal party without stress and strife

Picky

B

efore you pick the bridesmaid gowns, you first have to choose who will wear them.

And that means entering what can sometimes be tricky territory: deciding how many bridesmaids will be in the wedding party.

Over the summer of 2013, a bride in the UK had 80 bridesmaids in her bridal party, including 74 students from her dance class. Her 30 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

explanation? She didn’t want to exclude anyone. While that may seem ridiculous, what is the proper number of bridesmaids? There isn’t one answer, but wedding planners, etiquette experts and recent brides all agree the honor should be entrusted to those who mean something special to the bride and groom.

The duty of the maid or matron of honor is to act as a support system

to the bride during the planning process. The bridesmaids, then, are the support system for the maid/ matron of honor, helping her with tasks such as stuffing envelopes and planning the shower and bachelorette party.

Alyssa Bombard, a November 2013 bride, chose the eight women in her bridal party for very specific reasons. “I don’t want to look back in

Photo: McMillan Digital Art/GettyImages.

By Wendy Page

my pictures 40 years down the road and not be friends with the people in my party,” Bombard says. “I want the people in my wedding to be there for me to help us get through whatever comes up.”

While weddings of yesteryear mandated an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, that rule isn’t as fixed in today’s weddings, some experts say. “My philosophy is not to fill people in just to keep numbers even,” says Katie O’Malley of Katie O’ Weddings & Events. “These are people you truly want to have stand up for you on your wedding day.” There are ways around an uneven number in the wedding party: Two groomsmen can walk with one bridesmaid, for example.

Though she’s seen up to a dozen, O’Malley feels that “three to six bridesmaids is the average.”

The bride’s age may be a factor in the number of bridesmaids.

“Someone in her early 20s may go with all of her best friends,” says Jessica Laviano, owner of Simply Elegant Event Planning. “Someone in her 30s or 40s will be more inclined to pick a few close friends.”

“

may feel obligated to reciprocate.

“It’s a tricky situation to be in,” says Laviano. “I suggest to think of yourself in 10 years, and when you look back at your wedding photos, who do you see will be in your life?”

For this very reason, family feeling left out can be even trickier, as they will surely be in your life for a long time. If you aren’t very close with the groom’s sister, whether she should be included in your bridal party is “a situational decision that only the couple can make,” Laviano says. For many, maintaining family harmony is worth including the future sisterin-law, and perhaps a bond can start with that inclusion. At the very least, “recognize her another way” during the wedding, O’Malley says.

Deciding to exclude expectant potential bridesmaids also requires tact, experts say. “Have honest discussions with people, explaining why you want to keep it small, explaining your feelings,” suggests O’Malley. Explain that you’d like to include her in your ceremony or reception in a different capacity.

Laviano offers some suggestions: “Make them a reader. Ask them to

I had a huge party for my first marriage. It was a big production,” Dalbec says. The second time, “I just had my close friends, four on each side. It was scaled down.

Recent bride April Dalbec is a good example: Her first wedding’s entourage was different than her second’s. “I had a huge party for my first marriage. It was a big production,” Dalbec says. The second time, “I just had my close friends, four on each side. It was scaled down.”

Dalbec feels it was more meaningful with the second group. “There was nothing in my decision-making that was out of obligation,” she says.

Ah, obligation. If you’ve been in someone else’s wedding, you

”

take part in the prayer of the faithful,” she says. “Pass out programs. At the end of ceremony, they can help with rose petals or rice. Or give them a special job for the day, like gathering things after the ceremony and before the reception. Or to make sure older guests are taken care of. There are always ways to include them.”

Maybe they wear a dress “in a varying shade of the bridesmaids so they still look complementary,” O’Malley adds. They can be included in events such as pre-wedding hair

and makeup, “but they’re not part of the processional. They’re still being recognized in that day so they’re not one of the guests.”

O

f course, choosing the bridal party does not guarantee smooth sailing ahead. We’ve all seen the shows and heard horror stories of bridesmaids who don’t get along. Lorna Dupouy, owner of The Etiquette School of New York, explains that while “typically, it is left to the maid of honor to be in charge of the rest of the attendants, the girls should all be working together so it’s the best outcome for the bride. It’s a day to put our best selves forward in public towards the benefit to our friend’s once-in-a-lifetime day.”

If drama does arise, it’s up to the maid of honor to step in and try to smooth things over so the bride is blissfully oblivious. Of course, if the maid of honor is the difficult one, the bride may have to intervene. “It can cause unnecessary drama,” Laviano says. “You don’t need this on top of the other stress.”

While it may seem as if grooms don’t deal with the same politics with their groomsmen, they do. Instead of planning the shower and bachelorette party, they’re planning the bachelor party and have other duties. “The overall idea of what can be done for solutions with bridesmaids can be done the same way for groomsmen,” Laviano says.

Finally, the biggest factor determining the number in your wedding party may be financial: The bride and groom usually purchase gifts for everyone in their entourage, and buying 24 gifts can be costly.

When the gift recipients are special, i.e. those who mean the most to you, this tradition has much more significance.  For readers’ tips on bridal parties, turn to page 33  timesunion.com/VOW 31

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Continued from 31

Straight From the Brides We asked some recent brides — both in person and in the Times Union’s On the Edge blog, to share their experiences with choosing their bridesmaids.

That was definitely one of the toughest decisions for me. I’d been a bridesmaid so many times and wanted to ask the same people to be in my wedding, but I just couldn’t have them all, particularly given that I have a big, close family. Needless to say, it was a huge stressor for me, but everyone was great about it, much to my relief. –Lea Ermides Stevens, 2012 bride Inviting people to be part of your wedding party is an extremely personal and individual decision. There is no right or wrong answer so you need to follow your heart and make the decisions with your future husband/wife. I would recommend that you outline your expectations (especially for bridesmaids) and then give the person an opportunity to think over the decision before they commit. – Marissa W, via Times Union blog One friend of mine asked me to be in her wedding several months after I had chosen

my own bridesmaids. After accepting and thanking her for thinking of me, I told her I just didn’t want more than my already set number for my own wedding.

She completely understood. I prefer to be open about these things but you definitely have to take it on a case-by-case basis.

Obviously, it can be really rude and tacky in certain situations. – Miss Erin, via OTE

be a cash drain on any of my guests. Two bridesmaids wore their own dresses and shoes (I bought the dress for the pregnant one). I bought them simple pearl necklaces as gifts, no bachelorette or bridal shower, and all gifts were donations to charity. I wanted to put the focus on the marriage, not the squabbles. – Kathleen Lisson, via OTE

I will share what I did personally, as it was one of the best wedding decisions we made. Because of family, friends in groups, etc., we reached a point where we realized we could either have just a best man and maid of honor or our bridal party immediately jumped to seven on each side.

