The main way that couples find out about my photography is through word of mouth. A friend tells them about me or they see a friends photos on facebook, and I get a phone call, email, or FB message to start off. When we meet, we already have a couple things in common, great friends & a love for good photography! Usually after that we become friends and the rest is history!

This is how I met Christie & Matt. They had seen wedding photographs from two weddings that I had shot and were sold! We instantly bonded over our mutual friends Kim & Juliana. Then they told me all about their amazing wedding day! I was SO excited to travel out to Albany and visit that wonderful city!

The day was packed full of elegant details! From the richness of the hotel room where Christie got ready, to the epic church they were married in, to the fabulous flower arrangements that towered over every table at the reception! It was a photographers dream!

Another amazing thing about Christie & Matt is that they’re also friends with Mary & Charlie, a couple I shot only a few weeks prior to their wedding. Both Christie & Mary were the MOH in each others weddings and I got to capture BOTH of them! WOW! How lucky can a girl get?! So now all 6 of us (Tim included) are friends! I can’t wait for Christie & Matt to make their way back out to Syracuse so we can all hang out together! Thank you Chrsitie & Matt!

xoxoxoxo

The Details

Hair: Kalena Moore and Mareen, from Spa Li’Ve

Makeup Artist: Jen McCarthy, True Grace Make-Up

Dress: Casa Blanca Bridal, Style1955

Bridesmaids Dresses: Belsoie, Style L2021

Tuxes: Tux Ego

Venue: Saint Mary’s Historic Church (Ceremony) & Mohawk River Country Club (Reception)

Florist: Marion Utz, Price Chopper

Transportation: Albany Trolley Company

DJ: (Band) Grand Central Station

Cake: Family Friend

Wedding Planner: Me, Myself and I, haha.

Other: Downtown Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel (Hotel- bridal prep)

Their Songs:

First Dance: “L-O-V-E,” by Nat “King” Cole

Father/Daughter: “Angel in My Arms,” by Gloria Sklerov & Barbara Rothstein

Mother/Son: “The Man You’ve Become,” by Gloria Sklerov & Barbara Rothstein

Introductions: “Love & Marriage,” by Frank Sinatra (Grandparents and Parents), “Dynamite,” by Taio Cruz, (Wedding Party)

About the day:

Bride & Groom:

What was the most memorable moment of your day?

When my two Maids of Honor gave me a boutique charm with a framed picture of my late cousin and “Jocelyn, Always in our hearts” engraved on the back. It was beautiful. I was overwhelmed with emotion.

What was you favorite detail?

Christie’s favorite detail was the Ice Sculpture/Vodka Luge her Grandfather surprised them with at the reception. It was an ice sculpture of two penguins and a heart with “Matt & Christie” carved into it. Matt’s favorite detail was the personalized cake topper that Christie had made for him. It was a sculpture of Matt giving Christie a piggyback ride. Matt had his Yankee’s hat on, Christie was holding her boutique and Cooper, their dog was by their side.

Any advice for future bride & grooms?

Just relax and have fun! You’ve planned all your life for this special day so enjoy it! If something goes wrong, Oh, well! No reason to stress; it will become a great memory that you can laugh about later.

A piece of advice a family member gave me at the wedding was, “At some point during the reception just the two of you go stand in a quiet corner for a few minutes. Hold hands, watch your guests enjoying themselves, and listen to the sounds that are going on around you. Just soak it all in because the day goes by so fast!”

Funniest memory from you wedding day?

Christie’s 98 year old grandfather dancing with her to “Love Shack.” He let go of her hand and stepped back as if to say “I got this, watch me go!” He totally broke it down! Another funny memory was when Matt went for Christie’s garter and pulled out huuuge pink granny panties…  Haha, she was totally out of the loop on that one and was genuinely surprised!

If you had to do it all over, would you change anything?

I would have allotted more time for pictures! We had less than 2 hours to take picture and get to the reception hall which was 30 minutes away. With that said, we couldn’t have asked for anything better! We had amazing weather, awesome people to celebrate with, a great band, church and reception hall and to top in off outstanding photographers to capture it all! : )

What was your favorite wedding purchase?

Christie’s favorite purchase was the dress and the trolley! I remember being super excited when Matt said it was available and he booked it. Matt’s favorite was the band and reception hall. He could not wait to try all the amazing hor’d orves… which we later found out that we didn’t have time to eat!

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We spent a beautiful and memorable week on the Caribbean island of Antigua in the West Indies.

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Christie’s bridesmaids gave her a pendant with a picture of her cousin who had passed away. It was extremely emotional!

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Could you be an more beautiful?! Really?!

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Hypnotizing!

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Even Mom & Mary thought so!

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soooo sweet!

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Channel your inner “Anchor Man!”

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I love how epic these shots are! I feel like i’m in a movie!

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These next 2 shots are my faves from the day. This is Christie’s Mom, hugging her Dad who’s 98 years old! They weren’t sure he’d make it to the wedding.

THIS IS WHY I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER! To capture the moments that will last forever!

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I cried when I took this picture! Breathtaking!

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