9.14.08 West Park Winery Danielle & Mike

Danielle and Mike had a gorgeous--if sweaty--wedding day. Their ceremony was held on the hill overlooking the valley while the Julie Berman string trio performed hauntingly beautiful Jewish classical pieces for their guests.

SMART IDEA ALERT: The chuppah was well anchored in clay pots filled with rocks and decorated with vines and beautiful flowers by David Anthony. It looked lovely and there was no danger of it being carried away by the wind. (I can't tell you how many times I see groomsmen holding down the chuppah for the entire ceremony so it doesn't get wisked away!)

Danielle was stunning her champagne gown. The cantor sang the Seven Blessings over the couple.

Later on in the reception, Danielle and Mike's three grandmothers stood behind the challah bread and led the blessing together.

As our final Jewish tradition, we started dancing with the Hora. We started--and it didn't stop! All night long those guests were on the dance floor, heat be damned. Danielle and Mike were overwhelmed with the expressions of love and fun. They rocked, and so did we.

West Park Winery
Photos: Kimberly Wright

9.13.08 Grandview Christin & Eric

It was our first fall themed wedding at the Grandview. Autumn leaves were strewn across the tables around centerpieces of soft pink and green flowers.

Christin and Eric made their triumphant entry to the wicked guitar of "You Really Got Me" by Van Halen, then danced to "Unbelievable" by Josh Gracin.

Emotional moments filled their day. When Christin danced with her father to "The Impossible Dream," a song he chose for their special dance, her father wept and clung to her.

The Pastor, "PW" told the story of Narcissus and how he wished that Christin and Eric would see their own beauty reflected in each others' eyes.

A touch of humor entered the festivities when the Best Man told about Eric's habit of "collecting" things: 5 cars, 2 boats, 3 trailers, and a motorcycle. And the Maid of Honor wrote a poem about Christin and Eric, noting that knowing Eric, a state trooper, was handy for getting out of a speeding ticket.

It was beautiful, it was autumn, and it was lovely to see two people as in love as Christin and Eric.

Photos: Michael Polito
Grandview

9.12.08 Villa Borghese Kim & Rob

Kim was beautiful in her princess cut gown and birdcage veil. She cried as she whispered her vows to Rob.

They'd known each other for five years before marrying, so for most of the guests this was a long time coming.

Both of Kim's kids were members of the bridal party, and family and friends were central to the night.

The Best Man, Laurence, explained how special and included he had always felt by Rob's parents. "They just always made you feel welcome," he said. "I came over to see Rob when we were in high school. His parents didn't even know me, and they'd say, 'Rob won't be home for two hours, and we're heading out. There's soda in the fridge...'"

It was that kind of welcoming that Kim and Rob brought to their wedding reception. Kim's main concern had been finding ways to spend more time with her guests. And she did! On the dance floor, that is.

Officiant: Gail of Interfaith Ceremonies
Villa Borghese

9.7.08 Hillside Manor Audrey & Greg

Audrey and Greg invited their guests to a 1950's themed wedding, requesting that they come in 50's formal attire. The guys donned hats, suspenders, and wing tipped shoes; the girls wore polka dotted dresses and circle skirts with crinoline. Audrey wore a vintage 1950's wedding dress, (she told me the alterations cost more than the dress itself!) and they arrived in classic vintage cars.


Even Jeff and I dressed the part. I found a peach, brown and green speckled wiggle dress and matching shoes, while Jeff wore a skinny tie and jacket, opting for a more rock-and-roll look. (Of course.)


It takes GUTS to pull off a wedding like this. This wasn't just 50's themed; it was a recreation of the 50's.

When guests walked into the Hillside Manor they were directed into the ballroom by a 50's style diner sign with a blinking arrow announcing Audrey and Greg's wedding at the "Diner." They picked up pink and blue place cards adorned with French poodles (for the girls) and vintage toy robots (for the boys) and rubix cube keychain favors. Inside, the room was strung up with blue Chinese lanterns, the linens were pink and the tables were decorated with carboard cutouts of vintage cars stuffed with fuzzy dice.

Audrey wanted this to be an immersive experience for her guests, so she asked us to play nothing but 50's music all night. Well, there were a few exceptions, but nothing newer than 1963.

Audrey and Greg did an awesome swing dance to their First Dance song, "Oh Boy!" by Buddy Holly.

It was all about the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Platters. It was doo wop, twist and swing. It was vintage, baby!

9.6.08 Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel Mary & Scott

Mary and Scott's bridal party, in elegant black, the girls with pearl necklaces, were introduced into the Terrace Ballroom, each to a different piece of music selected by Scott. "Big Pimpin" for one couple; "Big Poppa" for the groomsman escorting a very pregnant bridesmaid; "I Wish" by Skee-lo for the vertically challenged groomsman ("I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller..."); "Ice Ice Baby" for the ultra-cool Best Man.