Seven! It also started to become a real “political” headache (i.e., “Why your friend and not your cousin?” etc.) and there was no way to win. My friends (who are all veteran bridesmaids) actually commented that it was so nice not to have to drop $500 on bridal party expenses and to just be able to come have fun. I don’t think I missed out on anything. I just took pictures with my girlfriends and family at the wedding!– E, via OTE

I was recently in a wedding that I thought was planned perfectly and simply. We weren’t called bridesmaids but simply the flower brigade. We were given a color palette and asked to get our own dresses. Somehow all the women picked dresses that were very similar in color.

We all brought flowers down the aisle and gave them to the best girl who tied them together with the ribbon my niece walked down with for the bride. The best part was that the front rows on each side were left open and we sat, except the best woman and man. I thought that was great! No need to make all your bridal party stand for the whole ceremony. I also don’t think it’s appropriate to judge negatively based on how many bridesmaids or groomsmen a wedding has. It’s about what the bride and groom want. – Oh My, via OTE

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On the Money The etiquette of giving cash

W

eddings can be a lot of fun, but they’re often expensive for everyone involved — including guests. So it makes sense the whole “How much money should I give to the bride and groom?” question is regularly asked via search engines and addressed on blogs and wedding websites.

Why are we so concerned? Sure, we want to be fair and generous. But, in reality, it comes down to ego.

“People care what people think,” says Katie O’Malley, owner of Katie O’ Wedding and Events in Troy.

“They don’t want to appear cheap.”

Plus, guests want to show appreciation for being invited to spend the day with the couple, she adds, and the gift is not only a sign of celebration but gratitude.

34 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Thing is, while there are averages (see box) there really are no hardand-fast rules when it comes to an amount. How many zeros to add to your check (never give actual cash) depends on a variety of factors, O’Malley says.

“

Generations ago, the thought of giving money wasn’t the thing to do ... but those rules are changing.

”

Is the wedding local or are you incurring travel and lodging costs?

How well do you know the bride and groom? (Typically you’d give a little more to your sister than, say, your colleague’s daughter.) Are you

attending the wedding alone or is the gift from two of you? And, most importantly, what can you afford?

So many factors play into the cost of the gift that most experts refuse to give specific numbers, but Jamie Miles, TheKnot.com editor, does recommend a breakdown. Determine your overall budget and then spend 20 percent on the engagement gift, 20 percent on the bridal shower, and 60 percent on the wedding gift.

Miles says a large percentage of guests are opting for that 60 percent to be given in the form of cash.

“Generations ago, the thought of giving money wasn’t the thing to do,” Miles says. “And that may have come from etiquette-conscious Emily Post, but those rules are changing.”

With couples getting married

Photo: Joel Eichler/Getty Images. Illustrations by Emily Jahn.

By Kristi Barlette

later in life (late 20s versus early 20s), many are more established.

They have homes and kitchens with subzero fridges and $500 mixers.

They sleep on sheets with high thread counts and dry off with bath towels rivaling those found in a fourstar hotel.

They don’t need more of what they already have. And, well, cash is the kind of thing everyone can use. As gift-givers, we like to hit the mark, so money can be the perfect hybrid.

Guests may give a couple cash so they can use it for their honeymoon, a new home or something similar, Miles says.

Sites such as HoneyFund.com and TheHoneymoon.com allow guests to give money, and sort of control how it’s spent. (The bride and groom need to register for the site to make this possible.)

Because money has become so common, the conversation often gravitates toward gift value, especially with newly married couples among friends. This can create a bit of a keeping up with the Jones effect, says Anna Post, author of Emily Post Etiquette: the 18th Edition.

But it shouldn’t. Just because your friends all slip a $500 check into wedding cards doesn’t mean you have to. In fact, you shouldn’t. No etiquette rules says you need to give what others are giving, nor should you feel obligated to “return the favor” for friends who attended your wedding, she adds.

What does that mean, exactly?

Well, if John and Jane gave you $200, you do not need to give them $200 when they get married. You could give them $75, $250 or even skip the money all together and buy off the registry or make a gift. Weddings are not about getting back what you gave, nor are they tit-for-tat affairs.

Another misnomer, says Post, is the idea that your gift should be equal to the cost of the plate per

person at the reception. In fact, all experts toss this out like the bride’s bouquet.

It’s silly and inaccurate and actually never held any truth, they say, as is believing your gift has to have a higher value simply because the event is being held at a high-end

venue versus, say, the backyard at the bride’s childhood home.

“My budget didn’t change just because the wedding is expensive,” says Post. “That’s too unrealistic and not in the spirit of what the wedding is about.” 

Cash as a wedding gift? How much do you give?

While we realize several factors are involved in gifting the bride and groom — including travel, how well you know the couple, if you’re going by yourself or with a date and, perhaps, how much they gave you — we asked readers of the Times Union’s On the Edge blog for their thoughts:

More than $200 (10%) $151-$200 (23%) $101-$150 (30%) $51 to $100 (33%) $50 or fewer (4%)

Family

Family

spends an average of $146 $151-200

$151-200

spend an

Friends average of $79$101-150 $51-100 $101-150

$51-100

$50 or fewer

$50 or fewer $50 or

fewer $51 - $100 (Source: TheKnot.com 2010 Registry Study)

(Source: TheKnot.com 2010 Registry Study)

$101-150

timesunion.com/VOW 35

$101-1

It’s All About You! Make your wedding special by making it personal

By Lee Nelson

S

hannon and Ken Day are avid hikers. He proposed to her at the base of a mountain.

“So it was fitting to incorporate our love of hiking into our wedding,” she says. “Tables were named after mountains we’ve climbed together. The head table was named Mt. Marcy because it’s the tallest mountain in New York, and Marcy is our dog’s name.”

The couple now lives in Burlington, Vt., but had lived in Mechanicville,

N.Y. They had their reception at Michael’s Banquet House in Cohoes, where, as part of their hiking theme, guests could fill small Mason jars with their favorite goodies of granola, peanuts, almonds and raisins to take home with them at the trail mix bar.

Whether you and your soon-tobe spouse are into biking, hiking, 36 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

cooking or football, you can add personal touches that make the wedding and reception about you and your interests, backgrounds, passions, families and hobbies.

Brandy Treacy, events coordinator at Michael’s Banquet House, helped the Days and works with other couples to plan a day that’s all about them and their desires. “There are so many ways to incorporate something

found on Pinterest. She suggests couples look at the social media site before planning anything because it is filled with wedding ideas that can take a celebration from normal to very intimate and touching.

