Saratoga Bride Fall 2020

COMPLIED BY OLIVIA CAROZZA

Fall/Winter 2020 Complimentary

DESTINATION:

Saratoga!

REAL BRIDES

Real Stories!

Flip the page to see how OAS is doing since the fire…

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From the Editor Chris Vallone Bushee, Editor-in-Chief cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com • @SaratogaBride 518-581-2480 ext. 201 • SaratogaBRIDE.com hair by Diane Palma, photo by Alice Corey

Welcome to Saratoga BRIDE Magazine!

Just like the weddings that people are currently having, this edition of Saratoga Bride magazine is a little smaller than usual, but all the good stuff is still here...

Great Stories, Beautiful Photoshoots, Inspiring REAL BRIDES with tons of ideas, photos, and testimonials for their vendors.

As I was planning on what to run up front, I realized – Love Has Not Been Canceled – it just looks a little different at this moment in time.

Luckily, we have SaratogaBride.com to augment our print edition, with tons more photos, editorial and Real Brides!

Whether brides are planning their wedding from afar or are lucky enough to live in the Saratoga Region we have tons of weddings for inspiration!

Stunning photos, love stories, vendor testimonials and ads, yes… ADS! These are the businesses you need to plan your dream wedding! They are also the businesses that make it possible to print and distribute these beautiful, informative (Award-Winning!) magazines, so please mention us by name and let them know where you found them!

Saratoga BRIDE Magazine is not out to replace Martha Stewart Weddings (could you imagine?!) in your collection of bridal planning magazines, we just want to show you all the wonderful talent available right here… in the Saratoga Region!

Happy Planning!

Cover Photo

by The Pinckards See more of this photoshoot on page 29!

Chris

Award-Winning Saratoga BRIDE Magazine! by the New York Press Association

• Niche Publication - Glossy / 1st Place, SPRING 2017 • Niche Publication - Glossy / 2nd Place, FALL 2018 • Best Special Section Cover / 2nd Place, FALL 2018 • Niche Publication - Glossy-2nd Place, FALL 2019

OWNER/PUBLISHER Chad Beatty GENERAL MANAGER Robin Mitchell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Vallone Bushee GRAPHIC DESIGNER / ADVERTISING DESIGNER Marisa Scirocco ADVERTISING Jim Daley Cindy Durfey WRITERS Susan Blackburn Anne Gordon Meghan Lemery Fritz Angela Kehoe Marissa Mackay Tonya Pellegrini Megin Potter Theresa St. John PHOTOGRAPHERS Susan Blackburn Photography Heather Bohm Tallman Brayton Photography Bridget Photography Erin Covey Oh Darling Photography Hickory Hill Photography Les Loups Pictures and Songs The Pinckards Matt Ramos photography Niki Rossi Photography Rob Spring Photography Tom Stock Photography 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 © 2020, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper.

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contents fall / winter 2020

For more Real Brides, Editorial and Photo Shoots…

Visit SaratogaBride.com

A Good Read 6 The Lips Have It! 8 Advice from Wedding Professionals 10 The View from the Other Side 12 Scratch That!

17 Giving Back 24 Meghan Lemery Fritz Gives Good Advice

126

Photo by Niki Rossi

Destination: Saratoga Springs!

20 Meggie & Zachary Bright

Real Brides 58 Ashly & Shane Hathaway

Photoshoots

42 Cameron & Brandyn Peters

25 Sleek, Glamorous and Trendy!

46 Gabrielle & Edward Ladd

29 Mystical, Romantic and Dreamy

50 Melanie & Eric Speci

38 Emily & Matt Karlitz

54 Rochelle & Christopher Belfi 62 Stephanie & Jordan Meikle

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This Just in..

A Special Place in time

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

Bridal Path

W

hen the line of lipsticks that stylist Alayne Curtiss used were mostly discontinued in 2017, she thought to herself, ‘I can do this!’

During her more than 30-year career, Curtiss tried thousands of makeup, hair, and beauty products.

She knew what worked for the cameras and what her clients preferred. Modeling her cosmetics collection after what other industry pros had done before her, the Alayne Curtiss Bridal Beauty Satin Shimmer line of lipsticks make every day feel like a special day.

Formulated to be extremely wearable and never sticky with the perfect matte balance, each of the lipsticks is named in honor of a Saratoga street.

“Saratoga belongs on the map. People ask me how I am able to do so many weddings. It’s because people want to get married in Saratoga Springs.

They come to this city because it’s great and when they’re here they feel the best they’ve ever felt in their lives. They come back for more because they want to have the look and feel they did on that day, every day,” said Curtiss. ***

Tom Stock Photography

Just as gorgeous everyday, as it is on your special day, the Alayne Curtiss Bridal Beauty line of Satin Shimmer lipsticks are $16/each and are available exclusively at Alayne Curtiss’s Make Me Fabulous Salon locations or on their website at shop.makemefabulous.com/collections/lipstick Beverly Blvd. – One of their best-selling shades, this beautiful shimmery pink is tinged with the added intrigue of lilac purple.

Broadway – This is where all the action is, it’s the vibrant heart of the Saratoga Springs downtown scene and this lipstick, a perfect red with a touch of gold, says it all.

Bridal Path – Brand new for the Fall 2020 season, this pink looks great on darker skin tones and paired with flower girls’ rosy complexions. Destined to become a long-lasting signature color.

Duchess Court – Classic and confident, this light to medium pink, grabs your attention without the need to shout.

Gideon Putnam Way – Elegant and timeless, this rosy pink with neutral gold undertones, is both graceful and gorgeous.

Grand Ave. – This pinky plum with copper undertones will indeed have you feeling grand, just like its name suggests.

Madison Ave. – Jockeys and their steeds walk the runways here, and this neutral pink with peachy undertones brings out that slightly sporty side.

Newton Ave. – Like the street where Curtiss had her first home in Saratoga, this neutral beige pink holds a special place in her heart.

Phila Street – This street has a personality all its own. Recreate the cool, understated vibe that it inspires with this smooth, nude beige color.

Broadway

Thames Way – Brimming with beautiful architecture, this soft shimmery nude pink, will have you feeling as regal as the street it’s named after.

Whitney Place – Honor the influence, philanthropy and spirit of one of Saratoga’s most respected ladies with this peachy pink nude lip color.

Susan Blackburn Photography

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Mini-Monies, Micro Weddings, Intimate Affairs Whatever You Call It -

You Can Still Get Married!