Mary and Scott entered with "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen. Of course.

I showed Scott's brother and Best Man, Marc, how to use the microphone and where to hold it as he spoke. "This ain't my first barbeque, sweetheart," he assured me with a smile.

Marc began his speech with the microphone, then discarded it half-way in. His confident, booming voice easily carried across the room. "Scott grew three feet in high school...except he still weighs the same," he quipped. "Everyone thought it was weird that Scott would play hide and seek when we were little, and he wouldn't tell anyone we were playing. He'd just HIDE. They call it weird; I say he was committed."

Scott must have known what he was in for when he made his brother his Best Man, because he grinned through it all.

Then Marc turned to Mary. "Mary. Sweet Mary. You're a member of our family now. You really didn't think that one through, did you?"

Laughter echoed through the room.

It was that kind of a night. Good humor, inside jokes, memories of the past relived and new ones created. A little make-shift karaoke to "Love Shack" (and a damn good Fred Schneider imitation), all if it steeped in love and fun that could only be Scott and Mary. Sweet, unassuming, and absolutely original.

Photos courtesy of Keith Ferris
Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel

9.5.08 Grandview Kristen & Hunter

Talk about an entrance!

The bridal party strutted in wearing sunglasses, the girls in black cocktail dresses, guys in black suits, to Will Smith's "Men in Black." Then the Best Man removed his jacket, dusted it off, and hit the floor with the Worm.

The music faded, then rose again as I introduced Kristin and Hunter to the thumpin' bass of "Bring 'Em Out" by T.I. The couple bounced in, so full of energy that the entire bridal party jumped to the dance floor with them to finish out the song.

Kristin and Hunter positioned themselves for their First Dance and begin a lively two step to "Forever and Ever, Amen" by Randy Travis. The smile never left Kristin's face as her dress hindered her movement, and without hesitation, she lifted her skirt and bounced around the floor with Hunter.

Kristin's unbridled enthusiasm and energy filled the room and drew her guests to her. It was a pleasure to behold.

And our friend Lori O'Toole was there to capture it all! Lori told us about a little known estate called Wethersfield where they had stopped for photos, with sprawling gardens that rival Vanderbilt and wandering peacocks. I love, love, love these photos.

Jenn and Mike of Beautiful Memories Video did an awesome job filming Kristen and Hunter's day. Check out their blog post for some great images and video clips at http://www.beautifulmemoriesvideo.blogspot.com.

The Grandview
Photos by Lori O'Toole

8.31.08 Onteora Mountain House Yiting & Scott

Jeff and I watched as the string quartet played and one of the bridesmaids, a tall young woman in a cranberry gown, sang a lovely operatic soprano for Yiting's walk across the lawn overlooking the lush valley.

The guests sipped pomegranate mojitos during cocktail hour as Jeff entertained them with his acoustic guitar. Red, the Chinese color for luck and good fortune, was found everywhere, from the bridesmaids' gowns to the napkins on the tables, the roses in the centerpieces and the Chinese letter candles.

COOL IDEA ALERT: Instead of favors, Yiting and Scott made donations in their guests' names to charity. A printed card invited guests to select one of four "Favored Charities," by checking a box inside their place cards. Cute and generous!Yiting and Scott made their entrance to Harry Connick Jr.'s "It Had To Be You," perfectly timed after the crescendo to begin their choreographed dance. The couple expertly turned and played to the crowd, smiling the whole time.

Later on Yiting changed into an exquisite red and gold dress. She danced swing and hip hop with equal style and grace. And Scott? He invited many of the ladies to the dance floor, showing off his footwork.

The newlyweds weren't the only skillful dancers. A few of Scott's college buddies boasted break dance moves, flips, and handstands--complete with pelvis thrusts--when we broke out the old school hip hop. Even the staff was dancing along!
These gorgeous photos are courtesy of our friends Jeff and Lisa of Forever Moments Photography www.ForeverMomentsPhotography.com. They kept it light and fun as they clicked away, capturing these memories forever. AND they're a husband-wife team (newlyweds, in fact!) and you know how much I love that idea. *wink*

8.30.08 Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel Rebecca & Mike

Rebecca and Mike held each other close, barely moving, as they danced to the duet by Shania Twain and Bryan White, "From This Moment On." Swaying with eyes closed, they were alone on the dance floor, despite the fact that their closest family and friends surrounded them.



I asked Rebecca how her ceremony went, and she flashed that beautiful grin. "I woke up this morning and it was drizzling. And I thought, 'I don't even care. I'm getting married! It doesn't matter.' And everything has been great."



The sun did shine for Rebecca's wedding day, allowing photographer Catherine Leonard to take some gorgeous shots outside the Methodist church.



