Saratoga Bride Spring/Summer 2018

S A R ATO G A

BRIDE

COLIN COWIE Comes to Saratoga Springs!

Spring/Summer 2018 Complimentary

Real

Brides

REAL STORIES

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Imagine the possibilities! create your own history at

Saratoga Polo...

the Place of Legends Open Skies. Signature Events. Historic Whitney Field.

Ceremonies // Receptions // Rehearsal // Engagement Parties Call for private showing and availability.

518.584.8108 | SaratogaPolo.com

© Janelle Rodriguez Photography

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S A R ATO G A

From the Editor

BRIDE OWNER/PUBLISHER Chad Beatty

Chris Vallone Bushee Editor-in-Chief

T

hank you–all of you–for responding to our request for REAL BRIDES. I’ve seen hundreds of photos and wish I could use them all! As I explain to all the brides (moms, sisters, vendors!!) that submit photos… we’re looking to showcase as many ideas, vendors and locations as possible - and with almost THIRTY Real Brides and 132 pages of local talent - Saratoga BRIDE magazine is your resource for getting married in the Adirondack / Saratoga / Capital Region!

We’re not out to replace Martha Stewart Weddings (wish we could!) in your collection of bridal planning magazines; we just want to show you all the wonderful options available… right here in upstate NY! We know the Saratoga area makes an awesome wedding destination, and the reasons to marry here are plentiful…

“We met here, we used to live here, we vacation here, it’s centrally located, it’s a fun town to hang out in!... “ So... with each issue, I like to bring you that one wedding that just epitomizes the “destination” concept (as in…

Have your guests vacation with both of you, vs. showing up for five hours!!) and WOW, did Barbara Shea capture my attention! She contacted me last year and I followed her on Instagram as she travelled the globe, all while planning her Saratoga Springs wedding and living a charmed life with (her now husband!)

Doug Milvaney.

Barb has turned me into an Instagram stalker I'm addicted J

GENERAL MANAGER Robin Mitchell

Thank you, Barb, for letting us feature your story… you’re the epitome of the #SaratogaBride!

I’m sure my cover choice needs no introduction, but what a milestone for Saratoga BRIDE to bring you this feature with Colin Cowie!! I’ve been a fan of his for years, and what a distinction for Saratoga Springs to be his latest “destination”!!

In addition to photo shoots, advice, trends and swoon-worthy ideas…

We have a ton of ads. That’s right, ADS… These are the businesses you need to help plan your big day. Read them, dog-ear the pages you want to call (or just click on the ad to go the business’ website if you’re viewing us online!).

They are also the reason we can provide this wonderful resource to you FREE OF CHARGE, so please support them and mention us by name when doing so.

I hope you all enjoy this spring / summer issue of Saratoga BRIDE and find it helpful in planning your big day… the fall / winter issue will be out in late August!

Happy Planning!

-Chris

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Vallone Bushee GRAPHIC DESIGNER Samantha Nock ADVERTISING DESIGNER Morgan Rook ADVERTISING Jim Daley Cindy Durfey WRITERS Acacia Ladd-Cocca Amy-Lin Slezak-Nelson Anne Gordon Haley Grant Maureen Werther Meghan Lemery Fritz Megin Potter Robin Gretchel-Smith PHOTOGRAPHERS Addie Eshelman Photography Allison Kuhn Creative Andrew Franciosa Anna Cascio Photography Blackburn Portrait Design Candidly Beth Casey Mackenzie Danni Laraia Photography Dave Bigler Elario Photography Garrentee Photography J. McCormack Photography Jessica Gravelin Photography Nabeel John Photography Niki Rossi Photography Photo Phrase Photography Rob Spring Photography Sawicki Photography Speer Images Tracey Buyce Photography William LeBlanc PUBLISHED BY SaratogaTODAY Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 | fax: (518) 581-2487 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com Saratoga BRIDE is brought to you by Saratoga TODAY Newspaper, Saratoga Publishing, LLC. Saratoga Publishing shall make every effort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims any responsibility should they occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © 2018, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper.

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43

contents | SP R IN G / SUM M ER 2 018 p.#

S A R ATO G A

BRIDE

Photo Shoots

73

p.#

Real Brides 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126 128

Model Nina Jade as captured by Tracey Buyce.

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Cover Story Saratoga Brides can now "tie the knot" with Colin Cowie Lifestyle!

A Good Read 17 22 23

Destination: Saratoga Springs!

Meghan Lemery Fritz gives good advice The Well-Dressed Man

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27 32 34 36 38 42 43 73

KATHERINE & STEPHEN EVIE & JOHN DARA & DOUGLAS COURTNEY & JONATHAN JESSICA & ZACHARY LYNDSEY & JEFFREY ASHLEY & MARK ASHLEY & NIK MARY & PATRICK CORRINE & ERIC ELIZABETH & JOSHUA SARAH & KEVIN TRISTINA & KEN THERESE & GARY ELIZABETH & GREGORY ZOONASH & NOEL KRISTEN & PAUL LAUREN & JASON AMY & TREVOR STEPHANIE & CHARLIE BROOKE & JOHN BRE & BRETT COURTNEY & TOMMY KRISTEN & COREY MADELINE & KEVIN DONNA & RICHARD ELIZABETH & PETER LISA & JONATHAN

You found the perfect location... now what?!

This wedding vendor is getting national attention!

Tips from a seamstress Honeymoon Destinations "We're Engaged" Pantone's Color of the Year 2018 – Ultra Violet Photo Shoots!

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Colin Cowie Lifestyle Brings... World Class Wedding and Event Planning to

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Saratoga Springs!

WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER PHOTOS PROVIDED

you are a bride to be, looking to create the ultimate wedding experience, there are only a few names worldwide that represent the “cream of the crop” of wedding and event planners.

One of those names–Colin Cowie–just became available to brides and grooms looking to “tie the knot” in Saratoga Springs.

Over the past thirty years, Colin Cowie has created a global brand and image as one of–if not the–premier event planners in the world. Many of us remember his regular guest appearances on Oprah and the Today show, among others.

Cowie built his brand and reputation as someone who creates a party, wedding or corporate event using ingenious, eclectic and totally unique and individualized themes and designs.

As a designer, planner and lifestyle guru, Cowie has worked with celebrities, corporations, and private individuals across the United States and around the world. Clients have included Oprah, Beyonce, Ryan Seacrest, heads of state, and private families around the globe. Whether he is planning an event in a barn, a picnic, a seaside event or a chateau in the south of France, Cowie and his team create an almost magical ambience

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“

When you look at my body of work… no two weddings ever look the same. We are story tellers, and the reason each one is unique is because I always start with the couple’s DNA. I then layer on top of that what you smell, touch, taste, see and hear to ensure that the final result is totally and uniquely all about the couple.”

- Colin Cowie

that leaves guests in awe of his artistry and his seamless blending of food, music, décor, and timing.

Cowie’s recent wedding in Saratoga Springs, which he planned in conjunction with Mazzone Hospitality in 2016, marked his “debut” in the city of Health, History and Horses. According to Maureen Baringer, Business Development Director for the Saratoga Springs Offices of Colin Cowie Lifestyle, he fell in love with the region. So, it wasn’t a huge surprise for Baringer when Cowie decided to open an office here.

Baringer, who has run her own successful event planning business in New York State

for nearly 25 years, had the good fortune to meet Cowie a half dozen years ago when she attended a party he planned in Los Angeles.

Six years later, when her own daughter became engaged, Baringer sent Cowie an email to inquire about working together on her daughter’s special day here in Saratoga.

The event that Cowie and his team created, in partnership with Mazzone Hospitality, was one of the signature Saratoga weddings of 2016. Since then, Baringer has become Cowie’s regional business development director, coordinating weddings and events with Cowie and his team in the area from Albany to Lake Placid. She also partners

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with Mazzone, the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau (now known as Discover Saratoga) and others to identify clients who seek the kind of events that Team Cowie produces on an unparalleled level.

“Discover Saratoga, along with companies like Mazzone Hospitality, is already doing so much to bring weddings here to Saratoga,” says Baringer. “For them to be able to offer that next echelon of service and excellence will serve to attract even more people to Saratoga Springs and the surrounding region for destination weddings and other events.”

Kayla Kreis, Wedding Market Manager and Sales Coordinator for Discover Saratoga, saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

echoes Baringer’s excitement about the opportunities Team Cowie can offer people coming here for their events.

“Having somebody of Cowie’s caliber available here in Saratoga will create limitless opportunities,” says Kreis. She sees her role as similar to a concierge.

People come to her looking for venues, caterers, photographers, and hotel blocks for out of town guests. Through the process, she gets to know them and develops an understanding of what couples are looking for. Along with the rest of the team at Discover Saratoga, Kreis stays in close touch with Baringer about people she feels would be interested in meeting Cowie’s team.

Of course, the “fit” has to be mutual, says Baringer. Cowie and his team - who she says are the most down to earth people you could imagine - work with couples to identify exactly what their vision is for their special event. Cowie likes to say that a couple’s wedding is the first statement of their “DNA” as a couple, and it must speak to who they are.

"When you look at my body of work… no two weddings ever look the same. We are story tellers, and the reason each one

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is unique is because I always start with the couple’s DNA. I then layer on top of that what you smell, touch, taste, see and hear to ensure that the final result is totally and uniquely all about the couple.” - Colin Cowie

Cowie Team will come to them. If they are from out of town and planning to hold their wedding here, their east and west coast offices offer a level of convenience not offered by other planners.

Baringer and Kreis are also keenly aware of the opportunities available to other businesses as a result of Cowie’s presence in this area. The Cowie team likes to access local resources, often drawing upon nearby photographers, designers, custom cake makers, and caterers to create a memorable event. So, it becomes a win/win situation all around: the city of Saratoga Springs’ reputation as a highly desirable wedding destination will grow as more Cowie weddings are held in the many beautiful venues Saratoga has to offer.

And local businesses will benefit by their association with a world-class organization.

The most important thing for Cowie and his team is to develop a shared vision and create that vision exactly as the bride and groom picture it. Baringer adds that the team at Colin Cowie Lifestyle are great about budgets and they don’t spend a dime on anything unless it is approved by the clients.

Baringer explains that clients considering working with Cowie have the option of either hiring Colin personally or hiring “Team Cowie.” Either way, she says, Cowie oversees everything that comes under his brand.

Baringer also explains that the Cowie team will visit with clients locally, or in one of their other locations around the country.

If a couple already lives in Saratoga, the

For Mazzone Hospitality, who is already a force majeure in the regional wedding industry, having the ability to collaborate with Colin Cowie Lifestyle adds another level to what they already offer their clients. Sean Willcoxon, VP of Catering for Mazzone Hospitality, says that the Mazzone team feel “honored and excited” that Colin Cowie wants to partner with Mazzone and the city of Saratoga Springs for future events.

“Cowie’s cutting-edge style and his ability to take party and event planning to the next level is something that any caterer would be thrilled to be a part of,” adds Willcoxon.

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Saratoga Springs!

DESTINATION:

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY HEATHER BOHM TALLMAN

For this well-traveled couple, Saratoga in the summertime was the single best place to be.

Barbara Shea and Doug Milvaney both went to Shenendehowa High School.

In 2013, the couple moved to Boston, where Doug works for Microsoft and Barbara as a teacher. Traveling is one of their favorite activities.

“We travel to have the opportunity to have new experiences and learn from that. It opens up our perspective to cool, different parts of the country and things to do. It’s exciting,” said Barb.

This Boston couple got engaged in front of a lighthouse in Maine, Barb found a custom Modern Trousseau wedding dress in South Carolina, and went to Connecticut for her fittings.

It all happened to work out by chance, she said. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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Saratoga by Choice “The area just offers so much. Really, it’s such a beautiful, beautiful place. Your possibilities are endless and what you want to do with your wedding day–because of what’s available,” said Barb.

Growing up in the region, but not currently living here, the couple kept up-to-date on area happenings in a variety of ways.

“For the past few years, whenever we came to town I’d just pick up a copy of Saratoga Bride magazine and look through it. I love it. It has the local connection and local inspiration; here’s what other people have done in the same venue–it definitely helps!” said Barb.

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Digital Assistance In addition to following her friends on Instagram, Barb follows local travel pages including @exploresaratoga, @saratogaliving, and @thesaratogasocial.

Email also played a large role in the planning process.

“I’m afraid to add up the number of emails.

There’s no better platform for effective communication. It’s a quick, easy way to get information across,” she said.

Although many of their 160 guests were already familiar with Saratoga, nearly half of them don’t reside here, so as the day approached, Doug set up a MilvaneySheaIDo.com website as well.

Can’t Replace the Face-to-Face

Once a month, the couple would combine trips to visit their family with wedding planning appointments.

“A bit of in-person conversation is very helpful,” said Barb.

Paper Dolls created designs for their custom stationary including a Jockey Silks and Juleps bridal shower set, printed golden horseshoe reception napkins, save-the-date cards and invitations with their reception location logo–the Hall of Springs.

The Hall of Springs caterer Mazzone Hospitality, provided racetrack-inspired signature drinks and a terrific tasting before the big day. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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“It was a full-day eating extravaganza!” said Barb.

Walking into Saratoga Olive Oil on Broadway, Barb tasted anything and everything, before choosing their Herb de Provence olive oil (which hinted at the couple’s honeymoon to the South of France) for their wedding favors.

the Sunday morning brunch would be phenomenal. Finding the newly opened Sinclair Saratoga game room and bar was a surprise, but she immediately realized it would be a great place for a casual Fridaynight get-together with their guests.

“Saratoga resonates with happy feelings.

It’s joyful and it made for a fun setting!”

Having previously experienced dining at Farmer’s Hardware, Barb said she knew

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THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION Keeping your Marriage Healthy and Strong

MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ LCSW-R

Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. Email meghanlemery@yahoo.com

B

y the time most people seek couples counseling they are in a pattern of hopelessness, anger, resentment and bitterness. The one thing the couple usually has in common is that they both feel miserable and weary.

The best gift you can give yourself and your new marriage is to learn the tools to help you effectively communicate.

The biggest road block to healthy communication is making assumptions.

I can’t tell you how often I use the phrase, “No one can read your mind, be clear about what you want and need.”

I usually get a response filled with frustration, “You mean I have to ask for a hug and more affection???” Yes, you do. You have to ask clearly and directly for what you want and need.

Most confusion and communication break downs occur because we have trouble really knowing what we want and need.

Don’t put your wants and needs on your partner. Do the work you need to do to figure out what makes you feel fulfilled daily in your marriage.

What makes you happy and what makes your spouse happy could be two completely different things. If you feel connected to your spouse through physical affection and your spouse feels connected by doing things for you then you need to be clear with one another about what is fulfilling to you.

The best way to communicate to one another is to model a GPS system, the GPS doesn’t take a circular approach to letting you know where you need to go. It’s clear and direct always letting you know when to recalculate. If you are feeling frustrated and upset with your spouse, recalculate immediately and state the direction you would like to go in.

Effective communication is about being clear and direct, seeking to understand

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your spouse and listening and honoring their needs.

This is a skill that takes awareness, effort and practice. When you take the time to honor clear and direct communication you will see your partnership grow in every way.

If you let frustration and resentment build it takes time, effort and help to get back to a place of trust and emotional safety.

If you feel stuck don’t wait to get help, find a therapist you can work with who will help you get out of dysfunctional patterns. Do not wait until you are ready to give up, get help immediately!

If you were sick or in an accident you would not wait to seek treatment, you would go to the doctor or hospital immediately. Take the same care and approach with your marriage.

Give your marriage the gift of learning how to communicate effectively!

YOU ARE WORTH IT!

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WEDDING STYLES FOR MEN have evolved from the traditional “tuxedo only” look. As recently as 5 years ago men thought their only option for wedding attire was the traditional “James Bond” styled tuxedo (Black tux, Black tie). That look is still very appropriate for evening weddings, and at some of the more formal and elegant settings Saratoga has to offer (Canfield Casino, Saratoga National, Hall of Springs) however now I am seeing an influx of men buying suits for the entire wedding party. Men have become very fond of the charcoal or navy suit look, with coordinating suspenders, ties, and tan or cognac shoes. It is slightly less formal than the traditional tuxedo, however it looks very classy, and is more fitting for many of the more rustic themed weddings being seen throughout the area. That is why it is always important to know the venue, and time of day of the wedding when consulting with a wedding party, so you can properly advise them on the look that most fits the theme of their overall wedding. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

e WELL-DRESSED MAN WRITTEN BY HALEY GRANT

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hile many women may have already mastered the art of being well-dressed, men who have a thing or two to learn, may seek professional advice from Jonathan Reid Mens Wear.

