Earlier this summer, everyone in New York got quite a scare when Hurricane Irene passed through in a flurry of rain and high force winds. I knew one very important thing about Shannon and Eric’s wedding ceremony – it HAD to be held outdoors. That was the only thing (well, besides getting married) that really mattered to Shannon. She picked a gorgeous lakeside location on the lawn of Belhurst Castle, but with the hurricane, all plans were up in the air (thankfully not literally!)
When Shone and I arrived at the Ramada Geneva where everyone was getting ready, spirits were low but not crushed. There was so much going on that weather reports got put on the back burner and everyone just concentrated on getting dressed and pampered.
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The girls got their make up done at the Ramada and then continued getting dressed at one of the beautiful suites in Belhurst. They were able to peek through the windows and make sure the ceremony site hadn’t blown away with the winds.
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Shannon and her whole bridal party sported fabulous 1940′s hair up-dos and make up.
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Stacy K Floral provided whimsical yet elegant boutonnieres for the guys, as always including her signature feather accents.
A funny thing happened on the way to… the ceremony. At that point of the day it had been decided that no matter what, the ceremony was going to be held outside. The wind was strong but the rain had slowed down from a sprinkle to barely anything at all. The music started, the grandparents got seated, the groomsmen walked to their designated spots… But where was the bridal party? Turns out, someone “lost” the wedding vows. The bride was panicking. Guests were waiting in their seats, getting blown about by the winds. People were dispatched back to the hotel to search for the elusive piece of paper, the bridal suite was getting turned inside out, and Eric, well, Eric was calm as a cucumber – he knew he’d get married no matter what, handwritten vows or not. I think his calm energy transferred to the bride, because soon the panic stopped, the vows were located, and the ceremony could begin. Again.
With plenty of anticipation built in, Eric finally saw his bride Shannon walk down the aisle toward him. Not a dry eye in the house with these two!
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Belhurst just recently installed a small romantic fountain area near the ceremony site, and it added to the overall rainy feel of the day. I enjoyed being able to walk around and get all perspectives of the ceremony, a great benefit of getting married on a big lawn! (Although I do wonder if somehow the whole shebang could be turned around so that the guests could look towards the castle instead of the lake as the couple gets married) Random thought, moving on.
Uh oh, sprinkles! Not an issue if you’re having a great time!
Reading the vows. It definitely was worth the wait.
Surprise! As the new Hoffmans were announced, the whole bridal party started dancing to “All the Single Ladies”
Amazing job, Stacy.
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A quick change later… (Stacy made the birdcage veil for Shannon using purple feathers and a gorgeous brooch that complemented her 1940′s style)
Bridal party formal
… and not so formal.
… and even LESS formal!
Thankfully, no one fell in!
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I may or may not have said something inappropriate.
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The elegant cake was expertly crafted by Premier Pastry
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A “cigarette” girl served jelly beans and candies to the guests at cocktail hour.
First dance
more cake. and rings.
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Thanks hurricane Irene for bringing us this amazing evening sky.
It also colored Belhurst Castle with purple hues.
Party time! (with Deb from Paper Moon Productions capturing every moment on video)
OMG is that swing music I hear? MUST. DANCE!!!
The best weddings are ones where I make new friends. You guys rocked.
Ok, now the CONTEST!!!
1. If you have Facebook, “like” this post.
2. Comment! Any valid comment* will be eligible. (preferably more than two words)
50+ LIKES will earn the couple $25 in account credit with PhotoKisses.
25+ COMMENTS will earn the couple $50 in account credit with PhotoKisses
You could essentially be helping them upgrade their album or get an awesome wall print. Yay freebies!
A reasonable time frame of one month (so, until 12/21/11) will be given so that anyone who wishes to “like” and/or comment may do so.
*A random number generator will be used to pick a lucky commentator, who will receive a $10 gift card to my favorite addiction store Starbucks
Jasper, a Maine Coon mix, came home to me from Lollypop Farm, a local humane society, on January 5th. He is a very big boy with huge paws and a long, silky orange coat. As you can see, his left ear is tipped, which I guess is how certain organizations keep track of cats that have been fixed, such as our local feral cat trap-neuter-release program in Henrietta. I love his round amber eyes which are lined with white, and the sheer size of him, especially when he parades around the room like he owns me, the house, and all of PhotoKisses business, including the brides and grooms that come over for consultations. (I guess this would be a good time to say, if you are allergic to cats, perhaps we should meet at a coffee place somewhere!)
Jasper is a curious kitty, and I expect him to be watching over my editing and album design as soon as he learns the ropes (and how to paw the office door open!)
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) and Sarah stepped right up and volunteered to help me carry them out. I wanted crazy hair and crazy makeup, and being the amazing make up artist she is (hey Sarah, will you do my makeup for my wedding?!) we got some stunning photos. These were all shot in the final hour before sunset, I loved how saturated the colors became when the light reflected off her big white wedding dress.
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