“My husband restores and installs windows,” she says. So, the couple used old windows to place the table assignments, placards and engagement photos within the

 SHANNON AND KEN DAY reflected their passion for hiking in their cake topper and reception favors.

— Photos by Susan Knott Photography

of themselves into the event. It can be the favors they give to the guests, the décor, the entertainment or the food,” she says. “Some brides come in with a vision and photos. Some brides are looking for some direction.”

Treacy got married this past summer, too, and added in some personal ideas, a few of which she

panes of glass.

On her sweets table, her aunts made all the family’s favorite Christmas cookies to add a personal touch even though it was in the summer. “They all wanted to help out. So, it snowballed with cannolis, cupcakes, candy and chocolatecovered pretzels and apples. We

also had a groom’s cake that was a mini-helicopter with the rotors that actually spun. My fiancé used to fly planes and helicopters,” Treacy says.

Personalized menus are another popular way to add an individual touch to your wedding. One couple decided on a destination wedding but came back to the Albany area for their reception. “When they threw the party here, they wanted to incorporate that Caribbean feel that they had during their ceremony,” Treacy says.

“They ordered jerk chicken and fried plantains for all the guests at their reception. Many facilities will at least customize some portion of the meal or dessert to accommodate someone’s personal choices.”

Lori Wodicka, manager of The Mansion Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, booked a couple for next year who will be serving a fourcourse plated dinner. But one of the courses will be a family recipe handed down from generation to generation on the bride’s side. “The bride has had this chicken riggies dish since she was a child,” she says.

Another couple asked the chef to make a wedding cake with the lyrics to their first dance song on the cake.

He was able to do it with edible paper that adheres to the cake.

“Because we are a bed and breakfast, couples take over the entire mansion and grounds for their wedding weekend,” Wodicka says.

“We only host one wedding a week.

The chef caters to their menu and caters to their tastes and ideas. It becomes a very personal celebration.”

She worked with a couple last year who were both science teachers.

 KRISTIN AND JEREMY had a touching ceremony on the Hudson River to commemorate the time they spent camping and kayaking on it.

— Photos by Scott Kretschmann Photography

They used beakers for the vases filled with white carnations. Next to the big beaker of flowers were two smaller beakers with different colored water. During the reception, the guests could add the colored waters to the center beaker.

“By the end of the night, the white carnations had taken on the color of the colored water. It was a science experiment taking place during the reception,” Wodicka says.

Kristin Wendell Tchaban and her husband, Jeremy, who live in Manhattan, personalized many aspects of their wedding last fall, including hiring her aunt, a reverend from Saratoga Springs, to perform a touching ceremony overlooking the Hudson River. “We wanted it to be different. We wanted it to be us,” Kristin says. “We wanted it low-key.

I’m so close to my aunt, and she made it so personal for us.”

Four of the couple’s closest friends did readings. The ceremony also included non-traditional songs by Stevie Wonder, the Cure and others.

“Neither one of us is super religious. I was raised Catholic. He was raised Jewish. But we wanted it to be a ceremony about us and our love,” she says.

They chose to be married on the banks of the Hudson River because

they had spent nights camping and kayaking on it. “So, having the wedding along the water was very important to us, and it was beautiful,” Kristin says.

Jeremy plays the harmonica.

So, when Kristin walked down the aisle, her groom’s teacher and mentor played the harmonica for a sweet moment. Other friends played guitars. Even though Kristin’s parents are divorced, their favorite song, “Colour My World” by Chicago, was played.

“We also tried to make things as green as possible. We did a lot of stuff on chalkboards including the table assignments,” Kristin says.

“We had the reception in a big barn with big farm tables, and food was served family style. Decorations were minimal with wildflowers, rocks and twigs. We had big barrels of pickles, cheese boards and nuts and chutneys for the cocktail hour.”

One of Jeremy’s aunts crocheted a long string in the couple’s wedding colors. It was used in a ceremonial ritual of tying the knot where the string is used to connect the couple’s hands.

“It was awesome. We truly enjoyed our day so much,” she says. “It was low-key, but fun and personal.”  timesunion.com/VOW 37

In Style

Gatsby is in! Here are some other 2014 wedding trends

G

atsby-style weddings with lots of fancy embellishments.

Dramatic veils and openbacked gowns. Baby’s breath and peonies. The trends for 2014 weddings are lacy, elegant, spectacular and fun. Here’s what’s happening this year.

parties. And since your wedding is probably the biggest party you’ll throw, you might as well throw it in high style, right? This is by far the biggest wedding-trend theme of the season, according to the Huffington Post.

A Gatsby wedding means early-20th-century typography for invitations, black-tie dress, golds, purples and greens for your decor, high ceilings and estate mansions on the water, if you can swing it.

DRESSES

THEMES As we mentioned, Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby set off a wave of inspiration for 2014 brides and grooms. Jay Gatsby was known for throwing big, lavish 38 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

According to The Knot, flapperstyle straight gowns with cowl backs, textured fabrics and glittery, lacy flourishes, such as capes, glittery tulle and wraps, are super popular. Cap and sheer sleeves and headband headpieces complete the ’20s-inspired look.

Plus! “Dress changes have become more and more popular in summer

weddings,” adds Christine Wheat, of Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm, LLC, in Saratoga Springs.

“From long ceremony gowns to cute cocktail dresses for dancing.” What to look for? Chic convertible gowns that change from long to short.

Illustrations: GeorgePeters/GettyImages.

By Brianna Snyder

JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES Heirloom jewelry is making a big comeback, according to the Bridal Guide blog. Colored gems, drop earrings, cluster-pearl earrings and any vintage (or vintage-looking) accessories are not only trendy because they’re gorgeous but because they fit the “high drama” wedding themes of 2014. If you’re lucky enough to have precious jewelry in your family, this trend is easy for you. Otherwise, plenty of square-cut emerald rings and strings of pearls will be on the shelves this season.

And: “I’ve noticed more and more clients adding a sash as an outfit accessory to their dress for the reception,” says Wheat. “The sashes have been embellished with broaches and additional jewels. A perfect touch!

“Almost all of our clients have had a hair change or retouch after the ceremony,” she continues. “With this change they add a hair embellishment feather, flower, jewel, etc.”

RECEPTION “Advice boxes have been added into reception items in addition to or instead of guest books,” Wheat says.

Skype photobooths are another trending feature, according to Ken Bevan, an Albany-based DJ, who says he’s seen all kinds of creative uses for social media and technology at receptions. In a Skype booth, guests can chat with friends and family who weren’t able to make the ceremony.

