Ahhh! It seriously feels like winter lasted FOREVER and wedding season would never arrive, but I am so glad April is here and my wedding season officially kicked off with Kelly and Doug’s wedding at Mulino’s at Lake Isle!

 

I was super happy to have Scott second shooting with me for this wedding- I think it’s always fun for the groom to have Scott there to talk sports ha! And obviously, I love getting to spend the day with him! I was thrilled that Kelly and Doug were my first couple of the year!! We arrived at the hotel where Kelly was getting ready and I called her dad as soon as I got in the lobby to find out the room number.  He was SO joyful on the phone, assured me that everything and everyone was going/doing well and he was just excited the day was here!

 

We got in the elevator and we were walking down the hall behind someone who was going to the same room and I had a funny suspicion is might be Amy, the bridesmaid who referred me to Kelly and Doug! And I was right! It was so exciting to see a familiar face right as my day was beginning- Amy was a bridesmaids / sister-in-law of one of my past brides, and I am honored that she enjoyed being in the wedding party so much to refer me to Kelly and Doug! That’s always the best affirmation for me.

 

I started with Kelly’s gorgeous bridal details.  They were so simple and elegant and the whole day was classic to a T. Her Badgley Mischka shoes were sparkling against the beautiful florals and classic black and white invitations. The bridesmaids wore black dresses and I absolutely LOVED how this looked!! The whole morning was so seamless, I kept telling Kelly she was probably the earliest bride I’ve ever had be done with hair and makeup and everything!

 

When it was time to go to the ceremony- myself, Kelly, her parents and all the bridesmaids were picked up by a Trolley to head to the church. It was so much fun!! We were SO ahead of schedule which was amazing, so I had plenty of time to get the lay of the land at the church.

 

Everyone was in eager anticipation before the ceremony doors opened and Doug’s face as Kelly and her dad walked down the aisle was so sweet. It was a Catholic ceremony, so Kelly and Doug were seated next to his brother and her sister at the altar. After the ceremony, we took family formals at the church and then everyone headed to this incredible location along the river that had a seriously awesome warehouse that we took all the pictures in!!

 

From there we went to the reception and danced the night away to the most incredible band – ETA Music. THEY WERE AMAZING. Seriously… book them.

 

And now, their story! Kelly and Doug met years ago when Kelly ran a swim club during the summer and Doug was the director of a summer camp that came to Kelly’s pool. He asked a young lifeguard for her number! They were both from small towns and Kelly knew of Doug from her older brothers and playing sports together.

 

Their first date consisted of of Sunday brunch during the summer.  Doug picked Kelly up at her apartment and they went to lunch at Doyle’s. They sat outside and ate and had drinks and hung all day!

 

The day Doug proposed, they went to harvest on Hudson and had an early dinner, the day before Kelly’s birthday. Doug began to talk about the river and growing up in the area. He asked to take a walk to the water to look around, and at this point, Kelly was getting a bit suspicious! He pointed out a rock down south so she turned around and when she turned back he was proposing !!

 

I was thrilled to get to meet them and photograph their engagement session with their adorable boxer pup, and Scott was so excited he got to meet their dog during prep! Definitely a cute addition to the day!!

 

Kelly and Doug, it was a blast working with you, your families, and your friends for your wedding celebration. I hope this adventure is the best one yet, and I’m honored I got to be a part of it! Thank you for making my job so wonderful along the way, I hope to be there as you enter other milestones in your life, and hope to see you again soon!

Thank you to these incredible vendors who made the day possible!!

VENUE: Mulino’s at Lake Isle
VENUE COORDINATOR:John Gervasi Jr
VIDEOGRAPHER: Rola Cinema
FLORIST: Columbia Florist Inc.
CAKE ARTIST:Mulino’s at Lake Isle
BAND: ETA Music
HAIR  ARTIST: The Beauty Parlor
MAKEUP ARTIST: Hair and Makeup by Josephine
BRIDAL GOWN BOUTIQUE: Designer Loft NYC
GROOM AND GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: San Marko Formals – John Forchetti