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Jonathan Reid, located in Aviation Mall, Queensbury, prides itself in its large selection of suits, ties, shoes and shirts, as well as other men’s clothing accessories. The men’s clothing store also offers a rental service for formal wear, perfect for any event that requires “black tie” attire. Jonathan Reid has a wonderfully skilled tailor, who ensures that everything clients purchase from the store, fits exactly as it should.

This men’s fine clothing business was originally founded in 1965 in the Northway Plaza in Queensbury by Seymour Segan, who named it after his son, Jonathan Reid Segan. Segan moved his business into the area’s first mall, the Pyramid Mall in Saratoga Springs in 1975. Soon after this move, Segan became one of the first tenants of the Aviation Mall, just 15 minutes north. Jonathan Reid continued to grow

and expand throughout the 80s and 90s, including adding locations throughout the Northeast in Vermont and Massachusetts.

When Jonathan took over the family business in 1994, he made the decision to focus more on the two local markets for Jonathan Reid; Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. In August of 2015, the business was sold to the current owner, Jeffrey Ives, who was an employee of Jonathan Reid for 17 years. Obviously… he has a great deal of experience in men’s fashion.

to find clothing items that fit correctly or perhaps who are simply too overwhelmed by the idea of dressing fashionably.

“Between the sales staff and the tailor, we do most of the work for them,” says Ives.

With the business continually expanding to include a demographic of all age groups, this is most definitely a helpful service.

Whether it be for young men in need of their first suit or for established business men in need of an everyday suit, Jonathan Reid ensures the best advice and services.

Jonathan Reid is definitely not your average men’s clothing store. Owner Jeffrey Ives explains that this business is unique in that “we walk through the entire process along side of you, offering feedback and suggestions through your shopping experience.” This service may be quite helpful for men who may be unsure of how

When asked what the key is to being a “well-dressed man,” Ives says that the three key components are to “find a trustworthy tailor, know your event, and invest in shoes.”

Many men do not realize that finding the right suit is only half the battle. The other half is making sure that it is tailored to perfection for the individual wearing it.

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Ives points out that it is important for men to know what their event is and to dress accordingly, which may seem obvious to some, but is not always so easily done. In regards to investing in the right pair of shoes, “Women have this concept down to a science,” says Ives. Ives advises that “30% of men’s wardrobe budget should be in shoes.” While to some, this may be viewed

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as a large investment in shoes, the perfect pair is guaranteed to be the cherry on top of a well-dressed man!

To any men who are looking to step up their dress attire game in the office or impress their date at an upcoming black-tie event, do not miss out on the one of a kind services offered by Jonathan Reid!

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Ask about reserving our Exclusive Bar Car for your special event!

ROBIN GETCHELL-SMITH & MARK SMITH 518.681.1926 DELICIOUSLYDIFFERENTFOODS@GMAIL.COM DELICIOUSLYDIFFERENTSPECIALTYITEMS.COM 26 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

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Give them

Something to Remember That’s what every bride and groom hope for when planning their wedding day.

WRITTEN BY ROBIN GRETCHEL-SMITH PHOTOS BY DANNI LARAIA PHOTOGRAPHY

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You want your event to stand out

The challenge is on! You aspire to make your day an experience; a day your family and friends can walk away from, feeling as if they have truly been to the wedding of your dreams.

Bringing all your favorite people together for your wedding day, you want nothing less than for them to feel relaxed, and to enjoy every minute of the time they spend celebrating with the two of you.

Celebrations are about making everyone feel at home, so you must find a place that feels that way.

You visit all sorts of venues, with that plan in mind - that feeling you are waiting for. Then, it happens; you walk in, look around, and feel at home.

You’ve found it - the perfect venue! Perhaps it is an old barn with beautiful mountain views, or maybe it’s a waterfront property overlooking one of the many spectacular lakes in our area. No matter where it is, it has taken your breath away.

These are the venues we call home.

Now, to hire the off-premise catering company It is usually shortly after you have found your perfect spot that Deliciously Different has the pleasure of hearing from you. What an exciting time! We feel so lucky to be invited to serve you at these amazing locations throughout this unique area.

Making the decision to have your wedding at a venue where the caterer and other vendors need to be brought in, may seem to be a daunting task at first, but the key is hiring the right professionals for your event.

The same feeling you had when you found the right venue is what you will feel when you have found the right caterer - it will feel like home.

Your guests will be spending quite a bit of time sharing a meal together. It should be just as you imagined; with everyone relaxed and smiling while enjoying their conversation and a meal that highlights your specific tastes and personality.

This is where we come in. Deliciously Different helps you plan the perfect menu and the perfect service to create the experience you always dreamed of. Want something more casual? A family-style service could be a great option.

Perhaps you are hoping for a more formal service, or maybe you want a little bit of both? We will talk with you; determine what you are looking for, and what will work with the venue you have chosen.

We will be upfront and completely forthcoming with you. We want your event to run flawlessly; therefore, we will discuss any and all challenges with you in the planning process. It is so important that you have a team of true professionals on your side to guide you along the way. Our goal is for you to walk away (or skip because you are just that happy!) feeling confident that you have found the right caterer.

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Truly Unique Options

My husband and I take great pride in each event we do. We are with you from start to finish. This has always been a priority to both of us. As our company has grown, we continue to be in the forefront of each event.

We are always looking for new ways to help couples plan truly unique events. The latest and greatest addition to Deliciously Different is The Bar Car. A renovated vintage trailer, it’s just about the cutest thing you have ever seen! We have used it to serve late night snacks, specialty appetizers paired with your favorite local brews, dessert stations, even as a photo booth! The Bar Car is a truly unique addition to our service.

Another aspect of our company that we take great pride in, is our on-site service. Our servers are valued members of our team.

So, as you begin this process of choosing your caterer, go with your gut. When you choose to include us on this special day it will be because we are the right fit for each other.We strive to make you feel comfortable, truly relaxed, and able to enjoy all of the people you brought together to celebrate your marriage. It feels like home.

As always, it will be our great pleasure to serve you.

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1. Deliciously soft goat brie with triple berry sauce and pomegranate

2. Homemade butternut squash soup with light maple drizzle and pumpkin seeds

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3. Berry spinach salad with pecan, goat cheese and balsamic glaze

4. Triple berry crostini 5. Wonderful assorted favors from Lake George Olive Oil Company

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1. Roasted garlic focaccia bread with rosemary sun dried tomato infused dipping oil

2. Scallops served over pumpkin, butternut squash puree

3. Berry spinach salad with pecan, goat cheese and balsamic glaze, with fresh berries on the side

4. Grilled marinated London Broil with homemade chimichurri sauce

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5. Peppercorn Filet Mignon served with roasted

tricolored baby potatoes and grilled asparagus

6. Cast iron peach and blueberry cobbler 7. Cajun shrimp skewers served over tricolored pepper salsa

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Wedding Vendors

CATERER DELICIOUSLY DIFFERENT CATERING PHOTOGRAPHER DANNI LARAIA PHOTOGRAPHY FLORAL DESIGNER CARRIE BIELINSKI PLANNING KATE TAYLOR EVENTS AND WEDDINGS FAVORS LAKE GEORGE OLIVE OIL COMPANY GLENS FALLS TABLE RENTALS SQUARE NAIL RUSTICS RUSTIC FARMHOUSE FURNITURE & FLOORING CHAIR RENTALS RAIN OR SHINE TENT COMPANY PROPERTY HORICON HEIGHTS IN BEAUTIFUL BOLTON LANDING saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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NEWSWORTHY SPECTACULAR SHOW-STOPPING

Cakes!

WRITTEN BY HALEY GRANT PHOTO PROVIDED

N

o matter what the celebration may be, the cake you select should “wow” your guests – and it will, if chosen carefully! This means that you need to make sure your cake has the perfect flour, the perfect frosting, and is perfectly decorated. According to Treatie Beatie Cakes by Evelyn, these things are obviously important, but are not the only aspects of the perfect cake that world-class owner and cake master Evelyn Keplinger has to offer her customers.

Treatie Beatie Cakes, located in Schenectady, has been going above and beyond to satisfy its customers’ taste buds since its opening in 2012, providing the Capital Region with a beautiful selection of custom made cakes and cupcakes for any occasion. Whether it be a wedding, bar mitzvah, birthday, anniversary, or any other occasion in need of a one-of-a-kind treat, Evelyn uses only the finest ingredients and creative skill to deliver the cake of your dreams. In the five short years that Treatie Beatie has been in

business, the company has already been featured in New York Cakes newsletter, with Evelyn featured as Baker Decorator of the week. Treatie Beatie Cakes has also been featured in two international cake magazines, which Evelyn proudly describes as “a sign that my hard work has paid off.”

While Treatie Beatie began its success upon its creation in 2012, Evelyn began her craft long before then. Her interest started with her children’s birthdays, when she would take it upon herself to bake their cakes every year.

Very quickly, Evelyn began baking more for family and friends, which further encouraged her to adapt her own styles and ideas. Her passion for baking and decorating cakes is what finally led her to opening Treatie Beatie Cakes by Evelyn - a name which was inspired by her dog. He would begin spinning around every time her son would ask if he wanted a treat. “My son used to say, you want a treatie, Beatie?” A name, just as clever and unique as Evelyn herself!

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Since the opening of her company, Evelyn has had the opportunity to go on the Today show twice to speak about Treatie Beatie Cakes by Evelyn. She has also trained in New York City with top celebrity chefs, further perfecting her technique and style that the Capital Region has been so lucky to experience in their cakes. When asked what she loves most about what she does, Evelyn responded by saying, “Very easy answer: the pure joy on a face when they see their cake. There is simply nothing that beats that feeling!”

With so much success in such a short time, Evelyn’s presence, talent and passion has been nothing short of a treasure to the Capital Region and all who experience her work first hand. Just as we are grateful for Treatie Beatie Cakes, Evelyn is extremely grateful to her customers, saying “I am truly blessed in so many ways. Thank you to all the clients who have made my life just a little sweeter!”

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6 TIPS TO FIND THE

PERFECT WEDDING DRESS WRITTEN BY AMY-LIN SLEZAK-NELSON

S

hopping for the perfect wedding gown is a daunting and often overwhelming task. There are so many choices to consider from cut and silhouette to fabrics and embellishments, not to mention trying to stay on budget. The additional challenge of trying on dresses that are provided in sample sizes only clouds the matter, but help is on the way!

Here are a few tips your alteration expert might give you before you order your dream dress...

KNOW THE SILHOUETTE AND SHAPE YOU WANT AND CHOOSE ACCORDINGLY.

Do your homework and try on lots of dresses. Try on dresses in your own size, even if they are not wedding gowns, to get an idea of what cut flatters your shape. Try on as many styles as you can until you feel confident that the overall shape of the dress is the look you like best for your body.

CONSIDER THE CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS OF YOUR DRESS.

While there are many tricks, techniques and materials available to enhance (or down play) your assets and less desirable features, we do not have magic wands hidden under

our sewing machines! Nor are we plastic surgeons! While the overall shape of a dress can help bring out your best features, the construction of a dress can contribute - or detract - from the look you are trying to achieve as well. Gowns in light fabrics with little construction are soft, comfortable and may flow nicely over a body, but they may not provide the underpinning and support a woman needs in her bust or other areas she may want to hold up and in. A solid, satin gown with sturdy boning often creates dramatic lines and is often necessary to hold up if you want to go strapless, but that beauty comes with a price! The cost is comfort. Ball gowns are beautiful, but they are heavy. Mermaids are dramatic but sitting and moving around may be limited. Those dreamy pictures you see in the magazines of beautiful brides looking starry eyed are not, in fact, brides. They are models who are being paid to pose. Before choosing your dress, think carefully about how you will feel in it… for an entire day.

THE MORE YOU WANT TO CHANGE, THE MORE YOUR DRESS WILL CHANGE.

Often, brides enter a fitting with the notion that their dress will be perfect, just as soon as the seamstress changes "a few" things.

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Often the requests are simple enough and quite possible. Straps can be made from the material cut from the hem, skirts can be tapered, crinoline can be added or taken out to change the amount or "pouf " in a dress, necklines can go from straight to sweetheart, the list goes on. There are, however, some changes that might not work. One of the biggest challenges and frequent trends is lower backs. Often, making a dramatic change to the shape of one area of a dress creates a deficit in the overall structure of the garment, making it less likely to fit properly and stay in place. If you find yourself in love with a dress that you'd like to change a bit, take the time to consult with an experienced seamstress before you order. If the list of changes starts to become lengthy, you may need to keep looking.

You'll be happier in the end.

PAY A LITTLE MORE NOW, SAVE A LOT MORE LATER!

This advice applies to the above discussion and also to the customizable choices that are available when a bride orders her dress.

Many brides think they are saving a great deal of money by purchasing an off the rack dress that they can change and make their own. In addition to the considerations discussed above, there is the issue of cost.

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More changes make more work and that equals more money. The work involved with sewing wedding gowns is time consuming and requires experience, great attention to detail, and a familiarity with the materials and techniques in bridal design. Many alteration experts are more than capable of creating your dream gown practically from scratch, but the time involved at an hourly rate for skilled professionals quickly ads up! In the long run, it often makes more sense to buy the pricier gown and save yourself (and the seamstress) the headache and worry. Another cost consideration is whether to pay more upon ordering for things like split sizing or custom length.

Highly ornamented, beaded or lace hems are often worth the custom length option if the designer offers it. Split sizing can greatly reduce the amount of work your seamstress has to do, saving you money and worry in the long run. If you are offered these options at the time of ordering, consider a consultation with someone experienced in alterations before making that judgement.

ALMOST EVERY WEDDING GOWN NEEDS SOME KIND OF ALTERATION.

No matter how many times this process is explained or how many forms the

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shops have brides (and bridesmaids) sign, the confusion still persists about sizing. Designers and manufacturers do not make dresses until the order is placed. The boutique will take your measurements to determine which size dress is the best for you. The size ordered is determined by where your measurements fall on the manufacturer's size chart.

Once the boutique places the order, the manufacturer will make your dress. They make your dress based on their size chart, not your measurements. Let me restate that: most manufacturers do not use your measurements when they make the dress.

The dress is manufactured in the size ordered, and that size is not customized to your measurements. Just as a man purchases a suit that requires custom tailoring for that perfect fit, your dress will need custom alterations to achieve your perfect fit. This can only be done in person, by experienced tailors or seamstresses.

LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS.

While it's tempting to ask a friend or family member who sews to handle your alterations as a cost saving measure, it often backfires. Working on wedding gowns is not like other sewing projects.

Materials are different, the techniques are more complicated, and achieving a perfect fit takes practice and years of experience.

Usually when the decision is finally made to consult a professional, time has been lost, feelings have been hurt and worry ensues as the bride scrambles to find a seamstress who is not fully booked at the height of wedding season to swoop in and save the day at the last minute. At this point, it may cost you more for a professional to add you to their schedule or to undo and redo work attempted, than it would have if you had simply started with them in the first place.

Anticipate that you will need alterations, and book early. If you want to include that special friend or family member, consider asking them to apply their talents in a less exhausting and more approachable task, like creating a special heirloom or accessory to enhance your day!

A native of Galway, Amy-Lin is a seamstress in her fifth year, working almost exclusively on wedding gowns.

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Monkey Flower Villas (Koh Tao) - “Upper Villa”

Top 5

WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, HONEYMOON TRAVEL SPECIALIST

HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

W

hile your wedding is sure to be the best event of your lives, your honeymoon should be the greatest and most memorable vacation… or at least the first of many as a married couple!

Today more than ever, couples are working with travel advisors to help them plan their honeymoons, because long gone are the days of just sitting on a beach. Honeymoons have become much more about world travel and newlyweds wanting to share enriching life experiences together. The perfect honeymoon (which is unique to every couple) is a carefully tailored combination of romance, relaxation and custom experiences which can range from adventure, culinary, spa, safari and beyond.

FOR 2018

Here are Live Life Travel’s top 5 Honeymoon Destinations for 2018 along with a few of our favorite resort choices:

1. CARIBBEAN

The Caribbean remains a top destination in 2018. Only 14% of all hotel rooms were affected by the 2017 hurricanes and most have already re-opened or are scheduled to in 2018. It may actually be one of the best years ever to plan a visit to the Caribbean islands.

St. Lucia - Jade Mountain is an Adults Only resort and one of the best honeymoon resorts in the world, not just the Caribbean.

The majority of the open-air rooms have luxurious infinity pools, all with stunning views of The Piton Mountains.