Another up-and-coming motif, according to Boho Weddings, a DIY wedding blog, is the “ombre look,” where colors are gradated down a line of chairs or from the top to the bottom of the cake. (For example, the top tier of the cake might be a deep green, and with each following level, the green gets lighter.)  For more wedding trends and inspiration, check out our Pinterest board at pinterest.com/timesunionmags

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The Case

How social media can enhance your wedding

For Cellphones

Photo: ryccio/GettyImages.

By Brianna Snyder

S

hould you put your cellphone away when you attend a wedding?

That’s the question we asked experts on the wedding scene.

Every day, we Snapchat, Vine, Instagram and Facebook all kinds of things: dinner, hiking-trail scenery,

funny bumper stickers, friends and coworkers, parties and pets. This recording of life’s little moments is second nature to many of us.

Therefore, snapping photos and filming video at something as special as a wedding seems not only natural, but courteous. (The bride is going to

love that 15-second video you just grabbed of her dance with her dad.)

Is this OK? Jorie Scholnik, an expert in millennial etiquette, says that, as with everything else, moderation is key.

“Cell phones shouldn’t be used during more intimate parts of a wedding (one example being the timesunion.com/VOW 41

Apps and Music The music you play at your wedding is one of the most significant aspects of the experience. For that reason, it’s important to vet your DJs or band.

But things are changing a little. With certain apps, huge playlists can be carefully curated and contributed to by many people. (Try Anthm, Playlists.com or Spotify.)

DJ Kenny Casanova (ne Ken Bevan) says he sees couples adding forms to their blogs for song requests and little cards

42 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

included with the invitations asking guests to send along a song suggestion with their RSVP. Once the couple gets these suggestions back from their attendees, they groom the list and pass it to the DJ. Bevan has also seen couples who’ve used hashtags to request songs. At one wedding, Bevan says, “guests were hashtagging [the couple’s] name and the wedding and communicating with me, asking me to play certain songs.”

The days of the little notebook by the DJ booth are over, Bevan says.

I

ncreasingly brides and grooms are incorporating social media into their receptions. Couples are using hashtags, those designated keywords that organize data across social sites, to streamline their guests’ uploads.

Christie and David Elliott, from East Greenbush and who were married this past summer in June, used the hashtag “#elliottwed2013.”

“It was a huge hit,” the couple wrote in an e-mail. “And we were able to see pictures that night back at the hotel!”

Photo: GettyImages. Bride and Groom, Miodrag Gajic; Texting at night, Assembly.

ceremony),” writes Scholnik in an e-mail, “but overall, it’s fine to use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Vine, etc. Guests who post on these social networking sites are usually excited for the newly married couple and want to express their best wishes.”

But, Scholnik warns, it’s important to keep a few guidelines in mind.

“You want to be tactful about the pictures you do post,” she says. “For example, the bride put a lot of time and money into looking beautiful on her big day, so avoid posting pictures where she is blinking or fixing her hair.” Don’t post the “hilarious” triple-chin tongue-hanging-out picture of the maid of honor trying to catch the bouquet. Everyone’s invested in looking good today. Spare everyone the unflattering shots.

Also, remember that people rely on Facebook for professional purposes. “Don’t post pictures where people are drinking or dancing if they don’t know you are taking the picture,” Scholnik says. (Thankfully, Facebook checks with you before letting a picture of you be tagged with your name, but, still, these pictures aren’t completely invisible to Facebook lurkers.) “One other thing to take into consideration with social networking is the fact that sometimes people learn via Facebook that they weren’t invited to the wedding. This can be a sensitive issue, so don’t go too overboard with what you post,” she says.

We Create

Ken Bevan, an Albany-based DJ, says he sees this a lot.

“The guests were uploading photos [with a hashtag] so that way, afterward, [the couple] could see everything people put up,” he says. “They had me announce the hashtag here and there” to remind everyone that there was a hashtag and to “please upload photos!”

As for texting and e-mailing on your phone, Scholnik says, basically, use your head. “As a fellow millennial, I completely understand the feeling associated with being away from your phone for a 4-5 hour wedding,” she says. However, “during the reception, avoid using your phone during key moments like the first dance, the cake cutting and the toasts. … Checking your phone every once in a while is very different from being glued to it. If you are glued to your phone people will question your excitement for being present and it takes away opportunities to interact with the people at your table.

The bride and groom select the table seating based on commonalities between the guests. Who knows … maybe you can gain a new friend or a new business deal if you interact! The people you are talking with should take priority over your phone.” 

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Kodak Moments How to be sure you capture the best shots of your special day

By Traci Neal

W

hile the caterer, the florist and the dressmaker all play critical roles leading up to a couple’s big day, it’s the work of the wedding photographer that endures long after the food and flowers have gone and the dress is boxed up and put away.

Wedding photos alone capture the special wedding-day moments that most brides and grooms are too overwhelmed to notice or remember.

The wedding photos will tell the couple’s love story for generations to come so it’s important that the person behind the camera is able to anticipate the “money shots” without hovering, is able to tell the story without having to say a word.

We asked local experts to share some of the most important weddingday shots all couples should be sure to ask their photographer to capture: 1. PORTRAIT OF ANTICIPATION I definitely get the formal bride portrait before the wedding in her wedding dress with her flowers; just a standard, nice-looking formal shot I like to take after her makeup’s done, her hair is done, everything’s fresh and the anticipation has really 44 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

1

Hitch Photography

2

reached its peak. She’s got ideas of what her groom will look like and at this point hopefully she’s satisfied with the way she looks. I don’t think I’ve ever shot a wedding where a bride doesn’t have some sort of extra glow or enthusiasm at that point… that’s like the first time in the day that things really start to light up and it changes from spending a lot of time planning the wedding to actually having the wedding.

—Dan “Hitch” Pepe of Hitch Photography, Schenectady

Susan Knott Photography

3

2. GROOM’S REACTION A top shot for me is to catch the first look of the groom and the emotion that the groom has when he sees the bride in her dress for the first time.

It’s very traditional and a lot of brides want to capture that moment, to capture his reaction and his emotion.

It hits the groom when she steps into the room and the bride usually doesn’t get to see that because she’s way down the aisle. So capturing it is a way for us as photographers to share that moment with her. To me that’s the top shot because it’s very emotional, and photography is about capturing that emotion in the picture.

Blackburn Photography

4

—Susan Knott of Susan Knott Photography, Latham

3. WHO’S WHO I think portraying relationships between people is really important. If a bride is really close with her sister, that should be captured. If the groom has a special bond with the ring bearer, that is important to document.

I included a shot of the groom’s father putting on [the grooms’s] tie — it just really moved me because you could tell how close they were.

