I waited YEARS for this wedding. Four years, to be precise.
We met Vicki and Allan working a wedding at the Thayer Hotel way back in July of 2004. They had just moved to the area and were ramping up their photography studio http://www.allanelevinephotography.com/. We hit it off with Vicki, the sweet, funny California girl ("Like, totally!") and Allan, whose idea of a good time includes describing the intricacies of his camera lens and reciting his favorite lines from the Honeymooners. It turned out they were engaged, and they wanted us to DJ their wedding.
Months went by. Years passed. We bumped into Vicki and Allan here and there, and every time they were struggling to pick a date. FINALLY Vicki found us again. I suggested several locations for the wedding, and Vicki ended her search at the Dutchess Manor.
It was the perfect place for Vicki and Allan. Dean and his staff treated them like gold and the elegant, newly renovated room showed off the gorgeous view of the river.
I knew Vicki would have a blast, but Allan surprised us all with his unbridled enthusiasm on the dance floor. He was a CRAZY MAN for YMCA and Dancing Queen. (We managed to persuade him not to subject his guests to the Sex Pistols.) All this from the man who swore he didn't dance.
It's the power of love, folks.
I'll never forget the love between Vicki and Allan as they gazed into each other's eyes at the end of dinner, dancing to The Rainbow Connection sung by Kermit the Frog. (When they thought no one was looking.)
We're always friends with our couples by the time the wedding arrives, but it was an extra special pleasure to share such a fun-filled day with Vicki and Allan.
Let's party again for OUR 10 year anniversary in another four years!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
6.21.08 Villa Borghese Kate & Jay
Kate and Jay had the COOLEST Grand Entrance to their reception at the Villa Borghese. These cats know how to set the tone!
It's true that the songs you choose for your introduction music say something about your personality: maybe a little funky, a little crazy, or laid back and classy...
But what does it mean when your First Dance song is "Too Hot To Stop," the funky disco theme song from the movie Superbad?
That's right. Kate and Jay made their triumphant entrance to Ozzy's "Crazy Train," and then--when everyone was expecting their First Dance--WHAM!
Superbad.
It's true that the songs you choose for your introduction music say something about your personality: maybe a little funky, a little crazy, or laid back and classy...
But what does it mean when your First Dance song is "Too Hot To Stop," the funky disco theme song from the movie Superbad?
That's right. Kate and Jay made their triumphant entrance to Ozzy's "Crazy Train," and then--when everyone was expecting their First Dance--WHAM!
Superbad.
It was all Jay, busting his moves on the dance floor, pointing to his groomsmen and bridesmaids as they circled him.
Of course, the newlyweds DID find time for the romance afterward, with the acoustic version of Tim McGraw's "It's Your Love."Our photographic friend Cheryl Bolton-Reuter http://www.boltonreuterphotography.com/ did a fabulous job of capturing the fun AND romance that is Kate and Jay.
Thanks for taking us for a walk on the wild side, guys!Thursday, June 26, 2008
6.20.08 Thayer Hotel Robyn & Matt
Robyn and Matt had just about the BEST attitudes I'd ever seen in a couple. Under cloudy, threatening skies they set up their outdoor ceremony on the lawn of the Thayer Hotel. The rain came down in torrents, then stopped just in time.
The Thayer staff hurried to dry off the chairs and the ceremony began.
As Robyn made her way across the damp grass, it began to rain again. She kept on smiling, eyes glued to Matt until she was at his side.
The Reverend Sharan DePalma of Blissful Bonds kept the mood light as the rain continued to fall. With a ceremony she'd written just for them, she told how Matt and Robyn met in high school sixteen years earlier, then separated for nine years before finding one another again. A passing train blew its whistle just as they were exchanging vows and Reverend Sharan quipped, "For richer or for poorer--and at 100 miles an hour..."
They laughed and kissed, then headed indoors out of the rain.
The bad weather didn't dampen their spirits. They ate, they danced, they had a blast. The night ENDED with the guests chanting, "Robyn on the chair!" until she gave in and was lifted on a chair by her laughing groomsmen.