Each table was decorated with a differently themed vase, flowers, and frame, so Rebecca asked us to give away those centerpieces by playing snippets of songs referencing its theme: "Monkey" by George Michael for the table with a bamboo and jungle centerpiece, "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid for the seashell and starfish table, and so on.



I had Rebecca and Mike answer trivia questions ahead of time, then quizzed their guests to let them earn the centerpiece with questions such as, "Which flavor of ice cream best describes Rebecca and Mike's relationship?" "If Rebecca were stranded on a desert island, which would she crave first?"



The guests got more answers wrong than right, but everyone laughed and clapped; especially when Rebecca revealed that she wished Mike would stop "belching like a frog."

The seven year old flower girl requested the Miley Cyrus song, "Seven Things," and aunt Rebecca gave her nod of approval. The cute blonde head-banged and lip synched her way through, "The seven things I hate about you!"



When we left, the memory Rebecca's beaming face made me smile all day long.

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel

Photos by Catherine Leonard

8.29.08 The Grandview Andria & Sal

Andria and Sal posed back to back with their arms crossed as they were introduced into their wedding reception in the Grandview ballroom to "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross.



As the music faded, I read Andria's Love Letter to Sal. She told how they met in high school when they were only fifteen, and she knew, even then, that they would marry. Through late night, whispered phone calls and a long distance relationship when they were in college, everything lead up to this day.



Sal's Love Letter revealed how he knew Andria was the one...when he grew accustomed to the HUGE shadow (of her thumb) over his tiny head...and when he saw her beautiful lips singing every word to a 50 Cent song at a concert she bought them tickets for!



I doubled over with laughter listening to the words of "My Mother Said," the song playing when Sal danced with his mother. "My mother said...always wear clean underwear and stop picking your nose."



High school sweethearts Andria and Sal had such love around them that I had visions of the two of them watching their own children dance on their wedding day many years in the future. Sometimes you just know.



And I promised Sal I'd say something nice about him in my blog. So here goes:

"Sal, you have the most beautiful TEETH..."

These photos are courtesy of our friend Cheryl Bolton-Reuter p://www.boltonreuterphotography.com/. Nothin' but love, baby!

8.23.08 Jessica & Ryan The Grandview

Jeff and I were back at the Grandview after our week at the beach, nicely tanned and relaxed after a week of slackerdom. And so ready to celebrate with Jessica and Ryan!

Jessica and Ryan stole a few moments alone on the dance floor underneath the tent. I watched (from a discrete distance, of course) as Ryan dipped his new wife and kissed her neck, savoring the elegance around them.

The couple's wedding was in blue and white, with sea shells strewn across the tables. Each centerpiece was a HUGE bottle of wine topped with blue and white flowers. Fitting, since Ryan is a wine merchant. Bottoms up!

The Love Letters that Jessica and Ryan shared with their guests couldn't have been more different. In poetic, romantic words, Jessica described how, "life melted away and left just the two of us, standing, breathing as summer melted into fall," when they first met. Ryan, on the other hand, wrote a rhyming poem revealing how he knew she was the one when they met at a Halloween party...where Jessica was dressed as Catwoman. MEOW!

Jessica shared a special dance with her seventeen year old son, Michael, who had walked her down the aisle. She dedicated the song, "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban to her late father. Michael tried to fight his tears, but by the end of the song both he and his mother were crying and hugging each other.

Later on the couple treated their guests to a Gourmet Ice Cream bar, and everyone stuffed themselves on bowls of ice cream with sprinkles, caramel and whipped cream.

It was great working with photographic team Rich Michaels and his wife Stacy www.rmichaelsphoto.com who captured these beautiful shots of Jessica and Ryan. (We love husband-wife teams!)

P.S. I just got an email from Jessica's honeymoon where they are swimming with dolphins, drinking tequila and getting massages on the beach in Cabo San Lucas. Wicked!

8.16.08 Michelle & Brian The Grandview

Our second Grandview experience of the weekend; the perfect send-off for the beach vacation we would begin later on that night. (Hooray for LBI!)

Michelle and Brian braved cloudy skies and held their ceremony outside on the patio beside the tent. A light drizzle began as Jeff played the Canon in D for Michelle's walk down the aisle. Father Rich dubbed it a "unity rain" and sped through the hand fastening and sand ceremony to get the guests out of the wet, and Michelle and Brian ran down the aisle as husband and wife, laughing and happy as the rain fell harder.

The bridesmaids wore sand colored dresses and the tables were adorned with lovely peach and white roses.

