New Year’s Eve - the night of December 31, often celebrated with merrymaking to usher in the new year at midnight (dictionary.com)
Diane & Jonathan did just that. They were married on New Year’s Eve in a beautiful ceremony in downtown Albany, took photos up the block with sparklers in hand, and rang in the new year to the countdown from a live band with party hats, tiaras, noisemakers and a champagne toast, while surrounded by all their family and friends. Not to mention the yummy chocolate fountain, the awesome black and white cake followed by a full dessert table, and a crowd that loved to dance (they did the limbo and the worm). It was a great night and I was honored to be able to document it for such a wonderful couple so obviously in love.
Creating these blog entries doesn’t come easy for me - sometimes taking longer to write than to create the highlight video that goes along with it. This one is going to be easy though as I’m going to let Darren write most of it. As I was getting ready to put this together, I stumbled across a blog that he wrote about a little ode he had written to Keri that he was going to share at the wedding, but never got to it (it’s amazing how fast the day really goes by once it starts). I’ve picked out some of my favorite parts to share here.
I just want to say a few words about my beautiful, brand-spanking new wife. Keri and I had our first date 2 years, 2 months, and 2 weeks ago from this very day. And I knew very early on, I had stumbled upon something special.
In fact, I remember one day, no more than a couple of months into our relationship, getting ready with Keri to go out and I found myself just staring at her for a few moments before eventually blurting out ‘How in the world did I get so lucky to have found you?”
“No seriously,” I asked, “how in the world have you stayed single long enough so that I could find you?!?”
I mean, here was this incredibly smart, extremely sexy and cool girl. Sensitive and sweet – with just enough spice and even a touch of the occasional vinegar to keep things interesting. Pretty and funny – not only appreciating my own sense of humor, which is tough enough, but also constantly making me laugh. And it all came bundled in this one little enticing skinny package!
…… It was just always so easy to envision Keri as my wife because she is exactly what i’ve always pictured when I thought about my life in this stage.
And the more I think about my original question – “How in the world did you stay single long enough so that I could find you? – the more I wonder if the answer is not just that relationships are hard, but that perhaps, this is the only way it could have possibly been.
That it, and us, and today were always going to be. Had to be.
And I am just so happy and thankful right now, so excited about our future … and I love you very, very much!
Every groom should write something so perfect for his new bride - don’t you think? Before I get to the video, I would like to mention a couple of things that helped make this day memorable (aside from Keri & Darren, of course):
Broken Bones - my second groom in a cast this year (2009)
My Hero - Chad’s “My Brother is My Hero” toast - awesome!
Thriller - how many times do you get to see a 91 year old dancing to the Michael Jackson hit?
Karaoke - Darren sang - altering the lyrics to the Neil Diamond song from Sweet Caroline to Sweet Keri Lyn
Troy couples rock! And Vickie & Sidney proved it to me once again (plus they’re fellow South Carolina fans, so you can’t go wrong there!).
Vickie’s day started at her parent’s house where she and her bridesmaids (including 3 sisters) got ready. There was laughter and tears and a house full of family by the time we were ready to head to the ceremony at St. Joseph’s in Troy. Before we left, Sidney sent over a gift for Vickie to open - a gorgeous new ring (you should be able to catch a glimpse of it in the video). Once at the church, we got off to a quick start, which was followed by a couple of readings (one was in Arabic), the vows, the kiss, and high-fives between Sidney and all of his groomsmen.
After the ceremony, we hung out with Casey Connell Photography while they did some family photos at the church and then headed to Wolfert’s Roost to finish up the bridal party pix. This was our first time working with them and hope we get the opportunity to do so again - they were awesome. (Check out the photos on their blog - the Nov 03 post). When we made it upstairs to the reception room, we met up with Fernando from Pianoman DJ (more awesomeness) who introduced the new Mr. and Mrs. and got the crowd to their feet. At the end of dinner Vickie and Sidney arranged to entertain their guests with a belly dancer who got everyone on the dance floor and set the tone for the night. FotoMagic was also on site providing guests with magnet keepsakes during the reception, and we got to hang out with a former and future bride & groom as well (love you guys - see you in February).
Here is Vickie & Sidney’s highlight video from their October 2009 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple.