Smaller Guest Counts:

Currently a maximum of 50 people are permitted to attend an event. Therefore, guest lists have been cut to immediate family members and very close friends. One huge benefit of a smaller wedding is that the reduced guest count will result in more money being available, allowing you to splurge on florals or perhaps menu items that would be otherwise outside your budget.

Sanitation – The New Favor: Some couples are running with this and providing personalized hand sanitizers and face masks.

Social Distancing: Many events are incorporating at least a partial outdoor format, whether it is the ceremony, cocktail hour, or the entire reception. Tents have always been popular, but they will play an even bigger roll moving forward. For elderly relatives, live streaming of the ceremony and event is becoming popular.

Whether or not a couple chooses to postpone or go ahead with their original date, the important thing to remember is that love has not been canceled. You still get to marry your special person. It just may look a little different. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, is it?

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Advice from a

LOCAL WEDDING PLANNER & HONEYMOON TRAVEL SPECIALIST

WRITTEN BY: TONYA PELLEGRINI, OWNER, PELLEGRINI EVENTS & ANNE GORDON, OWNER, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC

during COVID-19

TONYA’S WEDDING ADVICE: When couples get engaged to be married and start planning their wedding, it’s such a happy time. This year those couples were halted. As a planner, I have had many conversations with my clients about how to proceed.

Postpone, punt the date or get hitched, and tackle the big celebration later.

My advice has been to get married; after all, that’s why you were engaged in the first place. These are emotional and tough decisions to make as a couple when you envision your family and friends to be with you. It’s also hard to have your wedding date on the calendar and not have your wedding on that day.

2020 certainly did not turn out the way that any of us expected. It has been a challenging year for everyone, but we need to remember first and foremost, the loved ones that we have lost, those who continue to fight, and that this is far from over. We both believe strongly that couples should continue to celebrate their love and get married/ elope and go on local mini-moons. If there were ever a time to ‘seize the day,’ it would be right now.

Our roles when hired is that of advocates and advisors of our couples, so while we do not recommend delaying your actual marriage or celebrating that special day together as a couple, we are suggesting that you do indefinitely postpone the much larger celebration/ party/reception/ceremony along with the big dream honeymoon. The best part is that you can have it both ways, and we are both here to help you figure out how. None of you are alone, and it even holds in the wedding business right now, “we are all in this together!”

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One of my clients, Bill and Rachel, was scheduled to have their wedding on June 6th, 2020, at Universal Preservation Hall, but COVID altered their plans like many others. We had many discussions about what they could do; in the end, they could not sit back, and watch June 6th go by and not have a wedding. They decided to be married on their date at UPH with just the two of them.

How does this work to make it as unique and memorable as possible?

We worked with Samantha Nass Floral Design to make an intimate romantic space in the building with florals and candlelight, a beautiful bouquet, and a boutonniere in the original color scheme. We also had a photographer, Kevin DeMassio, and videographer, Lauren Caldwell, come to document the event.

The ceremony was so intimate and beautiful, but they didn’t stop there. Following the service, Bill and Rachel had photos and went to The Adelphi Hotel for a private dinner in a suite and were served the actual menu from their wedding. During dinner, they watched well wishes sent in by a loved one on a large-screen TV. The following day they packed up and hit the road for a mini-moon. They are so happy they decided not to wait. Bill and Rachel are still planning on having a massive celebration when all friends and family can attend along with a real honeymoon.

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ANNE’S HONEYMOON ADVICE: Live Life Travel is not booking any International travel at this time. I feel that there are too many unknowns and that our clients’ money is better protected in their own pockets until we know more. We are booking local travel and are highly recommending private ceremonies, wellness travel, and mini-moons. We are working closely with several of the very best local hotels and resorts to customize special celebration packages for our clients to guarantee an elevated experience beyond what one would traditionally get.

To reserve your special celebration with Live Life Travel, simply go to our website (www.livelifetravel.world) and click “Let’s Start Planning” and we’ll take care of everything from there, completely stress-free for you.

As with every trip that we plan, everything is customized based on your preferences and “must-haves.”

We are also launching a 6-month webinar series this Fall with the purpose being to support both the wedding and travel communities. These will not be “boring sales webinars” (no way!). They will be live and interactive and meant to answer all of your unanswered questions. They will feature exciting guests, including wedding planners, destination specialists, wellness specialists, local wedding vendors, and 5-star hoteliers, all focusing on different aspects of the wedding and honeymoon planning process. We’ll have lots of fun prizes, including a honeymoon sweepstakes for all who register.

We intend to remind everyone that we are all in this together, that you all have many resources (when you are ready), that there is no rush, and that you have a community of other couples in the same boat.

We will also be providing a platform for you all to connect outside of the webinar series.

Hang in there, everyone. Please continue to practice social distancing, wear your masks, stay safe, and be grateful for all of the love in your life. The best is yet to come.

Anne & Tonya www.livelifetravel.world www.pellegrinievents.com

SB

We would like to dedicate this to the life and memory of a very special women who we lost too early and suddenly, Tonya’s mother, Ann Murray Rothstein.

May she rest in peace.

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When an Industry Insider

Gets Married!

WRITTEN BY ANGELA KEHOE PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

“

I wasn’t in Stylist mode on my wedding day. I was relaxed, trying to enjoy the morning. Then the nerves set in! When I am working on a wedding, I am always in-the-zone, ready to make everything perfect for my bride.

I will do anything to make her stress free. For me, my maid and matron of honor made that possible.

It didn't set in that I was the bride and it was my wedding day until the photographer showed up.

Then it got very real - getting in the dress was when I got emotional!"

“In terms of how I am now with my brides at work, it made me so different! It made me more sensitive to my bride's needs and their anxiety levels.

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I will listen to her concerns and insecurities a little more carefully. I know now it is more about their jitters and not my ability as an artist. It’s the over thinking... from family drama, to wrinkles in the dress,to things not going 100% as planned.

But hopefully as an artist and recent bride, I can give my advice and care to make her look and feel perfect on her special day!

Vendors for Angela and John’s Wedding: VENUE:

Saratoga Lake Golf Course CHURCH:

Christ Episcopal in Ballston Spa

HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST:

True Beauty Company DRESS:

Sue Small DESSERTS:

Two Birds

ENTERTAINMENT:

Mark Hersh

FLOWERS:

Dehn’s Flowers

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“It's the little things that I realized mattered on your wedding day. Like having a personal touch up kit with extra things you may need.

I now appreciate those special touches we provide to our brides that make the day go that much easier.

I've always been a timely person and I realized how much it matters for our team to always run a little early.

It keeps the vibe of the morning so much more calm, relaxed and stress free!

