You know those days where you are SO excited to go somewhere and everything seems to move like molasses? Some how the slowest people on earth drive in front of you, every stop light turns red, and construction plagues your path? By the time you get to the destination you’re all sorts of frustrated…That is how my morning went on the way to Erin & Kyle’s wedding.

You see, Erin & Kyle are a unique kind of people. When we met over a year ago it was like we had been friends for years! Now I’m friends with most of my clients, it’s the absolute #1 thing about my job. I make friends wherever I go! BUT, it’s rare to find a couple who are so instantly welcoming, genuine, and flipping hilarious! So you can see why I desperately wanted to see my friends again on their wedding day. Luckily, the moment I stepped into the hotel room and saw Erin’s shining happy face all of my frustration melted away and the fun began!

Add in to the day that the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel has gorgeous rooms with great light and a fantastic ariel view of the ceremony site, Mabyn was an extra happy camper! Oh yeah….and the rain held off for most of the day, until I wanted it to. Late into their reception, it started to rain. Not big fat drops, but that fine mist that just sits on top of everything. I can’t tell you how excited I was! Yes, a photographer excited about rain! I grabbed Erin & Kyle and they happily stood in the rain for about 20 minutes while I got to create some seriously epic images!

That frustrating day ended in the absolute perfect way! Not to mention that two of the most deserving people got to say “I do” to each other and I got to capture it all! YAY! Thank you so much to Erin & Kyle, I love you guys and I hope we get to hang out again in the future!

XOXOXO,
Mabyn

How did your fiance propose? I came home from work and thought raccoons got into our trash because there was something all over the driveway…when I got to the end, I realized it was actually roses and Kyle had written “Will you Marry Me?” In sidewalk chalk. There he was, on one knee and all I could say was “are you serious?!” Haha I was so surprised.
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..): My mom had a big role in all of the planning, since she had been doing wedding flowers for many years. She has probably been making plans for my wedding since I was five. I’m very grateful for all that she did and could not have done it without her! She actually found our venue. My mom, Kyle, and I had been driving around Seneca Lake all day looking at wineries and possible venues. We decided to go to Watkins Glen for lunch and drove by the Harbor Hotel. My mom begged us to go check it out, but I was exhausted and refused to go in with her and Kyle. They came back 2 seconds later, forced me to go in, and that was it. Absolutely beautiful place!
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day? We both have to agree that seeing each other for the first time during the ceremony was unforgettable. I remember being nervous until I saw him smiling and then it felt like it was just the two of us and nothing else mattered.
Funniest memory from your wedding day? Probably when our niece and nephew were chasing each other around on the dance floor.
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? Not a thing.
Any advice for future bride & grooms? When you can, take some time on your wedding day to stop and be present in the moment. Look around the room at all of your family and friends together and remember this is one of the only times in your life you will have all the people you love the most together at the same time.
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography? Where do we begin?! Mabyn has been one of the best parts of the wedding! She is so easy to be around and makes everything fun! It feels like we instantly became friends, and her talents are one of a kind. Mabyn’s work sets her far apart from others in the photography field. She truly loves what she does (clearly, since she laid in a puddle in the rain to take epic shots of us!), and is a true artist!

Hair: Emily Cantineri of Salon Primp//Makeup Artist: Amy DeFrancesco (friend of the bride)//Dress Designer & Store Location: Liv Harris, VOWS in Watertown, MA//Jewelry: Kenneth Jay Lane (earrings & bracelet) my ring was my grandmothers//Veil or Hair accessories: It was my mother’s veil, reconstructed by my lovely seamstress, Anahit, in Newton, MA//Shoes: Badgley Mischka//Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Sung from Chryssies in Canton, MA//Grooms Attire: Vera Wang for Men’s Warehouse//Ceremony Venue: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel//Additional photo venue: Seneca Lake//Florist: Joanne Amato//DJ: Erick Murtland//Cake: Amy Dawson at Emoticakes (although our family friend, Kristen Daggett made the sprinkle cake on display)//Event Designer: my mom? (Lol not sure about that one, maybe Valerie Romig since she was incredible at planning the whole thing)//Wedding Coordinator: Valerie Romig and Kristen Collins//Lighting: Erick Murtland//Invitations & Stationary: Cathy Colvin at Creative Assisstant