New York Weddings

If I were to plan my wedding all over again, I would show my vendors this wedding as inspiration and leave it at that. Because Jennifer and Nick truly planned a picture perfect day. Drenched in pretty pink hues and sweet kisses, Heather Payne Photography was behind the lens capturing every sweet moment and we’ve got it all waiting for you (and/or your vendors, *cough*cough*) in The Vault!

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From Heather Payne Photography…Jennifer & Nick married in an intimate venue in Albany, New York with some of their closest family and friends. After our initial conversation together, I knew they were truly special and had the sweetest love story to tell. We met for their engagement photos months before in Massachusetts where we were able to get a true sense of just how sweet their story actually was. Their giggles and genuine expressions for each other was so joyful to capture.

Their wedding took place in Albany, New York at a venue on Crooked Lake. It was a windy and cold day in March, but the sun was so warm and everyone’s spirits were so radiant. The setting was very elegant indoors and the nature of the outdoors was so picturesque with willow trees and perfect little hidden pockets around the lake. Jennifer and Nick’s envisioned their day to feel calm, romantic and ethereal. Knowing the “feeling” of their day, we were able to really create some beautiful images that best represented their style and aesthetic. Jennifer had two beautiful dresses that she wore during the ceremony and reception. Her long cathedral veil blew so gracefully in the wind and wrapped around them during their first look where Nick saw Jennifer for the first time.

From The Bride…I was starting intern year as a pediatric resident in a hospital, and I had just moved in Albany. I wanted to get to know some people, so I joined a christian medical group at the hospital, and that’s where I met him. Initially, when we met, I guess he was attracted, so he tried to invite me over for group gatherings. The first group gathering, we were all going to a museum 45 minutes away, so he texted me to ask if I could give him a ride since he had just finished an overnight call as a surgery resident. So I agreed, and thats when we just started texting a lot. When I picked him up, it ended up we were the only two in the car so we had some really deep conversations. Very quickly we started talking more and more on the phone, and hanging out. Initially I was a little weary because we were talking so much and I was becoming attracted as well, but I wasn’t sure of his feelings for me. However, within 2 weeks of meeting each other, we confessed our feelings and started dating!

Nick proposed by taking me to the farmer’s market that morning, then blindfolding me and driving to the very museum that we had gotten to know each other. On the walk there, he played some songs he downloaded on an iPod and eventually when we got to the terrace, he played the soundtrack version of “I love you…For sentimental reasons” and we slow danced while he sang softly in my ear. There were a lot of random people around. Then he got down on one knee and proposed!

Photography: Heather Payne | Floral Design: Party With Mia | Wedding Cake: Coccadotts Cake Shop | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Caparros | Hair & Makeup: VickyC5 | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Old Daley on Crooked Lake | Bride's Bracelet: Lord And Grey Bridal | Bride's Headpiece: BHLDN | Bride's Necklace: BHLDN | Bride's Veil: Nordstrom | Bridesmaids' Robes: Foxblossom Co. | Live Music: Joanne Nguyen & Ben Lee | Reception DJ: Events by Cool Cat | Wedding Dress "Ceremony" & "Reception": BHLDN

Have you ever been in love with a bouquet?  I have… and it’s this breathtaking number created by Anthology Studio.  A perfect mix of modern and classic with bursts of vibrant purple hues, it’s one of the dreamiest bundles of blooms you will ever lay your eyes upon.  Also dreamy?  The wedding behind the bouquet, this upstate gem from Bailly Photography.  It’s DIY paper goods meets a breathtaking ballroom reception meets a whole lot of rainy day pretty.  See it all in the full gallery.

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From the Bride…Bryun and I wanted our wedding to be modern with some vintage touches mixed in, like my birdcage veil that I hand-sewed (I swear, I made and remade that thing about five times), an heirloom bracelet passed down from my grandmother that I wore as an anklet, and modern stationery and flowers. Since I do some graphic design work for my job, I was really particular about the stationery and fonts. We made our save the date postcards, invitations, ceremony programs, menus, favors and table numbers. I even constructed a light box in my living room using a desk light and a sheet of acrylic to be able to hand address the invitations.

The minute we walked into The State Room in downtown Albany we knew that it was the venue for us. Not only was it symbolic because we began our relationship just a few doors down in an office building on State Street, but also because the venue was classic – exactly how we would describe our wedding. The most important thing to us was that we would look back in 25, or even 50 years, and still say, “Wow, that was a classy affair!”

Since I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to planning events and activities, I knew that I would take no chances with an outdoor ceremony or reception. This paid off because we woke up to tornado warnings and predictions of torrential rain for the afternoon. I kept joking with the photographer that I expected him to take a photo with a funnel cloud in the background. Did I hope for rain on my wedding day? Heck no. We had three different locations lined up to shoot photos between the ceremony and reception, all of which were outdoors. But as it turned out, it not only rained on my wedding day, it poured. I know some brides would freak out in this situation, but that’s just not my style. I was determined to stay calm and roll with the punches.