“On my wedding day, we luckily were running a little early, so when my bridal party dressed me for the day, I felt so relaxed and happy! I was so excited for my first look, which every bride should do and couldn’t wait to show my mom and dad my beautiful self!” SB FALL/WINTER 2020 | SARATOGA BRIDE | 11

“Scratch That! ”

Kiley & Drew

A Tale of Two Brides…

R

Matt & Leslie

WRITTEN BY THERESA ST. JOHN PHOTOS PROVIDED

ecently, I had the opportunity to catch up with two beautiful brides-to-be. We spent time chatting on the phone, both filling me in on some of the struggles they had run into -and overcame- to make their dream wedding happen.

First off – let me say this; even though their stories were different, the common thread was the same. So, too, the emotion – which I could hear while we were speaking. Both made decisions that were unwelcome and taxing. The fact they were willing to adjust and adapt during the 2020 pandemic was impressive.

“Finally, he said this was the last time he’d ask me out,” Kiley laughs through the phone lines. “He wasn’t mean when he told me, and I did want to meet – he “It’s your reaction to seemed so perfect for me.”

adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.” ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

There were only two things that remained the same for Kiley and Drew; the venue – Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid and the date of their wedding, October 3rd, 2020. Everything else changed.

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Their romance is sweet. Kiley and Drew met on a popular dating site and talked several times before their actual meeting. He kept asking for a date, and she kept trying to figure out ways to avoid it.

They met April 25th, 2018, at Saratoga City Tavern. Drew was sitting at the bar, waiting for her. After spending the afternoon thinking up family emergencies that would excuse her from the date, Kiley gave in, dressed up, and walked into her future.

“He was adorable,” she tells me. “He looked up, saw me, and proceeded to spill his beer all over the counter.”

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After a few months into the relationship, they discovered their paths had crossed years before. “We were driving through Greenfield. When we passed St. Joseph’s, I mentioned that I’d attended church school there.

Drew laughed and told me he had as well. Imagine our surprise when we discovered we were in the same class – the same year!”

Later, when their moms pulled out photos from communion day, both youngsters were present.

“The most important thing was making sure my grandparents witnessed our marriage,” Kiley says.

“They’re older – turning 90 – and we were afraid if we postponed the wedding, their health might fail. Drew and I felt better keeping the original date – as if we had a tiny bit of control over this crazy coronavirus year.”

Initially, the wedding included 150 guests. Now, the couple will celebrate their special day with 35 guests – including themselves.

“When we began to think about our wedding – whether we should cancel or postpone our celebration, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort truly impressed us.

We’d already put down a hefty deposit. We needed to know what would happen if we, #1: canceled, or #2: downsized our guest list.”

Not only did the venue understand their dilemma during the pandemic – they were also willing to refund their money if they chose to cancel – or they could adjust the guest list and be refunded any leftover funds from their deposit. “It was an easy decision to stay with them.”

This year brought other challenges as well. Kiley took a fantastic position with Brooklyn Bowl, a 1200-capacity music venue and state-of-the-art-bowling center. She moved to their Nashville location in late February – only to have the business temporarily close – twice! Once due to damage from a tornado that hit a few days after her arrival. And presently due to state mandates during the pandemic.

Drew stayed behind to pack up their apartment in Connecticut and to undergo surgery on his shoulder.

When talk of borders and airports closing made the news, he moved to Nashville ahead of schedule, making sure he could get there before those things happened.

He also landed a job at Brooklyn Bowl as a chef in their kitchen, just days before it closed for the 2nd time. So, right now, they’re both unemployed, looking for work, riding out the storm together.

“We’re going to Zoom our ceremony, so families and friends can attend from home,” Drew tells me. “It’s been hard, having to roll with the punches, but, when you take everything away, it goes back to what’s essential. Our love for each other.”

Kiley ends our interview on a great note…

“When my grandmother air-hugs us and says ‘You’re blessed. If you’ve made it through all of this – you’re going to be fine,’ we know it’s true.”

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Leslie and Matt met through mutual friends and hit it off right away. They spent a lot of time chatting, getting to know each other before they started hanging out.

“One of my favorite things to talk about is how Matt proposed to me,” the bride-to-be tells me when we chat over the phone.

“Let me preface that by telling you Burlington, Vermont, is a special place – it’s where we had our first date.”

Leslie relates how the couple enjoyed each other’s company that day, wandering through quaint little shops, getting to know one another while sharing ‘the best potato skins ever!’ in a local restaurant.

“We decided to revisit the area with Matt’s brother and a friend of mine.” It’s easy to hear her smile through the phone. The date was September 29th, 2018. “We went to a restaurant for lunch, then went to the river to take some fun photos. I turned around at one point, and Matt was on his knee, proposing.” It was nice to picture his romantic gesture, at the place that meant so much to the pair.

“I must have cried for five minutes – it was so emotional and such a surprise.”

“Did you say yes, though?” We laugh together, and Leslie tells me her answer was just what Matt wanted to hear.

Plans for the wedding proceeded.

They were going to be married in Lake George, at Fort William Henry, September 6th, 2020.

There would be around 125 guests attending, and Brody – Matt’s eight year old son – will be his co-best man.

Leslie says her meeting with Brody for the first time was quite a success. “Of course, I wanted to impress him – he was fouryears-old and the child of the man I was falling in love with.”

When I ask how it went, she giggles. “It was a huge hit,” she tells me. “I brought Ninja Turtle masks, we watched a Ninja Turtle movie – his favorite, and the three of us enjoyed a pizza party.”

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When the Coronavirus hit, and things began to shut down all over the world, Leslie and Matt still had hopes that it would be a green-light for their wedding date. “At first, everyone thought it was going to be a few-week inconvenience, that COVID-19 was going to be under control, and life would return to normal quickly.” Little did we all know the enormous toll the pandemic would have.

I can hear the crack in her voice – I feel the pain and emotion in each choice that followed.

“In late June, we spoke with the wedding coordinator, and there were just so many restrictions. We would have to lower our guest count to 50; everyone would need to wear masks – even when dancing. We wanted to have a buffet – which posed another set of problems, and then there were restrictions on travel we’d have to deal with.”

Many guests would be traveling in from other states.

Besides that, the quarantine of 14 days didn’t make sense.

July 10th brought the tough but necessary decision to cancel the wedding for the time being.

“My mom and sister helped us work through the stress of calling it off. They were able to be objective.” Leslie confides. “Afterwards, we began to get in touch with all our vendors. We needed to find a date that would work for all of them.”