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Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla will re-open April 2018. Anguilla has the best beaches and clearest, bluest water in the Caribbean and if you are a foodie, this is the place to be. Be sure to try the crayfish at Dad’s and say hi to Alex for us.

2. THAILAND

Both the north and south of Thailand are bucket list destinations and will steal your hearts forever. The people, history, food, culture, beaches and natural beauty will make you wonder no more why they call it the “land of smiles.”

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai – Experience the resort of a lifetime nestled in the Mae Rim Valley. There are working rice paddy fields at the center of the resort, saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Le Sirenuse – Located in the heart of Positano on the Amalfi Coast with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, Positano and Capri. This resort is home to the worldrenowned restaurant, La Sponda.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Hotel Pitrizza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda – Embedded into Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, this resort is perfect for couples looking for some privacy within the unspoiled natural beauty of a world class resort. Complete with private pools and bespoke butler service.

The Royal Livingstone Anantara – Stretches along the banks of the Zambezi River and a stone’s throw from Victoria Falls. Arrive by boat and experience zebras and giraffes while dining. A must for every couple is the “Devil’s Pool.”

Four Seasons Hualalai - Palm Grove Pool

Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea – Perched on an idyllic stretch of Sicilian Coast in Taormina, this former villa stands out with its glamour and old-world charm. Be sure to hire one of the private beach cabanas for the day and don’t forget to visit Mt. Etna.

Six Senses Yao Noi

4. SOUTH AFRICA

A magical place that is so different as you explore from region to region. In addition to the Luxury “Big Five” Safari’s, it has one of the best cities in the world, Cape Town as well as wine countries, Franschhoek. And of course, please don’t leave without seeing Victoria Falls.

Singita Sabi Sand – Located directly in the private game reserve, this luxury safari experience is renowned for their unbeatable game viewing experiences.

With so much to do beyond Safari, it is an incredible experience. two resident buffalo and be sure to try their Khao Soi Gai dish. OMG! Monkey Flower Villas (Koh Tao) - Reserve the “Upper Villa” and you actually may never leave. A very private and special place with the best views of Sairee Beach.

Six Senses Yao Noi – Not only does every room at this resort enjoy stunning views overlooking the limestone karsts in Phang Nga Bay, they also have private infinity pools. There is so much goodness here, it’s heavenly. There is even an on-site (homemade) ice cream parlor.

3. ITALY

This timeless classic never goes out of style. Here you will find the richest history, arguably the best wine and food in the world, along with breathtaking views, especially at these hotels.

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Royal Livingstone, Victoria Falls

5. HAWAII

An ideal destination for honeymooners as they have something for everyone. If time allows, definitely visit more than one island since they all offer something different.

Splurge on the helicopter tours – they are the best way to see the islands, especially the volcanos.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – 15 acres of beachfront beauty, this is definitely the hot place to stay in Wailea right now and is in a great location.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Kona) – Built into its natural surroundings, this ultimate honeymoon resort provides total immersion into the Hawaiian culture and history of the Big Island. Plan the private beach dining as a honeymoon surprise!

Anne Gordon, Honeymoon Travel Specialist Live Life Travel, Virtuoso Member, Saratoga Springs, NY anne@livelifetravel.world | (518) 966-2663 To read the rest of this article (Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2018), please go to www.livelifetravel.world, where you can also sign up for our bridal newsletter!

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WE'RE ENGAGED! BRITTANY & PAUL PHOTOS BY DANNI LARAIA

Brittany and Paul first met at college during their sophomore year. Their instant friendship quickly grew into love after an ice cream date. On Christmas Eve in 2016, Paul, who at the time was playing hockey for a team in Virginia, flew back to meet Brittany in Lake George. As they walked down Beach Road with their dog Easton, he asked, “How do you know I love you?” Brittany immediately responded, “I just know.”

As Brittany watched in surprise, Paul got down on one knee and said, “Brittany, I love you. Will you marry me?”

CARLY & KEITH PHOTOS BY SAWICKI PHOTOGRAPHY

January 24, 2017 is a night that I will never forget. The best night of my life!

Apparently… it was in the works -months prior- without my knowledge!

Keith’s birthday, November 17, is something I look forward to every year as I wholeheartedly enjoy celebrating my best friend and love of my life. November 17, 2016 was extra special as it was Keith’s 30th birthday. Since turning 30 is a milestone birthday, I wanted to surprise him with a trip to one of our favorite vacation spots- Key West, FL. I will never forget the shocked look on his face when he opened his birthday card and learned that we would be taking a short vacation to Key West in January. Little did I know, my surprise trip for Keith would turn into the biggest surprise of my life.

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Brittany, a Varsity Volleyball Coach at Lake George Jr/ Sr High School and Paul, a Professional Hockey Player for Adirondack Thunder.

Brittany can’t wait to see her best friend Paul at the end of the aisle and begin their marriage. She looks forward to having many more adventures with a family and a bunch of dogs!! Paul and Brittany will be getting married June 30, 2018 in Lake George, followed by a reception at Saratoga National.

The night before our flight, I decided to paint my toenails so that they would look good in my flip-flops on the beach and boardwalk. When Keith commented, “Are you going to paint your fingernails too?” I didn’t think much of it at the time, and was too preoccupied with last minute packing for our early morning flight to question anything at that point. Needless to say, I didn’t paint my fingernails even with Keith’s not-so-subtle hint. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

On our last night in Key West, we decided to watch the sunset at Mallory Square.

Keith was rushing through the crowd, and I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “What’s the rush?” As we began to pose for a picture with the sunset in the background, I looked to my right and saw him down on one knee asking me to marry him. After a few moments of complete shock, of course, I said, “Yes!” It was amazing — definitely a proposal for the record books!

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CHANDRA & DICKIE PHOTOS BY CASEY MACKENZIE

When City Girl Meets Country Boy...

We first met in the summer of 2013 at the WGNA Country Fest in Schaghticoke. I was there with several girlfriends when we met Dickie, who was born and raised in town. He showed us around and then gave me driving lessons on a friend’s quad. It was a very romantic quad ride and although I ended up leaving the event early, Dickie and I were able to reconnect through Facebook. The rest was history. I eventually traded my downtown Albany apartment for a house without a single neighbor in site. I embraced the "country" life and was right at home with a wonderful man, wild life, farms and gorgeous sunsets. We now have three dogs and we hope to add a few new farm animals to our family soon.

In January of 2017, surrounded by numerous friends and family, Dickie proposed at the beautiful Pincho’s restaurant in Aruba. To this day, I am not sure how he pulled it off. It was well orchestrated, with the help of many

ELIZABETH & CONOR PHOTOS BY TRACEY BUYCE PHOTOGRAPHY

Everything about Conor is thorough and thoughtful. We were preparing to go to church on an uncannily warm Christmas Eve in 2015. I asked Conor when he wanted to open gifts, as we were in store for a busy Christmas Day, between volunteering at a local church and spending time with my extended family. He replied that he has a family tradition: no opening gifts until we were with his family in Colorado. I found this bizarre; both his siblings were married.

Surely they were not bringing gifts to Colorado for their spouses to open after Christmas! I also had beautifully wrapped gifts for him under my tree. As the day wore on, I grew visibly annoyed.

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and those who knew, never let on about the proposal. I was genuinely surprised and overjoyed!

After searching online, I found the Historic Barns at Nipmoose and was stunned at the beauty of this site. I decided to take our dogs and drive out to see the landscape in person. Once I arrived, I knew that this was the perfect backdrop for our engagement photos. I already knew that Casey MacKenzie was the perfect photographer for the job. She had been the photographer for so many weddings I had been part of. She put us at ease and was able to capture so many candid moments as well as the beauty of our surroundings! Thank you to Barb at Nipmoose for her warm welcome and to Casey for her guidance, talent and very interesting technique to get the dogs to pose!

SIOBHAN & NICK PHOTOS PROVIDED

My fiancé and I have been dating for six years. We met at SUNY Adirondack through a mutual friend, went on a date to the movies, and the rest was history. We have lived together for three years and have a 1-year old puppy together.

The night before my fiancé proposed he mentioned to me in the kitchen that we would be engaged by the time I was 30 years old. Since I’m only 26 - he caught me completely off guard!

My sister asked us to join her for lunch in Lake George, this past summer (7/1/17 to be exact!!) I agreed and during the week prior, my sister managed to trick me into getting my nails done, making up a story of a "girls day" to help a friend of hers who was sad.

After church, we shared dinner with my mom and her partner Skip. After opening all the presents, Conor chirped up and asked if I had told my mom about his Christmas family tradition. Skip replied, “Isn’t there an exception for opening one gift on Christmas Eve?” Conor got down on one knee and said, “You know I am not so into gift giving. The only gift I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.

Elizabeth, will you marry me?” saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The friend never showed, but I never caught on.

My fiancé, my sister Colleen and her boyfriend Kyle, and I headed up for lunch at The

Boathouse restaurant in Lake George. It was looking like rain and I asked them if they wanted to get pictures on the dock before it started. We went out and took pictures right after ordering drinks. First my sister and I, then my sister and her boyfriend, and then Nick and me.

The boys always mess around when we are taking photos.

Nick behaved, but I never caught on.

My sister’s boyfriend was videotaping me as I was walking back towards them.

I'm laughing… asking why he was taping me, but I never caught on.

When I realized Nick was calling my name, and turned around, he was on one knee.

Can you tell how surprised I was?!

Our wedding will be on May 18, 2019!

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PANTONE'S

color of the year

2018

AS DEMONSTRATED PERFECTLY BY DARA & DOUG, CHECK OUT THEIR WEDDING ON PAGE 78! PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.

Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now.

The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance.

Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of

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Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.

Thank you Pantone.com for this great wedding feature!

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“

The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.”

– Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute

S A R ATO G A

BRIDE WILL BE AT ALL AREA

BRIDAL SHOWS! The Albany Marriott | 01.14.18 The Hall of Springs | 01.28.18 Longfellows Wedding Show | 02.25.18 The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame | TBA The National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame | TBA Discover Saratoga Weddings Weekend | TBA

WILL YOU BE SEEN IN THE FALL/WINTER ISSUE?

S A R ATO G A

BRIDE

COLIN COWIE Come s to Saratoga Springs!

Spring/Summer 2018 Complimentary

Real

Brides

REAL STORIES

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In Print & Online.

Sign up TODAY for FREE email delivery of our publications! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs NY 12866 (518) 581-2480

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come be inspired by our

photoshoots saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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THE 4 HOTTEST BRIDAL LOOKS THIS SEASON GLAMOUR, CLASSIC, MODERN CHIC, BOHEMIAN

HAIR & MAKEUP KRYSTAL ROSE STUDIO • HAIR STYLISTS BRITTANY & NIKKILYN • MAKEUP KRYSTAL SALISBURY HAIR COLOR & CUT BPURE BEAUTY BAR • PHOTOGRAPHY WILLIAM LEBLANC • LOCATION THE MANSION INN • FLORIST DEHN'S FLOWERS • DRESSES BRIDE & GOWN MODELS KATLYN DEYOUNG, GINA OLIVER, EMMA NORRIS, GENNA VERDINO, MELLISSA MURDOCK • VIDEOGRAPHY AURORA CINEMA

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ARE YOU A

GLAMOUR BRIDE? (far left)

Go all out with soft, big textured curls for a glamourous, but bold look. Smoky eyes, full lashes, filled brows, and a neutral lip give off a subtle, but sexy look.

Glamour bride looks are eye catching & fashion staples!

ARE YOU A

CLASSIC BRIDE? (upper left)

Classic bride looks are perfect for a more formal wedding. A classic chignon bun is always stunning, and elegant. Makeup is very clean, soft, highlighted, and contoured to bring out your facial features.

ARE YOU A

BOHEMIAN BRIDE? (upper right)

Aim for a soft, pretty, sensual look that appears effortless!

Blending intricate braid details with whimsical inspirations such as flowers in the hair, a sparkle in her eye, and glossy lips!

For the casual barn weddings that are all the rage, a long loose, unconstructed beach wave is the perfect way to go!

ARE YOU A

MODERN CHIC BRIDE? (lower left)

Modern Chic bride looks stand the test of time. You can't go wrong with a classic half-updo, create smooth volume on top of your head, shape curls to flatter & frame your face… it's particularly flattering on either round or square face shapes.

VIEW THE AURORA CINEMA VIDEO OF THIS STYLED SHOOT HERE! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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It's all about the

dress!

GOWNS & ACCESSORIES LILY SARATOGA • LOCATION THE MANSION INN HAIR & MAKEUP CARINA SCOTT MAKEUP • MENSWEAWR DANIELLE'S BRIDAL PHOTOGRAPHY BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN • FLORIST SIMPLY SIDNEY MODELS HANNAH BLACKBURN, DANILLE WILSON & AIDEN DOTI

I

t’s always fun partnering with local vendors and stepping outside the box for a day. Last year, the ever-so-creative Susan Blackburn came to us with an idea for a Victorian-inspired photoshoot. She already had a venue in mind, the Mansion Inn, located just outside Saratoga Springs. This historic mansion turned bed and breakfast provided the perfect backdrop, with it’s high-end Italianate architecture, picturesque backyard and an interior shaded with deep plums, gold and lipstick red.

COME BEHIND THE SCENES OF OUR LATEST DRESS SHOOT!

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THE DRESS

For the gowns, we started with a dramatic off-theshoulder ballgown by Essense of Australia. This princess-inspired wedding dress features silver edged floral lace and intricate lattice beadwork. The antique beading around the neckline feels so romantic and glamorous, especially paired with its sweeping train.

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THE VEIL

Essense of Australia custom-made a cathedral length veil to complement this gorgeous gown and add to the drama.

THE BOUQUET

Simply Sidney created a cascading bouquet to complement the drama and volume of the ballgown.

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THE BOUQUET

The bouquet Sidney created was a perfect companion, inspired by the lace pattern on the dress.

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THE DRESS

This champagne colored wedding gown by Martina Liana with an off-the-shoulder neckline and keyhole back was perfect for our shoot. The soft scalloped lace is covered with subtle-shimmering beads.

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THE MAKEUP

Local makeup artist Carina Scott kept to a classic glam style to compliment the models’ features and enhance the aesthetic of the gowns.

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THE DRESS

This lace fit-and-flare strapless wedding dress from Martina Liana is the modern version of a classic. Layers of lace, nude-colored fabric and sequin-tulle give a beautiful dimension and subtle shimmer to it’s full train and skirt.

THE DRESS

Our photo shoot would’ve been incomplete without the spotlight on this romantic sleeved gown by Martina Liana.

Featuring an oh-so-flattering deep V-neckline and an illusion back, this gown achieves the perfect balance of showing off skin while being modest. The floral motif throughout brings a liveliness and spirit to this stunning bridal look.

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BRIDESMAID DRESS

Amsale in latte, the perfect neutral bridesmaid dress color!

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#wedding

©Rob Spring Photography

©Dave Bigler

©Tracey Buyce Photography

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©Tracey Buyce Photography

©Rob Spring Photography

©Blackburn Portrait Design

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#wedding ©Rob Spring Photography

©Tracey Buyce Photography

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©Tracey Buyce Photography

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©Rob Spring Photography

©Speer Images

©Rob Spring Photography

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“I’m having an afternoon tea… in the new accessory boutique

– care to join me?”

-Nina Jade

GOWNS & ACCESSORIES SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL • LOCATION THE ACCESSORY BOUTIQUE AT SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL • MODEL NINA JADE HAIR & MAKEUP MAKE ME FABULOUS • PHOTOGRAPHY TRACEY BUYCE PHOTOGRAPHY • FLORIST SAMANTHA NASS FLORAL DESIGN

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Model Nina Jade gives us a glimpse of a dreamy afternoon while she tries on luxurious lingerie, wedding gowns and accessories at

Something Bleu Bridal

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY TRACEY BUYCE PHOTOGRAPHY

B

orn in Boca Raton, and a 2010 graduate of Greenwich Central High School who works full-time as a professional beauty and commercial print model, Nina met her fiancé, pharmacist Christopher Sumner, while in London four and a half years ago.

Engaged since 2016, and with access to a plethora of designers, Nina said she chose Something Bleu Bridal because of the close relationship she’s developed with owner Denise Eliopulos.

Looking for a fun, flirty, comfortable wedding day look, Nina wants something that is simple, yet romantic, without being overly-extravagant.

“I’m super natural when it comes to my jewelry. Dayto-day I wear a simple watch and a chain necklace.

I don’t like heavy, overdone jewelry – less is more!”

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Maxine, by Astrid & Mercedes 2018 collection, By Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Veils by Headpiece.Com Hair crown by House of Mac & Zoe Faux stoles by Richard Designs (United Kingdom)

Romantic, Exuberant, English Garden Charm...