As always, my favorite moments came with the couple's Love Letter Dedications. Michelle listed her Top 10 Reasons Why She Loves Brian, among them the fact that he let her throw out 90% of his wardrobe and dress him however she wanted, that he still lets her drive his car...even after she backed it up into a fence post, and that he lets her sleep in the middle of the bed. Brian confessed that he fell in love with Michelle at first sight and proclaimed himself the luckiest man in the world because, "today I married my best friend and soul mate."


I (barely) managed to resist the Grandview's Tableside Temptations dessert display of fresh berries, chocolates, and cookies, served with international coffee. (Probably only because I knew the Long Beach Island beach was in my near future.)

What a beautiful night it was!

The lovely photos are courtesy of Myles of Myles Studio. Thanks!

8.15.08 Suzanne & Jason The Grandview

A perfect Grandview wedding.

Suzanne was gorgeous in her old world European style gown. She wore the headpiece from her mother's wedding dress, rebeaded with pearls from her grandmother's veil, and carried pieces of her grandmother's veil in her bouquet. She was the image of a beautiful Italian bride straight out of the 40's.


The bridesmaids wore sage dresses and carried yellow cala lilies.



The Reverend Stickney officiated the ceremony, guiding the proceedings with his deep, distinguished voice. Suzanne and Jason chose beautiful readings for their ceremony, the first had a line I love:"Love is an ancient delerium." (How true, I thought, watching Jason gaze at Suzanne, transfixed.) Then, one of Suzanne's bridesmaids read a poem she had written for the couple. It told how Suzanne would watch Jason sleeping and wonder if he would sleep as soundly in sixty years, if he would still find her beautiful with lines on her face. The poem ended, "'Grow old with me,' he said to her. And she said, 'Yes.'"

Suzanne and Jason's wedding day was filled with romance, tradition, and a celebration that embraced both their past and their future. Beautiful!

Check out these photos by Elissa Davidson http://www.eidphotography.com/. Elissa has an eye for beauty; she really loves what she does and it shows.

8.11.08 Onteora Mountain House Christine & Alex

We didn't get to meet Christine and Alex until the day of their wedding, since they were planning from California and all our communication was via phone and email, but they were every bit as sweet as I imagined them.

Because live music is so important to them, Christine and Alex went back and forth between hiring a DJ and a band. I even helped them explore local band options. (I know, professional hazard.) In the end, they compromised by hiring a very talented mandolin folk duo for their ceremony and cocktail hour, and then had us for the reception.

Christine and Alex's families got to experience the beauty of the Hudson Valley from Onteora Mountain House's majestic views, despite the rainy weather. Instead of a Grand Entrance, the couple asked for a subtle announcement into their First Dance song, "I Will" by the Beatles.

Alex's brother proposed his toast to "another white, athletic, Saab-driving, lab-owning couple" in California.

To indulge the couple's love for live music, Jeff performed live acoustic guitar during dinner, which was a special treat for the kids. A little curly haired boy in a striped shirt and jacket, rolled trousers and sandals who looked like he had just stepped out of a Gap catalog, danced with a blonde toddler in a blue dress and ballet shoes, twirling and dancing as Jeff strummed. When he paused between songs, they stopped dancing and waited, staring at him until he began to play again so they could continue their interpretive dance. At the end of his performance, Jeff got a rousing round of applause!

Our Monday night wedding was awesome. We played some hip hop for the youngsters, rock and disco classics for the family, and even delved into the Cha Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle--new fangled line dances that taught the older generation a thing or two.

Toward the end of the night, we slipped in the old tune "Fascination" by Nat King Cole, in honor of a couple who had Christine's father as their Best Man at their wedding 48 years ago.

Love, family, making memories, and tying it all together with music: Alex and Christine ended our long weekend on a most satisfying note.

8.10.08 Dutchess Manor Christen & Jeremy

It was touch and go for a while under cloudy skies, but Christen's mom made the final call for an outdoor ceremony. Dean had a backup location ready to go indoors, just in case. The gorgeous view overlooking the Hudson River more than made up for the stress of impending weather.

Christen had a tough time deciding on the music for her processional, but I loved her final choice. A huge fan of Phantom of the Opera, she had her bridemaids walk down the aisle to a lovely instrumental version of "Think of Me," and then she walked down the aisle to the eternally romantic, "All I Ask of You." (I saw the musical when I was fifteen and have been hooked ever since. What a thrill to hear it at a ceremony!)

While Jeff was performing acoustic guitar for the guests during cocktail hour, Jeremy dictated his last minute Love Letter dedication to Christen. I furiously scribbled down his words.

(Normally, I prefer to have everything organized and planned ahead of time--blame my Type A side--but this was SO worth squeezing in last minute.)

Jeremy talked about the first time he met Christen, how he opened the door for her and looked at her for the first time. "It was the kind of look that makes you pause, and then with your eyes and expressions offer some of your love." He went on to describe Christen as, "a hidden paradise that is the most beautiful of all."