—Susan Blackburn of Blackburn Portrait Design Photography, Cohoes

4. FIRST KISS I definitely think the first kiss is a staple, something that, as a photographer, it’s one of those door-die shots you have to be ready for because some people hold out the kiss and others don’t. The kiss is like the

Hitch Photography

pinnacle of the ceremony, like they’re sealing their vows with a kiss. I think that kind of marks the transition from formality to party and after that they can relax, take some photos, walk in the grass a little bit. Everyone’s a little more at ease after the kiss.

—Dan “Hitch” Pepe of Hitch Photography, Schenectady

5. DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL When a bride comes down the aisle with her dad and you catch just the dad looking over at his daughter as they come down the aisle you know what he’s thinking: “This is my little girl.” There’s emotion there. He’s handing his daughter off to her new husband and he’s thinking, “She’s timesunion.com/VOW 45

5

not my little girl anymore.” This is the moment the wedding becomes real. That’s my interpretation of it.

—Susan Knott of Susan Knott Photography, Latham

6. MEANINGFUL DETAIL I like to be sure to get details — the rings, the garter, the somethingold-something-new-somethingborrowed-something-blue. I usually ask the bride if she’s wearing anything in particular, anything from her father or mother, her grandmother. And if so, that’s a very important image to capture. The small things really are crucial to get because they are sentimental and very important to the bride. I just did a wedding where the bride had a ring her great-grandmother had given to her so it was very important for her to wear that ring around her neck while she walked down the aisle — the same aisle her greatgrandmother had walked down.

There’s a lot of sentiment associated with that type of image.

—Tom Bryant of Photo Phrame Photography, Cohoes

7. CHEEK TO CHEEK A couple close-up is the numberone shot that every bride and groom should have. It’s the one that ends up on everyone’s desk, everyone’s wall, everyone’s grandparents’ wall.

In this photo they are standing next to each other facing the camera, standing very close with their arms around each other, maybe even cheek to cheek, with her bouquet in front of them. It’s just a warm and a very classic shot and, not to sound cheesy, it’s very frameable. Twenty 46 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

Susan Knott Photography

years from now this shot still stands the test of time.

6

—Barbara Bentley of T.R. Laz Photography, Albany

8. THE EMBRACE I always do an embrace pose where the groom is hugging the bride from behind, holding her, and she’s leaning back against him, kind of relaxed and smiling. I think this pose shows a lot of love, character and tenderness. You can make them look naturally comfortable and get a real expression out of them at the same time. That’s the shot you have to get.

—Tom Bryant of Photo Phrame Photography, Cohoes

9. DON’T FORGET THE GROOMSMEN The guys are just as important as the girls, so good shots of the guys are really important. If you can, have getting-ready shots of the guys.

—Susan Blackburn of Blackburn Portrait Designs, Saratoga Springs

Photo Phrame Photography

10. CANDID ALONE TIME Posed shots are more like glamour shots, but the candids show a couple as they really are. I look for them to be sitting off to the side with beautiful lighting in an intimate atmosphere. They might be sitting on a bench or standing on a bridge, looking at each other or talking and laughing.

This is what I look for.

—Tom Bryant of Photo Phrame Photography, Cohoes

10

Photo Phrame Photography

DIY Fun Photos A recent trend in picturetaking has exploded as couples rent photo booths to give their guests a chance to also capture the special day in pictures. Photo booth companies, such as Overtime Photography

and Saratoga Photobooth Company, rent photo booths so guests can have some fun posing for instant pictures and take home a keepsake — the iconic photo strip, printed in a matter of seconds. Some companies offer props and costumes, too! 

2013

Life@Home is packed with inspiration to help you make your house a home.

HealthyLife magazine brings you stories and advice geared at living a balanced life, and nourishment of your mind, body, and spirit.

Capital Region Women@Work is the in-print component of an innovative network of local women in managerial and executive positions.

VOW: Your Wedding. Your Way. is the secret to creating your fairytale wedding using local resources.

If you are interested in receiving free home delivery of any of our magazines, please (518) 454-5768 or email magcirculation@timesunion.com.

Know what’s going on 24/7 and be part of our community, both on- and offline. Connect with us on all our social platforms, so you never miss a beat!

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resource guide pages 49-57 KRISTIN AND MIKE RANA at Indian Ladder Farms.

— Photo by Bailly Photography timesunion.com/VOW 49

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HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES IN LATHAM 400 Old Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-783-6161 hielatham.com

THE HOLIDAY INN – ALBANY 205 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-7264 ext. 421 hialbanywolf.com

Bailly Photography

GLEN SANDERS MANSION 1 Glen Avenue Scotia, NY 12302 518-374-7262 glensandersmansion.com HALL OF SPRINGS 108 Avenue of the Pines Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-583-3003 hallofsprings.com HILTON GARDEN INN AT ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER 62 New Scotland Ave. Albany, NY 12208 518-396-3500 albanymedicalcenter.stayhgi.com

Tom Wall Photography timesunion.com/VOW 51

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*Bold listings indicate advertisers continued from page 51 JIMINY PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT 37 Corey Road Hancock, MA 01237 413-738-5500 ext 3930 jiminypeak.com KEY HALL AT PROCTORS 436 State St. 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 Ave. Saratoga Springs, 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 michaelsbanquethouse.com

MOHAWK RIVER COUNTRY CLUB 847 Riverview Road Rexford, NY 12148 518-399-1920 mohawkrivercc.com NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DANCE 99 South Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-2225 ext. 3003 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 St. Cooperstown, NY 13326 800-348-6222 otesaga.com PAOLO LOMBARDI’S 104 West Sand Lake Rd. Rt 150 Wynantskill, NY 12198 paololombardis.com PARK MCCULLOUGH 1 Park St. North Bennington, VT 05257 802-442-5441 parkmccullough.org

THE RENSSELAER 235 Hoosick St. Troy, NY 12180 518-953-1983 therensselaer.com

TURNING STONE 5218 Patrick Road Verona, NY 13478 1-888-361-7958 turningstone.com/wedding

RIVER STONE MANOR 1437 Amsterdam Road Glenville, NY 12302 518-382-8322 riverstonemanor.com

WOLFERTS ROOST COUNTRY CLUB 120 Van Rensselaer Blvd.