After preserving a long-distance relationship with her fiancé, the yearnings for her love’s sweet embrace are met with a bit of joyous girly excitement as Nina prepares for her upcoming wedding – and has fun with it.

Holding a woodsy bouquet, compliments of Samantha Nass Floral Design, reminiscent of a cool English Garden, the look is casual, yet put together enough so it doesn’t feel like she’s

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eloping in her grandmother’s dress, she said.

“I’m most comfortable and feel most powerful with my hair down, and this veil is like a crown on my head. It’s simple and pretty. I’m not usually a veil person, but this was not too heavy, adding just enough, without taking anything away. It’s the closest one to what I want for my wedding day,” said Nina.

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For the blushing bride…

Our dreamy blush boutique is housed in the original maids’ quarters of the Historic Grant Plaza – built in 1884.

My decision to open an accessory boutique was because when a bride would order on-line and find their accessory not matching the look or the dress… the bride would become frustrated.

Not wanting ANY frustrated brides…

I created an environment so fabulous, that brides from

all over can come here, try on their dress, and have a “finishing appointment” with a plethora of amazing accessories at their fingertips! We also offer alterations at the same time in a peaceful calm environment… whether you bought your dress here, or not.

Dress by Wtoo by Watters Hair accessories & custom designed jewelry: TESSA ORIGINALS

Something Borrowed...

Experimenting is all part of the process, as Nina finds out with this dress.

While she loved the details, she's still pondering.

Feeling more relaxed with the focus off her, she’s actually appreciating the approaching day, her guests, and all that has led up to this point in time, she said.

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“They caught me in the moment –

imagining.”

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Dress by Wtoo by Watters Fascinator: CYMBELINE PARIS Faux stole: Richard Designs (United Kingdom) Gloves by Carolina Amato Pearls by Angela Star Designs

Old Hollywood Glamour...

Channeling the iconic classic beauty of Hollywood stars including Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Veronica Lake, Nina takes on the persona of a modern-day princess in this sleek ensemble.

“It’s definitely got a 1950’s-1960’s Jackie O vintage vibe.

This whole look makes me think, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to do something more dressed up?’ It just makes you want to stand tall and act proper,” said Nina.

Feeling like a princess in jeweled, opera length white gloves and a luscious faux fur stole, with a contrasting bright pink

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rose bouquet and kissed lip, she is tempted to treat herself to a pink flower hairpiece to wear on her honeymoon.

“I really liked this piece!” she said.

The animated elegance of wearing a fascinator is an English tradition that she is developing an interest in, as well.

“I’ve never worn a fascinator – but it’s within the British history of royalty. I felt like a real princess. Making custom hats and fascinators is an art form that is celebrated with great pride in the United Kingdom.,” said Nina.

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Ophelia by Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Hair piece: (One of many from our beautiful one-of-a-kind collection, hand selected on a buying trip to Paris!)

Bella Belle Shoes

What to do with all these shoes – how can I choose?

Growing up in rural Greenwich, NY, Nina didn’t fully appreciate the art and history of shoe design, she said. Once she became a model however, it’s become her job to work the shoes.

“I didn’t have the opportunity or the lifestyle to enjoy anything really fancy. Growing up, I just accepted being short, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started appreciating shoes and fashion as an art,” said Nina.

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Planning a destination wedding, Nina will be looking for a beautiful pair of comfortable flats as well as a decadent pair of heels!

“I have a thing for traveling, beauty, and exciting places. When it comes to shoes though - the higher, the better!” said Nina.

Check out the next issue of Saratoga BRIDE, due out in August to follow Nina as she checks out possible venues for her upcoming wedding!

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WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY ALLISON KUHN CREATIVE

hen a luminary in the bridal world designs for her own daughter’s wedding, it’s with an insider’s point of view.

Marie Hunt dreams of luxurious laces, ravishingly sparkly crystals, and brilliant gems.

“Our designs are so incredible, they’re going to catch every ray of light in the room,” she said.

Her exceptionally striking veils, headpieces and heirloom accessories for Headpiece.com have been worn by more than 10,000 brides, and were featured on the popular television show, “Say Yes to the Dress” this past fall.

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Marie’s daughter, Brielle wanted simple for her wedding to financial planner Alex Maffett.

Brielle, a lawyer in Richmond, Virginia had a clear vision and a tight schedule. After a disappointing shopping experience in New York City, Marie couldn’t wait to walk up the Victorian staircase to Denise Eliopulos’ Something Bleu Bridal shop in Saratoga Springs.

“It was like she was inviting us into her home, opening up her closet and in it was a collection of the finest clothes. She was sharing them with us and letting us try them on,” said Marie.

Brielle ultimately chose the corseted “Valentine” gown from Lea-Ann Belter’s Astrid Mercedes 2017 Collection and a custom “Jacqueline” lace jacket also by Lea-Ann Belter Bridal.

Marie didn’t take any shortcuts designing special touches for Brielle’s wedding. These included her own iridescent silk taffeta dress, the Maid of Honor’s, flower girl’s, and even Golden Retriever “Paisley’s” accessories, as well as the dance floor – a hand-drawn trip down the couple’s own memory lane.

An eye-catching two-tier long cathedral ceremonial veil was the first of three extraordinary headpiece looks for the bride. A beautiful cocktail hour veil was followed by stunning 14K gold flexible crysta hair sticks with opals, light blue sapphires and freshwater pearls for the reception.

“I want hair accessories to come to life,” said Marie.

Go on a behind-the-scenes VIP wedding tour by visiting headpiece.com/blog

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Happy Chance

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY ADDIE ESHELMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Finding prince charming is like finding the perfect dress... you’ll know by the way it feels!

As a child in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Stephanie Chrosniak fell off her bicycle. Luckily, a neighborhood boy named Ben Timmons happened by and helped her home.

Years later, the two crossed paths once again at a favorite local bar. Their enchanted romance led to a delightful proposal atop the Eiffel Tower.

Now it was time to pick out the wedding dress. Continuing the fairytale in a lacy cap-sleeve princess ball gown was what Stephanie envisioned, but beyond that, she was lost.

“I hadn’t done a crazy amount of research. I had no idea what the designers were and what would be the perfect match for me,” she said.

Luckily, she found her fairy godmother.

As a New York City Ballet corps member, Stephanie spent summers dancing in Saratoga Springs.

“We have always been in love with Saratoga Springs. There’s nowhere else we’d want to buy it because we have such beautiful memories here,” said Stephanie.

As a 5'11" dancer whose everyday style is comfortable and chic, Denise Eliopulos, owner of Something Bleu Bridal encouraged Stephanie to try on an Olvis gown.

“The magic of Olvis is when you put it on, it’s so comfortable, you can wear it all day. I could sleep in it, it was so comfortable,” said Stephanie.

Spending plenty of time in it at the shop, Stephanie fell in love with the all-over lace and the open back–as did Ben. During their wedding day kiss, he placed his hand on her back and let out an excited “ooh” of appreciation.

Walking down the aisle on the tips of the 800 pairs of ballet shoes Stephanie’s mother Gayle Chrosniak had saved and crafted into flower petals, this couple stepped into the next chapter of an exquisitely elegant story.

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Photo by Rob Spring Photography

Check out our wedding..

74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126 128

KATHERINE & STEPHEN EVIE & JOHN DARA & DOUGLAS COURTNEY & JONATHAN JESSICA & ZACHARY LYNDSEY & JEFFREY ASHLEY & MARK ASHLEY & NIK MARY & PATRICK CORRINE & ERIC ELIZABETH & JOSHUA SARAH & KEVIN TRISTINA & KEN THERESE & GARY ELIZABETH & GREGORY ZOONASH & NOEL KRISTEN & PAUL LAUREN & JASON AMY & TREVOR STEPHANIE & CHARLIE BROOKE & JOHN BRE & BRETT COURTNEY & TOMMY KRISTEN & COREY MADELINE & KEVIN DONNA & RICHARD ELIZABETH & PETER LISA & JONATHAN

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Real Brides START HERE:

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Real Brides |

Katherine & Stephen

CHURCH OF ST. PETER //

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING & HALL OF FAME

WRITTEN BY KATHERINE POZZUOLI PHOTOS BY ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY

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tephen and I met our senior year at Loyola College in Maryland. Even though we had mutual friends all along, we had not been formally introduced until then. Once we finally were, we became inseparable. Upon graduating, we faced a difficult obstacle, returning home to the bordering states in which we grew up, but we vowed to make it work. We made the 90 mile drive up and down the New Jersey Turnpike as often as we could, spending most weekends together.

Saratoga Springs was a long-time summer family vacation destination and, as our relationship became more serious, Stephen began joining us on our yearly pilgrimage to the gorgeous town. It quickly became our favorite place to be together, so it was only natural that Stephen proposed to me there in August 2015.

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Being from different states, we had many possiblities for wedding venues. Once again, it felt natural to return to Saratoga Springs.

We fell in love with the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, due to our adoration for the sport of horse racing and the uniqueness of the venue.

Because we do not live in Saratoga, we could not be more thankful to all our vendors for being so accommodating and helping us create an amazing evening for our friends and family.

It is truly a night we will never forget.

Our relationship survived college, graduation, nursing school, and distance, but these things have only made it stronger.

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The Details wedding date

APRIL 29, 2017 ceremony location THE CHURCH OF ST. PETER reception location NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING & HALL OF FAME photographer J.P. ELARIO videographer NUVUE CINEMA stationary suite INVITATIONS: PAPER SOURCE CALLIGRAPHY: ORDER SHE WROTE (MANHATTAN) bride's dress THE SAMPLE RACK (PHILADELPHIA) rings LAUREN B. JEWELRY bridesmaids' dresses MACY'S groom's and groomsmen tuxedos MEN'S WAREHOUSE hair & makeup TRUE GRACE MAKEUP flowers SAMANTHA NASS FLORAL DESIGN transportation PREMIER TRANSPORTATION // 1937 ROLLS ROYCE (ADVANTAGE TRANSPORTATION GROUP) caterer & cake MAZZONE HOSPITALITY band / dj SPA CITY DUO (CEREMONY) THE ACCENTS (RECEPTION) photobooth ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY tables/chairs rentals RAIN OR SHINE TENT COMPANY first dance LET'S STAY TOGETHER -AL GREEN honeymoon destination HAWAII & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA special touches..."Guest Book" was a custom Saratoga Quarter Pole from Impressions advice to pass along... Take a few moments throughout the day & night to step back and absorb everything. Seeing everyone there to celebrate your special day makes it even more fulfilling.

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Real Brides |

Evie & John

PRESBYTERIAN NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH // CANFIELD CASINO

WRITTEN BY EVIE CHABOT PHOTOS BY TRACEY BUYCE

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ohn and I met at Gaffney’s in winter 2009 after I ran into his friend Chris, who I knew from high school. It was 100% "right place-right time." We moved to New York City together in 2012, and got engaged in August of 2015 on a sailboat in Cape Cod.

Through it all, Saratoga has remained a special place for us, and being my hometown, made a perfect place for our wedding.

The Canfield Casino was always my first choice, but because of renovations in 2016/2017, we had to wait until May 6, 2017 (also Kentucky Derby day).

and the sun magically came out during photos on Saturday! Our first look at Yaddo Gardens ended up being one of our favorite parts of the entire weekend. Our ceremony felt intimate and special, and our band was on-point the entire night (as were the mint juleps!). We had never felt so much joy on one single day.

Everyone told us it would go fast—and it did—which is why we were so lucky to have Tracey (Buyce) with us, whose amazing photos will allow us to relive the day over and over. We are grateful to our parents, who made our wedding vision to come to life, and for that fateful night at Gaffney’s.

The weekend finally came, and even though it rained a bit, we barely noticed amidst the joy of our guests arriving to town— 76 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

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The Details wedding date

MAY 6, 2017 ceremony location PRESBYTERIAN NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH reception location CANFIELD CASINO photographer TRACEY BUYCE videographer RYUN MONTENEGRO (BE SEEING YOU PRODUCTIONS) stationary suite LION IN THE SUN, PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN bride's dress AMSALE / VEIL FROM SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL rings DEJONGHE JEWELERS tuxedo J. CREW groomsmen clothing THE BLACK TUX hair & makeup MAKE ME FABULOUS flowers BALET FLORAL DESIGN wedding planner SARAH FICHTMAN caterer MAZZONE HOSPITALITY band / dj BODY & SOUL first dance INTO THE MYSTIC -VAN MORRISON honeymoon destination CANARY ISLANDS special touches... Evie's parents' neighbor is a thoroughbred trainer who very kindly collected 220 "lucky" horseshoes for us to give to our guests as party favors–a nod to both Saratoga and Derby Day. It is fun visiting our friends and family now and seeing our wedding horseshoes hung above their doors! advice to pass along... Splurge on photo and video, because everything goes by too fast!

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Real Brides |

Dara & Douglas SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

WRITTEN BY DARA SILVERMAN PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

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e met, of all places, at Skidmore College, when I was in my final year of school, and Douglas had come back as an alum to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A year and a half later, we were colleagues at Shakespeare & Company, quickly realizing that we were spending more and more of our free time together. We knew we both loved theater and Shakespeare, but we quickly discovered a shared love of Disney and Harry Potter, French bistro cooking and eating, the Food Network and adventuring. As we journeyed together, we learned that sharing our passions only made them richer.

Douglas proposed in the same place we credit with the true start of our relationship: Chefs de France in Disney World’s Epcot. At that dinner 78 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

table in March 2014, we learned how to candidly communicate, and fell even more in love. At that table in December 2015, Douglas walked around the table, knelt down, and asked to marry his best friend.

Our wedding was an incredible community effort. We involved as many people we loved as we could, including our families, our friends, and our colleagues. With the inexhaustible help of an incredible team, including Sarah Fichtman, Andrea Cole, and Sarah Wigley, just to name a few, we pulled off a wedding full of surprises, fireworks, magic, and above all, love.

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The Details wedding date

MAY 13, 2017 ceremony & reception location SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB photographer SARAH WIGLEY OF ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY videographer DAVE BIGLER event decorator RENAISSANCE FLORAL DESIGN stationary suite PAPERDOLLS OF SARATOGA bride's dress A LITTLE SOMETHING WHITE (DARIEN, CT) rings PETER SUCHY JEWELERS (STAMFORD, CT) groom's & groomsmen tuxedos TUXEGO hair & makeup MAKE ME FABULOUS wedding planner SARAH FICHTMAN (a hero, a goddess & an incredible woman)

flowers RENAISSANCE FLORAL DESIGN transportation ADVANTAGE TRANSPORTATION GROUP caterer & cake MAZZONE HOSPITALITY band / dj BODY & SOUL first dance BEAUTY & THE BEAST -EMMA THOMPSON (CHOREOGRAPHED

BY KRISTEN WOLD) honeymoon destination SPAIN! ADVENTURES BY DISNEY special touches...We had a first sword fight before our first dance! We are both professional stage actors, so it only made sense. advice to pass along... HAVE FUN! Be true to yourselves and shoot for the moon! You may be surprised at what's possible. If you decide to ask a planner for help (which we strongly recommend, especially if that planner is Sarah Fichtman), find someone who understands you as a couple.

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Real Brides |

Courtney & Jonathan HALL OF SPRINGS

WRITTEN BY COURTNEY SHIPPEE PHOTOS BY SPEER IMAGES

O

ur story began back in '09. Jon was a Division I athlete on Monmouth University’s baseball team and attending baseball games was my favorite hobby. After a mutual friend introduced us, we quickly realized we would become inseparable.

Once we both finished our Master's Degree in the Spring of '14 we knew we wanted to live together at the Jersey Shore.

In the Fall of '15, Jon got down on one knee and popped the question during our annual trip to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The day was perfect. We walked around the Harbor, shopped and spent the afternoon at the Four Season’s pool (accompanied by great cocktails!). We ended the night at our favorite restaurant, Charleston, for a fantastic dinner. When we got back to the hotel 80 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Jon had the room covered in roses with my favorite chocolate covered strawberries and, of course, champagne! It's a day we will cherish forever and makes our annual trip a little more special.

From the start of our engagement, we wanted a destination wedding. We sought after a location that would not only meet our vision but also bring our wedding dreams to life. Every summer, we take a trip near Jon’s hometown to Saratoga Springs.