Reading words like that makes my night. *Sigh*

It was quite the party! We made new friends, Carlos of Custom Made Video and Michael and Nicole from Picture This Studios www.picturethisofct.com who took these awesome images. At the end of the night, Michael shot a "Die Hard" photo of all the remaining guests packed onto the dance floor. At the last minute, I jumped into the photo.

See, I'm a die hard partier, too!

8.9.08 Locust Grove Mya & James

Jeff and I were back at Locust Grove for the second weekend in a row--with Eddie from Lola's Catering again. YUM!



This was the first ceremony I officially coordinated. What a rush to be right in the middle of all the nervousness and excitement as Mya and her father readied for their walk across the lawn to join their waiting guests! I even got to carry her train across the gravel and arrange it for her procession.



Mya was lovely with a pink rose tucked into her hair. The Reverend Charles Stickley, a robust gentleman with a deep, compelling voice, officiated the ceremony. He presented the couple with a gift of Woodstock chimes at the end of the ceremony as a reminder that they listen to God's music in every situation.



Pink, yellow, and peach roses adorned the tables inside, and the flower girl wore a crown of roses.



Oh, the flower girl! Caroline was a RIOT. Just the cutest little blonde-haired angel. We played "Sweet Caroline" for her at the end of dinner. Not one to be shy, Caroline skipped onto the dance floor and twirled like a ballerina as the entire room sang to her. And after the cake, she insisted on singing for Mya and James. She lifted that microphone without hesitation and belted out, "Twinkle, twinkle, Mya and James. How I wonder what you are."



Another lovely Locust Grove experience. If we're not careful, this could become a habit...

8.8.08 Villa Borghese Maureen & Tom

It was that magical date...8/8/08.

Maureen and Tom chose "The Luckiest" as their First Dance song. It's one of my favorites by Ben Folds. So romantic! Guaranteed to wring tears from even the toughest wedding guest. It's that line about the old man who dies a few days after his wife because he misses her so much. "I know it's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong...but I know, that I am the luckiest."

It's no wonder Maureen and Tom were stealing kisses during their solo dance.

Our couple from last month, Kyle and Alicia, were guests in attendance. It was so good to see them again! Jeff was so impressed with Kyle's savvy Blue Ray buying skills (and his skillful justification of the purchase) that he's already planning his own campaign. "But, honey, we get FREE high def included..."

Though I knew what to expect this time, I was pleased that enough of Maureen's sorority was present to serenade her with an a capella version of their song. It was, however, the first time I've seen Red Hot Salsa in action. Apparently, Maureen took line dancing in college, and she and her group of friends suffered such a traumatic experience together that they are compelled to relieve their Red Hot Salsa group dance at every opportunity. "You're red hot. You're a red hot dancer...When you swing your hips, and you do the salsa."

I always say: there are no rules in weddings. There is the traditional, but you should do whatever feels right for you. Maureen shared a special dance with her mother to, "In My Daughter's Eyes," a moving song Martina McBride wrote for her daughters. (Another tear jerker. Darn it!)

It's your wedding. You get to make--and break--the rules. Dance with whoever you want, skip traditions that don't fit you, or make up new ones. It's all good!

Maureen and Tom are off to St. Lucia for "snorkeling and zip lining." Yippee!

8.3.08 The Grandview Maria & Joe

aOh, I love the Grandview!



The heat broke by mid-afternoon and the breeze off the Hudson River was delicious.



Maria and Joe were married on the patio overlooking the river by the Reverend Sara Henderson. Sara's sweet smile is infectious!



There were eight kids in the bridal party. The littlest girls were pulled down the aisle in a red wagon decorated with tulle and lace.

Maria remembered the kids at the reception, too. While the grown-ups had beautiful arrangements of pink and yellow-peach variegated roses and zinnias, the kids had Siamese fighting fish! The couple gave donations to Autism Speaks in lieu of favors, but everyone got bags of green and blue Jelly Belly beans. Each table was named after a winery Maria and Joe had visited together, and decorated with bottles of wine from each location.



Maria and Joe had fish on their sweetheart table, too, next to a stuffed bride and groom Teddy bear.



We played Italian waltzes, tarantellas, and polkas for Maria's Italian family. Then, of course...Bon Jovi for the bride!



The highlight of the night for Joe came after dinner. Joe invited "the boys" outside the tent for cigars. Before you knew it, a crowd of fifty people had gathered for a smoke to admire the river view. *cough, cough*



Maria and Joe were beaming with their family and friends around them as the sun set over the Hudson.
The photos are courtesy of our new photographer friend Vito Kwan. Check out his blog for more of the details (including cigars and fish!) from Joe and Maria's wedding.