Albany, NY 12204 518-449-3223 wolfertsroost.com

THE SAGAMORE 110 Sagamore Road Bolton Landing, NY12814 518-644-9400 thesagamore.com SARATOGA HILTON 534 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-693-1004 thesaratogahotel.com SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB 458 Union Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-583-4653 golfsaratoga.com SARATOGA POLO ASSOCIATION 2 Bloomfield Road Greenfield, NY 12833 518-584-8108 saratogapolo.com SARATOGA SPRINGS COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 11 Excelsior Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-226-0538 courtyardsaratoga.com SETTLES HILL BANQUETS & EVENTS 1123 Settles Hill Road Altamont, NY 12009 518-355-0460 SettlesHillBanquets.com SHAKER RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB 802 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville, NY 12211 518-389-2889 shakerridge.com SHORELINE CRUISES 2 Kurosaka Lane Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-4644 lakegeorgeshoreline.com THE STATE ROOM 142 State St. 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 South Pearl S. Albany, NY 12207 518-694-3322 tastealbany.com

WINDHAM MOUNTAIN 33 Clarence Lane Windham, NY 12496 518-734-4300 x 1382 windhammountain.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS/ VIDEOGRAPHERS BAILLY PHOTOGRAPHY 518.221.332. baillyphoto.com BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN Ballston Spa 518-584-4237 susanblackburn.biz C.A. MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY Albany 518-312-6968 www.camoorephoto.com CANDIDLY BETH PHOTOGRAPHY Beth Shaw Suite 314 Collamer Building 480 Broadway, Saratoga Springs 518-309-4325 candidlybeth.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 joanhefflerphotography.com DENIS J. NALLY PHOTOGRAPHY 55 Altamont Road Voorheesville, NY 12186 518-765-2299 denisjnallyphotography.com DEXTER DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO 518-391-2338 dexphotos.com

continued on page 54

Jenn Moak Photography timesunion.com/VOW 53

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*Bold listings indicate advertisers continued from page 53 DINO PETROCELLI PHOTOGRAPHY 872 Old Albany Shaker Road Albany, NY 12110 518-785-7656 dinopetrocelliphoto.com EMERSON PHOTOGRAPHY 518-229-4498 emersonphotography.me EMMA DODGE HANSON PHOTOGRAPHY P.O. Box 772 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-4282 emmadodgehanson.com FOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY 518-879-8580 jefffoley.com FRED RICARD PHOTOGRAPHY 518-432-0736 ricardphoto.com HITCH PHOTOGRAPHY 518-577-7002 hitchphoto.com JOHN SEAKWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY New Lebanon, NY 12125 518-794-9622 johnseakwood.com JENN MOAK PHOTOGRAPHY 518-3584554 jenmoakphotography.com JESSICA PAINTER PHOTOGRAPHY Albany, NY 518-542-3346 Jessicapainter.com ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY INC. 1084 Madison Avenue Albany, NY 12208 518-438-0989 elariophotography.com KEESE PHOTOBOOTHS AND VIDEO PRODUCTION 518-729-3509 nyphotobooths.com

Bailly Photography

OVERTIME PHOTOGRAPHY 60 Sisco Street P.O. Box 413 Westport, NY 12993 518-569-7272 overtimephotography.com

VISCOSI PHOTOGRAPHY 296 Albany Bush Road, Johnstown (518) 762-2780 viscosiphotography.com

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

PHOTO PHRAME PHOTOGRAPHY Cohoes, NY 518-258-1832 ph3pix.com

THE WHITE STUDIO 14 Fuller Road Albany, NY 12205 518-438-7343 whitestudio.com

CREO’ CATERS 1475 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203 518-795-4581 creocaters.com

PRECIOUS MEMORIES 692 Stillwater Bridge Road Schaghticoke, NY 12154 518-664-2181 preciousmemories-video.com RAY ZANTA VIDEO 518-877-5936 zantavideo.com

CAKES AND CATERERS 2SHEA CATERING 802 Albany Shaker Road Albany, NY 12211 518-389-2889 2sheacatering.com

KEITH HITLIN PHOTOGRAPHY East Greenbush, NY 518-336-5370 khitlinphoto.com

SHANNON DECELLE PHOTOGRAPHY 518-495-2314 shannondecellephotography.com

BELLA NAPOLI BAKERY 672 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 888-800-0103 bellanapolibakery.com

MCGARRY PHOTOGRAPHY 14 Continental Road Schenectady, NY 12306 518-355-7030 mcgarryphotography.com

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

BLACK DIAMOND CATERERS 44 Phila St. (Rear) Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-581-7450 blackdiamondcaterers.com

MICHAEL GALLITELLI 34 Crumitie Road, Loudonville 518-459-8050 metrolandphoto.com

SUSAN KNOTT PHOTOGRAPHY 518-369-6057 SusanKnottPhotography.com

CAKES BY KATHY Nassau 518-755-8621 veryspecialcakes.com

MYSTIC PHOTO/VIDEO 4 Aster St. Schenectady, NY 12306 518-265-4481 mysticphotovideo.com NIKI ROSSI PHOTOGRAPHY Saratoga Springs 518-495-1593 nikirossi.com

54 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

TOM WALL PHOTOGRAPHY 42 Patroon Place Loudonville, NY 12211 518-463-04455 tomwallphotography.com T.R. LAZ PHOTOGRAPHY 125 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-7008 trlaz.com

CARDONA’S MARKET 340 Delaware Ave Albany, NY 12209 434-4838 CLASSÉ CATERING 2 Petra Lane Albany, NY 12205 518-690-0293 classecatering.com

ELEGANT TOUCH CATERING COMPANY 6787 Route 158 Guilderland, NY 12009 518-356-5008 theeleganttouch.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 MAKE ME A CAKE NEXT DOOR 378 Delaware Ave. Delmar. NY 12054 518-439-4040 cakesnextdoor.com MANSION CATERING 518-374-7262 mansioncatering.com NICOLE’S CATERING AND RESTAURANT 556 Delaware Ave. Albany, NY 12209 518-436-4952 nicolescatering.com

OLD DALEY INN 2 Northern Dr. Troy, NY 12182 518-235-2656 PANZA’S RESTAURANT 510 Route 9P Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-6882 panzasrestaurant.com VILLA ITALIA 226 Broadway Schenectady, NY 12305 518-355-1144 villaitaliabakery.com

TRANSPORTATION ALL OCCASIONS LIMO 518-479-5466 allocclimo.com CAPITAL REGION LIMOUSINE 45 Stirrup Drive East Greenbush, NY 12061 518-479-2020 crlimos.com CAZ LIMOUSINE 5908 Butternut Dr. East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-849-1007 cazlimo.com CELEBRITY LIMOUSINE SERVICE 4280 Route 43 Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-283-5466 yourthecelebrity.com CLASSIC LIMOUSINE 137 Lark St. Albany, NY 12210 518-355-3009 albanyclassiclimo.com PREMIERE TRANSPORTATION GROUP 456 North Pearl St. Albany, NY 12204 518-459-6123 premierelimo.com