Leslie and Matt explain how they wanted Scott Palone – a DJ for Diamond Entertainment, out of the Capital District, to host their special day. After attending another wedding, experiencing Scott’s ability to get everyone up on the dance floor, the couple put him at the top of their ‘must-have’ list.

The couple’s new date is August 6th, 2021. Fort William Henry’s historic ballroom - The White Lion Room, is where they’ll hold the reception.

Their wedding colors are hot pink and navy. I ask about the flowers, and Leslie happily chimes in… “My mother (Debbie) has been the floral designer at Dehn’s Flowers for years, and she’ll be doing my flowers!”

“My mom knows how much I love color – and for my wedding, I want shades that are fun and happy, ones that will pop.”

“Nothing in 2020 has worked out,” she states. “We even canceled the bridal shower – which was going to be at the town park.” I can only imagine their emotions have been a whirlwind of ups-and-downs. But I sense relief and can hear the excitement in Leslie and Matt’s voices.

This year will pass, a new year will dawn. The couple will be husband and wife. At long last, all will be well with their world.

The two brides sum it up best; “Honestly, if you take everything else away, strip it down to bare bones, you’re back to what the day is really about.” ~ Kiley Stevens SB saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

“Things didn’t turn out just like we planned.

But, we’re stronger as a couple by embracing this sentiment -It'll be worth the wait.” ~ Leslie Converse

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RIPPLE EFFECT How helping one bride during the pandemic created ripples of positivity.

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

T

his year’s pandemic put an unimaginable strain on healthcare workers. They were working long hours to care for patients while putting their personal lives on hold.

This spring, the event planners at Fine Affairs and Laura Simiele from Communicate Differently decided to do something remarkable to help ease the burden on couples working in healthcare who also had the added stress of planning a wedding.

The Healthcare Hero Wedding Relief Package includes: • Decor & Rental items by Fine Affairs • A Floral credit from Surroundings Floral Studio • Ceremony and Cocktail Hour live acoustic music by Jay Yager • Wedding Coordination Services from Wendy Lawrence Weddings & Events

• Penthouse Suite Planning Retreat at Pavilion Grand Hotel including a full pamper day by Make Me Fab Salon, Spa and Bridal • Custom Hand Painted Wedding Glasses & Christmas Ornament by Custom Creations By Cyndie Wade

• Bridal Day-Of Hair & Makeup by Blush518

• Bridal Shop credit for in house gown and designer tux by Ferri Formals & Bridals

• Barber Services for the Groom by Matthew Shufelt from Vinny's Barbershop of Saratoga

• A Credit towards the New York Players Mike Emery A total value of more than $15,000!

SB

“We thought, ‘What if we could just help make one person feel good and relieve some of the pressure by taking the stress off?’,” said Geriann Eddy, President of Fine Affairs.

They created the Healthcare Hero Wedding Relief Package. This social media campaign invited friends and family to nominate a deserving healthcare worker on Facebook and Instagram with the tag #healthcarehero, for a wedding package offering $7,500 in wedding services.

Once the word spread about what they were doing, the donations started pouring in and the prize doubled to a whopping $15,000 value.

“Once we had our mission, everybody was absolutely like, ‘I’m in!’ We could’ve kept growing it with the wonderful range of people who donated,” said Eddy.

Participants logged on to Facebook and Instagram once a day for two weeks to nominate their candidate and cite the reason why. The person with the most votes would be named the winner.

There was no negativity at all, even when two brides were neck-in-neck in the competition, said Eddy.

“Every evening we couldn’t wait to see the voting because it was so positive for us, too. We would’ve liked to give it to everybody if we could’ve,” she said.

On May 1st, Amanda Kondrat and her fiancée, who are both nurses, were named the winners.

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Pitney Meadows Community Farm NOW HOSTING WEDDINGS! PHOTOGRAPHED BY HEATHER BOHM TALLMAN

See Ashley and Tim’s full wedding in the SPRING / SUMMER Saratoga Bride, due out in early 2021

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DESTINATION:

Saratoga Springs

wedding gown HERMIONE DE PAULA IN LONDON, U.K. location FAMILY HOME, GREENFIELD CENTER photographer LES LOUPS PICTURES AND SONGS

Meggie & Zachary Bright

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the details wedding date September 28, 2019 location Family Home, Greenfield Center photographer Les Loups Pictures and Songs event decorator Rain or Shine Tent Rental wedding gown Hermione de Paula in London, U.K. bridesmaids' dresses Each bridesmaid chose their own white or ivory gown tuxedo Tom Ford rings Neil Lane flowers Blooms for Rooms wedding planner Shannon Whitney Anson Wedding Planning Plus hair & Make up Make Me Fabulous cake / caterer Lily and the Rose band Metropolitan Players photobooth Smile Lounge first dance "This Must Be the Place," Talking Heads honeymoon Fiji Sunday Brunch Catering Deliciously Different Rehearsal Dinner Venue Hattie's Downtown Saratoga special touches...

The ceremony/reception location has been in Zach's family for over 100 years.

Located on Wilsey Road, many Wilseys live and have lived on the property, and it is very special to us. My dress designer specializes in bespoke embroidery, so she was able to embroider special, secret messages in my gown, such as the wedding date and our pets.

One of our best friends who we have known since before we met, Matthew Metzger, officiated the ceremony and my grandmother read a special passage.

Our dog is a big part of our lives, so we had a flower necklace made for her and she walked down the aisle. advice to pass along...

Try to enjoy it and not stress too much during the planning process!

It all goes by so fast, and whatever happens, it will still be the best day of your life!

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F

rom opposite sides of the country and years before we met, Zach and I both committed to Wake Forest University (North Carolina) in 2008, but later chose to attend Boston College off the waitlist. After nearly three years of crossing paths at parties and in dining halls, we unknowingly moved into the same house our junior year and became fast friends. After a few months and just one kiss, we had become inseparable.

were mostly greenery consisting of ferns and eucalyptus along with white roses and baby’s breath. We had other fall touches, such as an Apple Cider Margarita as our signature cocktail, Apple Cider Donuts, heaters for the barn and tent, and pashminas for anyone chilly during the night (even though it ended up being very warm!).

Part of this vision was a romantic, long sleeve gown that I had fantasized about for years.

I knew the exact style wanted, but I had not come across the “perfect” dress until We moved from Boston to New York I saw a dress designed by Hermione de City, where we lived for five years, in four different apartments and with three Paula. Specializing in bespoke embroidery, Hermione creates the most beautiful custom animals. In 2017, I decided to attend lace designed with love messages, making law school in Los Angeles and moved each dress wonderfully special and unique. I that fall before Zach could join me.