We knew it would be a perfect location to start the beginning of our lives together. The Hall of Springs brought both the historic look and warming environment that we desired. We knew it would make for an unforgettable wedding destination not only for ourselves but also our family and friends. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

MAY 19, 2017 ceremony & reception location HALL OF SPRINGS photographer SPEER IMAGES & NOEL PERRONE event decorator EXPERIENCE & CREATIVE DESIGN stationary suite MOMENTAL DESIGNS bride's & bridesmaid's dress THE WEDDING STORE AT LIZ CLINTON rings HANNOUSH JEWELERS groom's tuxedo HUGO BOSS groomsmen tuxedos CALVIN KLEIN hair & makeup MAKE ME FABULOUS flowers EXPERIENCE & CREATIVE DESIGN transportation ADVANTAGE TRANSIT GROUP caterer & cake MAZZONE HOSPITALITY band / dj BRIAN KIRK & THE JIRKS first dance PERFECT -ED SHEERAN event cards, table numbers, calligraphy THIS IS ART (ALBANY, NY) officiant WILLIAM A SLOAN hotels THE PAVILION GRAND HOTEL & THE SARATOGA HILTON honeymoon destination THAILAND & HONG KONG special touches... The venue itself was a big inspiration behind our day. It is a historic location and we wanted to incorporate details of the venue that stood out to us the most. We had our invitations hand-painted to incorporate the ceiling, chandeliers and floral choices. The ballroom has marble throughout so we had our menus, table numbers and escort cards made by our calligrapher on marble tiles. Our ceremony was honestly one of the most special parts of our day. It was more of a non-traditional ceremony. My uncle was our officiant so he really made it about our love story, our traits and our future together. It was beautiful and is something our guests still talk about.

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Real Brides |

Jessica & Zachary CANFIELD CASINO

WRITTEN BY JESSICA MARSHALL PHOTOS BY PHOTO PHRAME PHOTOGRAPHY

ack and I met in Congress park. I’m a Saratoga Native, and he's from New Jersey. I worked for a marketing company and he was in the U.S. Navy at the Milton base. Our first date was in front of the Spirit of Life Statue. We grabbed a cup of coffee at Uncommon Grounds, and headed to the park. We talked for hours, and a coffee date turned into a dinner date. A few years later we moved in together. Taking walks in the park with our dog is our favorite, reminding us of how we met and fell in love.

Z

We had our engagement shoot in Saratoga Park, recreating a 1950s feel. My (future) mother-in-law made my dress for the photos. Zack wore his Navy uniform.

On October 2nd we went for our normal walk in the park with our dog, little did I know this was not going to be our usual walk. While near the fish pond, I turned around to find Zack on one knee, with a box in his hand. He proposed, and I said yes!

Our wedding day was a magical. We had the best vendors and are thankful everyone could share our special day!

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Finding a place to get married was an interesting experience. We went to several places, but none of them felt like the right fit.

While on another walk, we visited the museum inside the Canfield Casino. Zack and I didn’t have to say anything to each other. we knew that getting married at the Canfield Casino was meant to be… the perfect spot for our Saratoga love story.

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The Details wedding date

JUNE 4, 2017 ceremony & reception location CANFIELD CASINO photographer PHOTO PHRAME PHOTOGRAPHY videographer COOL CAT PRODUCTIONS stationary suite WEDDING PAPER DIVAS event decorator & wedding planner MAZZONE HOSPITALITY bride's & bridesmaids' dresses DAVID'S BRIDAL rings GLENNPETER JEWELERS groom's & groomsmen's tuxedos MENS WAREHOUSE hair INSPIRE HAIR STUDIO makeup THE EPIPHANY OF HAIR DESIGN flowers RIZZO'S HOUSE OF FLOWERS caterer & cake MAZZONE HOSPITALITY band / dj COOL CAT PRODUCTIONS first dance CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU - HALEY REINHART honeymoon destination CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS officiant REV. BRIGID BECKMAN advice to pass along... Enjoy the planning process and your wedding, in the end everything falls into place and its the most magical day of your life! speical touches... Vintage Bee pin on my bouquet was my moms, (her mother gave it to her). Handkerchief from my Mom's friend, with maiden name and wedding initials. Guest board tied in with the vintage wedding motif. My father picked out our cake topper. Had my first look with my dad. Favors were Saratoga Water bottles with vintage bottle opener keys tied to them. Send-off with streamers and glow sticks. Vintage fan programs with a photo of an 1800s bride.

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Real Brides |

Lyndsey & Jeffrey LONGFELLOWS

WRITTEN BY LYNDSEY SAGER PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

J

eff and I met at our previous job. When he first started working there, I was too shy to speak to him, but remember telling my friends about the new, “cute guy at work.” As it turns it out, he was thinking the same thing about me!

He ended up leaving the company later that year, and almost 6 months later we connected on Facebook. Randomly, I decided to send him a message. We hit it off, and I put myself out there and was the one who asked him out.

We dated for two and a half years. Saying the time flew by is an understatement. Throughout that time, we created a life together I 84 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

wouldn't trade for anything. When the time was right - and by total surprise - he proposed on New Year’s Eve. Gushing with excitement, I said “YES!!” and we couldn’t wait to start the wedding planning.

After visiting a few venues, we set up an appointment with Longfellows. While visiting, we knew this was exactly the place we wanted to get married. The venue was gorgeous! The interior felt like a village setting and we loved the lighting! The staff was more than willing to make our day exactly what we had envisioned.

Our wedding day was absolutely perfect! We are so thankful for all the vendors that made our day a success and are so lucky to have been surrounded by everyone we love and care about. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 9, 2017 ceremony & reception location LONGFELLOWS photographer ROB SPRING bride's dress BRIDAL GALLERY BY YVONNE rings GLEN PETER JEWELERS bridesmaids' dresses JOCELYN'S groom's and groomsmen tuxedos MR. FORMAL WEAR hair LIPSTICK AND LASHES makeup CMD MAKEUP ARTISTRY flowers PETAL PUSHER cake VILLA ITALIA band / dj MUSIC MAN ENTERTAINMENT first dance IT'S YOUR LOVE -TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL honeymoon destination PUERTO VALLARTA advice to pass along...

Enjoy the planning. The day goes by so fast, make sure to take some time to enjoy it and soak it in with your significant other.

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Real Brides |

Ashley & Mark

SARATOGA WINERY

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY J. MCCORMACK PHOTOGRAPHY

A

shley and Mark have based their relationship on a foundation of patience, communication and fun. They met at Druther’s in downtown Saratoga for craft beers and dinner (as one does when surrounded by Upstate New York’s endless microbreweries) and realized how much they really had in common, which made their decision to begin officially dating an obvious choice.

Ashley explains that she and Mark always seemed to be “on the same page” with their relationship, even getting into the more serious conversations earlier on. However, the couple felt that they were both at that place in their lives where time would not be wasted on forced feelings, and what they felt was a genuine connection.

Mark came from a dedicated family of Navy members and continued the tradition by joining the Navy. He had a specific schedule he needed to commit to for his career path, but did not weigh too heavily on Ashley because she understood how important the position was to him.

Ashley and Mark easily mastered communication and transparency, but their shared hobby was the catalyst that bonded the two instantly, which was attending NASCAR races.

In fact, the significance of the races played a more important role in their 86 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

lives than they had expected. At a race they attended together in New Hampshire, Mark proposed on the start/finish line (ironically symbolic).

The wedding exceeded any expectations Ashley and Mark had going into the process. The Saratoga Winery provided a unique setting for the outdoor, relaxed vibe the couple was looking for (perfectly complementing their caterer of choice, Dinosaur BBQ).

The Winery staff was eager to take on the wedding, despite not having much experience with such events at that point. The couple found Saratoga Winery to be incredibly accommodating and great at communicating throughout the planning process. Ashley stressed the importance of “trusting your vendors” because micromanaging every detail would only make the day feel forced and artificial.

Ashley recounted their surprise when they found Broadway completely closed for the Flag Day Parade. Mark had opted to wear his Navy uniform and they immediately took advantage of the festive Americana as backgrounds for candid photos.

This instance became another symbol of their love for spontaneity because the unplanned details turned out to be amazing additions, and an incredible start to a future together. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 17, 2017 ceremony & reception location SARATOGA WINERY photographer JUSTIN MCCORMACK stationary suite DIY bride's & bridesmaids' dresses DAVID'S BRIDAL rings KAY JEWELERS groom's tuxedo MEN'S WAREHOUSE hair JOELLE ZIENIUK makeup MAKEUP BY KADIE-MARIE flowers DEHN'S FLOWERS caterer DINOSAUR BBQ cheesecake & cupcakes BAKED BY JORDAN band / dj DJ KENNY CASANOVA photobooth DIY first dance HEAD OVER BOOTS -JON PARDI rentals BELMONTE honeymoon destination SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN special touches... We decided on a big BBQ dinner, so we opted to skip appetizers, and instead offered a popcorn bar. We kicked it up a notch by including customized popcorn bags, 8 flavor shakers and multiple types of candies and nuts! In lieu of a traditional guestbook, we incorporated Mark's background of living in Alabama prior to joining the Navy with our life here in Saratoga and had guests sign pages in a Hattie's Southern Recipe cookbook. advice to pass along... Be an over planner! Someone will need to make sure all food, gifts, extra décor and mementos get removed from the reception site. Delegate those tasks to family members or close friends who will have the extra room in their car.

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Real Brides |

Ashley & Nik M & D FARM

WRITTEN BY ASHLEY RATAJCZAK PHOTOS BY TRACEY BUYCE PHOTOGRAPHY

O

ur love story may sound like the plot to an old movie or a story your grandparents told you, but it's true. We grew up in the same town, went to the same school, and had the same friends, but it wasn't until our senior year of high school that our romance started. It began like many high school flings do, but quickly snowballed into a very real connection.

We went through life sharing every experience good and bad, growing more and more everyday. Although we both have friends and close family, we have always been partners and best friends. It's an amazing feeling to have someone that you can be always yourself with - one hundred percent - corny jokes and all!

Fast forward nine years and we reached the point in our lives where it was time to make this official. We were on the beach in Mexico 88 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

with the moon shining bright on the ocean, when Nik got down on one knee and nervously managed to stammer out a proposal.

M & D Farm was the first place we visited as a possible venue and we immediately fell in love with the place. There's a feeling that comes over you while you're there that makes you forget about the outside world and breathe easy. With the backdrop chosen, we began adding all the details that really made our wedding special and unique to us. From the flowers and greenery to the mismatched hand paired china from Ashley’s vintage rental business. From the hand built archway where we exchanged our written vows to the rockabilly music and bolo ties. We were really able to put our personal touch on what truly turned out to be the best day of our lives.

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 10, 2017 ceremony & reception location M & D FARM photographer TRACEY BUYCE stationary suite MINTED.COM bride's dress LOVELY BRIDE, NYC rings VINTAGE 1920 RINGS FROM ETSY bridesmaids' dresses FOREVER 21 tuxedo CIRCLE S CLASSIC WESTERN WEAR hair MORGAN PEMBROOK, MAID OF HONOR makeup LINH SULLINS flowers NATIVE FARM FLOWERS caterer 62 BEEKMAN dessert buffet SMITH ORCHARD PIES band / dj PJ THE DJ FROM PJ'S BBQ photobooth HOMEMADE - IPAD & AN INSTANT PRINTER first dance YOU AND ME -PENNY AND THE QUARTERS

SARATOGA BRIDE | 89

Real Brides |

Mary & Patrick THE GIDEON PUTNAM

WRITTEN BY MARY HORAN PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

at and I met in college when he was a freshman and I was a sophomore (he loves to tell people he likes older woman *cue the eye roll*). We had some mutual friends and one night a big group were all hanging out. We seemed to hit it off right away and now it feels like there wasn’t a moment after that we weren’t together. That summer his brother got married in Michigan and everyone still talks about how he was on the phone the entire weekend with me. Thinking if he was missing out on the party, it must have been someone special!

P

About 6 months into living in Vermont, it was a chilly April evening and Pat asked if I wanted to take a walk around the block.

Since I’m typically the one dragging him outside to walk in the snow I was ecstatic! Upon returning home, there was a small bag on the kitchen table form our local jewelry store. Very confused I turned around and there he was in our small apartment kitchen… down on one knee. I’d like to say I gracefully said yes and shed one perfect tear, but in reality… I screamed and jumped up and down – I guess it can’t always be like the movies!

Since I was a year older than Pat, I graduated and headed home while he still had a year of college ahead of him. We knew it’d be hard, but we stayed true to alternating weekends of visiting. We saw each other almost every single weekend that year. Soon after Pat graduated he moved down to Latham which is where I was from. A couple of fantastic years passed by and Pat had a job opportunity come up in Burlington Vermont. We thought, why not! We packed up our belongings and moved 3 hours north.

We knew right away we wanted to have our wedding in the Saratoga area. It was always my dream, and being the good fiancé, he claimed it was what he had thought would be a good idea too.

Our entire wedding day was perfect… From walking down the aisle with my father to “Blue Sky” by the Allman Brothers to the entire wedding on the dance floor for some Bruno Mars.

90 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Everything seemed like a fairy tale and I wouldn’t have changed a thing! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 10, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE GIDEON PUTNAM photographer SARAH WIGLEY (ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY) stationary suite MINTED bride's dress NEEDLEMANS (BURLINGTON, VT) rings PERRYWINKLES (BURLINGTON) bridesmaids' dresses DESSY groom's and groomsmen tuxedos MEN'S WAREHOUSE hair PURE SALON, LATHAM makeup ALEXANDRIA'S SALON, LATHAM flowers FLEURTACIOUS DESIGNS cake VILLA ITALIA band / dj CONWAY ENTERTAINMENT (NATE MILLER) first dance YOU'RE MY EVERYTHING -TEMPTATIONS honeymoon destination NAPA VALLEY, CA special touches...

Late night food stations are a must! ;) advice to pass along...

Don’t worry about it! Even if something happens that was not initally planned you'll always look back and think it was perfect because it was your wedding day.

SARATOGA BRIDE | 91

Real Brides |

Corinne & Eric

THE GIDEON PUTNAM

WRITTEN BY CORINNE STANCO PHOTOS BY ANNA CASCIO PHOTOGRAPHY

E

ric and Corinne were destined to wind up together, even if it took a little longer than it should have. They grew up in West Chester, PA a vibrant suburb of Philadelphia. It’s a big town, but somehow almost everyone knows each other - the kind of place where if you don’t know someone - you certainly know someone who does. Eric and Corinne were the latter.

They didn’t cross paths until they were both in high school and even then, only knew of each other from afar. Eric recalls hearing Corinne had a crush on him, but she doesn’t recollect things quite the same way.

While spending their childhoods apart, their interests were very much aligned as each had a passion for horses. Eric spent his summers in Saratoga, learning the craft of handicapping at the racetrack’s cigar smoke-filled clubhouse. Corinne

92 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

rode and trained horses, which led her post-high school to Ohio and Florida. Eric also left the area, attending college in Arizona. Shortly after returning to Pennsylvania he bumped into his high school classmate. She was pretty, and he was smitten. With a mutual interest and instant chemistry, their relationship was inevitable.

When Eric finally asked Corinne to marry him, their wedding location was a no-brainer: Saratoga Springs, NY. Corinne arrived at the processional by horse-drawn carriage and they read their vows in front of 200 friends and family at the Gideon Putnam. They took photos in downtown Saratoga Springs and topped the night off with partygoers dancing with bowties around their heads.

A raucous crowd celebrating a wonderful couple’s destiny. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 17, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE GIDEON PUTNAM photographer ANNA CASCIO videographer GABRIEL ALEXIS OF COMPLETE WEDDINGS event decorator JENIFER MCVEY stationary suite ZAZZLE bride's dress THE WEDDING SHOPPE (WAYNE, PA) rings KAY JEWELERS bridesmaids' dresses DAVID'S BRIDAL groom's and groomsmen tuxedos ENGLUND'S APPAREL (MALVERN, PA) hair & makeup KRYSTAL ROSE STUDIO flowers DEHN'S FLOWERS (DEB CONVERSE) transportation LIVIN' LARGE DRAFTS caterer THE GIDEON PUTNAM cupcakes DIA DOLCE (WEST CHESTER, PA) band / dj THE REFRIGERATORS photobooth COMPLETE WEDDINGS first dance STAND BY ME -BEN E. KING harpist CARLINDA CALDICOTT honeymoon destination MAUI, HI & QUAI, HI advice to pass along... Take the time to view the reception hall prior to the guests coming in. You spend so much time and energy planning the day and you will appriciate how it all came together in the end!!

SARATOGA BRIDE | 93

Real Brides |

Elizabeth & Joshua SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH KOSHUTA ELMAN PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

U

nknowingly, Josh and I had crossed paths many times before finally meeting in New York City in July 2014.

At this time, we were both living in Manhattan, about 30 blocks from one another.

