It was a gorgeous sunny day. Tim and I set off fairly early on for a lovely 2 hour jaunt towards Albany. We got off the highway and continued down cute little country roads and then up windey country paths. At first I was admiring the view…then as our GPS signal started to cut out , I started to wondering where this wedding venue actually was. Had I taken a wrong turn? Was Jeeves (My GPS) taking me to a different address? Finally when we had 10 minutes to spare, I saw a sign for The Carey Center for Global Good! If only you could have heard the sigh of relief that came from both Tim and I when we laid eyes on that sign!

Luckily, the drive up was no indicator for how the day went! Even though Rebecca and Jon had only chatted with me via Skype and email, we immediately bonded! Rebecca and Jon have this amazing way of bringing you into to their world and making you feel like family! The whole day just had this atmosphere of closeness despite the many guests that attended. We spent the day laughing, getting ready, hanging out with family and friends, oh and I happened to take pictures…at least thats what it felt like. Everything was absolutely breathtaking, from the gorgeous veiws, to the beautiful floral arrangements, to the emotional moments that spanned the whole day. I get teary eyed just thinking back on it! Rebecca and Jon truly made their wedding day a Love Story! Thank you both for “scaring” away your other photographer and finding me! I was so honored and blessed to be part of your day! I only wish you both lived closer so we could hang out ALL THE TIME! You can bet that I will work my tail off to get down to Providence one fo these days! 😉

xoxoxo,
Mabyn

How did your fiance propose? We were in the Adirondacks in NY for an October weekend with my dad and some family friends. We had never hiked there in the fall before, so we picked out a hike. My dad’s very zealous and fit friend Henry insisted on coming with us and despite his prodding we selected a hike that was of a relatively reasonable length – Cascade Mountain, one of the 46 High Peaks and one that Jon and I had hiked before. The night before, he had randomly bought this 6-pack of cider donuts from Stewart’s and I thought it was kind of a silly thing to do, but hey, they were on sale. So, we hike up the mountain with Henry, it’s drizzling and cold but the leaves are spectacular, and he and Jon start arguing about behavioral economics and the book “Nudge.” This goes on for about an hour. Finally, we break out from the tree cover, where sparse but stinging snow is blowing sideways into our faces, and eventually we reach the summit. The three of us huddle under a space blanket (basically a tarp to keep you warm) with our backs against a boulder, looking into a pure nothingness of white off the side of the mountain, and wolf down our sandwiches. After a bit I start to get cold, so I try to get the party moving. “Wait, I’m still hungry,” says Jon. “Can I have a donut? They’re in my backpack.” Why on earth did he bring the donuts? I thought. Whatever. I help him get a donut out of the plastic container, and as soon as it’s in his hands he kneels down and starts saying some stuff about will I marry him? I remember noticing Henry frozen like a deer in the headlights – he had no idea it was coming, and neither did I. Luckily, Henry scampered off and happened to get a couple of candids of us after that in the “sweet” moments that followed!
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..): My mom and I partnered closely on pretty much everything. It was almost too easy – we picked a preexisting invitation template, the Carey Center does all this stuff for you and makes amazing and delicious food… I guess the only unusual thing was our choice to ferry 11 cakes up to Rensselaerville all the way from New Haven! Boy, were they worth it (Lithuanian Coffee Cake – you absolutely must have some if you’re ever there). There’s also the funny story of how Jon scared off our first potential photographer, but as Mabyn knows, it all worked out for the best!
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day? Waiting in line with my amazing and wonderful bridesmaids to walk down the grassy “aisle.” Sitting on the swing on the hill while everyone was in cocktail hour, and Katie and Dylan doing the extremely kind thing of bringing us shrimp cocktail to eat up there so we wouldn’t keel over. Running around the circle of family and friends during the end of the dancing.
Funniest memory from your wedding day? The crazy 40+-person dash into the lake in the middle of the night after the reception.
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? NO WAY! I wish I could do it all again, exactly the same.
Any advice for future bride & grooms? The same advice that saved me: put whatever early planning you can into protecting your ability to be in the moment on the day of, and fully enjoy being with your friends, family, and partner.
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography? I still have guests complimenting MLP when they reflect on the wedding. Mabyn and Tim were the perfect balance of helpful, respectful and supportive but also fun and crazy (a good match for us and our wedding party). For me in particular, I wasn’t exactly well-versed in wedding tradition, and Mabyn was able to step in and be not only a photographer but sort of a “wedding mentor” in the moments I needed it most. LOVE YOU, MABES.
Hair: April & Co. (Albany)//Makeup Artist: April & Co.//Dress Designer & Store Location: Judd Waddell, Allegria Bridal, Belmont MA//Jewelry: Watch – Tiffany (vintage), earrings – White House Black Market//Veil or Hair accessories: Claire’s (yes, really!)//Shoes: Nordstrom/DIY rhinestones//Bridesmaids Dresses: Monique Lhuillier//Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse//Ceremony Venue: The Carey Center for Global Good, Rensselaerville, NY//Reception Venue: The Carey Center for Global Good, Rensselaerville, NY//Florist: Surroundings Floral, Schenectady, NY//Transportation: Premiere Limo//Band: Bud Maltin Metropolitan Music//Caterer: The Carey Center//Cake: Claire’s Corner Copia (New Haven, CT)//Event Designer: self/mom//Wedding Coordinator: Sue Shufelt at the Carey Center//Lighting: The Carey Center/Surroundings Floral//Invitations & Stationary: Paper Source