Unknown to me, Zach had already asked my dad, designed a ring, and carried it around in his pocket for months until he surprised me in Los Angeles and got down on one knee in the backyard of our new home.

our story

planned a trip with my mother and sister to London for a fitting, and the final realization of my vision was everything and more complete with hidden embroidery of our dog and three cats.

Our wedding weekend could not have been more perfect and magical, and we are so thankful to Shannon and our other vendors that made it what it was! We had family fly in from all over the country, so we had a welcome party on Thursday, a rehearsal at Hattie's on Friday, and a catered brunch by Deliciously Different at the house on Sunday.

By stretching out the weekend, we actually had time to catch up with family and friends we love and miss, which you don't really get to do on the day of your wedding! SB

Zach's mother grew up on the property where we were married, and it has been in her family since the Civil War. Over time, they added a cabin to the property where we would spend countless weekends and summer getaways. Long before we even got engaged, I knew that this special place is where we would be married.

Once we were engaged, I knew that wedding planning from across the country, as a law student, would not be easy! I already had a specific vision for what the wedding would look like before I hired our planner, but I knew that I would need as much help as I could get. Shannon Whitney Anson of Wedding Planning Plus specializes in “wedding weekends” and had rave reviews from every bride who worked with her, so I knew that she would be able to execute my vision… even without me there!

We had an initial meeting in December of 2018 to go through all the major details, but after that, we did most of the planning over the phone or Aisle Planner! I shared my Pinterest board and other inspiration photos, and then we could talk it through to make sure she knew exactly what I wanted.

Shannon is well known in the area and has planned countless weddings, so she was absolutely crucial in helping us book our vendors from Los Angeles. We flew back to Saratoga a couple of times for choosing the menu and rentals, but Shannon was absolutely VITAL in making us feel confident from so far away.

Since our wedding was set to be outside in late September, we wanted the decor to be very natural and to complement the beautiful scenery and the changing of leaves. The flowers saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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Wedding P lanning

DURING A PANDEMIC

MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ LCSW-R Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. for more information: email meghanlemery@yahoo.com

How to Avoid A Meltdown!

T

is the season for insanity. It feels like every day we have to choose between our sanity and our safety. Do you go ahead and plan the dream wedding you want with a twenty-piece horn band and 200 people, or do you scale down and plan something that lines up with pandemic party guidelines?

First things first, GRIEVE! Allow yourself some time to feel lousy about the fact that you are engaged during an apocalyptic time.

Lots of people will remind you how blessed you are to have found a life partner and that you should make some lemonade out of your lemons but all this does is stuff your feelings into a closet of resentment and bitterness.

Cry your eyes out, primal scream in your car or sleep an entire weekend away. You get to grieve!

Next step, finish this sentence for me, “If it wasn’t for a pandemic, my dream wedding would be…” Write it out, be as specific as you want.

Once you have your vision talk it out with your partner. Do you both share the same vision? Talk out your

ideas and tweak details to make sure you both feel heard. This can be a difficult process so if you need a third party to help you sort it out get some help!

Now the fun begins. What works in a time of pandemic? What are the options? Identifying and exhausting every option available is key to helping you navigate wedding planning during this time.

Remember, you can plan a small wedding now and have the bash of the century when things change.

Don’t allow stress, worry and anxiety to rob you of your joy. You get to do what works for you and your partner.

Do not over explain your choice to well-intentioned family members.

Stick to the plan that works for you and move forward.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think there is a book out there yet on wedding planning during a pandemic, the rules are… there are no rules!

Have a good old ugly cry, write down your vision and review all your options.

YOU GOT THIS!!

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Hot, Hot, Haute...

Wedding attire to run away in!

GABBY WRIGHT MODELING, FERRI FORMALS AND BRIDALS AS PHOTOGRAPHED BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

Long Sleeve Crepe Romper Be effortlessly stylish in this long sleeve crepe romper.

It features an A-line skirt with a slit to reveal shorts underneath.

JustinAlexander.com

by Lillian West. #66120

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Jumpsuit with jacket

Oslo V-Neck Crepe Jumpsuit Modern and chic describes this slim fitting V-neckline jumpsuit.

JustinAlexander.com Signature Collection. #99052

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Short sleeved sparkly jumpsuit

Andorra Jumpsuit Be a trendsetter in this fully beaded jumpsuit!

JustinAlexander.com Signature Collection#99067

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An Adventurous Elopement WRITTEN BY

MARISSA MACKAY OF SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL PHOTOS BY THE PINCKARDS

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estled into the Adirondack High Peaks, Indian Head is a slice of unencumbered tranquility.

Show stopping views and the serenity that comes with the beauty of nature was just the right recipe to showcase the love shared between Amanda and Sean.

Florals, gown, accessories, food and drink were meticulously packed to prevent any damage during the 6 mile hike in. Hair and make up was completed prior to the hike to help minimize and simplify what would have to be packed in.

This intimate ceremony puts an emphasis on celebrating love in a quiet yet extraordinary way.

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These past months have challenged us all to recalibrate what is important to us. To reevaluate our expectations. To some, this was a blessing. It was the excuse needed to cut the grandeur and create the intimate celebration they dreamed of. To others, the act of cutting their guest list short was pure heartache.

Wedding vendors across the industry have worked hard and worked together to help accommodate the ever changing needs of our brides due to ever changing circumstances.

It might have started with a rebooking or the impromptu creation of a mini-mony or as simple as storing their wedding dress a little longer. Even being willing to press a gown twice to help our brides celebrate their love intimately and immediately then once more, down the road, in a grand way...perhaps with everyone on their original guest list if possible!

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Let me be one of the people to say that you (Brides, Grooms and Vendors alike) handled this with grace. 2020 dealt a pretty tough hand and left us all with minimal options. Weddings were planned and re planned and everyone is tired of all the guesswork. Many found a way to celebrate love and it worked!! That big celebration with everyone might be on hold, but love has not stopped.

Love will never stop. It is not paused and waiting.

Love is now. Love is every day.

STYLING

@somethingbleubridal PHOTOGRAPHY

FLORALS

@bostonandburke CAKE

@thepinckards

@twobirdsmarketplace

GOWN

HAIR & MAKEUP

SLEEVED VEIL & HEADPIECES

MODELS

Lily by @florabridal @headpiececom

@emilytaisey

Amanda & Sean Dropchinski @amandadockstader

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Real Brides and our love stories...