We’d both previously attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, but didn’t know each other, despite having many mutual friends and having spent time at several of the same places. It wasn’t until 13 years passed that we met online, in a seemingly random way!

From the beginning, we clicked, and I knew right away that Josh was a special person.

I recall the first time I brought him home to meet my parents, who had retired to Saratoga Springs from Connecticut. I was so 94 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

excited to bring him back to the town where we’d almost met so many times, where we had separate memories, and where I knew we could make new memories together.

Our relationship progressed, and in March 2016, we got engaged.

Josh proposed to me in Saratoga Springs –at Skidmore College– and coordinated with my family to have a celebratory dinner afterwards at Max London’s.

With such a strong connection to the town, we knew we wanted to be married in Saratoga. We visited Saratoga National Golf Club and without hesitation, booked it for our special day.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day. We were surrounded by loved ones and had amazing vendors who helped make a picture perfect event to begin our lives together as husband and wife! saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 17, 2017 ceremony location SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB, BLUE STONE TENT reception location SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB, GRAND BALLROOM photographer ROB SPRING AND SARAH WIGLEY OF ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY videographer DALE HIMELRICK OF MEMORIES IN THE MAKING PRODUCTIONS stationary suite PAPER DOLLS OF SARATOGA bride's dress LILY SARATOGA rings BRIDE'S: DIAMOND CENTER OF USA IN NYC, GROOM'S: DEJONGHE ORIGINAL JEWELRY bridesmaids' dresses BELLA BRIDESMAID-WESTPORT, CT hair & makeup SIMPLICITY A SALON, SARATOGA flowers THE POSIE PEDDLER, SARATOGA transportation LIMO: SARATOGA LUXURY LIMO GUEST SHUTTLE: PREMIER TRANSPORTATION caterer & cake MAZZONE band / dj THE ACCENTS BAND first dance STAND BY ME -BEN E KING ceremony music SPA CITY DUO calligraphy MEGAN FAHY & LESLIE ROCCARIO dress alterations WILLFITUIN honeymoon destination ITALY: CAPRI, ROME, FLORENCE AND LAKE COMO special touches... The Bride's cousin, a retired Judge, performed the ceremony. advice to pass along... Start planning early, and on the day of the wedding relax, relinquish control, let the professionals do what they do best and enjoy!

SARATOGA BRIDE | 95

Real Brides |

Sarah & Kevin

BOATHOUSE BED & BREAKFAST // THE ALGONQUIN

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

S

arah and Kevin are a high school sweetheart success story. Kevin spent many summers with his family in Lake George, eventually adding Sarah into the annual family vacation roster. The couple spent as much time as possible on his family’s boat and would regularly pass by The Boathouse Bed and Breakfast.

Kevin proposed to Sarah on their six-year anniversary at The Boathouse B&B. Sarah admitted that, after learning Kevin had booked their annual vacation at the B&B they admired, she guessed (correctly!) that he was going to ask her to marry him.

But, Kevin recalled that he became comically frustrated leading up to the proposal because they could not find a private enough space, while they strolled the grounds. They first walked to a beautiful sitting area, only to find a guest had fallen asleep in one of the chairs. His next attempt was thwarted by an excessive number of spiders.

Finally, the couple decided to abandon their romantic walk and returned to their room, which is where Kevin chose to officially ask Sarah to marry him.

Sarah grew just as fond of their annual vacation spot as Kevin, and they agreed that Lake George would undoubtedly be their wedding destination; specifically, The Boathouse Bed and Breakfast.

of the extra planning time and began their research for the right vendors and venues to accommodate a small, intimate wedding.

However, to her disappointment, Sarah discovered that The Boathouse had a strict “no wedding” policy.

Accepting defeat, Sarah worked diligently to find another venue that would be just as perfect as the B&B. But, to her surprise, Kevin had gone above and beyond to make sure their wedding would be exactly as they had envisioned.

Kevin reached out to the owners of The Boathouse, directly, and explained the situation. Then, to the couple’s surprise, The Boathouse agreed to allow the wedding to take place at the B&B. The reception was low key and intimate, a perfect reflection of their laidback personalities. The guests accompanied the newlyweds out to dinner and, later, the bridal party ended the festivities with a competitive evening of Laser Tag. Kevin and Sarah were married in the pouring rain, but that did not bother the newlyweds… their attention was only focused on reliving the positive highlights; and looking back on the obstacles with lighthearted laughter.

The couple knew that they wanted to have a long engagement, choosing to purchase their home in Windsor, Connecticut, first. They took advantage

96 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 29, 2017 ceremony location BOATHOUSE BED & BREAKFAST, BOLTON LANDING reception location THE ALGONQUIN, BOLTON LANDING photographer BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN stationary suite ETSY WEDDINGAFFECTIONS bride's dress THE WEDDING EMBASSY, OAKVILLE, CT rings ZALES bridesmaids' dresses STYLISH IMPRESSIONS, FARMINGTON, CT groomsmen ties & suspenders ETSY TANGLEDTIESBOWTIES groomsmen socks BOLDSOCKS.COM hair & makeup THE SAGAMORE flowers REBECCA'S FLORIST transportation VALET PARK OF AMERICA caterer THE ALGONQUIN honeymoon destination CHARLESTON, SC advice to pass along...

Don't feel pressured to have a big wedding.

SARATOGA BRIDE | 97

Real Brides |

Tristina & Ken

CANFIELD CASINO

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY

F

or Tristina and Ken, there was no question that they would celebrate one of the most memorable days of their lives, at one of their favorite destinations.

Ken, a Saratoga native, spent many summers on the lake with his family.

Tristina, who has visited the area so much that she might as well be a native, spent her own Saratoga summers with family since she was 13 years old.

Tristina met Ken for the first time on a blind date (thanks to mutual friends), despite unknowingly crossing paths many times. They attended The College of Saint Rose (graduating the same year) and were even neighbors throughout college, but still the universe kept them from truly connecting until many years later.

The two immediately felt they needed to explore this relationship further; Ken apparently was so confident after their first date that he called his mother that same evening to say, “I am going to marry this girl.” Tristina tells the story as if she remains in a cloud of disbelief, even after Ken’s mother confirmed the story was true.

Saratoga would continue to remain memorable for the couple due to their annual trips to the Saratoga Race Course for Opening Day and Travers. Outside of the Saratoga region, their love for traveling to other destinations solidified their compatibility.

Tristina recounts the day that Ken proposed. He had certainly gone above and beyond; writing “Will you marry me?” in the sand on Saratoga Lake.

As if that would not be enough to impress the future bride, Ken serenaded

98 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Tristina with a version of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”, complete with personalized lyrics.

The newly engaged couple began their search for the venue that would bring their vision to life.

Tristina immediately felt drawn to the Canfield Casino.

She expressed that the level of intimacy the Casino offered, along with the traditional and romantic feel that was important for the couple to convey on their big day, were the ultimate selling points. They used the elegant vibe and historic style of Canfield Casino to inspire their own personal touches, such as the personalized table numbers (complete with throwback pictures connecting the table number to their chronological ages).

Ken showed off his musical talent again at their wedding, surprising their 200 plus guests. But, Tristina’s favorite surprise of the evening was a choreographed first dance as a couple, giving their guests a glimpse of the superb level of connection and unity the two possessed from the beginning of their relationship.

When asked what advice Tristina would offer to future engaged couples, she stressed the importance of hiring professional photographers and videographers because those captured moments are the “only thing you have to keep and go back to” after the wedding buzz starts to fade.

Another piece of sound advice from Tristina is the importance of taking a moment alone with your partner to “sit and relax” in order to take in the entire experience of that one, special day.

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JUNE 30, 2017 ceremony & reception location CANFIELD CASINO photographer ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY videographer AL WOODARD stationary suite JENNY C DESIGN event decorator CLIFTON PARK RENTAL bride's dress ELLIS BRIDAL LONDON rings WEDDING BANDS-FRANK ADAMS bridesmaids' dresses FERRI FORMAL AND BRIDAL groom's and groomsmen tuxedos THE BLACK TUX hair & makeup ALAYNE CURTISS AND MAKE ME FABULOUS wedding planner CHRISTINE WHEAT (FOR DAY OF COORDINATION) flowers FLEURTACIOUS DESIGNS transportation PREMIERE TRANSPORTATION caterer & cake MAZZONE HOSPITALITY band / dj GRAND CENTRAL STATION photobooth ELARIO PHOTOGRAPHY first dance THINKING OUT LOUD-ED SHEERAN ceremony strings and singer SPA CITY DUO & TRACY CORRY advice to pass along... Start early, put your budget into photo and video, those are the things that you get to keep for years and years to come. Once it's all planned... It goes by so quick, sit down, eat and soak it all in. We took a good few minutes at least to sit and just stare at our guests and ballroom during dinner.

SARATOGA BRIDE | 99

Real Brides |

Therese & Gary

THE SAGAMORE | THE BAYVIEW

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

T

herese and Gary started as work friends, taking walks on lunch breaks and enjoying each other’s company. As they began to spend more time together at work, the two realized their friendship felt like much more.

Therese recalls their first date at Saratoga Battlefield, talking and taking in the tranquil scenery. The couple felt there was a strong connection and later into the relationship, they both just seemed to know that they would be spending their lives together.

In addition to being a handsome gentleman, Gary really showed his sweet and caring side when he became a welcomed addition to Therese’s family. Therese was used to life as a single mother to her daughter, Kate, and their many family pets (three cats, a dog and a bird), and Gary fit in perfectly. Therese’s mother was especially fond of Gary and could not have been happier for her daughter for finding such a genuinely loving man.

When her mother passed, Therese found solace in the support that Gary offered during such a difficult time.

When asked what life was like adding Gary into an established dynamic of mother and daughter, Therese responded immediately

100 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

that Kate welcomed Gary into their lives and Gary also treated Kate as if she were his own daughter, even taking it upon himself to pack Kate and Therese’s lunches in the morning and learning both of their regular coffee orders. The attention to the small details are the parts of their relationship that Therese truly cherishes.

Therese admitted that she and Gary had not talked about marriage too much. So, when Gary proposed on a romantic week-long vacation at a cottage on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, Therese was taken completely by surprise.

The planning process certainly contained some stress, such as moving an outdoor ceremony at The Sagamore on Lake George indoors due to pouring rain on their wedding day. However, Therese explained that the planning turned out to be so much fun, and stressed the importance of enjoying the journey leading up to the wedding. The food and cake tastings were some of the couple’s favorite planning activities.

Therese shared that no issues could take away from having her daughter, who was also the maid of honor, walk her down the aisle, and that getting their closest friends and family in one place made Gary and Therese’s day memorable perfection. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JULY 7, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE SAGAMORE - THE BAYVIEW photographer SUSAN BLACKBURN bride's & bridesmaids' dresses JOCELYNN'S BRIDAL CLIFTON PARK rings HANNOUSH JEWELERS groom's & groomsmen tuxedos CHOPPA & SONS hair & makeup THE BRIDE'S SISTER, LYN flowers FINISHING TOUCHES FRESH FLOWERS- SUSAN CADY BOLTON LANDING, NY caterer & cake THE SAGAMORE band / dj ANDY PRATT, BOLTON LANDING first dance BOBBY DARIN "BEYOND THE SEA" honeymoon destination ST. LUCIA special touches...

The Sagamore hotel is elegant & has majestic views of Lake George advice to pass along...

Enjoy every moment from planning your wedding with your fiance to the beautiful wedding day with your new husband. We took a ball room dance class to help us with our 1st dance and was surprised how much fun we had.

We surprised our guests with our dance moves and found out we both love to dance! It is so important to always remember your wedding day is magical no matter if everything doesn't go as perfectly as planned. We planned an outdoor ceremony on the large balcony of the Sagamore hotel, but it poured and we had to move our ceremony indoors. There was a brief moment I was heartbroken, but we had a lovely ceremony at BayView with all our family and friends and I married my best friend. Our wedding pictures also look dramatic and grogeous with the stormy background.

SARATOGA BRIDE | 101

Real Brides |

Elizabeth & Gregory GREENWICH, NY

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH JOHNSTONE PHOTOS BY JESSICA GRAVELIN PHOTOGRAPHY

G

reg and I met by chance through a mutual friend on a summer day in 2013. My friend Saffren invited me to join her for lunch with her boyfriend and his friend in downtown Saratoga, I almost didn’t go but decided to meet her. Lunch was wonderful, and so was the conversation.

Spoiler alert: Greg was not the friend. After lunch we joined another group of their friends for a drink and after some time I found myself having the oddest conversation about making card towers out of tip money with a very handsome man. I think it’s fair to say our entire first year of dating was spent at Uncommon Grounds. I didn’t learn until almost a year later that Greg almost didn’t make our meet-cute either, he had been at the library and almost didn’t come.

Two years into dating we got the surprise of a lifetime – literally – when we found out we we’re expecting. The day before our daughter was born we went out to breakfast at Sweet Mimi’s, Greg made an amazing dinner fresh from the farmers’ market 102 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

and then we went to Uncommon Grounds for dessert. When we got home that night he proposed in the small kitchen of the carriage house we rented.

We welcomed our healthy and beautiful baby girl and had a two-year engagement. We got married at my parents’ home in Greenwich, NY. The house is about 200 years old and sits on a very private section of land complete with fields, surrounding trees and a 1/4-mile long driveway. The perfect spot to get married was under the huge locust tree in the backyard. The ceremony took place there at 10:30 in the morning (concluded with a confetti toss!) followed by a tented brunch reception with breakfast inspired wood-fired pizza, cinnamon buns, French toast kabobs and a mimosa bar! We got really creative in the decorating and included many pieces passed down from our families; the drinks were served from a metal-wheeled wagon that my grandfather used on his farm and our head table was an heirloom from my great-grandmother. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JULY 15, 2017 ceremony & reception location BRIDE'S CHILDHOOD HOME photographer JESSICA GRAVELIN PHOTOGRAPHY stationary suite VISTAPRINT, CUSTOM DESIGNED bride's dress FERRI FORMALS AND BRIDALS rings MICKLAS JEWLERY bridesmaids' dresses AZAZIE hair LOOKS BY LACEY makeup BRIDAL PARTY DID THEIR OWN! flowers MARKET 32 caterer THE CLASSIC CRUST cake COCCADOTS band / dj SPOTIFY PLAYLIST rentals (tent, tables, chairs & linens) RAIN OR SHINE TENT CO. cinnamon buns THE BREAD BASKET honeymoon destination THE GIDEON PUTNAM special touches...

One of the best suprises we got was that one of our groomsmen arranged to have drone footage of the day captured as well as Go Pro footage of the ceremony and reception. We had no idea but it was a great surprise to have all of that now! advice to pass along...

Consider doing as many photos before the ceremony as you are comfortable with - that allowed us to go straight from the ceremony into enjoying the reception with our guests!

SARATOGA BRIDE | 103

Real Brides |

Zoonash & Noel

CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT // GLEN SANDERS MANSION

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY NABEEL JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY

Z

oonash and Noel are a true example of how a moment of courage can lead to a lifetime of genuine happiness.

depth conversation) are complimented by their ability to have serious, intellectual conversations.

The two had known each other as minor acquaintances nearly 10 years ago because they attended the same church regularly. Neither of them ever expected to see each other years later, let alone begin a relationship.

Zoonash mentions that even though they each knew they would spend their lives together, they did not stress an exact timeline, which is what made Noel’s proposal a complete surprise.

Noel had just returned from deployment and reached out to Zoonash the only way anyone reconnects with each other during these modern times: a Facebook friend request. This immediately made Zoonash, a coding analyst, both suspicious and curious (a side effect of strong analyzing skills) of Noel’s intentions.

On a family vacation in Lake George over the Fourth of July weekend, Noel, not being much of a planner, prepared the entire proposal with both families (even Zoonash’s sister in Colorado knew of the plan).

By the Lake right before the fireworks were scheduled to start, Noel proposed; his question was answered with a simultaneous firework explosion and an excited “yes” from his fiancé.

Quickly Zoonash realized that Noel’s intent was genuine, and their newfound friendship progressed into a strong connection and an exciting journey learning more about each other.

Zoonash described Noel as an extrovert, who always seems to be the guy other people gravitate to when they go out; whereas Zoonash feels she is more of an introvert, finding solace in relaxing at home with a good book, her partner and their two dogs.

However, as many differences the couple have, they also share an endless supply of similar interests to bond over, especially their love of “nerdy” hobbies, favorite television shows, books and movies (“Game of Thrones” character origin theories being their first in104 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Venue hunting was easy for the couple, and The Mansion Inn left them impressed by the history it held (especially rumored hauntings) and the “impeccable” staff who made the entire process enjoyable. Along with the convenient location for attendees and easy access to their home in the capital region to check in on their dogs, the choice was obvious.