Thankfully, our photographer knew of a great spot where were would be primarily covered from the elements but would still give some natural light and the historic backdrop of downtown Albany.  As it turns out, the rain was a blessing in disguise. Since we only did photos in one location, we were able to get back to the cocktail hour of our reception and actually eat and drink and spend some relaxing time with our family and friends before we made our grand entrance into the ballroom. Later in the evening when everyone was dancing the night away, the photographer asked if we would step outside for some photos in the rain, sans umbrella. At that point, I figured why not? I’m so happy that we just went with it, and trusted his judgement, because we ended up with some beautiful photos surrounded by rain drops.

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Wedding Photography: Bailly Photography | Ceremony Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York | Reception Venue: The State Room in Albany, New York | Wedding Cinematography: NuVue Cinema | Floral Design: Anthology Studio | Bakery: Coccadott’s | Wedding Invitations: Michael’s | Wedding Dress: Mon Cheri | Bride’s Shoes: Glint | Groom’s Attire: Henry A. Davidsen | Hair+ Makeup: True Grace Makeup

The perfect combination of sweetness and style, this gorgeous (ok, really gorgeous) wedding at The Lake George Club is the type of party that will leave you a bit breathless. The florals from Renaissance Floral Design will stop you in your tracks, the cocktail hour boat rides will make you smile, and the stunning reception space will make you wish you were invited. Lucky for all of us, the gallery captured by Tracey Buyce is so beautiful, it almost makes you feel like you were there. See it all here.

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From Tracey Buyce… The Theme for the day was a mixture of the great Adirondacks and Lauren’s love of rich color and texture. Lauren’s Family have been members of the club and enjoyed many summers there ever since she was a child

The Hacker Craft boat was on the wish list for the family for many years, so on the day of the wedding Lauren and Andy arrived in style and then guests were able to take a spin around the islands close to the club during cocktail hour. HOW FUN!

Laurens sister had life cows at her wedding decked out in a custom lilly Pulitzer paint job. Designer David Michael Schmidt, had to give a little something fun for Lauren too, The Pig “GUNTER” was the mascot for the brew stations featuring local micro brews that the couple picked out.

Lauren loves desserts so wedding cake by Debbie Coye was on the menu and mounds and mounds of moose munch specially crafted by Krouse’s Homemade Candy, and trays of Italian cookies and pastries from the families favorite bakery

As Lauren cut the cake all in the room suddenly changed their focus to the Bagpiper on the balcony, no one new about it because it was a complete surprise, to everyone even the brides parents.  A bag piper led the entire group out to the docked where a video was played that had been created the day of the wedding including the rehearsal dinner, getting ready, the ceremony and bits of the reception.    

The bouquets were a combination of jewel tone flowers, herbs, a few unexpected fall accents, and those little purple cabbages that Linda loves. The girls wore cranberry because it’s in. Combining purple, fuchsia, hot pink, and a touch of brown resulted in stunning bouquets for the girls. For Lauren, her bouquet included some very special blooms and herbs from my own garden, like viburnum berry, Japanese anemone, lavender, and rosemary all cut on the morning of the wedding.

The Reception was beautiful.  a combination of cloths were used that had just a hint of shimmer on natural fibers, so it felt right in the space. Layers of flowers, herbs, and champagne grapes were used in the arrangements … hundreds of tapered candles, votives, and floating candles were lit moments before guests entered the room. In the upper lever of the club, we placed narrow tables that over looked the main dining area.  The chandelier in the main dining room is a part of the building and can never be removed, so I close to one hundred glass bubbles with a floating candle in each, were added, then dimmed the bulbs of the chandelier to the same brightness of the candles, everyone loved it.   Table numbers were made out of slices of birch wood, carved the number, and added a little shimmer to them to blend in with the beautiful linens and mercury glass.

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Wedding Photography: Tracey Buyce  | Wedding Venue + Catering: The Lake George Club in Lake George, New York | Wedding Cinematography: Full Frame Cinema  | Wedding Coordination: Lisa Light | Floral + Event Design: David Michael Schmidt from Renaissance Floral Design | Wedding Cake: Debbie Coye  | Rentals: Clifton Park Rental | Stationery: The Pink Orange

This next board was designed by Tiffany for her November wedding in Albany, NY. She and her fiance were looking for a color palette that wasn’t too girly but that reflected the warm autumn colors. Orange, raspberry and brown seemed to be the perfect hues….

I love the warm hues in this board…just seems so romantic and cozy!