The Thayer staff hurried to dry off the chairs and the ceremony began.
As Robyn made her way across the damp grass, it began to rain again. She kept on smiling, eyes glued to Matt until she was at his side.
The Reverend Sharan DePalma of Blissful Bonds kept the mood light as the rain continued to fall. With a ceremony she'd written just for them, she told how Matt and Robyn met in high school sixteen years earlier, then separated for nine years before finding one another again. A passing train blew its whistle just as they were exchanging vows and Reverend Sharan quipped, "For richer or for poorer--and at 100 miles an hour..."
They laughed and kissed, then headed indoors out of the rain.
The bad weather didn't dampen their spirits. They ate, they danced, they had a blast. The night ENDED with the guests chanting, "Robyn on the chair!" until she gave in and was lifted on a chair by her laughing groomsmen.
Monday, June 16, 2008
6.14.08 Christo's Jennifer & Charlie
Have you seen the new addition at Christo's in Poughkeepsie yet? The extended deck overlooking the golf course is GORGEOUS and so welcoming. I love the light! 
Jennifer and Charlie's guests arrived early for their cocktail hour and a half, so they were rarin' to go by the time Jeff and I started the music. In no time at all, they hopped to the dance floor and never left.
Check out these photos by Mark Greenstone at Majestic Studios http://www.majesticstudios.info/. Even shy Charlie came around and danced the twist with his groomsmen, grinning at his beautiful wife.
Jennifer and Charlie's guests arrived early for their cocktail hour and a half, so they were rarin' to go by the time Jeff and I started the music. In no time at all, they hopped to the dance floor and never left.Check out these photos by Mark Greenstone at Majestic Studios http://www.majesticstudios.info/. Even shy Charlie came around and danced the twist with his groomsmen, grinning at his beautiful wife.
6.7.08 Westchester Renaissance Hotel Megan & Jeff
Megan and Jeff celebrated their wedding reception at The Mansion at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in a charming Colonial stone and glass ballroom. This photo is courtesy of Andrew Lucas, who peeped through the French doors to capture this romantic shot. http://www.andrewlucasphotography.com/. (Thanks!)
My Jeff braved the sweltering heat to serenade guests with his acoustic guitar on the patio outside (while I waited in the air conditioning.)
Instead of traditional table numbers, Megan and Jeff named each table with a photograph of a street where one of them lived during their college courtship. And the favors were jelly beans, representing a "jelly bean wish" Megan had made for Jeff years ago.
Then, my favorite! Our second set of love letters for the weekend.
Megan's letter included excerpts from her diary in which she counted the endless days until she would see Jeff--if only his father wouldn't put him to work!
This couple was sweet, romantic, with a lovely sense of humor that infused the party with love and fun. And did they dance!
My Jeff braved the sweltering heat to serenade guests with his acoustic guitar on the patio outside (while I waited in the air conditioning.)Instead of traditional table numbers, Megan and Jeff named each table with a photograph of a street where one of them lived during their college courtship. And the favors were jelly beans, representing a "jelly bean wish" Megan had made for Jeff years ago.
Then, my favorite! Our second set of love letters for the weekend.
Megan's letter included excerpts from her diary in which she counted the endless days until she would see Jeff--if only his father wouldn't put him to work!
This couple was sweet, romantic, with a lovely sense of humor that infused the party with love and fun. And did they dance!
6.6.08 Thayer Hotel Allison & Ted
Allison and Ted. What can I say? A wedding like this reminds me I have the best job in the world.It was beautiful, a ceremony on the lawn of the Thayer Hotel overlooking the Hudson River with harpist accompaniment. Romantic and breathtaking.
These images captured by photographer Aaron Almendral http://www.artbydna.com/aaron say it all. 
Allison and Ted each wrote a love letter to be read just before their First Dance. I read Allison's letter, then Ted surprised his guests by asking to read his words himself. Standing in his uniform, Ted gave "The Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My Wife," and declared his love for Allison saying, "Dammit--she's my hero."
There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
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