Melita & Steve were married on a sunny (but chilly) day in October. The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Church in Coxsackie where Melita walked down the aisle with her mother and brother while Steve anxiously waited for her at the altar with his best man/nephew. A couple of tissues later, they were pronounced husband and wife and headed to Birch Hill to celebrate. Once there, I tagged along with Christina Primero on the photoshoot with the bridal party - which was quick, but not quick enough for the bridesmaids in their short, strapless dresses. :) Luckily the warm limo was standing by waiting for them. Once we made our way inside, DJ Adam Conway of Conway Entertainment announced the newlyweds and got the party started.
After the best man’s toast Melita and Steve did the Pants in the Family Toast - which Melita won, of course. They did the Anniversary Dance and it was amazing to see the number of couples still out on the dance floor as they called off 30 years, 35 years, etc. At the 50 year mark there were still two couples dancing. Steve’s parents ended up being the longest married couple - with 55 years under their belts and still counting. Wow!
Here is Melita & Steve’s highlight video from their October 2009 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple.
Imagine having two daughters plan their weddings in the same year - only four months apart - June and October. Jaclyn is the October bride in this scenario and I have been looking forward to this wedding since I first met this family back in June, and I’m so glad I got to be a part of both of these incredible weddings.
Jaclyn & Robert’s day took place in Saratoga Springs with the ceremony at St. Clement’s and the reception at Saratoga National Golf Club. The day started with the forecast calling for downpours in the afternoon, however the rain held off and blue skies and sunshine made an appearance by the time the reception got under way. Sharon & Kristen from Captured Moments by Sharon Mahar took advantage of the change in weather and brought the newlyweds outside for a series of quick, beautiful shots in the awesome light. This duo is so much fun to work with, we always have a great time when they are around. (Sharon doesn’t blog though, so I’ve included a couple of photos from the wedding below the video so you can check out her work.)
Back inside, the best man had everyone laughing when, during his toast, he offered Rob some words of advice since they both had married “pretty little Italian women, with big Italian families”. After dinner, Mike Garrasi from Music Man Entertainment got the party started. He didn’t need to do much though - not with this crowd. They were there to party and that’s just what they did - owwww! Jaclyn’s nephews entertained everyone with a performance to “Boom Boom Pow”, Jaclyn’s brother and cousin snuck up on and danced around people during “What Is Love” (they got me again!), Robert’s grandmother was out on the dance floor all day, there were sing-a-longs, a 40th anniversary dedication to Jaclyn’s parents, and Jaclyn’s sister and sister-in-law showed up in sombreros at one point (don’t ask!). The night ended to “New York, New York” (where the bride & groom live) with the crowd forming a huge circle around the happy couple.
Also, I have to give a quick plug to Jaclyn’s sister, Lindsay (the June bride). She designed all the printed materials - invitations, programs, menus, etc. and just started her own business - check her out here.
Now, onto the video. Here is the highlight video from Jaclyn & Robert’s October 2009 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple.
Karrie & Jeff, two of Troy’s Finest, got married in September in - you guessed it - Troy! The ceremony took place at St. Augustine’s where huge flower “K” & “J” initials greeted the guests on the church doors. The ceremony got off to a somewhat late start, prompting the priest to talk about some instances where a bride or groom was left at the altar in his sermon - not that it was a concern here, he was just sayin’.
Instead of a limo, the bridal party hopped on a trolley and headed to the reception at the Franklin Plaza. It was our 5th wedding there this year and a great way to end the season at this venue (we’ll be back in February though!). We also got to work with other awesome vendors - photographer Christina Primero and her assistant, Kat (who we worked with again two weeks later), and DJ Fernando from The Piano Man’s DJ Productions (who rocked another wedding with us again three weeks later).
At the reception, we got to see a former bride & groom and two of the wildest cake in the face smashes of the year. Karrie did a smash and throw and Jeff countered with a smooth smash that almost looked unexpected. (Note to couples - make sure you both agree to this before you try it yourselves - I’ve seen it go wrong before). The rest of the night was followed by dancing and singing, yummy apple crisp dessert served in addition to the cake, a late evening snack of sliders and fries, and more dancing - it was a great crowd.
Though I didn’t get to see her that day, I’d like to make a special mention of Tina from Flawless by Tina. Karrie looked absolutely beautiful - even after the cake in the face.
Here is Karrie & Jeff’s highlight video from their September 2009 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple!
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