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

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Ashly & Shane Hathaway C a m e r o n & B r a n d y n Pe t e r s E m i l y & M a t t Ka r l i t z G a b r i e l l e & E d w a r d La d d Melanie & Eric Speci Rochelle & Christopher Belfi Stephanie & Jordan Meikle

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Emily & Matt Karlitz

Thank you to Rob Spring Photography for this real bride!

wedding gown: LILY SARATOGA location: THE BLUE HEN, ADEPHI HOTEL photographer: ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

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Our Story

M

att and I started dating about 2 years ago. Given that we both had children from previous relationships we were very cautious and intentional from the beginning. What started out as a solid friendship bloomed into love as we both realized we had common goals and priorities.

I grew up in Saratoga and Matt relocated here after college, but it has become one of our favorite places. Even though we live here, there was no question that we wanted to have a very Saratoga wedding. Matt proposed in front of The Adelphi Hotel in June 2020.

The Adelphi has always been a favorite place of ours downtown and I think we both knew we'd like to get married there. But, 2020 meant the pandemic and COVID. We decided we really wanted to start our lives together with our kids so we planned a wedding for September 12, 2020, just 12 weeks after getting engaged!

Because we could only have a ceremony and a dinner, we focused all our energy into those things. We had only 27 guests; immediate family, and a handful of close friends.

The day was about our union and our children, and it could not have been more perfect. Our vendors perfectly understood our vision and worked so carefully to keep everyone safe without compromising on the experience.

We had amazing weather, the best vendors, the perfect venue and at the end of the day we were married!

What could be better?

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The Details WEDDING DATE September 12, 2020 CEREMONY Adephi Hotel RECEPTION LOCATION The Blue Hen, Adephi Hotel PHOTOGRAPHER Rob Spring Photography STATIONERY SUITE Paperdolls WEDDING GOWN Lily Saratoga GROOM/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING Simon's Menswear (Mike), Greenfield RINGS Wedding bands - N. Fox, Engagement ring from a jeweler in Texas FLOWERS Samantha Nass Floral Design HAIR & MAKEUP Revive Hair and Skin (Juliet Smith) CAKE/CATERER The Blue Hen DJ Anthony & Tyler from Non-Stop Music FIRST DANCE "Love Like This" by Ben Rectort OFFICIANT Dianne Patterson - From The Heart Ceremonies.

"GUEST BOOK" PRINT OF THE ADELPHI Impressions of Saratoga SPECIAL TOUCHES It was important to us to keep our vendors local. As someone who works in the wedding industry, I know how much business our fellow vendors have given up. We wanted to support our local wedding industry. We also wanted to make sure our guests felt as comfortable as possible during a pandemic. Everyone was socially distanced during our ceremony and we had mostly two tops for dinner, spaced out.

ADVICE TO PASS ALONG...

Keep the focus on what the day is really about which is getting married to your best friend. Yes, we would have loved to have more friends and family present with us and danced the night away, but at the end of the day that's not what the day is really about.

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Cameron & Brandyn Peters

Thank you to Saratoga national golf Course for this real bride!

wedding gown: BRIDAL GALLERY BY YVONNE (DESIGNER: MARTIN THORNBURG) location: SARATOGA NATIONAL GOLF COURSE photographer: BRIDGET PHOTOGRAPHY (BRIDGET BELLUCCI)

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Our Story

C

ameron and Brandyn’s love story began during the summer of 2015 in Syracuse, New York. They spent their first date at a local Syracuse restaurant. The date lasted over four hours and they knew right away that they shared a special connection.

By the end of the year Cameron’s work took her to Connecticut. The following two years were spent driving between states to spend weekends together.

After many miles put on both of their cars, Brandyn made the decision to join Cameron in Connecticut where they still live today.

Brandyn proposed to Cameron while apple picking with friends. Not only did he surprise her with a ring and a promise to share a lifetime together that day, but he also coordinated schedules with her and his family members to surprise her at their apartment upon their return.

They celebrated the occasion with dinner and drinks and began planning their wedding the days following their engagement.

They tied the knot in October 2019 at Saratoga National Golf Club as they were surrounded by family and friends.

They have always loved Saratoga as Cameron grew up in the area and Brandyn grew to love it after spending Christmas with her family there. They knew Saratoga would be the perfect destination for guests to enjoy as well.

They could not have asked for a more perfect wedding and appreciate all the amazing vendors who helped make it happen.

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The Details WEDDING DATE October 11, 2019 CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION Saratoga National Golf Course PHOTOGRAPHER Bridget Photography (Bridget Bellucci) STATIONERY SUITE Minted EVENT DECORATOR Oculus Theory (Martin Dodge) WEDDING GOWN Bridal Gallery by Yvonne (Designer: Martin Thornburg) BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES Bridal Gallery

by Yvonne (Designer: Bill Levkoff) TUXEDO/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING Black Tux RINGS Furnari Jewelry FLOWERS Oculus Theory (Martin Dodge) HAIR & MAKEUP Make Me Fabulous CAKE/CATERER Mazzone Hospitality TRANSPORTATION Premiere Transportation DJ NonStop Music FIRST DANCE "You Are the Reason"

by Callum Scott HONEYMOON DESTINATION Barbados FAVORS Outhouse Orchards HOTELS The Pavilion Grand, Hampton Inn & Suites, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn. ADVICE TO PASS ALONG...

Take a moment during your wedding day to take everything in!

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Gabrielle & Edward Ladd

Thank you to Dehn's Flowers for this real bride!

wedding gown: DAVID'S BRIDAL location: GREENWICH ELKS LODGE photographer: OH DARLING PHOTOGRAPHY- SARATOGA

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Our Story

M

uch like a motocross race, the gates dropped and our hearts were racing. The first words in a Facebook message "Aren't you the girl from the motocross track?", "Haha, yes that's me!" lead to long nights staying up past midnight on Snapchat, like we were kids in high school again. It was like an instant adrenaline rush... maybe because our first date was to Six Flags, New Jersey. My heart skipped beats but I'm not sure if it was from the rollercoasters, or from him!

Hearts were stolen in one weekend away and that's when we both truly believed we were meant to be. Our eyes were both opened to how much different, and better, our lives could be together. He moved in that month, we bought a house 6 months later, adopted our first fur baby, and continued to tackle every twist, turn, rut, and kicker life has thrown at us. dirt bike puns, wink wink) Together!

The proposal was as shocking and unexpected as could be. For me anyway! Apparently, everyone else knew about it for months! Just before our 1-year anniversary, on my favorite holiday, July 4th, he got down on one knee and proposed. His speech was perfect I'm sure, but I honestly can't remember it because I was in pure shock!