Zoonash reminisced over the highlights, such as a traditional Mehndi Ceremony in which family and friends celebrate in a sea of vibrant colors and henna, prior to their wedding ceremony. She also shared how important it was to share a moment with her partner to relax and soak in the excitement of the evening. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JULY 23, 2017 ceremony location CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, ALBANY reception location GLEN SANDERS MANSION photographer & videographer NABEEL JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY stationary suite GLEN SANDERS MANSION SANDERS SUITE bride's dress BRIDAL GALLERY BY YVONNE rings KAY JEWELERS bridesmaids' dresses DAVID'S BRIDAL groom's & groomsmen tuxedos FUTIA'S hair & makeup ZUBEIDA A RIZVI flowers PRICE CHOPPER caterer & cake MAZZONE HOSPITALITY first dance CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE -MICHAEL BUBLE henna tattoo HENNA BY NAYALESH honeymoon destination ST. THOMAS, USVI special touches...

Traditional Event called Mehndi two days before the wedding! advice to pass along...

Listen to everyone's opinions; because when it comes to weddings, everyone has "great" ideas; but in the end, always do what you want for your wedding. This is supposed to be your special day, do not let any one else tell you otherwise. Also, in the midst of all the preparations, do not forget to take some time out for your significant other.

SARATOGA BRIDE | 105

Real Brides |

Kristen & Paul SARATOGA NATIONAL // SARATOGA RACE TRACK

WRITTEN BY KRISTEN HART PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

risten and Paul had an unusual beginning. Nothing says true love like meeting your significant other on Caroline Street on a hot summer evening in 2011. An exchange of numbers and a promise to call, their fates were sealed. An awkward text the next day lead them to an adorable meet up and Paul knew those shots at the top of the Tavern were worth it.

With a smile, a wink, and a possible kiss they were on.

K

Since they can’t do anything easy, their wedding had to be at Saratoga National, followed by a day at Saratoga Race Course.

On July 29, 2017 they tied the knot in the morning, followed by a boozy brunch and gambling in the afternoon. The day was wonderfully spectacular. They may not have won any money at the track that day, but they did create some fantastic memories with their loved ones and family.

Ever since, the couple have been on a ferocious journey together… from losing jobs, relocations, master degrees, and the passing of a seriously loved parent. The past seven years together have been nothing but eventful. Sick and tired of being put in the corner, the couple declared 2017 ‘THEIR YEAR’ and decided to plan their dream wedding.

20 years prior, Kristen once looked at her father and said “one day I will find a way to live in Saratoga.” What she never saw coming was how a chance encounter in that town brought her the love of her life. Currently, the couple resides in Saratoga Springs after purchasing their dream home in the fall of 2017.

Happily-ever-after… just like you read about.

106 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

JULY 29, 2017 ceremony & brunch location SARATOGA NATIONAL reception location SARATOGA RACE COURSE (AT THE RAIL) photographer ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY stationary suite MINTED bride's & bridesmaids' dresses LILY SARATOGA rings HANNOUSH JEWLERY hair & makeup KYLE ANN GARCIA flowers SAMANTHA NASS FLORAL DESIGN transportation PREMIER TRANSPORTATION caterer SARATOGA NATIONAL & THE SARATOGA RACE COURSE honeymoon destination NANTUCKET special touches...

My mother walked me down the aisle in lieu of my father as he passed away a couple of years prior. It meant everything. advice to pass along...

From the Bride: The day won't define you or your marriage. It is all the memories you create that day and all the moments after that will.

From the Groom: The day will fly by.

Remember to enjoy all the little things, even the open bar! The best moment will be eating pizza with your wife (or groom) at the end of the night!

SARATOGA BRIDE | 107

Real Brides |

Lauren & Jason

OLD DALEY ON CROOKED LAKE

WRITTEN BY LAUREN KRITZ PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

J

ason and I met while working together at a summer camp at the YMCA in Glenville. He was a counselor and I was the assistant director so he likes to joke that I have been his boss from the beginning! We worked together all summer before he finally asked me out. We went to all-you-can eat pizza night at one of the pizza places in town. It may not have been the most romantic first date, but it was perfect for us! We both realized quickly that we had something special and have been inseparable ever since.

Jason proposed in our favorite vacation spot, Ogunquit, Maine.

We went for a walk on the Marginal Way, a path along cliffs overlooking the ocean. He asked me to walk out onto one of the 108 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

rocks to look out at the sea and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I screamed, which got the attention of all the other people walking on the path as well as the people down on the beach. Everyone started applauding which thoroughly embarrassed Jason, but it was such a perfect moment.

When we starting planning our wedding we weren’t entirely sure what, exactly, we wanted until we walked into Old Daley on Crooked Lake. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot we looked at each other and knew this was the spot. It was the most beautiful place with the most amazing people who made our day perfect!

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The Details wedding date

AUGUST 12, 2017 ceremony & reception location OLD DALEY ON CROOKED LAKE photographer ROB SPRING videographer AL WOODWARD stationary suite PAPER DOLLS OF SARATOGA bride's dress SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL rings NORTHEASTERN FINE JEWLERY bridesmaids' dresses JOCELYNN'S BRIDAL groom's and groomsmen tuxedos TUXEGO hair KRISSY NELLIGAN-CENTERED WELLNESS & BEAUTY makeup FLAWLESS OBSESSION flowers PRICE CHOPPER caterer OLD DALEY cake COCCADOTS band / dj DJ CHRIS HOLLISTER -HOLLISTER ENTERTAINMENT first dance GOD GAVE ME YOU -BLAKE SHELTON honeymoon destination FLORENCE, ROME & SORRENTO special touches... We are both teachers and are very passionate about children so we wanted to show that in our wedding. My 4th grade class each answered the question "What do married people do?" and drew a picture, They were framed and put on each table.

I also had them write down what love means to them & we used that as one of the readings during our ceremony!  advice to pass along... Enjoy the planning! Enjoy meeting with vendors & picking out all your decorations and details! My husband and I had so much fun talking about things & picking them out–the whole year leading up to the big day was a blast!

The day goes by so fast, enjoy all the lead up time and anticipation!

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Real Brides |

Amy & Trevor THE LODGE

WRITTEN BY AMY SNIDER PORTER PHOTOS BY NIKI ROSSI PHOTOGRAPHY

O

ver five years ago, a simple decision to move into neighboring apartments led Trevor and I to meet for the first time. That decision, and the introduction that followed, ultimately sparked what would later become a lifelong journey together. After four years together, our travels brought us over 4,000 miles from home to a hillside in Capri, Italy.

There, a bottle of wine paired with a remarkable sunset and the sparkle of a ring, left me sharing a bit of paradise alongside my newly engaged, husband-to-be. This past summer, on an uncharacteristically mild day in August, Trevor and I tied the knot in the city where our story together first began, Saratoga 110 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Springs. Having grown up in Saratoga, I was able to share with Trevor, my deep-rooted love for this very special place. We felt it fitting to invite our friends and family to join us in celebrating our marriage in the city that had not only brought us together, but also offered us so much joy over the years. We wanted nothing more than to share the unique splendor that the summer meet brings to our historic town. The elegance and intimacy of The Lodge on Nelson Ave, offered us the perfect venue to gather our loved ones for an afternoon of vows and an unforgettable evening of celebration.

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The Details wedding date

AUGUST 12, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE LODGE photographer NIKI ROSSI PHOTOGRAPHY stationary suite PAPERDOLLS bride's dress STACI SNIDER (SISTER OF BRIDE-DESIGNED DRESS & VAIL, FASHION DESIGNER IN NYC) rings NORTHEASTERN FINE JEWELRY bridesmaids' dresses ADRIANNA PAPELL groomsmen clothing THE BLACK TUX hair HAIR CREATIONS makeup ERIN MULLER wedding planner TONYA PELLIGRINI flowers SAMANTHA NASS caterer & cake THE LODGE band / dj NEW YORK PLAYERS first dance FREE/INTO THE MYSTIC - ZAC BROWN spa treatments SPA CASCADA honeymoon destination QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA advice to pass along...

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT, IT GOES BY TOO QUICKLY!

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Real Brides |

Stephanie & Charlie THE INN AT ERLOWEST

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE OBERMAYER PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

O

n October 14, 2013, I was volunteering at Towson University, in Maryland, for a US Lacrosse event with my (future bridesmaid!) Lauren Rossi. I locked eyes with Charlie. After the event, we had a couple of Snakebites at Bill Bateman's Bistro and Charlie jumped at the chance to drive me home. Those 20 minutes was all it took, even though it was a few more months before Charlie actually asked me out on a date.

Charlie and I went on our first official date on January 17, 2014, to Aldo's Ristorante Italiano in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood. After dinner, we went to see a romantic play at the oldest theater in Fells Point. A large man proceeded to fall asleep on Charlie's shoulder, so we decided to skip the third act 112 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

and headed to Cat's Eye Pub where we had some drinks and danced the night away.

Fast forward to Friday, September 30, 2016, when we hiked (Charlie ran!!) up Cat Mountain. Charlie had convinced me that a proposal was still very far away, even though he’d been secretly planning for months to propose at one of our favorite spots.

Once we got to the top, Charlie surprised me with the same bottle of wine we drank on our first date at Aldo's. When I turned around, Charlie was on one knee. We stayed at the top of Cat Mountain drinking wine and taking in the beautiful view, until we realized we still had to hike back down!

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The Details wedding date

AUGUST 13, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE INN AT ERLOWEST photographer ROB SPRING event decorator // wedding planner ALEXIS WALLACE stationary suite THREE LITTLE BIRDS DESIGN bride's dress FRANCESCA'S BRIDAL SALON rings SAMUELSON'S DIAMONDS groom's tuxedo GENTUX groomsmen ties THE TIE BAR hair SHIRLEY PADASAK makeup BAILEIGH PADASAK flowers PRICE CHOPPER transportation UPSTATE TRANSIT OF SARATOGA caterer THE INN AT ERLOWEST cake LAKE GEORGE BAKING COMPANY band / dj EVENTS BY COOL CAT first dance YOU ARE THE BEST THING -RAY LAMONTAGNE honeymoon destination MAUI advice to pass along...

NEVER STOP DATING!

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Real Brides |

Brooke & John

THE MANSION INN

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY BLACKBURN PORTRAIT DESIGN

B

rooke and John have a classic Saratoga love story that completely encapsulates everything that the city represents.

The two met while attending a fundraising event at Chianti Restaurant, an elegant Italian restaurant in downtown Saratoga. John, an “avid racing fan”, was accompanying his close friend, a disabled Jockey, at the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) event; Brooke attended the fundraiser with her parents, who are horse trainers and are actively involved in the racing industry.

After an immediate connection, John and Brooke instantly bonded over their favorite shared activities and views, above and beyond horse racing… skiing, racing, hiking, boating and the importance of spending time with family and friends.

The couple only needed a few months to realize that they were getting more serious. Yet, instead of over thinking, Brooke and John just allowed their intuition to take over and see where this exciting, strong connection would take them. Their first big decision as a couple was agreeing to move to Saratoga together, since they both loved the area. Three years later the couple’s relationship came full circle when John asked Brooke to marry him, in the same place they had their first date: Congress Park.

Brooke was caught completely off-guard when John proposed, but she knew with total clarity that she wanted to spend her life learning, loving and growing with her partner by her side.

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After Brooke said “yes” to John, they made their way to Chianti Restaurant, buzzing with engagement excitement, to celebrate. Brooke was overwhelmed to find that 20 of their closest friends and family were waiting at Chianti, obviously in on the secret, to congratulate the couple on this next phase of their relationship.

Once the initial shock had subsided, Brooke began the tedious process of wedding planning. She and John knew they would share their “big day” with all of their loved ones in Saratoga. Brooke enjoyed the idea that their families would get the full “destination wedding” experience in a city that she and John now called home.

After touring The Mansion Inn, Brooke and John knew this was the perfect place to truly showcase their style and personalities. Any stress of wedding planning instantly melted away, thanks to The Mansion’s notoriously accommodating and knowledgeable staff.

Brooke and John loved that The Mansion offered the feeling that the space was a “blank canvas,” allowing the couple to add unique touches (such as, hand engraved chopsticks and welded horseshoe table numbers). Brooke expressed that she and John had a “flawless and personalized wedding day” thanks to the staff ’s ability to take a vision and turn it into reality.

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

AUGUST 19, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE MANSION INN photographer SUSAN BLACKBURN videographer MAYFLOWER PRODUCTIONS stationary suite CARTA BELLA DESIGN bride's dress BRIDAL REFLECTIONS rings LILY & DAVID bridesmaids' dresses LULU'S groom's & groomsmen tuxedos JOSEPH A. BANK hair & makeup MAKE ME FABULOUS event coordinator ANNIE BRILL flowers BALET FLOWERS & DESIGN transportation UPSTATE TRANSIT-SARATOGA caterer & cake THE MANSION INN band / dj DJ TEDDY (TEDDY RAUERT) first dance DIE A HAPPY MAN -THOMAS RHETT honeymoon destination MINIMOON: NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND // BIG HONEYMOON TO BE PLANNED special touches...

DIY RUSTIC/ELEGANT PIECES

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

SPRING/SUMMER 2018 | SARATOGA BRIDE | 115

Real Brides |

Bre & Brett

THE MANSION INN

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

B

reanne and Brett are Saratoga locals, born and raised. They attended Saratoga Springs High School together and graduated the same year.

However, the couple did not even know each other until mutual friends introduced them the summer after their freshman year of college.

Immediately the couple connected on a stronger level, knowing this was already much more than a summer fling. Brett and Breanne spent the next nine years as a couple, while building upon their individual lives… ultimately, they constructed a strong foundation for their future as a couple.

Breanne recalls the three years she and Brett spent apart to finish school, meaning a large portion of their relationship was as a long-distance couple. But, Breanne credits their communication skills and relaxed attitudes to be essential ingredients to a successful long-term, longdistance relationship. She and Brett knew they were going to be together permanently, which made the years of being apart a worthwhile journey.

The couple loved to escape the city for the comfort of their hometown to visit with family and friends. One particularly snowy visit home, Breanne and Brett went for a walk along the streets of Downtown Saratoga, enjoying the quiet calm of the off season. Breanne, who was still attending graduate school, had some lingering school stress that she could not seem to shake off. But, Brett turned Breanne’s academic stress into nervous excitement when he proposed to her that evening on Caroline Street.

Automatically, they knew they would have their wedding in Saratoga, but felt they did not need to rush the process. Breanne and her future husband spent two years engaged, giving the couple ample time to plan.

Brett and Breanne felt that it was important to make their wedding just as much of a celebration of their union as well as an opportunity to highlight how grateful they were for the support and encouragement from close friends and family members involved in their lives.

Admittedly, long-distance was tough to endure, but visiting each other allowed the couple to cherish the time they spent together, and made every moment meaningful. Those moments were the glue that kept their relationship strong and sturdy.

Breanne stopped looking at other venues when she and Brett visited The Mansion Inn because it offered the rustic, relaxed vibe that they were seeking.

The Mansion staff was extremely accommodating and made the couple’s entire wedding feel personalized and a genuine reflection of their personalities.

After graduating college, Brett and Breanne moved into an apartment in New York City together, and focused on balancing their relationship, embarking on new adventures and furthering their educations (eventually graduating with Master’s degrees). Once both Brett and Breanne started to settle in to their careers, the next exciting (and logical) adventure was marriage.

When asked how she felt about the planning process, Breanne shared that she did not encounter much stress, mainly because she began planning two years in advance (allowing open availability amongst other vendors).

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The couple expressed they loved having a long engagement and that as long as they were happy, a two-year engagement had no effect on their already solid, concrete relationship.

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The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ceremony & reception location THE MANSION INN photographer ROB SPRING videographer KLASSEY PRODUCTIONS bride's dress NICOLE MILLER BRIDE, SOHO NYC bridesmaids' dresses SHOW ME YOUR MUMU groom's and groomsmen tuxedos THE BLACK TUX groom's tie THE KNOTTY TIE hair BLUE PEREGRINE SALON, MEGHAN FLEWWELLING AND RACHEL HILL makeup CASSANDRA MCKENNA MAKEUP ARTISTRY flowers SAMANTHA NASS FLORAL DESIGN transportation UPSTATE TRANSIT caterer & cake CHEF RICK AT THE MANSION INN band / dj FUNK EVOLUTION first dance XO, BY JOHN MAYER ceremony music NORTHLAND CHAMBER ENSEMBLE officiant REV. JOY BURKE tent/ lights rental RAIN OR SHINE TENT CO. honeymoon destination BARBADOS special touches... Our theme was rustic/ natural Saratoga. I used a wide range of earth tone color palettes from the girls dresses to the green and muted foliage in the florals. This was paired with Saratoga Street Signs instead of Table numbers, and Saratoga Olive Oil as the place cards/gifts. advice to pass along... Take your time planning your wedding! We had a little over a 2 year engagement. While some may think that’s a long time, it goes quick!