The Grandview
Photos by Vito Kwan

8.2.08 Locust Grove at the Samuel Morse Estate Christine & Al

I was furiously scribbling notes for my blog after this wedding. Everything was just so...picturesque. It was a dream Hudson Valley wedding.



Christine and Al were married on the steps of the Mansion house overlooking the gardens. Three groomsmen in gray suits and three bridesmaids in sage gowns lined the stairs while Christine and Al stood at the top.



Jeff had a perfect view of the smiles and winks the couple exchanged during their ceremony as he played guitar behind them.



The simple elegance continued during the reception inside. The chocolate cake was gorgeous, accented with cream and sage to match the wedding colors. Al and Christine invited their guests to toast with mead, a honey wine, that they made themselves.



Instead of having her friends and family sign a guest book, she asked each guest to write their words of wisdom for the couple inside their place cards. After the wedding, Christine will put them along with the disposable camer pictures taken by guests inside a wedding scrapbook.



Christine wasn't kidding when she said her family loves to dance. There was so much energy on that dance floor that the guys' shirts were soaked with sweat. (Sorry for the image--that's just the reality of crazy dancing!) Swing ruled the night, along with some great 80's rock and disco classics.



We had the pleasure of working with our friend Eddie from Lola's Catering http://www.lolascateringandcafe.com/. He catered our wedding WAY back when. If you're looking for a caterer, you've got to call Eddie. It's impressive presentation and gourmet delicacies delivered with impeccable service. (Gotta love the perks of wedding entertainment with all the goodies we get to sample. Yum!)



Christine and Al are off to the Rivera Maya, Mexico. Have a wonderful trip, guys!

7.27.08 Anthony's Pier 9 Mashelle & Danny

It was such a pleasure to be a part of Mashelle and Danny's wedding day.

We met the couple when we worked the annual Holiday Ball for the employees at Stewart Airforce Base. Danny "volunteered" to be a human Christmas tree and was decorated by the ladies with tinsel, ornaments, and ladies undergarments. As if that weren't enough, he did a runway walk, strutting his stuff for the crowd.

Yep, that's Danny.


With three children each, Mashelle and Danny are forming a regular Brady bunch.


On their wedding day, Danny and Mashelle made their grand entrance, rising up the elevator in the Imperial Ballroom, lights flashing, the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey blaring. We kicked in with Rob Base's "It Takes Two" and the guests went wild.


Danny really stretched my vocal talents with the Love Letter he wrote for Mashelle, inspired by the Jack Black comedy Nacho Libre. I assumed my best Mexican accent to deliver lines like, "Let's get down to the nitty gritty," (except it sounded more like, "neeety greeety") and "I was wondering if you would join me in my quarters this night...for some toast."

How many times did you see that movie, Danny?


Mashelle and her young son Barrington, who had also walked her down the aisle, shared a special dance together. He held her tight, head pressed into his mother the whole time. It was the sweetest parent dance I've seen in ages.


Let me tell you--the bouquet toss later on was FULL CONTACT. Those single ladies were dangerous! They actually tackled each other and wrestled for the bouquet. Stray flowers were flying everywhere.


We tapped into some salsa, merengue, old school hip hop and freestyle for this party, interspersed with some of Danny and Mashelle's Christian favorites.

My favorite moment: seeing the looks of love exchanged by Danny and Mashelle as their six children surrounded them on the dance floor. These are the moments you remember.

Thanks, guys!

7.26.08 Candlewood Inn Diana & Shaun

If you've never been to the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield, Connecticut, you're missing something special.


Diana and Shaun were married on the shores of Candlewood Lake, with pink and purple flowers dotting the landscaped gardens. The Reverend David James http://www.wedrev.com/ conducted a simple, lovely ceremony with his characteristic charm, earning laughs and smiles from everyone. A warm wind gave relief from the summer heat as the early evening sun cast long shadows over those gathered.


Inside, the ballroom's elegant decor and view of the lake required little enhancement. The couple adorned each table with seven long-stemmed cala lilies in a vase. Simple and elegant. The Bridesmaids wore black (a popular choice this year--classic and reusable) and carried bouquets of yellow cala lilies.


The newlyweds impressed all their guests with their First Dance choice: a tune by Gloria Estefan called "You" that showed off their salsa lessons.


Diana and Shaun snuck off for a private photo at sunset, just as the brilliant, red sun was sinking behind the mountains on the far side of the lake. What a view!


This partying group taught us something new: they did a conga line to "I Wanna Be Sedated" by the Ramones.

The punk movement would have been proud.

7.18.08 Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel Kimberly & Aaron

The Terrace Ballroom at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel was a princess' paradise in pink. Pale pink linens adorned the tables, hot pink napkins were folded at each setting, and pink roses filled the floral centerpieces. Even the ice sculpture behind the sweetheart table had pink roses frozen inside.