I cannot recommend Greenwich Elks lodge enough for everything they do!

Linens, bar service, backdrops, the place is so convenient and enjoyable to work with, not to mention beautiful and spacious! My 200+ guest wedding fit very comfortably! The wedding day was flawless, thanks to them, my amazing vendors, and family for making it possible!

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The Details WEDDING DATE October 19, 2019 RECEPTION LOCATION Greenwich Elks Lodge PHOTOGRAPHER Oh Darling Photography- Saratoga EVENT DECORATOR XOver Creations WEDDING GOWN/ BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES David's Bridal TUXEDO/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING Jonathan Reid RINGS Kay Jewelers FLOWERS Dehn's Flowers HAIR & MAKEUP Tease Salon and Beauty Bar CAKE Family Friend CATERER Ginny Rae's DJ All Around Sound FIRST DANCE "From this Moment/You're Still the One," Kaleb & Kelsey PHOTOBOOTH Backdrop provided by venue HONEYMOON DESTINATION Daytona, FL OFFICIANT Jeremy Dickinson (My best friend's husband was so kind to get ordained specifically for my wedding! I cannot thank him enough!)

PHOTOBOOTH backdrop provided by venue SPECIAL TOUCHES My grandmother Lynn is the manager at Dehn's flowers, so it made my day that much more special that she helped create my bouquets and centerpieces! Dehn's Flowers was amazing at helping me choose flowers, as I do not know the first thing about them! I just showed Deb a picture,and she was able to make an even better replica of it, with flowers she knew would be better quality! Oh Darling Photography, also took the time to look over specific shots I requested, and did a beautiful job! Her night time, backlit photos are STUNNING! ADVICE TO PASS ALONG...

DIY! I own my own crafting business, so I found doing my own decor was relaxing, and I got exactly what I wanted out of it! It also saved me quite a bit of money!

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Melanie & Eric Sepci

Thank you to something bleu bridal for this real bride!

wedding gown: SOMETHING BLEU BRIDAL location: GIDEON PUTNAM photographer: HICKORY HILL PHOTOGRAPHY, JANET BRIZELL

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Our Story

W

ho would have thought you'd meet your future husband at a Starbucks on Broadway in Saratoga Springs?

Though we lived in the same neighborhood for over ten years, our paths never crossed until that fateful day, that Starbucks.

As Eric and I got to know each other, it became evident we were simply meant to be together.

We both share a love of travel, we enjoy dining out, trying new things and have a sense of adventure that embraces all the world has to offer.

After dating for a few years, while on a date night in Saratoga, Eric proposed to me… in front of the Starbucks we met at!

Our wedding day was absolutely perfect! Starting at the house getting ready, the church, the pictures on the Avenue of Pines, the reception at the Gideon Putnam and the honeymoon in Italy… just perfect!

Having friends and family from all over the country, made our day complete.

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The Details WEDDING DATE October 26, 2019 CEREMONY Stillwater United RECEPTION LOCATION Gideon Putnam STATIONERY SUITE Paper Dolls of Saratoga PHOTOGRAPHER Hickory Hill Photography, Janet Brizell WEDDING GOWN Something Bleu Bridal BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES JJ's House TUXEDO/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING Jos A Banks RINGS Glennpeter Jewelry FLOWERS Posie Peddler HAIR Erica Uhl MAKEUP Fawn Vandenburg CATERER Gideon Putnam CAKE Oh Goodness Cakes TRANSPORTATION Todays Limo & Royale Limo DJ Upbeat Occasions FIRST DANCE "When I Fall in Love,"

by Andrea Bocelli & Helene Fischer HONEYMOON DESTINATION Italy (Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Portofino) CEREMONY MUSIC Saratoga Violin FAVORS (COOKIES) Chocolate Spoon SPECIAL TOUCHES We did a special generation photo, of ourselves, my parents & Eric's parents all kissing on the alter.

ADVICE TO PASS ALONG...

Take deep breaths & enjoy every minute of planning as the day goes by in a blink of an eye

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Rochelle & Christopher Belfi

Thank you to The Mansion Inn for this real bride!

wedding gown: DAVID'S BRIDAL location: THE MANSION INN (ROCK CITY FALLS) photographer: BRAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY (LAKE GEORGE)

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Our Story

I

met Christopher at The University at Albany in 2008, but we didn’t start dating until 2010. We had quite literally run into each other in a stairwell on campus. We were both surprised to see each other as our friends had graduated and we both had assumed the other moved away. He asked for my phone number and we went on our first date a few days later. He had been dying to take me to a little Italian restaurant called Barcelona in Albany (such a great place!).

Six years, two rescue dogs and a few moves closer to Saratoga later, we had dinner at Barcelona again and he asked me to marry him!

Our wedding day was perfect- we were surrounded by our close family and friends; they deserve a shout-out because they came from all over the country! The morning of the wedding the Mansion Inn made us breakfast while we got ready and then we were off to St. Mary’s gorgeous church to get married. Our photographer, Krystal Brayton and her team were AMAZING at making us feel comfortable and their photos blew us away!

The Mansion’s Chef Rick (who literally told us “sky’s the limit”) made the most wonderful array of food for our cocktail hour and dinner. We can’t thank Annie at The Mansion enough as she made sure everything went according to plan. DJ Mike Melice and his wife were so great at engaging our guests throughout the night. Planning your special day can feel overwhelming, but if you choose the right vendors and trust them, they’ll make sure everything is perfect on your special day!

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The Details WEDDING DATE November 3, 2018 CEREMONY St. Mary's, Ballston Spa RECEPTION LOCATION The Mansion Inn (Rock City Falls, NY) PHOTOGRAPHER Brayton Photography, Lake George WEDDING GOWN/ BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES David's Bridal TUXEDO/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING Men's Warehouse FLOWERS Trader Joe's, Colonie, HAIR & MAKEUP Blended Hair Studio, Saratoga Springs CAKE/CATERER Chef Rick at The Mansion Inn DJ/PHOTOBOOTH DJ Mike Melice, Ithaca HONEYMOON DESTINATION Sandals Ocho Rios, Jamaica WEDDING FAVORS Saratoga Tea & Honey

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Ashly & Shane Hathaway

Thank you to inn at Erlowest for this real bride!

wedding gown: JOCELYNN'S BRIDAL, CLIFTON PARK location: THE INN AT ERLOWEST photographer: ERIN COVEY

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Our Story

B

efore Shane and I started dating, we attended the same school together for 10 years! My senior year of high school, we became connected through mutual friends.