It allows you to plan without a sense of stress/urgency, you can usually book all of your top vendors, and it allows time financially to budget and save.

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Real Brides |

Courtney & Tommy

WEDDING BARN AT LAKOTAS FARM

WRITTEN BY ACACIA LADD-COCCA PHOTOS BY GARRENTEE PHOTOGRAPHY

C

ourtney and Tom met in college and, looking back, could have been love at first sight. Except, the two did not actually begin talking until two years later, after Tom reconnected with Courtney via a Facebook request that she had sent (so long ago that she did not even remember requesting him as a friend).

Courtney shared that maybe fate had a part to play in their love story because they were both moving forward with their careers in Lebanon, New Hampshire, but she still gives Tom a hard time for taking so long to accept that request. Good things come to those who wait, right?

The couple eventually “just knew” they would get married at some point in the future, but they both wanted to get settled into their careers before making big life decisions.

Tom and Courtney were on vacation in Tom’s home town of Baltimore, Maryland, when he proposed to her in their hotel room. Courtney expressed her surprise and delight to find that after returning from a football game (a shared hobby of theirs) Tom had decorated the room in flowers. The setting was intimate and private, which was exactly what Courtney wanted, since she described herself as someone who does not enjoy the spotlight around strangers.

The newly engaged couple knew that they wanted a destination wedding and Saratoga felt like the right decision. Courtney had vacationed many 118 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

times in the area, and Tom grew up in Clifton Park as a child before moving to Maryland. They both loved the historic and scenic ambiance that Saratoga offered.

When they visited the Barn at Lakota’s Farm, they knew that was the place they would share their most important day with friends and family. Courtney loved that the Barn was in a desolate area and provided a unique touch. Kim Finney helped the couple plan their wedding in its entirety, who Courtney credited the success of every detail of the planning process.

Courtney shared that she and Tom encountered very little stress because they accepted help when they were offered. She acknowledged that allowing others to step in and take some of the reigns can be nerve wracking, but that it was the best decision she made to ensure their wedding went as planned.

Everything went better than the couple could have imagined. Courtney reflected on the journey into being a newlywed saying, “From the outside looking in, we are just two ordinary newlyweds. In love, happy, excited to see what adventures life throws our way, but if you scratch the surface you will see how neither of us could have ever planned or foreseen our lives crashing into each other the way ours did.”

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The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ceremony & reception location WEDDING BARN AT LAKOTA'S FARM photographer GARREN POIRIER FROM GARRENTEE PHOTOGRAPHY videographer HALEY HARRINGTON FROM OTD COLLECTIVE event decorator KIM & RENA OF WEDDING BARN AT LAKOTAS FARM bride's dress SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL rings MCGARRYS JEWELERS bridesmaids' dresses JOCELYNS groom's and groomsmen tuxedos MEN'S WAREHOUSE hair JADE MARTELL makeup ERIN MARZILLI wedding planner KIM FINNEY flowers RENAS FINE FLOWERS transportation DUFOURS TOURS caterer & cake LILY AND THE ROSE band / dj COOL CAT first dance HARVEST MOON -NEIL YOUNG honeymoon destination CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE advice to pass along...

Take a deep breath 

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Real Brides |

Kristen & Corey

BETHESDA EPISCOPAL CHURCH // NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DANCE

WRITTEN BY KRISTEN FRIEDMAN PHOTOS BY ANDREW FRANCIOSA

C

orey and I had been dating for ten years at the time of our wedding, starting in high school at the age of just sixteen.

Together, we conquered proms, graduation, college and career paths, sharing some of the hardest and happiest times of our lives. Our love story seems very serendipitous in nature, not having ever expected to find a lasting love at such a young agemaking it the perfect beginning to our happily ever after.

After eight years of dating, Corey proposed at Christmas time- in front of the tree, twinkling lights, presents galore, the whole nine yards. We were surrounded by my entire family- how they didn’t spill the news beforehand blows my mind! The proposal was so emotional being a long time coming, there wasn’t a dry eye in

120 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

the room. Being the Christmas fanatic I am, this was the most romantic thing I could have ever dreamed of!

The next two years consisted of countless hours of wedding research and planning. Having both grown up in the Capital District, it was always our desire to stay local. We both just fell in love with the quintessential charm and beauty of Saratoga Springs. The moment we stepped foot inside both our ceremony and reception locations, we knew they were perfect.

Our wedding day could not have been more beautiful, thanks to our amazing team of vendors. Surrounded by friends and family, we said “I Do” and shared the most amazing day of our lives!

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The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ceremony location BETHESDA EPISCOPAL CHURCH reception location NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DANCE photographer ANDREW FRANCIOSA videographer THE HARRIS CO. event decorator // wedding planner MICHELLE DISCHAIVO OF INTUITION EVENTS stationary suite PAPER DOLLS OF SARATOGA bride's dress LILY SARATOGA rings HANNOUSH bridesmaids' dresses XENA BRIDAL groom's and groomsmen tuxedos TUXEGO hair ASHLEY SMITH makeup RACHEL DUNCAN OF COLOR ME GORGEOUS flowers MICHELLE DISCHAIVO transportation TODAYS LIMO caterer MALLOZZIS cake VILLA ITALIA band / dj SEH ENTERTAINMENT photobooth SMILE LOUNGE PHOTOBOOTH first dance A THOUSAND YEARS -CHRISTINA PERRI hotel SARATOGA CASINO HOTEL cigar roller HABANNA CIGAR SHOPPE dress alterations WILL FIT U IN linens TOTAL EVENTS honeymoon destination ITALY, GREECE, MONTENEGRO, AND CROATIA special touches...

Signature drinks sign made after our very much adored kittens  advice to pass along...

Try to take a moment to yourselves after the cermony to take everything in.

And have fun, have lots of fun!

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Real Brides |

Madeline & Kevin ANNE'S WASHINGTON INN

WRITTEN BY MADELINE NEUMEISTER PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

O

ur story started in Saratoga Springs on Halloween weekend 2012. Kevin and his fellow newly transplanted naval officers decided to try out their Disney princess costumes at the first bar that looked fun: Gaffney’s. As fate would have it, my friends and I did the same. After seeing Kevin in his Little Mermaid costume, I knew I had found someone that could make me laugh.

Following several amazing months of sharing my hometown and exploring the Capital Region, Kevin found out he was being stationed 8,000 miles away on Guam and at the same time I was given a great job opportunity in DC. We knew our relationship was worth any cost, and spent eighteen months working through the fourteen-hour time difference and countless months of

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silence while Kevin deployed. Eventually, I made the best decision of my life, and moved to Guam.

Our time together there allowed us to grow even closer, while sharing so many new and exciting experiences. Hiking the islands’ jungles, scuba diving in Palau, and traveling to Hong Kong set the tone for an adventurous future together. Kevin proposed on our favorite beach overlooking the bay at sunset.

Although Kevin is from Cincinnati and we recently moved to Connecticut, we wanted the celebrations to be where we made so many of our earliest memories. Our wedding day was pure bliss.

Surrounded by our closest family and friends and with the help of our phenomenal local vendors, it was one for the books. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 ceremony & reception location ANNE'S WASHINGTON INN photographer ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY stationary suite LYDIA'S (FREDERICKSBURG, VA) bride's dress LILY SARATOGA rings ENGAGEMENT: BLUE NILE WEDDING BANDS: ULMAN'S (FREDERICKSBURG, VA) bridesmaids' dresses SHOW ME YOUR MUMU groom's and groomsmen tuxedos MR. FORMAL WEAR hair LUXE SALON|SPA makeup CARINA SCOTT MAKEUP wedding planner WENDY LAWRENCE flowers RENE TAYLOR caterer PANZA'S RESTAURANT cake GAMBLES BAKERY italian cookies BELLA-NAPOLI ITALIAN BAKERY band / dj SPA CITY DUO (CEREMONY & COCTAIL HOUR) // CAPITAL DISC JOCKEYS (RECEPTION) first dance HOME -EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS rentals BELMONTE & SONS TENTS honeymoon destination STOWE, VT special touches...Welcome Boxes filled with Saratoga water & Saratoga Chips from Saratoga Candy Co. Homemade cookies & itinerary. Grandmother's Pewter collection used for centerpieces. Rehersal Dinner was at Gaffneys, where we met. advice to pass along... Don't lose yourself in the celebration, take some time to take it all in with your new husband. Steal the mic and rap your favorite song! Enjoy every second and don't stress about the little things.

Polaroid cameras for the candids!

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Real Brides |

Donna & Richard

SARATOGA GOLF & POLO CLUB

WRITTEN BY DONNA PARISI PHOTOS BY CANDIDLY BETH

O

ur meeting was truly divine intervention. I met Richard while out to dinner with two women who had worked with my long-term partner Lou, before he passed away.

Richard had also lost his wife, Giovanna.

We were two lost souls, going through a difficult time. As we talked, I discovered more things we had in common. Richard had been Lou’s roommate in medical school and they had been great friends for many years. We both loved Italy, great food and wine.

One month later, we were dining out regularly and couldn’t believe how comfortable we were with one another. I shared things with Richard that I've never shared with anyone before.

We spent hours together with such ease and grace.

I fell in love with Richard's laugh, spirit, and how he treated every moment as if it was a brand new experience.

A year later, we were engaged and celebrating in Italy. Planning our wedding day was effortless because everything just seemed to fall into place.

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I grew up with drummer Bobby Zampino, of the amazing Grand Central Station Band. My childhood best friend, Philomena Aceto, agreed to be our officiator. My long time best-friendforever, Denise Eliopolous, owner of Something Bleu Bridal, dressed me and helped me with every detail, as did my maid of honor, my sister Denise Falvo, and niece Natalie Caruso.

We were married at the beautiful Saratoga Golf and Polo Club where Sandy Lindner answered my every question in a timely manner and assuaged all my nervous bride concerns.

The wedding day was absolutely perfect. Our first dance went off without a hitch, the weather was gorgeous, and the venue was decorated with simple calla lilies in memory of my mom. My brother David Parisi walked me down the aisle as I held a longstem calla lily bouquet tightly wrapped in my mom’s handkerchief.

Our guests laughed and danced into the evening. Richard and I will cherish September 17, 2017 as a special and memorable day for the rest of our lives. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 ceremony & reception location SARATOGA GOLF & POLO CLUB photographer BETH SHAW AT CANDIDLY BETH stationary suite JENNYCDESIGN.COM event decorator SAMANTHA NASS bride's dress SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL rings TRUE SANDERS bridesmaids' dresses DEANNA'S tuxedo BLANK LABEL (MADE TO ORDER) hair AMBER JORDAN OF SALON PURE makeup SHANNON SAIID wedding planner SANDY LINDNER OF SARATOGA GOLF AND POLO CLUB flowers SAMANTHA NASS transportation A&H LIMOUSINE SERVICE caterer SARATOGA GOLF AND POLO CLUB cake VILLA ITALIA band/dj GRAND CENTRAL STATION BAND first dance FLY ME TO THE MOON -FRANK SINATRA honeymoon destination CALIFORNIA seamstress KIM VANYO special touches...

Golf Ball attendant cards on golf tees and grass by Samantha Nass. advice to pass along...

Special thanks to Denise Eliopolus she helped me every step of the way!

SARATOGA BRIDE | 125

Real Brides |

Elizabeth & Peter BALLSTON SPA ST. MARYS CHURCH // THE STATE ROOM

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH FINGAR PHOTOS BY ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

P

eter and I were working for the same company in Saratoga when we met. It only took a few months for a couple of cordial coworkers to become friends. Eventually Peter asked me out, and while the date was very simple… it was amazing! He showed up at my door with flowers and opened the car door for me throughout the night. He took me to Lillian’s on Broadway, followed by a walk around Congress park. Then he took me bowling. We didn’t want the date to end and luckily – bowling alleys stay open late!! I suspect he let me win.

Eventually Peter moved back to his hometown of Hudson, NY (where we both live today) and continued a long-distance relationship. After 5 years of dating… Peter took me through 126 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Congress Park on that same walk. At some point… by the carousel and in between our conversation, Peter had stopped walking and when I turned around… he was on one knee. I couldn’t contain myself and burst into tears. I couldn’t even tell you if anyone else was in the park because at that moment it was just me and him. It was the most amazing moment!

Our wedding day could not have been more beautiful. Some things went wrong that day–just as I had been warned about– but luckily, we had amazing vendors who assured that the little mishaps didn’t take away from our moment. It was truly the best day ever!

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ceremony location BALLSTON SPA ST. MARYS CHURCH reception location THE STATE ROOM photographer ROB SPRING stationary suite SARATOGA PAPER DOLLS bride's and bridesmaids' dresses ANGELA'S BRIDAL rings J.E. HEATON JEWELERS groom's and groomsmen tuxedos MEN'S WAREHOUSE hair ERIN HUNDLEY; RED DOOR BEAUTY STUDIO LLC. makeup CASSANDRA MCKENNA D'ALBERTO flowers FLOWERS BY PESHA transportation ADVANTAGE TRANSIT caterer THE STATE ROOM cake COCCADOTS band / dj THE NEW YORK PLAYERS photobooth CHRISTINA PRIMERO PHOTOGRAPHY first dance ENDLESS LOVE -LIONEL RICHIE & DIANA ROSS honeymoon destination HAWAII special touches...

"La Hora Loca" Crespita Entertainment advice to pass along...

The day goes by so fast. Make a point to stop and just take in the moment.

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Real Brides |

Lisa & Jonathan

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, BALLSTON SPA // COURTYARD MARRIOTT, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

WRITTEN BY LISA GRADY PHOTOS BY DAVE BIGLER

J

onathan and I met five years ago in downtown Saratoga Springs; Jonathan was celebrating his birthday and I was celebrating Halloween in my new town. I had moved to the area for my first job out of college and Jonathan was born and raised in Saratoga. We were both attempting to move through the crowds and bumped into each other along the way. Jonathan stopped and introduced himself to me and we wound up talking the rest of the night, finding out we had many common interests and values, so that by the end of the night Jonathan told me he was going to marry me. We had our first and second dates the following week and never looked back.

After dating for three years, Jonathan proposed to me the 128 | SARATOGA BRIDE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

second he walked through the door from travelling back to my hometown and asking for my father’s permission. The next day sharing ideas on where we should get married, we knew we wanted to celebrate the first day of our life together in the city where we met and fell in love. Jonathan and I exchanged vows at St. Mary’s church, where Jonathan’s parents married 40 years ago.

We will forever cherish the memories made dancing the night away and reminisce over the fun and excitement captured by the photo booth. Our wedding event would not have been possible if it weren’t for the unwavering support of our parents, families, friends, and amazing vendors. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

The Details wedding date

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 ceremony location ST. MARY'S CHURCH, BALLSTON SPA reception location COURTYARD MARRIOTT, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS photographer DAVE BIGLER stationary suite WEDDING PAPER DIVAS bride's dress LILY SARATOGA rings LILY & DAVID FINE JEWELERS bridesmaids' dresses DAVID'S BRIDAL groom's & groomsmen's tuxedos MEN'S WAREHOUSE hair NURTURE GREEN SALON & SPA makeup LIPSTICK N'LASHES flowers NORTH COUNTRY FLOWERS transportation PREMIERE cake J&S WATKINS band / dj MIKE GARRASI MUSICMAN ENTERTAINMENT wedding planner ERIN ROSSI photobooth SMILEBOOTH PHOTO LOUNGE first dance ED SHEERAN - THINKING OUT LOUD honeymoon destination ARUBA swag & chandelier TOTAL EVENTS special touches... Favors: Wedding Cake Cookies made by my Aunt Tina.

Grady Family Friend, Delia, sang at our church ceremony. advice to pass along... Enjoy the process of planning a wedding! I always disliked when people would tell me weddings fly by because I didn't want it to, but it really does! Enjoy taking the time to meet vendors, planning with your families, and watching everyone enjoy themselves celebrating together.

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so precious... ©Allison Kuhn Creative

©Speer Images

©Speer Images ©Speer Images

©Tracey Buyce Photography

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©Niki Rossi Photography

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