Kimberly and Aaron danced to one of my favorites by David Gray, "This Year's Love." The newlyweds couldn't help smooching on the dance floor to that one. Ah. I love that song.

At the cake cutting, the guests finally noticed the custom cake topper of a bride with Marine groom in a uniform exactly matching Aaron's bars and stripes. Nice detail!


Our friends Lou and Lea Bedinotti http://www.bedinottiphoto.com/ worked with us for the second night in a row. Except with Lou and Lea, it's more like play than work. Lou can make the most uptight groomsman laugh! "He's a good guy, but I wouldn't take his check." You're a special one, all right, Lou. We love you guys!

7.17.08 Round Hill House Bessie & Josh

What a day!

This wedding was a prime example of how a mid-week wedding can be a GREAT way to save money and still have your Dream Wedding. We had dancing until the very end (when the "Drunk Bus" arrived) on a Thursday night. It was such a high-energy party I completely forgot it was a week night!

The weather was touch and go for a while, but Bessie got her outdoor wedding in the gorgeous gardens of Round Hill House. Jeff nestled under the vine-covered trellis and performed acoustic guitar for the ceremony. Guests sipped lemonade and iced teas as they took their seats. The bridesmaids in black dresses made their way across the lawn, the blue flowers in their hair matching the flower girls' dresses.

Thanks to Jennifer of Metro Party Planners http://www.metropartyplanners.com/, everything went smoothly from start to finish. Outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour at the bar and side deck, reception in the dining hall and dancing in the atrium room.

Dancing started with the Horah. I'm not sure if it was delight or fear on Bessie and Josh's faces as they were hoisted onto chairs and paraded around the atrium room. A head just may have grazed a chandelier, but I assure you that no one was injured in the making of this wedding.

Not even the candy buffet was tempting enough to keep this crowd off the dance floor. Our photographer friends Lou and Lea Bedinotti http://www.bedinottiphoto.com/ were there to capture it all--and keep us entertained, too.

What a way to start the weekend early!

7.12.08 The Grandview Alicia & Kyle

Return to The Grandview for Alicia and Kyle's big day...

As Kyle's brother, the Best Man, said in his toast, "Kyle likes to do everything to the EXTREME."

So it came as no surprise that Alicia and Kyle worked their personalities into their reception. Alicia was beautiful, her long hair woven with flowers like a Medieval princess as she and Kyle made their grand entrance to the triumphant 80's synth sounds of "The Final Countdown." When the cheering guests settled down, they danced to Breaking Benjamin's cover of "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Queen.

(Jeff LOVES those 80's classic rock moments! That's when I tell him that his rock roots are showing.)

Alicia showcased her sense of humor, asking us to play "The Godfather Theme" as she and her VERY Italian father approached for their special dance. Then she kissed his ring in a show of Godfather-ly devotion.

Toward the end of the night, Alicia's Sisterhood held hands in a circle and serenaded her on the dance floor, raising their voices in harmony in accordance with their tradition.

Of course, Kyle's single guy friends would not be out done, and they followed with a dedication of "Another One Bites the Dust" for the groom.
Alicia and Kyle were a brilliant example of how to express your personality through your entertainment. It doesn't have to be complicated or totally unexpected or even non-traditional--it just has to be YOU.

Rock on, guys.

7.6.08 The Grandview April & Mike

We closed our weekend with our friends under the tent of the Grandview, our home away from home.

April and Mike had a lovely ceremony officiated by Father Rich Haselbach http://www.fatherrich.com/ on the patio overlooking the Hudson River. The bridesmaids were gorgeous in rich, red dresses that matched the roses in the pedestal arrangements on each table.

Mike's father gave a surprise toast. He unwrapped a huge bottle of Johnny Walker Red and told a story.

When Mike was only five years old, his father brought that bottle back from a trip to St. Thomas. Mike was fascinated with the bottle and asked his father when it would be opened. "I'll open it at your wedding," Mike's father had told him.

Little Mike replied, "Dad, you'll be waiting an awfully long time."

All those years later, Mike's father opened that bottle and raised his glass in a toast to his son on his wedding day.

I'm happy to note that the guests had a great time (with some helpful assistance from that scotch, I'm sure) kickin' it to a mix of salsa, hip hop and good old rock n' roll.

Blending Mike's Latin heritage with April's love for country music reminded me of the beauty in the way a couple's differences compliment each other.

(Now if only I could get Jeff to like Shakespeare...)

7.5.08 Onteora Mountain House Lily & Brennan

It's always a beautiful day for a wedding at Onteora Mountain House. Chatting with Bonnie, the maitre'd, I learned that they haven't had a ceremony rained out the entire season, even with record rain fall. They always have that perfect two hour window between passing showers, just enough time for an outdoor ceremony overlooking the breathtaking view of the valley.