A year later, at a Memorial Day party, Shane made the first move and asked me for my number. There were the typical party games, and the not-so-typical- staring contests. We had friends on either side, cheering us on. And I lost EVERY TIME. The next day, I received a text from an unknown number that read, "You'll never beat me in a staring contest ;)” …and to this day, I never have.

Our romance was straight from a fairytale, enthralled with so much truth and passion. That passion only intensified as the years passed, prevailing us through college, internships, the start of our careers, and moving into our first place together where we adopted our cats, Finnegan and Penelope.

After six years of dating, Shane proposed at sunrise overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in West Palm Beach, FL, while the waves crashed to our feet. It was absolutely perfect.

The Inn at Erlowest was the first venue we visited, and all other venues just did not follow suit. We fell in love with the gorgeous mountain views and the natural beauty of its surroundings instantly.

Our wedding day was incredible. We felt so much love from not only our guests, but each one of our amazing vendors. We are forever grateful to each and every person who helped make our day so special!

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The Details WEDDING DATE November 16, 2019 CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION The Inn at Erlowest PHOTOGRAPHER Erin Covey VIDEOGRAPHER Bear in Motion Films STATIONERY SUITE Zazzle - Dusty Blue Eucalyptus Greenery Succulent Stationery EVENT DECORATOR Elizabeth Tonn - Event Coordinator (The Inn at Erlowest) WEDDING GOWN Jocelynn's Bridal - Clifton Park BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES Azazie - Sage Green, Long Length; Bridemaids chose individual style TUXEDO/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING Mr. Formal Wear, Saratoga Navy Blue with Navy Blue Vests & Sage Green Bowties RINGS Lily and David Fine Jewelers FLOWERS Dehn's Flowers HAIR Amanda Dugan Egbert The Blue Peregrine Salon, Saratoga MAKE UP Jennifer McCarthy Norton True Grace Makeup, Albany CAKE Wedding Cake & Cupcakes The Healthy Living Market & Cafe CATERER The Inn at Erlowest DJ Adin Kovacik, The Piano Man DJ Productions, Albany FIRST DANCE "Never Stop by Safety Suit" {Wedding Version} HONEYMOON DESTINATION New Zealand OFFICIANT Juan Carlos Posada SPECIAL TOUCHES Our wedding arch was crafted by my father and decorated by Dehn's Flowers. Our wedding theme was nature-forward, romance-inspired.

Our colors were earth tones and our seating chart was made from Eucalyptus leaves.

Many menu items were plant-based including our wedding cake and cupcakes. We also had a memory table, which held pictures of loved ones who have passed away.

ADVICE TO PASS ALONG Enjoy EVERY second. It's so easy to allow stress to overcome all the joy that comes with planning a wedding, but staying calm and present helped me to truly embrace this magnificent time in our lives. It all goes by incredibly fast; so try to laugh at the hiccups, roll with the punches, and let your love guide you through this journey. Also, on your wedding day, where there is a lull moment, maybe while eating, take a moment to observe your surroundings and soak it all in. It's all worth it, I promise.

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Stephanie & Jordan Meikle

Thank you to Hall of Springs for this real bride!

wedding gown: ANGELA'S BRIDAL location: HALL OF SPRINGS photographer: MATT RAMOS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Our Story

J

ordan and I met at the University at Albany. I was in my freshman year, while Jordan was just finishing up undergrad. We saw each other in passing a lot as Jordan was very heavily involved in athletics, and I was on the cheerleading team. Over the course of 2 years, Jordan and I got to know each other and became closer friends.

In 2012 Jordan started grad school and we officially started dating. We both graduated in 2014; me with my bachelor’s degree, Jordan with 2 masters, and we moved to New York City.

Three years of living together in NYC flew by, and In April 2017 we headed back up to Albany to celebrate Easter with my family. When we are in town, we always stop by the old campus to walk around and check out anything new. We walked around for bit and ended up in the front of the campus, Jordan told me there was no better place than "where it all began.” He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Soon after, our parents ran out of one of the buildings so excited; they had witnessed the whole proposal!

It was so amazing to have both families present for our engagement.

We had been planning a trip to California, and it ended up being the week after we got engaged. I spent the entire 6-hour flight researching and planning. Living in the NYC area and being from the Capital Region, we both knew there was no better place to get married than Saratoga. We were lucky to have booked some of the best vendors in the area and our planning process was a breeze.

Our wedding day was magical. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. We felt overwhelmed with love by our friends and family, and that was a feeling we will never forget.

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The Details WEDDING DATE November 17, 2018 CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION Hall Of Springs PHOTOGRAPHER Matt Ramos Photography VIDEOGRAPHER LaRose Medias STATIONERY SUITE Amber Michaniw Designs EVENT DECORATOR Total Events WEDDING GOWN Angela's Bridal BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES Badgley Mischka TUXEDO/GROOMSMEN CLOTHING The Black Tux RINGS Kent New York WEDDING PLANNER KatieO' (Casey) FLOWERS My Mom! HAIR Kelsey Gabriel MAKE UP Amy Caridi CATERER Mazzone Hospitality CAKE Cake Street Sweets TRANSPORTATION Exclusive Chauffeur MUSIC Fernando, Piano Man FIRST DANCE "So High" John Legend PHOTOBOOTH Matt Ramos HONEYMOON DESTINATION The Maldives GET READY LOCATION Pavilion Grand Hotel AISLE RUNNER The Original Runner Co. SPECIAL TOUCHES My mom created all of the florals, including the bouquets, boutonnières and centerpieces.

I'm the youngest in my family, and she helped make all of my siblings florals for their weddings.

So it was very special she did the same for mine Jordan LOVES Bourbon, The Hall Of Springs set up an amazing Cigar and Bourbon Bar. ADVICE TO PASS ALONG Hire vendors you LOVE and feel comfortable with. I'm so glad we splurged on photography.

It's a keepsake for the rest of your life; and we got beautiful images. Most importantly, Relax and enjoy the best day of your life.

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Kids, Pets and all the Feels…

Photo by Matt Ramos Photography

Photo by Rob Spring Photography

Photo by Les Loups Pictures and Songs

Photo by Les Loups Pictures and Songs

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography Photo by Brayton Photography 66 | SARATOGA BRIDE | FALL/WINTER 2020

Photo by Niki Rossi

Photo by Erin Covey saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

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68 | SARATOGA BRIDE | FALL/WINTER 2020

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