Sarita & Gerry

This REAL BRIDE features Saratoga Bride Advertiser… MAKE ME FABULOUS

PHOTOGRAPHER: ANNA CASCIO PHOTOGRAPHY

Our Story

Gerry and I met while working for the same company. We bonded sharing stories of our kids’ sporting events and achievements. After a few years Gerry left the company, but we stayed in contact and realized that what we had nurtured was more than just friendship. Living near the Jersey Shore, our romance blossomed over many bike rides to the beach, walks along the surf and drinks at the many seaside establishments. At the beginning of 2018, Gerry accepted an opportunity with an investment firm that brought him up to Saratoga Springs. Our very first experience was searching for an apartment in the midst of Chowder Fest. With the temperature in the 20s there was no mistaking this for the beach, however, there was an excitement and vibe that felt so very familiar. Within the year, I moved to Saratoga to be with Gerry and we started our new life up north. Walking home from dinner through Congress Park one September evening in 2019, Gerry led us over to the Spirit of Life Statue. We sat on the bench admiring the setting with the beautiful flowers surrounding the lagoon when Gerry took a knee and asked me to marry him. It was a wonderful Saratoga moment. I knew right away I wanted to have “Saratoga” as the theme of our wedding, introducing all our family and friends to our new home. To do this, the very first thing I did was reserve a date at the Canfield Casino. From there, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and with the great help of our wedding planner and all the wonderful service providers, our perfect Saratoga wedding took place. It was a magical day!

Details

WEDDING DATE June 26

LOCATION The Canfield Casino

PHOTOGRAPHER Anna Cascio Photography

WEDDING GOWN Pronovia

HAIR & MAKEUP Make Me Fabulous

GROOM'S ATTIRE Mark Thomas Men's Apparel

GROOM'S BARBER Jeremiah Cregan of Saving Face Barbershop of Saratoga Springs

RINGS N. Fox Jewelers

FLOWERS Lisa Flowers, West Sand Lake

STATIONERY SUITE PaperDolls of Saratoga

WEDDING PLANNER Shannon Whitney Anson, Wedding Planning Plus

EVENT DECORATOR Lisa Flowers and Shannon Whitney Anson

CATERER Nicole's Catering

CAKE Ice Cream Wedding Cake by Ben & Jerry's, Mini Cupcakes by Katie Cassidy-Callahan

DJ OR BAND Saratoga Sound DJ

FIRST DANCE "Stand by Me/More Than a Woman"

SPECIAL TOUCHES...

• Cocktails the night before at West Side Sports Bar & Grill

• Breakfast the day after at The Gideon Putnam

• Dance lessons at Arthur Murray of Saratoga Springs (which we're still doing!)

• Most of our guests were from out of town so the goody bags had local products: Saratoga Chips & Saratoga Water from Eddy's Beverage, Saratoga Chocolate bars from Saratoga Chocolate Co. and a map of prominent points of interest.

ADVICE TO PASS ALONG...

Plan ahead, be flexible and flow with the challenges of the pandemic. There will be things that will go wrong but in the end it will all turn out beautifully.