Onteora Mountain House transports you to the hills of California, right here in the Hudson Valley. Lily & Brennan were SO sweet and fun. The simple, elegant touches of their decor accented Onteora's beauty without overshadowing it. Yellow cala lilies and purple irises set into a few river stones in glass vases adorned each table beside red and gold bags containing Chinese candy favors. The groomsmen wore light beige suits while the groom was dressed in gray--a perfect choice for summer weather. The bridemaids were beautiful; all three had long, dark hair cascading over their shoulders and each wore a uniquely cut deep jazz blue dress.

And Lily! She was the show-stopper. In a fitted dressed with asymettrical buttons down the back and a yellow tiger lily in her hair, she was stunning.

The party really took off after dinner. We delved into old school and new hip hop, motown favorites, even Daft Punk and the Gorillaz for Brennan. Lily changed into a striking yellow dress with a high Asian neckline that matched the yellow flower in her hair. The better to dance the night away with, my dear.

It was non-traditional, elegant, laid back, and SO much fun. Lily and Brennan, you rock!

Our thanks to our new friend Henry Chan http://www.henryshoots.com/ for providing these awesome photographs. Look at that view!

P.S. I'm so excited about this that I HAVE to post this. Henry Chan sent us a link to a photo montage he made for Lily and Brennan. It's absolutely AWESOME! Check it out, http://www.henryshoots.com/movie/2008/lilyandbrennan.

7.4.08 Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel Christine & Patrick

Ah, the Fourth of July.Christine and Patrick had the ballroom done up in red, white and blue. There were even little flags in the floral arrangements on each table and patriotic colors on the cake!

It was such fun to read their love letters to each other, especially Patrick's words about how he knew Christine was special on their very first date because, "she didn't mind that he watched the Pistons game over her shoulder" while they spoke. But, he assured us, she knows how to put him in his place. (Lots of catcalls from their guests after that one.)

Christine's father wrote a poem called "Daughter of Mine" in honor of his daughter's wedding day, the name taken from the song by John McDermott that they danced to together. The poem was funny, sweet, and touching. These are the moments that transform a wedding from memorable to unforgettable.

I mustn't forget to note the creative use of the Grand's red napkins; a few guests tied them together and began an impromtu game of Limbo on the dance floor.

Kent Miller of Kent Miller Studios http://www.kmsweddings.com/ captured some great details in these photographs. Gotta love that patriotic flair!

6.28.08 The Grandview Stephanie & Matt

It was back at the Grandview for our second wedding of the weekend, this time in the ballroom. (Can I tell you how much we LOVE the Grandview? The staff is even attentive to us, so you know the newlyweds get treated like gold!) So, sharing your First Dance with your one, true love is about the most romantic moment imaginable. Right?

What if your new husband SANG that song to you?

That's right; Matt put all future grooms to shame. He performed, sang, and recorded "To Make You Feel My Love" for his First Dance with Stephanie.

And I seem to remember Matt doing an encore performance with a little make-shift karaoke to "Love Shack" and "Shout" later on in the evening... Matt and Stephanie actually had trees as their table centerpieces, which can be tough to pull off, but the Grandview's elegant, spacious ballroom was just the right setting. Two trees draped in orchids, jewels and lanterns formed an enchanting arch behind the newlyweds.

Simply gorgeous!
Check out these great photos by Ulysses and Jenni http://www.ulyssesphotography.com/. Not only are they extremely talented photographers, they are incredibly cool people. Ulysses captured Jeff's "guitar face" in all its intensity. Such a serious musician!

6.27.08 The Grandview Kait & Ryan

What a radiant bride!

Kait had a smile on her face from the moment she stepped under the beautiful Grandview tent until the last song of the night. She simply lit up the whole place.

That charm must run in the family. Kait's dad pretended to be reluctant about proposing a toast, then floored us with his moving speech. Raising his glass to the newlyweds, he announced with both pride and sincerity, "Kait, you couldn't have found a better man. This is the proudest day of my life."

As if that weren't enough to start the water works, Kait's twelve year old cousin, Allie, serenaded the couple, singing Josh Groban's "When You Say You Love Me." It was a surprise dedication from Kait's mom.

It was a "joining of the clans," as Kait's dad put it. And we were privileged to be a part of it.

We worked with Kimberly Coccagnia http://www.kimberlycoccagnia.com/ for the first time. She really captured the majesty of the Grandview tent--and Kait's beauty--in these photographs. Kimberly was so unobtrusive, I almost forgot she was there. But she was clicking away, taking in most subtle details.

Nicely done!

6.22.08 Dutchess Manor Vicki & Allan

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!

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 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!

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.

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.