TODAY’S LIMOUSINE LLC 2622 Seventh Ave. Watervliet, NY 12189 518-452-4242 todayslimo.com

RENTAL SERVICES C.W. WHALEN & SONS 5 North St. Troy, NY 12182 518-274-4412 whalentent.com CLIFTON PARK RENTAL CENTER 871 Main St. Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-877-7449 cliftonparkrental.com JAY’S TENT RENTALS Delmar 888-373-2449 jaystentrentals.com RAIN OR SHINE TENT COMPANY 167 Wall St. Grangerville, NY 12871 800-647-6054 tentrent.com TABLECLOTHS FOR GRANTED, LTD. 510 Union St. Schenectady, NY 12305 518-370-5481 tableclothsforgranted.com TOTAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT 4021 State St. Niskayuna, NY 12304 518-383-8602 totaleventsmanagement.com TREMONT ABOUT TOWN EVENTS P.O. Box 519 2897 Route 43 Averill Park, NY 518- 674-8280 tremontrentals.com

SALONS/SPAS ANIA HAIR STUDIO AND SPA 1704 Western Ave Albany, NY 12203 518-456-8822 aniahairstudio.com ALLURE SALON 1675 Route 9 (Watkins Plaza) Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-371-7200 alluresaloncliftonpark.com CAPITAL CARE FAMILY MEDESTHETICS Slingerlands Family Medicine 1882 New Scotland Rd., Suite 200 Slingerlands, NY 12159 518-429-2909 CapitalCareFamilyMed Esthetics.com CLASSICAL CONCEPTS SALON & SPA 323 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-6039 classicalconceptsaveda.com

RUNI THE IMAGE CENTER 1811 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203 518-869-3900 runiltd.com SANCTUARY SPA OF SARATOGA 72 Railroad Place Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-5219 sanctuarysaratoga.com SPA CASCADA 487 Broadway (Second Level) Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-583-4850 cascadasalonandspa.com STILETTO SALON 1315 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205 518-437-3471 stilettosalon.com

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

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

THE HARMONY BAND 518-357-8098 theharmonyband.com

JEAN PAUL DAY SPA & HAIR SALONS Stuyvesant Plaza Albany, NY 12203 518-482-2121 jeanpaulspa.com JEFFREY R. RIDHA M.D., P.C. 83 Railroad Place Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-306-5466 drridha.com KIMBERLEY’S A DAY SPA 982 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-785-5868 kimberleysadayspa.com MAKE ME FABULOUS 32 Front St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2929 makemefabulous.com MARIPOSA STUDIO 475 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville, NY 12211 518-729-4215 albanymariposa.com RUMORS 626 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-786-1777 rumorsinc.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 THE NELLIES (BLUEGRASS) thenellies.com MICHAEL POPKIN (PIANIST) 800-350-7426 popkinpiano.com NEW YORK PLAYERS 518- 482-8252 newyorkplayers.com THE SAINTS OF SWING 845-647-7291 saintsofswing.com

Tom Wall Photography

continued on page 56 timesunion.com/VOW 55

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*Bold listings indicate advertisers continued from page 53 SPA CITY DUO (VIOLIN/ CELLO DUO) Spacityduo.com TOP SHELF 518-766-4447 topshelfband.com TS ENSEMBLE 518-456-0099 tsensemble.com

ELITE SOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT 518-955-8469 elitesoundsentertainment.com ENTERTAINMENT ASSOCIATES 518-452-1517 FRASIER ENTERTAINMENT P.O. Box 3919 Albany, NY 12203 518-355-8855 frasierentertainment.com

FLORAL DESIGN ARIELLA CHEZAR DESIGN Saratoga Springs ariellaflowers.com CENTRAL MARKET FLORIST AT PRICE CHOPPER Several Capital District Locations 873 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-782-0136 myfloralplace.com

D.J.S

KING ENTERTAINMENT 518-466-9947 kingdj.com

CAP CAPELLO 11 Nott Road Rexford, NY 12148 518-399-7451 imadj.com

MUSIC MAN ENTERTAINMENT P.O. Box 48 Amsterdam, NY 12010 518-842-4065 musicmanentertainment.com

CAPITAL DISC JOCKEYS Albany, NY 518-372-7121 capitaldiscjockeys.com

PAUL MALO DJ SERVICES Clifton Park 518-383-3978

EMIL J NAGENGAST FLORIST 169 Ontario St. Albany, NY 12206 518-434-1125 nagengast.com

THE PIANO MAN’S DJ PRODUCTIONS 683 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-489-4000 www.pianomandj.com

EXPERIENCE & CREATIVE DESIGN, LTD. 510 Union St. Schenectady, NY 12305 518-374-6885 experienceandcreativedesign.com

RICK ANGERAMI Albany 518-869-6675 rickangerami.com

FELTHOUSEN’S FLORIST & GREENHOUSE 1537 Van Antwerp Road Schenectady, NY 12309 518-374-4414 FelthousensFlorist.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 Springs, NY 12866 518-542-4272 dancintime.com DJ VINNY VIN OF NONSTOP MUSIC Albany, NY 12203 518-281-0069 nonstopmusicdj.com

RIC MITCHELL Clifton Park, NY 352-874-7544 ricmitchell.com SOUND CONTROL DJ’S East Greenbush, NY 12061 518-479-7257 soundcontroldiscjockeys.com

DANKER FLORIST 658 Central Ave. Albany, NY 518-489-5461 dankerflorist.com

THE FIREFLY FLORIST 1613 Union St. Schenectady, NY 12309 518-377-9277 fireflyflorist.com FLEURTACIOUS DESIGNS 470 North Greenbush Road Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-283-7262 fleurtaciousdesigns.com FLOWERS BY SUZANNE 433 Mohawk St. Herkimer, NY 13350 315-866-0206 lowersbysuzanne.net THE FLORAL GARDEN 340 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054 518-478-7232 thefloralgarden.net FRANK GALLO & SON FLORIST 1601 State St. Schenectady, NY 12304 & other locations 518-346-6171 frankgallo.com THE POSIE PEDDLER 92 West Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-8273 posiepeddler.com

Bailly Photography 56 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

RENAISSANCE FLORAL DESIGN 1561 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203 518-464-6002 renaissancefloraldesign.com

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

GOWNS AND FORMALWEAR ANGELA’S BRIDAL 126 State Street Albany, NY 12207 518-869-1848 angelasbridal.net THE BRIDAL GALLERY

