A wedding is stressful. There are so many details that have to play out perfectly. It’s easy to becom overwhelmed and turn into bridezilla! I have yet to experience a bridezilla, but I’ve whitnessed numerous occasions that easily could have warranted it. Luckily my brides understand that in the end the most important part of the day isnt the flowers, cake, or dresses,it’s that they’re getting married to the one they’re intended for!
Rachel is a perfect example of how to take pressure in stride. She pretty much planned her whole wedding from Florida! So many factors could have gone wrong, but none of that mattered when she saw Ben at their first look! The stress melted away and their genuine love and affection transformed their day! Despite the weird winter weather (40 degrees in Jan) their wedding was gorgeous! Amy and I had a great time capturing every single moment!
Xoxoxo
Mabyn
How did your fiance propose? It was a Sunday like any other. I got up early and headed off to church where I was singing in the worship service and had to be there at an undesirably early hour. While there, I shot off a few texts to Ben while he was at school and received one back telling me he had a funny story to relate when I was out of church. I agreed to call him directly thereafter and because of that made no attempt at lunch plans or grocery shopping (which I actually needed to do). I arrived at my house and turned the key in the door, opening it up to about sixty lit candles, my favorite Trevor Hall song and 8.5×11 pieces of paper bearing some of my favorite poems and verses. They were even cited properly on the back. Needless to say, I cried, and made no effort to stop when I reached the kitchen and saw there Ben waiting with a diamond ring. I actually made him wait a little while I read all the poems in the kitchen along with the transcriptions of meaningful Facebook messages from the past year. On that day, January 29, 2012, one year exactly after our first date on a snowy Saturday night, Ben asked me to marry him. I think I said yes, I don’t actually remember because I was crying. But I believe there was nodding, at least enough for him to slip the ring on to my finger.
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..): We planned the majority of our wedding in the summer of 2012 when Ben worked in Syracuse and I had the summer off. Otherwise it was all through phone calls and emails especially when I moved to Florida to start a new teaching job and Ben was in Philadelphia at school and my mother was shouldering most of the planning in Syracuse (the wedding location). My maid of honor, Kim (cousin) was supremely helpful. It really was a joint effort on all parts and I’m so grateful to everyone who made our special day so special.
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day? One of my most memorable moments had to be during our first-look pictures when the bustle button snapped on my dress and we weren’t able to fix it until AFTER the ceremony. My little flower girl, Hallie, carried the train of my dress in her little arms as I greeted and hugged guests. She took her responsibilities very seriously 🙂
Funniest memory from your wedding day? My bouquet was so much heavier than I had anticipated and I didn’t actually hold it until we got to the church and I was waiting to go down the aisle. When I met Ben at the altar I was trying not to cry, so I made a joke and whispered to him “My bouquet is the weight of a toddler” and we both VERY silently chuckled.
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? I would danced more 🙂
Any advice for future bride & grooms? It truly does go by in an instant. When Ben and I were sitting at our sweetheart table he said to me “Just take a moment and look around, drink it all in. It’s a day like no other.” I echo his advice to any bride and groom. Enjoy every moment!
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography? I really felt like Mabyn was committed to getting the right shot. It was fun and easy to work with her, she made us feel comfortable right from the very beginning.
Hair: Christina Lombardi//Makeup Artist: Christina Lombardi//Dress Designer & Store Location: Alfred Angelo in Syracuse//Jewelry: Pearls…idk from where. Gift from my mother.//Veil or Hair accessories: All Alfred Angelo//Shoes: Madden girl pumps from Sears//Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo eggplant purple satin//Grooms Attire: Joseph A Banks grey suits//Ceremony Venue: Grace Assembly of God//Reception Venue: St. George’s Macedonian Orthodox Church//The Galleries of Syracuse//Transportation: American Limousine//DJ: Black Tie Entertainment//Caterer: Karen’s Catering//Cake: Nino’s Bakery//Wedding Coordinator: Andrea from Karen’s Catering//Invitations & Stationary: Kim Venuti