BY YVONNE 895 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-782-9333 bridalgallerybyyvonne.com THE BRIDAL ROSE BOUTIQUE 133 N. Allen St. Albany, NY 12206 518-482-3079 BRIDES AND MORE DISCOUNT BRIDAL 202 S Central Ave. Mechanicville, NY 12118 518-664-1189 DE ANNA’S BRIDAL 3991 Route 43 West Sand Lake, NY 12196 518 283-6252 CHOPPA AND SON FORMAL WEAR 1020 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205 518-453-2202 choppatux.com DANIELLE’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 75 Weibel Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-7067 daniellesbridalofsaratoga.com DAVID’S BRIDAL 1440 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205 518-437-1223 davidsbridal.com FANCY SCHMANCY 1800 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203 518-452-1269 fancyschmancycouture.com FERRI FORMALS AND BRIDALS 1608 Union St. Schenectady, NY 12309 518-374-3464 ferriformals.com FUTIA’S TUXEDOS 1289 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205 518-436-7177 futias-formalwear.com JOCELYNN’S BRIDAL 1705 Route 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-371-1199 jocelynnsbridal.com

JULIET HOUSE OF BRIDES 897 Troy Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110 518-785-5262 LILY SARATOGA 6 Franklin Square Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-5017 lilysaratoga.com MACYS 200 Colonie Center Albany, NY 12205 518-459-1950 macys.com MEN’S WEARHOUSE 18 Wolf Road Colonie, NY 12205 518-459-3682 menswearhouse.com PICKER’S ELEGANT OCCASSIONS 8182 Seneca Turnpike (RT 5) Clinton, NY 13323 315-724-7283 pickersbridal.com SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL 75 Woodlawn Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-0962 somethingbleubridal.com TUXEGO Route 7 Peter Harris Plaza 952 Troy Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110 518-783-0260 tuxego.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 P.O. Box 142 39 Kinderhook St. Chatham, New York 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 St. Troy, NY 12181 518-274-7075 avcosta.com

TUXEGO OF CLIFTON PARK 1505 Route 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-383-7701 upstatetuxego.com

ADDRESSES & MORE 1203 Fernwood Drive Schenectady, NY 12309 518-382-0643 addressesandmore.com

WALDORF TUXEDO 204 Lancaster St. Albany, NY 12210-1941 518-449-5011 waldorftuxedo.com

INK PLATE PRESS Cohoes, NY 518.321.8067 inkplatepress.com

WEDDING PLANNER BRIDAL RESOURCE CENTER 471 Albany-Shaker Road Albany, NY 12211 518-464-4111 albanyweddings.com CHRISTINE A. WHEAT SPECIAL EVENTS 432 Broadway Suite 4 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-1333 cweventsfirm.com DEBBIE MCNAIRY WEDDING COORDINATOR Queensbury, NY 12804 518-798-6228 debbiemcnairy.com DEBORAH DEPASQUALE DESIGNS 51 Ash St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-944-8951 deborahdepasqualedesigns.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 518-458-BEST lookyourbest.com BUMBLE BEADS 594 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 518-690-7896 bumblebeadsstudio.com CHOCOLATE GECKO 21 Colvin Ave. Albany, NY 12206 518-436-0866 chocolategecko.com

Jenn Moak Photography

COUNTIES OF IRELAND 77 Third St. Troy, NY 12180 518-687-0054 thecountiesofireland.com FENIMORE ASSET MANAGEMENT 384 N. Grand St. Cobleskill, NY 12043 518-234-4393 famfunds.com

MCGEARY’S TRAVEL 1141 Central Ave. Ste. 3 Albany, NY 12205 518-436-3411 mcgearystravel.com PAULA JACKSON – CELEBRANT Upstate New York 973-746-1792 celebrantinstitute.org

FOTOMAGIC 5 Southside Drive Suite 159 Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-877-3046

SAMPAGUITA CUSTOM JEWELRY 518-944-0463 sampaguitacustomjewelry.com

FRANK ADAMS JEWELERS Stuyvesant Plaza Albany NY 12203 518-435-0075 frankadams.com

SARATOGA PHOTO BOOTH CO. 51 Caroline St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-6473 saratogaphotobooth.com

GERTRUDE HAWK CHOCOLATES Several Capital District Locations Crossgates Mall 1 Crossgates Mall Road Albany, NY 12205 518-464-5630 gertrudehawkchocolates.com

STICKLEY FURNITURE 151 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12205 518-458-1846 stickleyaudi.com

HUMMINGBIRD JEWELERS 23 E Market St Rhinebeck, NY 12572 845-876-4585 http://www. hummingbirdjewelers.com LIBERTY TRAVEL Several Capital District Locations 518-456-8691 libertytravel.com MARY KAY COSMETICS Brenda L. Tholin Independent Beauty Consultant 518-884-8467 marykay.com/btholin

VENT FITNESS Several Capital District locations 518-464-1500 ventfitness.com YANKEE TRAILS 569 Third Avenue Extension Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-286-2400 yankeetrails.com YOUR GOWN AGAIN 1229 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205 518-669-7248 yourgownagain.com 

timesunion.com/VOW 57

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I do redo |

“

If I knew then what I know now

Advice from recent brides and grooms for enjoying your big day Compiled by Brianna Snyder

I wasn’t totally happy with my photographer. The day moved so fast I don’t feel he got any of it. Also there were too many long speeches; no one there cares and it takes a lot of your time to enjoy the party.

— Alexis

”

“

If I could change anything it would have been to have it at a private venue so it didn’t need to end so early (at 10 p.m.)! It went by way too fast ... I also would

have planned a better rain option instead of telling myself

“

”

If I had to be picky I would say forgo the photo booth because people were pulling me in all night and I felt like I missed some of the party. I would have also made sure to eat some dessert and have multiple announcements made about cake because most people didn’t hear and we had TONS left over. The things I would change however are more about planning ... I would have gotten

the crafty stuff done a lot sooner.

— Julianne

”

58 VOW | Your Wedding. Your Way.

“

While I loved my photographer, I do think it is important to make sure you get a good one. And get to know her. As for what I would have done differently — had a better timeline for the morning.

It was all so scattered and I

really should have just delegated all the things to one person because I

kept feeling like I had to be on top of it all. Fortunately one of my bridesmaids finally put a drink in my hand and I stopped.

— Francesca

”

“

I would have planned the pre-ceremony getting-ready time better. I did my own

makeup and my friend did my hair ... and I ended

up running super late and not having that moment with my mom and dad and best friend beforehand. Also, since I was late, the photographer and I never had a chance to do the silly bride glam shots. I would have met my photographer earlier ... so she would know more what our style was.

— Emily

”

Photo: cinnamonsaturday/Gettyimages.com.

it wasn’t going to rain and I was getting in that apple orchard no matter what.

— Colleen

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